Keith Green died tragically in a 1982 plane crash while I was in college, about a year after I saw him play live. Green was a child prodigy, signing a recording contract as an 11-year-old songwriter and performer. His burgeoning "teen idol" career was surpassed by Donny Osmond and David Cassidy in the early 70s, and after a season of searching, Keith became an evangelical Christian and remained passionate in his faith until he died, founding Last Days Ministries as well as pouring himself out emotionally in concert after concert. In memory of those days, Sparrow Records is releasing several Keith Green projects.

The Live Experience offers sixteen songs performed by Keith from 1978 to 1982. With nothing more than his enormous talent, a piano, and an audience, these recordings capture his sense of humor as well as his passion. Almost all of the songs are by Keith and his wife Melody, but Annie Herring's (2nd Chapter of Acts) "Easter Song" is included, as well as "Your Love Broke Through." The latter was written by Keith with Randy Stonehill and Todd Fishkind, but made famous as the title track of Phil Keaggy's "Love Broke Thru" album.

A special musical treat is the rollicking piano prelude that precedes "Create In Me A Clean Heart" and its prayerful audience sing-along. Keith's legendary intense passion is most evident in "Asleep In The Light" and "My Eyes Are Dry," the closing track that includes an impassioned time of prayer and altar call.

If you never got to see Keith Green live, this CD gives you the opportunity to experience his ministry firsthand and be touched spiritually, a quarter-century after he went home to heaven.

(Note: A companion DVD is also available with additional live footage and a documentary, but I haven't had the opportunity to view it yet.)