The Michael W. Smith Project

Editorial Reviews
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Michael W. Smith is an immensely talented young man who achieved success as a songwriter with "How Majestic Is Your Name" for Sandi Patti. He has co-written a number of songs, including many on Amy Grants and Kathy Troccoli's albums. Now Michael has an album of his own.

The Michael W. Smith Project heavily drenched with keyboards and synthesizers, shows Michael as a virtual whiz on those instruments. (He just finished touring with Amy Grant, playing keyboards in her band.)

Beginning with an instrumental reminiscent of Bach, Smiths "Sonata in D Major" shows his classical training. But if the first song shows where his fingers have been, the next ones show where his heart is going: "You Need a Saviour," uptempo and nearly new wave, "Could He Be the Messiah," and "Be Strong and Courageous" all cookers.

One side two Amy Grant sings along on "Friends." "Great Is the Lord" with its chorus could soon join "How Majestic" as one of all-time great praise songs from contemporary Christian music. Michael, heavy on music but light on words, is perfectly complemented by wife Debbie, who writes the lyrics for Michael's tunes.

Projectis a powerful debut album full of energy, excitement, and the keyboard/synthesizer sound heard all over pop radio. But more than that, this album is full of the promise of a great new talent. -- Don Cusic (c) 1983 CCM Communications, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

The Michael W. Smith Project, Music, Michael W. Smith, Adult Contemporary, CCM, Pop, Religious / Contemp. Christian

Average customer rating:

It's from 1983,not1993!

A solid start to a great career...

Smith's first, but perhaps best ever

Still Great!

After 21 years, it's still great!

The Michael W. Smith Project
Michael W. Smith
Manufacturer: Reunion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000004R8
Release Date: 1993-03-01

Tracks:

Sonata In D Major
You Need A Saviour
Could He Be The Messiah
Too Many Times
Be Strong And Courageous
Looking Up
The Race Is On
First Light/Love In The Light
Friends
Great Is The Lord
Alpha Overture

Customer Reviews:

It's from 1983,not1993!.......2006-06-11

This album is very refreshing and it's more rock than healing rain.(thank God.)This album has about 85 percent goodness in it.I like sonata in D major,you need a saviour,strong and courageous,looking up,friends,and great is the Lord.Now let me warn you,this CD does have a lot of synthesizer in it and is a little over-produced.Do not let that discourage you from buying this,though.I definetly recommend this!!

A solid start to a great career..........2006-06-10

Michael W. Smith is one of my favorite artists, which somehow allows me to be more critical than I would of artists with whom I am less familiar. When stacked against the entirety of his many albums, this one is good but not great. The overwhelmingly articial sound of the synthesizer provides such a dated sound of the '80s, and not in a good way. And several of the songs, particularly "Friends," are overdone and ultimately rather cheesy.

Nonetheless, it is neat to experience the beginning of Smith as he begins to establish his niche. And you can see the songwriting chops that later produced some of the greatest works to come out of the contemporary Christian genre. "Could He Be the Messiah?" and "Be Strong and Courageous" are both full of energy and lots of fun. Near the end, it is fun to sing along to "Great is the Lord," a favorite praise chorus across the world for over 20 years.

Though I would recommend some of his later work (especially "i 2(EYE)" and "I'll Lead You Home") more highly, this is an album worth hearing.

Smith's first, but perhaps best ever.......2005-07-23

Believe it or not, this is the first album I ever owned (outside of kiddie music when I was much younger, of course). These days, my tastes have turned to more mature, heavier music, but I have Michael W. Smith to thank for sparking my love for music in the first place. When I go back and listen to this album, I can't believe how ahead of its time it is. Sure it has a dated 80's sound going on now, but considering it came out in 1983, you can't hold that against him. For fans of MWS's new stuff, this might be quite a shock to hear. It is much more rock-based. But this album is crammed with some great melodies and it won't take long to be humming and singing along. I think if you give it a shot, you will hear the genius that was present in Smith early on. This one is definitely worth owning for any music fan.

Still Great!.......2005-05-10

This album was released before I was born, but I absolutely love it. It's 22 years after release and I still find some of these song are playing over and over in my head. My favorites are Too Many Times and Could He Be The Messiah.

After 21 years, it's still great!.......2004-03-09

The first Michael W. Smith album I ever heard was actually 2. Though I agree that, in general, MWS's music has steadily improved over the years (and he was fantastic starting out), PROJECT is definitely the best of his first three albums (the other two being 2 and THE BIG PICTURE).

My favorite songs on here are "Sonata in D Major," "You Need a Savior," and "The Race is On". The music is definitely dated. The album was released 21 years ago, and the sounds are very 80s-ish.

Immortal classics on here include "Great is the Lord" and "Friends". The second of these two is one of the most worn-out songs ever written. Now, I don't mean to offend, but if you've sat through as many youth camps and graduation ceremonies (weddings, funerals, etc.) as I have, then you know what I'm talking about.

i.e. "I just want *sniff* to dedicate this song to all my senior friends who are graduating this year."

Meanwhile the "senior friends" are sitting their thinking, "Thank You, Lord that I won't have to hear this song anymore." It's definitely the KOOM-BAH-YAH of my generation.

Nonetheless, if the 80s-synthesizer sound doesn't turn you off, this is a wonderful album to own and enjoy.

The Michael W. Smith Project
Average customer rating:
The Michael W. Smith Project
Michael W. Smith
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008F547
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Sonata in D Major
You Need a Savior
Could He Be the Messiah
Too Many Times
Be Strong and Courageous
Looking Up
Race Is On
Love in the Light
Friends
Great Is the Lord
Alpha Overture

Average customer rating:

Michael W. Smith Project
Michael W. Smith
Manufacturer: A&M Records/Reunion Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0009WIL50

Product Description

Very Rare Original release with the Original Artwork - Hard to Find Collector's Item!

Average customer rating:

Waking Up Laughing
Martina McBride
Manufacturer: BMG/RCA Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000RF0J4A

Music:

Music

Music