[.ca] The First Decade: 1983-1993

From Amazon.com:
One of contemporary Christian music's founding fathers, Michael W. Smith offers a brief sampling in this 10-year retrospective. Most of these keyboard-driven songs concern uplifting themes of encouragement, support, and friendship. Some would argue that the lyrical content appeals more to church youth than what Smith displayed in later releases. No matter. While Smith certainly doesn't feature a golden voice, his forte lies in his songwriting, as evidenced throughout this greatest-hits collection. "Place in This World" and "Go West Young Man" are hard-charging anthems with irresistible melodies, while the unique "Rocketown" and "Secret Ambition" show a CCM artist thinking outside the traditional borders. "Kentucky Rose," one of two new songs, perhaps is the most enjoyable and demonstrates where Smith has gone later in the 1990s. --Michael Lyttle

oh my god.:
this has to be the best christan album ever created not only with michael but in general. place in this world wow that's a great song that gives you inspiration when you are feeling depress or feeling left out of the main things in life especially your purpose. i will be here for you is about if you are lonely without friends or if you meet cold snobbish people everywhere around you, god is the only friend you could have. friends if you and your friends have gone your separate ways after school, college etc. you and that person/ persons will always be friends. i'm not sure about the others but they are all great. it's not his latest album but it's still very very very very good.

Ten Years at Your Fingertips:
I waited years before I got this CD. I figured I didn't need it since I already had all his CD's. Yet I'm glad I finally gave in and got it. I've grown to like the first of the new songs. "Do You Dream of Me?" is such a sweet love ballad. I've never gotten used to "Kentucky Rose," however. I find it a little depressing and sometimes skip over it. This brings us to the old songs included on the disc. Yes, there are the obvious ones. They couldn't have even considered this complete without "Friends." And right behind it are "Place in This World," "Prayer for Me" (which I actually prefer over "Friends"), "Rocketown," and modern worship classic "Great Are You, Lord." I also am glad they included "Secret Ambition" and "I Am Sure." Frankly, I would have enjoyed seeing more from that CD. The musical style is definitely 80's on some of these songs. Michael W. Smith changes his style quite easily to match the times. But the lyrics are all solid. Because of the history making songs from a CCM legend, this CD belongs in the collection of any Christian music fan.

Has all my favorites:
This CD is right there--loaded with good stuff. Personally I like tracks 3,5,7,9 (notice a pattern?)the best. But there is not a bad song on this CD. If you are not a Mike fan, then this is a good one to start with. YOu get the best of his beginnings and a taste of where he is going.

Great is the Lord!:
I recently pulled this CD out again and have been listening to it on my drive in to work. I have a short commute so it takes a couple days to cycle through the disk. On the days I get to Great is the Lord, I find myself welling up inside to the point of tears and say "yeah!" at the end. This is a song I've probably heard or sang a thousand times in my life, but hearing it here really hits home. Michael W. Smith was the first Christian artist I heard while growing up in the 80s and I was taken by how well written his songs were while having a Christian perspective - not to mention, they were great to listen to (my thinking at the time was that all Christian music had to be boring enough to be sung in a church service). Thank you Smitty. Great is the Lord!

5 stars? God didn't create enough stars to rate this album.:
I do not think I can say enough about this CD in 1000 words. God told me it was evil. He was wrong. The Pope told me it was good. Long live PJP II. Anyway, this compact disc was amazing. I wish I had the privigilege to own the cassette tape. And then lose it. Or wear it out, which ever comes first. I do not care about Smitty's cut-rate songs. He is one with God. I am one with God, and therefore I am one with him. I feel him inside me when he sings about his wife. When he sings about God, I feel even closer to him. BUY THIS COMPACT DISC. THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!

• Do You Dream of Me? - Michael W. Smith,
• Kentucky Rose - Michael W. Smith,
• Picture Perfect - Michael W. Smith,
• I Will Be Here for You - Michael W. Smith, Michael W. Smith
• Give It Away - Michael W. Smith,
• Place in This World - Michael W. Smith,
• Go West Young Man - Michael W. Smith, Michael W. Smith
• Pray for Me - Michael W. Smith,
• Secret Ambition - Michael W. Smith, Michael W. Smith
• Emily - Michael W. Smith,
• Old Enough to Know - Michael W. Smith,
• Rockettown - Michael W. Smith, Michael W. Smith
• I Am Sure - Michael W. Smith,
• Friends - Michael W. Smith, Michael W. Smith
• Great Is the Lord - Michael W. Smith,