Reviewed by Tony Cummings

We Brits may wince a bit at a cover sticker which boasts "17 Chris Rice classics" but let not that detract the listener from investigating this compilation of one of Nashville's most popular singer/songwriters. The particular gift which has made Chris such a favourite on US Christian radio is the quality of his best songs and they're all here - "Deep Enough To Dream", "Smell The Color 9", "The Other Side Of The Radio" - showing his ability to avoid the pitfalls of mainstream singer/songwriters wallowing in personal angst or resorting to lyrical obscurity, and the Christian songwriter endlessly re-iterating biblical truth so that it becomes cliché. Chris can bring fresh ways of expressing insights about God's acceptance of us despite all our mistakes ("Clumsy") or the joy of everyday blessing ("Smellin' Coffee") with a true songsmith's craft. Occasionally his judgment slips - "Go Light Your World", the song he wrote for Kathy Troccoli and one of the four new recordings here, is simply too "lighters in the air" maudlin. But his warm, expressive voice and sensitive acoustic-into-pop arrangements from producer Monroe Jones make this a great introduction to investigate an inspiring songwriting talent.

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