On April 9 Sparrow Records released Dove Hits 2002: 16 of the Year's Best Dove Award-Nominated Artists and Songs - one of the most complete compilation CDs around thanks to its mix of popular artists, songs and its musical diversity.
The CD starts with "Live Out Loud" (Steven Curtis Chapman) just as the actual Dove Awards did; the song gives a fun and energetic opening for the celebration of some of the year’s best CCM artists. Following is "Come Together," Third Day's hit song from their most recent album. Third Day rightfully won several awards this year, and presented an incredible performance of this song. Other top winners of the year also included on the album include ZOEgirl ("With All of My Heart") and Nicole C. Mullen ("Call on Jesus"). Other Dove performers featured are Yolanda Adams (who was also MC), Shaun Groves, Point of Grace and tobyMac. The album also includes the bonus track "In God We Trust," which, according to the promo material, "was commissioned by the Gospel Music Association and the Christian music industry's unified response to the tragic events of September 11th." Artists with featured vocals include tobyMac, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Rachael Lampa, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael Tait, Kevin Max, and Jaci Velasquez, while more than 50 additional Christian music artists participated in the choir for the song as well.
The only major disappointments of the album are that it does not include the song that gave one of the most inspirational and lyrically touching performances at the Doves by MercyMe, "I Can Only Imagine," and that Artist of the Year Michael W. Smith is not represented.
Overall it is a genuine hit album - one for any CCM music fans to have!
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Josh McConnellWell, the Dove Awards for 2002 have come and gone, and before hand Sparrow Records put together the first of many Dove Award compilation albums. This album is full of songs that were nominated for Dove Awards this year from your favorite Christian Artists. For example, you'll hear songs from Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, tobyMac, Rebecca St. James, ZOEgirl, Mark Schultz, Nichole Nordeman, and…
