Real Life Conversations
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 July, 1994)
list price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

Nineteen eighty-eight's Real Life Conversations, Steven Curtis Chapman's second release, shows why he became one of Christian music's best. While other CCM artists were tinkling around with that late-1980s synthesizer sound and disposable pop music, Chapman was releasing thoughtful and well-written material. "Faithful Too" and "Tuesday's Child" open with a power-chord-driven rock appeal. But Chapman slows it down with the beautiful "For Who He Really Is," augmented by Nashville session superstar Mark O'Connor on mandolin. "His Eyes" and "His Strength Is Perfect" also show Chapman's quieter, softer balladry. One of this CD's gems is "My Turn Now," an upbeat, Gospel-infused rave that will have you humming along before you know it. --Michael Lyttle ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fantastic sophomore effort from SCC
I actually vividly remember hearing an SCC song for the very first time, milling around in a suburban Atlanta Christian bookstore in 1988. I heard "His Eyes" and was just captivated. I went into a listening booth and listened to a sampler CD and between that song and "For Who He Really Is," I bought the album on the spot. This is a landmark album to me in Christian music, up there with Amy Grant's "Age to Age." There are so many great songs on this CD, you can't go wrong with it. It truly is one of my very favorite CCM albums.

Songs to soothe your soul and lift your spirits
Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my most favourite modern contemperary songwriter , singer and musician. He is truly amazing and has a wonderful talent which appeals to the younger generation. I am almost sixty four and get great joy from listening to his albums. I own almost all the CD's he has ever brought out. The song "Fingerprints of God" on his album "Speechless" is so totally inspired for all young teenagers.

A Grea t Album
This is SCC's 2nd album but it shows signs of his lyrical talent right away. This album is a must have for all of Steven's fans. The standout song is HIS STRENGTH IS PERFECT however, MY TURN NOW and HIS EYES are both SCC classics. It is not one of the corny sounding late 80's albums. It is really standing the test of time both lyrically and musically. ... Read more

Asin: B000005KVW

Heaven in the Real World
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 July, 1994)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98
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Editorial Review

Throughout his career, Steven Curtis Chapman has tastefully combined his appreciation for down-home country with forward-sounding pop sensibilities. Add to the country and pop a bundle of opportunities for Chapman to flash his guitar wizardry, and you have his 1994 release Heaven in the Real World, one of the more pleasing Christian-music efforts of the decade. The light-hearted "King of the Jungle" and "Dancing with the Dinosaur" are balanced by the more serious and moving "Still Listening" and "Miracle of Mercy."The appealing title track rocks with an urgency that drives Chapman's divine message home. With the best yet to come (1996's Signs of Life), Chapman still stands tall with this quality recording. --Michael Lyttle ... Read more

Reviews (19)

One of America's best Singer-Songwriters. Period!
Back in 1994 I had just attended my first Promise Keepers Conference. I was really struck by the message, but the music really took me by surprise. Having been a rock-n-roller all my life my impression of Christian music was, well, you know. Boring! But the music at Promise Keepers was anything BUT boring. There were rock songs. Ballads. Music that really stirred emotion. It was really good. A week or so later I'm in this Christian Bookstore in Denver. Now I don't know one Christian artist from the next so I ask a women at the store to recommend something. She say's "Have you ever heard Steven Curtis Chapman"? I said, "Who"? she says, "Try his new album Heaven In The Real World, I think you'll like it". Needless to say, I was blown away by the writing, the singing, and the production was fantastic. If you're new to Christian music or have never heard Steven Curtis Chapman, check out this CD. You'll find yourself playing it over and over and over again. Four years later, (1998) it's still one of my favorite CD's Christian or otherwise. Oh, one more thing. If you ever get a chance to see him "Live", don't miss it. One of the best live acts in the music biz.

Without a doubt, his best.
Seems as if Steven had fun with this album - and that's usually what makes music good. With such curious titles as "Dancing with the Dinosaur", "Burn the Ships", "King of the Jungle", and "Facts are Facts", just glancing at this CD is sure to pique your interest. There isn't a single bad song on this album, except maybe "Miracle of Mercy", but it's tolerable, just kind of...um...juvenile and...um...I hate to say this but...stupid and slow. The rest of these songs are gems. "Still Listening" is the only SCC song that my Mom doesn't make fun of, and that's saying something. It's one of my personal faves. BUY THIS NOW, OR THE WRATH OF "CHILD OF THE BURNING HEART" (that's me) IS UPON YOU!!!

The song I had to find
Have you ever heard a song that you loved so much that you just had to find it NOW? I mean a song that is so awesome that finding who sings it and buying the CD becomes an obsession?Well, that happened to me this week: I was put on hold when calling a car dealership; and for once, I didn't mind the wait. Didn't want the operator to come back on the line, as a matter of fact! The song was "Heartbeat of Heaven"!!!! Need I say more?

After three calls back to the dealership, the receptionist tracked it down; and when she said, "Steven Curtis Chapman.", I thought "All right!"

My daughter has always listened to Christian music; and I've listened in awe to the evolution (explosion) of talented singers/believers in this genre over the last eight years, becoming a fan myself.

Steven Curtis Chapman sings about today's issues and the struggles we all face daily. I can sum up this CD, and especially the track "Heartbeat of Heaven", in one word: Unforgettable! ... Read more

Asin: B000005KX0

Signs of Life
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 September, 1996)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

Like his peer Michael W. Smith, the exuberant Steven Curtis Chapman only gets better with each album. The 1996 release Signs of Life shows Chapman at his best. With thoughtful, introspective lyrics and crisp production, Signs of Life bursts with many high moments, including the intro "Lord of the Dance," spiced with Chapman's hot Dobro licks and zesty fiddle. The title song and "Let Us Pray" are the two most radio-ready cuts and will leave you with irresistible melodies. "Celebrate You," "Free," and "Hold On to Jesus" slow it down enough to showcase Chapman's calmer moments. There are few artists like Chapman that can combine his mastery of musicianship and forthright lyrics to produce releases like the must-have Signs of Life. --Michael Lyttle ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Steven Rocks!
Who can say this CD is not great!!!??? I absolutely love this CD!!!! And usually you don't expect that from old CD's, not that its really THAT old! I read a review where someone said that this CD did not take them further in their Christian walk. I am here to tell you, "Ha!" Sometimes I can't even get past the first song! Steven is a wonderful singer, and so upbeat! It makes you happy to listen to him!

An invigorating personal re-invention
Steven Curtis Chapman is one of Christian music's most popular and best selling artists, but even the best grow stale after a while. While HEAVEN IN THE REAL WORLD was a very good CD, it lacked some of the punch and clarity of Chapman's earlier efforts. SIGNS OF LIFE was released with much ado about the 'reinvention' of Chapman's music, and it played true to the hype. "Lord of the Dance" is an opening knockout, and "Children of the Burning Heart" and "Let Us Pray" are both catchy, driving songs with outstanding hooks and great lyrics. Chapman sang the majority of the backup vocals on this CD, and the vocal layering is really intense at times, giving excellent depth to the songs on the album. There really isn't a stinker in the bunch, and Christians and non-Christians alike should be very pleased with the musical qualities of this CD, which is not always the case with contemporary Christian music. But then again, this is Steven Curtis Chapman, and dedicated fans have come to expect nothing less.

Just Keeps on Getting Better...
This 1996 offering from Steven Curtis Chapman marked a new direction of sorts in his style of music, moving from more ballad offerings, like "Weak Days," "More to this Life," and "For the Sake of the Call," to more rock offerings, like "Lord of the Dance," "Let us Pray," and "Signs of Life." What hasn't changed, however, is that SCC includes his faith in Jesus or love for the Lord in each and every song. Where many other Christian artists compromise to reach a wider audience, SCC stays true to himself and his beliefs about what his music should be about.

At the time of this review, it has been six years since this album was released. And yet "Lord of the Dance" and "Signs of Life" are still receiving heavy airplay on Christian music stations. In an age where artists and groups come and go in less time than that, the heavy rotation of these songs is a testament to the impact in us that SCC has had. As with most of his songs, SCC tells a story in each of these two songs. And six years later, these stories still have something to teach us. ... Read more

Asin: B000005KYA