Definitive Collection

Liner Note Author: Deborah Evans Price.
The Universal Music Group 's Definitive Collection of the long and strange career of rocker turned preacher Mylon LeFevre may not actually be what the header claims, but it is a start. It contains his hit "Gospel Ship" recorded for Cotillion in 1970 -- after he had his songs recorded by more than 150 artists including Elvis Presley -- as well as tracks from Crack the Sky, and numerous other albums. But the choice of those cuts is what is debatable in making this "definitive": none of his stellar collaborations with Alvin Lee -- with whom he did a brilliant record in 1973 called Road to Freedom -- Eric Clapton, and others are here. Instead, this set places its focus on the music made for CCM, an industry that LeFevre helped to define. The secular material is all but absent. Even "Gospel Ship," recorded after he left his gospel singing family and went solo is from that period -- his version is amazing, but Delaney & Bonnie's is better. So, despite the career overview and where are they now aspects present in the liner notes, this one is best left to those who enjoy vintage CCM music. ~ Thom Jurek