The Ministry Years Volume 1 - 1977-1979
Artist: Keith Green
Label: Sparrow Records
Length: Disc 1 has 18 tracks / 70:33 & Disc 2 has 20 tracks
/ 71:16
(Total is 141.49 minutes and 38 tracks)
Nobody's theology is perfect, and on judgment day no one will hear the Lord say, "Well done, my faithful theologian, you got it all right." Christians can expect to be commended for our servanthood, of course, and of Keith Green it can truly be said that he desired to love what God loves and hate what He hates. This two disc collection of his works from 1974 to 1979 is chock-full of Green's joy for Jesus and his testimonies of temptations and triumphs--all of which are universal in their application to our own lives. It also serves as a wonderful reminder of someone who lived his life "sold out to the Lord," inspiring us to do the same.
In heated, foolish debates that began raging in the Seventies, many Christians questioned the validity of Christian rock music. Among those artists that drew critique was Keith Green (although less so than the pioneering Terry Taylor's of the world). Ironically, today Green's music resembles the benign easy listening category more so than the seedy, dangerous rock 'n' roll it was thought to be at the time. Looking back, Green is far closer to the Carpenters than today's Cherry Poppin' Daddies or (dare I say it) Marilyn Manson.
Even from his early days as a childhood songwriter and performing prodigy, Green was always gifted at melding rhythmic piano parts with simple, catchy melodies. Drawing few comparisons to his contemporaries, even other accomplished pop rock piano players like Billy Joel and Elton John, Green's sound was purely his own and often infused with a dramatic quality more akin to a sanctified version of rock operas like The Who's Tommy than anything else to date. The songs were robust but never flashy, and always delivered with a heartfelt conviction that could muster crowd enthusiasm and encourage worship.
If Keith Green's music were a television station, it would be the All Jesus All the Time Channel. Every one of his songs centers on aspects of Christian faith, hope and love, from parables set to music to powerful exhortations to fulfill the Great Commission. Green would never be as clever as Clinton at parsing words, because his songs were always straightforward, uncompromising, literal reflections on the cost of discipleship, worthy worship, and both God's justice and His infinite grace. He also had an impressive way of articulating common struggles of faith and conscience bringing renewed hope or needed conviction to the listener. Given the honest, passionate and exuberant way Green proclaimed Biblical truth, it's no wonder that some today still consider him a prophet, albeit a piano-playing one.
Green's ministry was evident in his life as well as his tunes, and even included a popular series of tracts back when such things were fashionable. More importantly, he practiced what he preached, and opened up his California home to share with seekers and those in need. Eventually Green and his wife, Melody, owned or rented seven homes in one neighborhood that housed people to whom they ministered to on a regular basis. The ultimate impact of his work, however, can only be measured from a heavenly perspective. It seems likely that Green served as an inspiration for the Cornerstone Festival's insistence on mission-oriented Sunday worship speakers. He also preceded the plethora of Vineyard worship releases that would mimic his style without his sturdy stance, and countless CCM artists owe him a hefty debt for setting a standard and paving a way to make Biblically relevant music with mass appeal. His music has become so ubiquitous that even some Roman Catholic churches feature his choruses in Sunday morning worship services.
Back in 1987 this two-disc collection (along with its companion, Ministry Years 1980 - 1982) was offered as two discs in two separate jewel cases, rather than the two-in-one case now that will save you 50% in your CD collection space. Though still fairly sparse, the packaging varies and the liner notes are much more extensive. Thanks to the ingenuity of Enhanced CD technology, you can also read Green's book on your computer and enjoy related goodies. These extras make this re-release a better value for fans and neophytes alike. Ultimately, however, such fringe benefits are meaningless unless the music still stands the test of time, and disc one gratefully contains many examples of his best from this time period. Of the two discs, it has the jauntier, more memorable numbers that made Green a household hit in Christian homes everywhere. Disc two is just as inspirational in content, but a bit less inspiring musically due to the presence of some similar sounding ballads. With over two hours of music to chose from, you could easily cull the best of the best to make one full-length car tape or two.
Whether Green's vintage sound is delightfully classic or dreadfully dismissible by your standards, these timely messages are just as relevant today as they were when he wrote them over twenty years ago. Maybe even more so. Who knows? If he isn't too occupied worshiping his Lord at the moment, Keith Green just may be praying for us and the CCM industry right now.
Steven Stuart Baldwin (4/28/99)
