Reviewed by Anthony Longville

No less than 26 years after the premature death of Keith Green, we get the release of a set of live recordings. It is not of course the first thing to be released since Green's passing. Over the years there have been a number of releases of unfinished recordings, live songs, numerous compilations and the excellent 'Your Love Broke Through' DVD documentary. For all the wait, for me this has to be perhaps the one which more than anything else catches the essence of Keith Green. 16 songs with nothing but Keith Green and a piano from 1978-1982. Green improvises on his instrument and delivers the vocals with all the passion you'd expect. Indeed, the 1982 version of "Asleep In The Light" which was recorded as Green shared his missionary vision at Jesus West Coast makes for uncomfortable listening, as his voice adds a whole new depth to the challenging lyrics. There is at least one recording here we've heard before - "Piano Prelude/Create In Me A Clean Heart", which originally appeared on 'Jesus Commands Us To Go'. The liner notes then described the first part as spontaneous, even though there appeared to be a full orchestra playing! Well on the original recording there are no superfluous strings or overdubbed vocals, and it's all the better for it. "Oh Lord You're Beautiful" includes previously unheard verses. "My Eyes Are Dry" benefits from a full outing, after it was inexplicably faded out during the verse on 'No Compromise'. Also in the set is a DVD containing many of the same performances as on the CD. Fascinating to see extensive footage of someone who many of us have hardly seen in action. There is a lot of humour which perhaps didn't always come across on studio recordings. Inevitably there is some hard hitting talk, which touches a spiritual nerve even over a quarter of a century later. Speaking of hard hitting, that piano really suffered! As another greatest hits collection hits the shelves, 'The Live Experience" is one release you need to add to your collection.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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