Unguarded Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Before this album was released, the Christian music industry knew a totally different Amy Grant. This was the woman who had given them praise classics like "El Shaddai", touching melodies like "Fathers's Eyes", and sweet, reflective tunes like "Giggle".
The first 10 seconds of this album revealed another side to Amy's talent. The hard-driving beat of "Love of Another Kind" marked the beginning of Amy's cross-over into popular rock... And I, for one, was thrilled! Always shooting from the hip, Amy Grant delved into this new style of music with an honesty message of hope that shines with each successive track.
This is fun music: music to crank up in the car as you drive down the road. "Find A Way" and "Wise Up" join "Love" as the albums most "rocky" and catchy tunes. "Everywhere I Go" is a beautifully arranged and well written expression of hope, and "Who to Listen To" speaks of the choices we face when we choose who to trust. By far, the most fun tune is the aforementioned "Wise Up" which has been the cause of more near-accidents on the American highway than should probably be counted.
The title, "Unguarded" comes from a background lyric in the song, "Fight" ...'I've got to stay open, keep defenses all down (unguarded heart) Don't want to be hiding, when the love comes 'round. '
There are four covers to this album, with Amy striking different poses in her now infamous spotted jacked. As a plus, listen for then-husband Gary Chapman doing background vocals on many of the tracks.
I wanted to point out that my opinion here is a bit biased...I am quite the Amy-fan. For the diehard Amy-ite, this is one of the best albums she has ever done and if you don't have it, you should click the button NOW. For the casual or non-fan, this album contains many fun songs with a definite 80s flare, and I really do believe that you would enjoy them.
Rock on, Amy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Unguarded

Click here for more information about Unguarded

Soundstage: Peter Cetera Live in Concert... (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Being a Chicago fan (& all genre's of music in general), I decided to purchase "A&E's Chicago Live by Request" and Peter Cetera on "Soundstage" with Amy Grant. I missed Peter's voice on the Chicago DVD but it is very entertaining and a well done production and concert. Chicago has replaced Cetera with a very talented singer and musician who steps up to sing the selections originally voiced by Peter (& done very well). Below are my primary observations of the "Soundstage" DVD:
* The picture and sound quality are excellent. The concert is in Hi-Definition for a great presence on applicable equipment.
* Cetera still sings with his wonderfully familiar voice although it has definitely softened with age. The high notes are not quite hit but he still manages to stay true to the original songs (much like Elton John and Paul McCartney's aged voices; Elton 58, Paul 62 years old as of April 2005).
* There is virtually no interaction with the audience (except for a few quick "thank you's" and silly comments to the audience and fellow artists). It would have been nice to hear something related to what he was about to sing. I read similar reactions to his "Peter Cetera Live" DVD.
* Amy Grant is very good. I'm not a fan of Amy but she sings 3 solo songs that were very well chosen including one of 1991's big Pop hits "Baby Baby" and "El-Shaddai" from her first breakthrough album in Gospel in 1982. Each one is excellent and she is in fine form. A great way to begin this DVD. She also joins Cetera during his act to sing their hit duet "Next Time I Fall" from 1986.
* The backing instrumentalists are fantastic although they do give these songs a different spin. Instead of the Chicago brass section, piano, electric guitars and male background vocals, you hear them with a large string section, acoustic guitars, female backing, brass and piano. This is a nice sound for Pop, Rock and Classical enthusiasts.
* The DVD and/or concert is short. Most respectably produced music events are longer than 71 minutes (and less expensive). The song list is excellent but limited. You get a mix of solo hits and Chicago greats.
* There is a nice list of DVD Extra features but really only the 3 bonus tracks are meaningful. They are great extra tunes but being that you are only getting 9 Cetera songs on the main set (including the two duets) and 3 Grant songs, I would have expected them to add more video material to this disc such as archived footage of him.
Overall I give this a 4.5. Beautiful music, great audio/video quality and some fun nostalgia with a new twist.
Track Listing:
Amy Grant
------------
Baby Baby
Simple Things
El-Shaddai
Peter Cetera
------------
One Good Woman
Glory Of Love
Restless Heart
If You Leave Me Now
After All
The Next Time I Fall
Baby, What A Big Surprise
You're The Inspiration
Have You Ever Been In Love
Bonus Tracks
-------------
25 or 6 to 4
Even a Fool Can See
Hard To Say I'm Sorry

Click Here to see more reviews about: Soundstage: Peter Cetera Live in Concert... (2005)

Grammy Award-winner Peter Cetera performs classic favorites for the SoundStage audience. He is joined by four-time Grammy-winner Amy Grant for their duet "Next Time I Fall", classic hits such as "Baby Baby" and songs from her latest album. As seen on PBS.

Click here for more information about Soundstage: Peter Cetera Live in Concert... (2005)

Lead Me On (20th Anniversary Edition) (2 CDs) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I remember purchasing my original copy of Lead Me On 20 years ago! This special edition sounds great and I love the acoustic versions of some of the classic recordings from this CD. Any Amy fan must have this anniversary edition in their collection!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lead Me On (20th Anniversary Edition) (2 CDs)

01. 1974 02. Lead Me On 03. Shadows 04. Saved By Love 05. Faithless Heart 06. What About The Love 07. If These Walls Could Speak 08. All Right 09. Wait For The Healing

Click here for more information about Lead Me On (20th Anniversary Edition) (2 CDs)

Time Again: Amy Grant Live (Bonus Dvd) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This live CD is very well done. The audio is great, you'll think you are at the concert. Just enough chit-chat between songs....to make it interesting. The audio is fantastic. Amy and her band sing their old hits with a fresh new arrangements and you also get to hear a few songs that weren't radio hits, but are fabulous. Excellent CD........check out the live DVD of this concert also.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Time Again: Amy Grant Live (Bonus Dvd)

Time Again...Amy Grant Live was captured during two sold out performances April 11th and 12th, 2006 at the exquisite Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX. Weaving a retrospective journey through a lifetime's worth of her most treasured songs, Amy invited audiences into her "living room" for a live concert experience unlike any other.

Click here for more information about Time Again: Amy Grant Live (Bonus Dvd)

Heart in Motion: Amy Grant Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Amy is so terrific, and I haven't listened to pop in a long time. She has a lovely, soft, airy voice but uses it powerfully and the music makes her sound even better. What great musicians she has with her, and you can feel their connection in the music. HEART IN MOTION is titled appropriately because Amy has tons of heart and she boldly and bravely shares it. I respect that in an artist. I also would like to thank her for taking the time to come to my high school (this was awhile back, heh) and speaking to us about many inspirational things, including God and singing acapella to us sitting on a stool; dressed casually, relaxed, with her legs crossed singing from her heart.
What mainly made me write this review today is the song, "Baby, Baby" which is EXACTLY how I feel about my daughter on Valentine's Day and every day into forever:
"Baby, baby, I'm taken with the notion
To love you with the sweetest of devotion/
...and ever since the day you put my heart in motion
Baby I realize there's just no getting over you/
Baby, baby, in any kind of weather
I'm here for you always and forever...
Don't stop giving love..."
I sing it to her and hold her; other times we laugh and dance. I will never forget this song--ever.
Other favorite songs are: the upbeat, "Good For Me," and the gorgeous melody, "That's What Love is For" both of which I dedicate to my devoted husband; faith in trying times, "Ask Me;" the emotional, inspiring, "You're Not Alone;" and the sincere, riveting "I Will Remember You;" and, in my opinion, the rationale for the entire cd and why I love Amy so much, "Hope Set High."
"Here's to good times to come." I'm with you, Amy.
Soar!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Heart in Motion: Amy Grant

Highly popular, and until now scarcely available, this album has been newly restored and digitally remastered. Amy Grant is the biggest selling artist in Christian Music history and one of the most celebrated artists in pop music with 16 Billboard hits, six Grammy Awards, nine platinum/platinum-plus awards and nine gold awards.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Click here for more information about Heart in Motion: Amy Grant

In Concert: Age to Age Tour (1989) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Amy Grant really came of age as a Christian performer with her 1982 "Age to Age" album and concert tour, seen here on this video. "Age to Age" signaled a transition from the folksy tunes of her earlier albums (no doubt influenced by the hippy-flavored Jesus Movement of the '70s) to more trendy and pop-influenced songs. A 22-year-old Amy absolutely shines in this concert video. She's both energetic and down-to-earth, and her enthusiasm infuses every song. I love her interaction with both the audience and the band. Also making an appearance is a young Michael W. Smith playing keyboards, before he struck out on his own. It's a treat to watch a young Amy and Michael performing together, and it's nice to see their life-long friendship at this early stage.
The only downside to the video is the middle section with songs performed by Amy's then-husband Gary Chapman. At first I thought he would sing only one, maybe two songs, but he ended up chewing the scenery for a total of FIVE songs, the last of which performed with Amy. Though Gary is a very talented singer and musician, his droll personality was such a downer compared with Amy's light-up-the-room charisma. And his sweaty-face close-ups didn't help with his appeal. The Gary section seemed really out of place in an otherwise flawless concert, which makes me wonder why they gave him center stage in the first place. Was it to give Amy a break and a chance to change outfits, or did her husband want a piece of the pie? Amy's concerts are best when she leaves her spouses out of the limelight (that goes for you, too, Vince).
Overall, this is a must-have for Amy fans, especially fans of her early work. Though it's out of print and not on DVD, you shouldn't have a problem finding an old VHS copy for sale for a decent price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: In Concert: Age to Age Tour (1989)

Click here for more information about In Concert: Age to Age Tour (1989)