Greatest Hits
Artist: Amy Grant 
EMI/Sparrow
Length: 19/78:56

Hard to believe we've been listening to Amy Grant for over thirty years.  In what is at least her third compilation album, _Greatest Hits_ attempts to break down her career into half "pop" songs and half "Christian" songs, a fait accompli if there ever was one.  As a result, a lot of tracks fans are familiar with have been omitted – perhaps a box set would have been in order here??   After all, Grant has recorded over twenty albums.

The first half of the disc focuses on the last ten years.  "Simple Things," "Baby Baby," "Every Heartbeat," and "I Will Remember You" are here, of course.   It becomes apparent how well Grant and her producers over the years have chosen her songs, especially those penned by other writers.  Songs by Charlie Peacock, Rich Mullins, Michael Card, and others are interspersed with Grant's own originals. 

"Lead Me On", perhaps Grant's best known song from her best album, leads off the second half of the disc.   "Find a Way", the single that launched her onto the pop charts, is here, as is "Thy Word," "Angels," "El Shaddai ," and "Father's Eyes" from Age to Age, the album that propelled her into the CCM spotlight twenty-five years ago. 

Grant's voice has held up well over the years, still falling into that alto/tenor range that Karen Carpenter grew rich on, and the songs still hold up as well.   I just wish there were more of them.  Trying to compress thirty years into one disc is a tough task for anyone, but even more so for someone who has had as storied career as Amy Grant.   

Brian A. Smith
16 October 2007