Search - Various Artists :: Strong Hand of Love: Tribute to Mark Heard

Laughing and crying, dancing and sighing

07/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A rollicking, robust -- and sometimes tender -- tribute to an artist whose anonymity may always overshadow his immense musical talent. From the stunning opening song by Kevin Smith of DC Talk to the stirring finale by a reunited Chagall Guevara, this effort records the map of Mark Heard's musical heart as well as anyone could hope to. Not a substitute for Heard's music, this CD nevertheless is a welcome addition and a sign of his influence on contemporary songwriters. Bruce Cockburn's title tune is lovely, though I'm not sure it's better than an earlier cover by Randy Stonehill, who's heard elsewhere here with Pam Dwinell (Kate) Miner. Phil Keaggy's "I Always Do" may be the CD's most perfect song; Pierce Pettis distills the essence of Mark Heard in "Nod Over Coffee." Missing here -- but not to be missed -- is Pat Terry's extraordinary acoustical version of "Mercy of the Flame," a track that's available on the cassette version of this record! ing. Heard's Strong Hand of Love is the hand of God Himself -- sometimes hidden by our shadows but firmly gripping every note of Mark Heard's music. Enjoy."

Songs Of Experience that Blake never got around to write

Pang Khee Teik | Malaysia | 06/17/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As near to a perfect album as I can think of. There is the strength of performance from each artist from the lesser knowns to the biggies. All put their heart into it and pay their sincerest respect to a songwriter who tells it like it is. Each singer sings it as if he or she wrote it. Such is the power of Mark's honest lyricism, that it causes one to feel that the nature of existence is not intrepid and remote, that our struggles are universal and our joys may be obscured but worthy of the struggle, and that meanwhile we have the solidarity of each other. From the pulsating opening track 'Lonely Moon' to the passionately yearning 'I Just Wanna Get Warm' to the chilly introspection of 'It's not your fault' to the anthemic 'Orphans Of God', I seriously would be hard pressed to think of a track that I dislike. The singular unity of Mark's visionary poetry is excellently played out with quite a diverse range of style. And that is another reason this album is so enjoyable. Here are songs that reach deep into my loneliness and anger at the world and love for life. For more of the same you could try the double disc 'Orphans Of God' which has everything here and more."

So good, I have two!

Michael Green | Woodland, WA USA | 02/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is, without reservation, one of the finest CD's in my collection. I was a long time fan of Mark Heard and this CD is the top of my list for ALL artists... The songs recorded by the talented artists on the CD paint a picture of the soul of Mark. He was an extremely talented musician and producer who is greatly missed in the world of music."