Steven Curtis Chapman

Item: Greatest Hits
Author: Alan Seeger

Greatest Hits

(1997)

Reviewed by Alan Seeger

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Label Sparrow RecordsThe LighthouseMarch 1998

ccm country pop rock

Steven Curtis Chapman. For the past several years his name has been called out so many times at the Dove Awards presentation ceremonies that, on one recent year's broadcast, host Gary Chapman-no relation-quipped that SCC had won the award for best female artist. It does seem that Chapman (Steven Curtis, that is) has been everywhere in the world of Christian music in the last few years. Now, with the release of Greatest Hits, Chapman fans will be glad to find that all of his most popular songs have been compiled onto one disc, with some new songs thrown in to boot.

The disc begins with one of these new songs, an acoustic-driven number entitled "Not Home Yet," followed by some of Chapman's most popular songs, including "More To This Life," "The Great Adventure," "That's Paradise," and "His Eyes."

A nice added touch is the inclusion in the liner notes of a brief notation, penned by Chapman, explaining the origin of each song. For example, he writes concerning "For The Sake Of The Call,"

This song and album were written out of a desire to come to a deeper understanding of what it really means to call oneself a "disciple of Jesus Christ." The title and idea for this particular song came from a book called The Cost Of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which I was reading at the time.

The recurring theme of Chapman's music seems to be that he, and we along with him, are on a journey from where we once were to the glorious destination that God has planned for us. He sums it up rather well in another new song, "I Am Found In You."

I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles When I look over my shoulder. And Lord, it's clear You've brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow You? For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You've promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. So where else could I turn? And where else could I go? You have given me life, You have made me whole, You have rescued my soul. So where else could I go? For I am found in You.

The fourteen songs included on this disc represent a cross-section of Chapman's career to date. This is a must-have for those who are already Chapman fans; any fan of Christian music with a smooth, acoustic-based country-pop sound would be well advised to check it out. You'll not be disappointed.