The First Decade: 1983-1993 [Reunion]

• Artist: Michael W. Smith
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 12, 1993
• Total Time: 67:24
• Type: Compilation (best of), Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Gospel

Review

When Michael W. Smith made a move for a secular audience, he didn't seem to alienate his core contemporary Christian fan base as much as peer Amy Grant did, and the reason might be that he takes the spoonful-of-sugar tack when spreading his message: He seamlessly creates pop music with messages that sometimes subtly and sometimes not-so-subtly hark back to God. On "Go West Young Man" he could just as easily be referring to Israel as California as he advises to go west when evil tempts you east; on "Old Enough to Know" he urges a young girl to abstain, which is certainly a Christian way of thinking, but it also applies to any teenager in the world; "Rocketown" could be Sodom as well as a seedy part of any town; and his biggest Top 40 hit, "A Place in This World," could refer to simply fitting in or finding God. Much of contemporary Christian music is better pop than most pop, and Smith leads the pack with enviable hooks, production, vocals, and A-list co-writers like Grant, Diane Warren, and Wayne Fitzpatrick. Though it includes some cuts that rely too much on synthesizer-driven production ("Emily," "Friends"), this greatest-hits package is testament to his strengths and his success at spreading the word of God to both Christian and secular audiences. ~ Bryan Buss, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Do You Dream of Me?	Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Beverly Darnall, Anthony Grant	Michael W. Smith	(4:19)
Kentucky Rose (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(5:27)
Picture Perfect (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(3:55)
I Will Be Here for You (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Diane Warren	Michael W. Smith	(4:35)
Give It Away (Lyrics)	Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(5:07)
Place in This World (Lyrics)	Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(3:59)
Go West Young Man (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(3:55)
Pray for Me (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(3:54)
Secret Ambition (Lyrics)	Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(6:27)
Emily (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(4:19)
Old Enough to Know (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(4:48)
Rockettown	Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick	Michael W. Smith	(4:35)
I Am Sure (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Mike Hudson	Michael W. Smith	(4:44)
Friends (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Deborah Smith	Michael W. Smith	(4:41)
Great Is the Lord (Lyrics)	Michael W. Smith, Deborah Smith	Michael W. Smith	(2:54)

Credits

Amy Grant (Vocals (Background)), Michael W. Smith (Piano), Michael W. Smith (Keyboards), Michael W. Smith (Vocals (Background)), Michael W. Smith (Producer), Michael W. Smith (Main Performer), Michael W. Smith (Executive Producer), Michael W. Smith (Compilation Producer), Phil Madeira (Organ (Hammond)), Gary Chapman (Vocals (Background)), Gary Chapman (?), Gary Chapman (Pedabro), Joe Baldridge (Engineer), Joe Baldridge (Mixing), Steve Brewster (Drums), Ronnie Brookshire (Engineer), Ronnie Brookshire (Mixing), David Hall (Mixing), David Hall (Mixing Assistant), Mark Hammond (Programming), Mark Hammond (Producer), Mark Hammond (Drum Programming), Mark Hammond (Keyboard Programming), Chris Harris (Vocals (Background)), Mark Heimermann (Keyboards), Mark Heimermann (Organ (Hammond)), Mark Heimermann (Vocals (Background)), Mark Heimermann (Producer), Mark Heimermann (Mixing), Dann Huff (Guitar), Jerry Dale McFadden (Accordion), Terry McMillan (Harmonica), Terry McMillan (Percussion), Jerry McPherson (Mandolin), Todd Robbins (Engineer), Tommy Simms (Bass), Mark Tucker (Photography), Dave Dillbeck (Engineer), Dave Dillbeck (Second Engineer), J.B. (Engineer), Beth Middleworth (Design), Buddy Jackson (Art Direction), Michael Blanton (Executive Producer), Amy Hughes (Engineer), Amy Hughes (Second Engineer), JuLee Brand (Design), JuLee Brand (Cover Coordinator), Nick Sparks (?), Nick Sparks (Technical Assistance), D. Rhodes (Art Direction), June Arnold (Grooming), Elizabeth Simmons (Design), Elizabeth Simmons (Cover Coordinator), Hank Williams (Mastering), JB (Engineer)