I have spent too much time today searching the web for Amy Grant's unreleased cd "Simple Things." So far I've been able to find a preview sample of the title track and also two advance copy cd's on ebay. At the moment they're selling for thirty-some dollars, and that's too much for me. So if any of you downloading gurus out there can find the new music for me, I would be really really grateful.
I guess the Amy obsession hit when I was 15 and "Unguarded" came out. I know, I know. It was the 80's and that leopard print jacket was something else. I saw that tour 3 times, but hey, it went on for about 3 years! In the late 80's I went to college and proceeded to plaster photographs and posters of Christian music's leading lady all over the wall. I'm sure my roommate didn't appreciate it--he mostly listened to Boston. My musical tastes expanded during my college years--I know that my fourth roommate was probably sick of Sinnead O'Connor belting out "Nothing Compares 2 U" on my brand new cd player by the end of my sophomore year. Especially since I never had anyone to compare "nothing" to.
I am not ashamed of my continuing liking for Amy. She continues to mature as a songwriter. Yeah, she could use a vocal coach, especially live on stage, but her voice and lyrics continue to touch my heart. Maybe that means I'm shallow, maybe that means my heart is easily touchable. Even though it's an older song, "Cry A River" was really appropriate for me last summer. The song is all about love showing up at the wrong time and what might have been and how you just go on despite the circumstances. Despite awkward social situations. Despite the fact that things aren't going to work out the way you might want them to, since you have and have made commitments to other people. "Some things you live with, and you never let it show, like the day I watched you leave." You just have to sit on the shores of love and watch it go.
Her honesty and commitment to walk through life as honestly and faithfully as she can touch me and teach me.