Amy Grant - Simple Things

After a painfully long six years since Amy Grant's last pop album (she released a collection of gospel hymns in 2002), the prolific singer/songwriter returns to the pop/rock fold with the candid and thoughtful Simple Things. Producers Keith Thomas, Brown Bannister, and Wayne Kirkpatrick give Grant a wonderful blueprint to build from, which she takes full advantage of, gifting the listener with beautifully poetic music to revel in. While never one to shy away from expressing the deepest recesses of her soul, it is somewhat surprising how open Grant is in relating very recent and highly publicized events (starting with her divorce from singer Gary Chapman), depicting both the work it takes to find peaceful ground amidst difficult situations (the poignant and telling "Eye to Eye") and the fulfillment and joy experienced in discovering true love (the delightfully upbeat "Looking for You"). Although one might argue that it is all a matter of the listener's interpretation, it's not hard to see the correlation between real life and the lyrics. Grant testifies what it means to find God's grace and forgiveness in the gorgeous "Out in the Open," while pondering life's defining moments with "I Don't Know Why." Examining the faults and failings of choices made in life with "Innocence Lost," Grant speaks honestly about the tribulations that were publicly displayed in the media and the personal redemption that followed. Expanding her vocal horizons, the singer harks back to the days of moody torch singers with the romantic "Touch," and joins husband Vince Gill for the emotional "Beautiful," which focuses on the positive aspects in a relationship that wasn't meant to be. Hardcore fans will remember the sentimental closer, "After the Fire," from Grant's 1997 appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. The album's opener, "Happy," easily bests most of the tracks hitting Top 40 airplay, while the title cut (and first single) is a breezy, fun anthem about the importance of the "simple" everyday "things" of life that are too easily taken for granted. At only ten tracks, most fans may find their one complaint is that this collection is much too short. However, with Grant possessing a voice that continues to grow more rich with time, and a gift for writing heartfelt and soul-searching songs, a "too short" album is a small price to pay for such a solid work. With nary a throwaway track among them, all the songs combine to make Grant's Simple Things simply perfect. ~ Daniel Malich, All Music Guide

Name Credits Amy Grant Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic) Bill Whittington Mixing, Engineer Bobby Terry Guitar (Acoustic) Brown Bannister Producer Browning, David Percussion Bruce Gaitsch Guitar (Acoustic) Chad Cromwell Drums Charles Dujic Hair Stylist Chris McHugh Drums, Drum Programming Chris Yoakum Digital Editing, MIDI Technician Craig Nelson Bass Darryl Bush Production Coordination David Streit Assistant Engineer Eric Darken Percussion Felicia Sorensen Vocals (Background) Garrison Keillor Author Gordon Kennedy Guitar (Electric), Guitar Greg Fogie Assistant Engineer Hank Nirider Assistant Engineer, Assistant Jeanne Yang Stylist Jeff Roach Keyboards Jeffrey Roach Keyboards Jennifer Sigler Production Coordination Jerry McPherson Guitar (Electric) Jimmie Lee Sloas Bass Katy Hudson Vocals (Background) Keith Thomas Executive Producer, Drum Programming, Programming, Keyboards, Guitar (Acoustic), Mixing, Bass, Producer Kendra Richards Make-Up Kenny Greenberg Guitar (Electric) Kevin Edlin Assistant Engineer Kim Keyes Vocals (Background) Leland Sklar Bass Mark Hammond Drums Pat Buchanan Guitar (Acoustic) Ron Hemby Guitar (Nylon String), Guitar (Acoustic), Producer, Bass Sam "Stovepipe No. 1" Jones Photography Sam Jones Photography Scott Hull Mastering Shaun Shakel Production Coordination Steve Bishir Engineer Susan Browne Package Design Tiffany Lee Vocals (Background) Tim Pearce Guitar Tom Bukovac Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Tommy Simms Bass Traci Sterling Bishir Production Coordination Vince Gill Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals (Background), Soloist, Mandolin, Guest Appearance, Vocals Wayne Kirkpatrick Producer, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic) William Owsley III Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic), Soloist