Amy Grant

Time Again… Amy Grant Live

Word Records

“Time Again” is a landmark event in Amy Grants career.  Nearly 30 years after her first ticked appearance, Grant returns to Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX for this special event.  The concert was captured live specifically for this purpose.  Amy sings favorites from all points along the timeline of her career, including “Lead Me On,” “Stay For Awhile,” “Baby Baby,” and “Every Heart Beat.”  The CD version also includes the theme song from the NBC program “Three Wishes” which Amy had hosted.

Both the CD and the DVD have excess of the usual number of tracks on any recorded project, with 22 songs on the DVD and 18 on the CD.  The CD set also comes with a bonus DVD with four songs from the full-length DVD. One of the best parts of the DVD includes a commentary by Amy.  Hearing her talk about the songs and the time of her life that the song was either written or performed, really gives you an inside perspective of her life and music. 

Criticism – If you think it’s taboo to criticize Amy Grant then pretend this section never occurred.  However, the criticism is not of course directed at Amy herself, just a few points about the DVD.  First, the cuts and transitions are so fast sometimes that you would think you were watching an action film.  It gets really hard to follow at times and it almost makes your head spin.  It also presents some problems with continuity.  One second Amy is adjusting her wireless and in the next second she’s got both hands on the guitar.   Additionally, aside from the commentary, the extras are kind of weak.  I particularly was disappointed in the “Coffee with Amy” segment.  The segment consists of Amy and her fans in a meet and greet, but there is no conversation or personal interaction.  I think the main reason it bothers me is that you have to pay to be a “friend” of Amy.  Her official web site and fan club cost money in order to get to the good stuff.  While most bands are scurrying for a street team, Grant’s team has chosen to market her own fandom on the official site.  That just seems to go against everything I have seen or heard about Amy Grant.

All right, back on track.  This CD and DVD are a must have for all Amy Grant fans.  What a special gift to put together a live concert of this magnitude for the fans.  Somewhere in all of this material, I heard or read that Amy mentioned that she had hoped there was much more to come.  For fans like my wife, who grew up singing Amy Grant to their hairbrush in the mirror, I hope so too.  Amy’s songs have comforted, encouraged, and lightened the hearts of many ladies – and probably a few guys who are not too masculine to admit it. 

- Ken W.