Search - Bob Bennett :: Small Graces

A humble master

barry frazier | lexington, ky | 07/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Small Graces was the first album of Bob's I happened upon about a year and a half ago. I was immediately capitivated by his brilliant guitar playing that seemed as effortess as breathing. More than that, this is a guy who lives where real people live and experiences the same stuff as real people, and isn't afraid to write about it. You can't help but be led down the road of personal introspection when you hear his songs. You realize this is everyday stuff that he writes and sings about, but it seems to have a ring of truth and perspective that you hadn't noticed before. I soon found myself on a treasure hunt to find some of his earlier works, of which I had some success, and it was more of the same mastery of marrying poignant, life-stuff lyrics with some gorgeous music (and let me tell you, this brother can get around on the guitar - he hears all the notes). It's truly a shame that comtemporary Christian music hasn't given him better promotion over the years. Unfortunately, they think a middle-aged man with a failed marriage who doesn't have abs of steel doesn't fit the marketing bill for what people want to hear today. Although, that probably eliminates about 50% of their demographic targets. And I would argue that CCM shouldn't be relegated to just "uplifting" music. Not all of David's psalms were "uplifting", but rather truthful. They should, however, be dispensed toward playing real-life stuff that challenges us to see God in it. Rest assured, there's a contingent of fans out there who love and appreciate this authentic man who has stayed true to who he is, both musically and spiritually. He's a gem! If you like him, I'd also recommend Billy Crockett, David Wilcox, Michael Kelly Blanchard, Bob Carlisle, and Chris Rice."

A great singer and songwriter, a fine album

Reviewer123 | 04/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's nice to see nine other reviews here for this album. For a core group of us, this was a very eagerly awaited album - but it didn't sell hundreds of thousands of copies, which is why (I presume) we're still waiting for the follow-up. The highlights of this album for me are "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" and "Small Graces". I love Bob's introspection and honesty;his lyrics are truthful, penetrating and very real. They don't have the repetitive or manufactured feeling of much (?most) Christian contemporary music. Bob's albums tend to be full of good songs, with one or two great ones, and by great, I mean songs you never forget, that come back to you time and time again. Most other artists have one or two of these in their entire careers. The great song for me on this album is "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" which has those classic lyrics, the beautiful melody and some of Bob's best singing ever. Interestingly, most reviews don't mention his singing, but it is perfectly matched to his material, and he can really put in the emotion without any histrionics or gimmicks.It is my prayer that at some point Bob's "greatest hits" album, "Lord of the Past",will be reissued on CD or as MP-3 files. I have a very heavily used tape that is dangerously close to wearing out, and this album is ALL great songs. It includes three of my all-time favorite CCM songs...well, three of my all-time favorite songs of any genre: "You're Welcome Here", "Come and See" and "Lord of the Past", plus classics such as "Mountain Cathedrals" and "Carpenter Gone Bad?".I hope Bob realizes that even if his music doesn't sell millions of records, it affects peoples lives in a way little other music does."

Bob Bennett: Matters of the Heart, and More

D Larry B | Edmond, OK, USA | 06/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bob is truly a musical poet to the Church. I've appreciated his ministry from the beginning and am fortunate to have copies of all his recordings. I have a mix of vinyl, cassette and CD. It would be great for all of his material to be re-released on CD. I would like CD's of Non-Fiction and Matters of the Heart...
Bob's Discography:
First Things First
Matters of the Heart
Non-Fiction
Lord of the Past
Songs from Bright Avenue
Small Graces"