The Troubadour Years [PA] [Slipcase] (CD - 2008)

John Michael Talbot may not be a mainstream recording artist in the world of Christian popular music (CCM) any longer, but he did spend 14 years with the Sparrow label, and since 1990 he has owned and operated his own Troubadour for the Lord imprint. He's no small fish either, having sold over four million records. This double-disc compilation covers the years 1990-2007, offering a focused look at the development of his sophisticated sacred music composed, produced, and recorded at his own studio. The themes Talbot explores are very Catholic, since he is also the founder of an officially recognized order in the Roman Catholic Church called the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. The 34 tracks here reflect on all manner of Christian and Catholic themes, but are almost universally grounded in a contemplative approach to recording accompanied by his expert acoustic guitar playing, and either a chamber or full orchestra. This isn't for everyone, not even for all Catholics, but if you are drawn to a music that walks the line between individual expression and something akin to worship music, this may be just the thing that satisfies you. The other attractive aspect to this set is that it fills a place for those who don't want the man's entire catalog of recordings from his own label -- there are 20 of them, and over 40 all told. This sample is the right size. ~ Thom Jurek minimize