Rich Mullins

A Midwest boy who followed his faith and muse from early childhood through to his death in a 1997 car accident, Rich Mullins was a multi-instrumentalist with a God-given talent for songs of praise. He first caught the ear of the faithful through the established artists who recorded his songs (including Amy Grant's version of the favorite "Sing Your Praise to the Lord"). As a solo artist, he brought musical brilliance, belief, a spirit of inclusion, and even a sense of humor (check out the stand-up-and-worship anthem "Alrightokuhhuhamen") to everything from a cappella stunners ("Screen Door"), to one of the most beloved songs of the Contemporary Christian Music canon, "Awesome God."

Take your next steps into the sacred music of Rich Mullins, in Next Steps.

The plain and simple beauty of voices joined in praise shines out from "I Will Sing," but as often as not, the Christian music of Rich Mullins is a richly textured thing, with soundscapes like "Such a Thing As Glory" radiant with heavenly atmosphere; and layered, pop-flavored nuggets like "Where You Are" pointing to Mullins' affinity for folky Celtic sounds. At the heart of it all is Mullins' steadfast faith, a belief in the Lord that brings power to an inspirational "The Other Side of the World" and makes songs like "Let Mercy Lead" play like a Divine embrace.

More of Rich Mullins' celestial Christian sounds await in Deep Cuts.

A stripped-down demo version of the Rich Mullins signature song "My Deliverer" reveals the essential power of the man's music and his unshakable faith, but his genius for crafting beautifully layered sacred songs is apparent in everything from a yuletide tune that's both sweeping and cozily intimate — "You Gotta Get Up (Christmas Song)" — to the conviction of "Ready for the Storm," a lilting, Celtic-flavored track that celebrates the peace of faith in troubled times; to the tribute of "You Are the One"; and the drama of "The Color Green," a heartfelt song of gratitude for all of God's graces.

Cut tragically short by a car accident in 1997, the life of Rich Mullins was dedicated to the Lord's work. A prodigy who began playing piano at four, Mullins not only mastered many other instruments, and wrote some of the world's best-loved Christian songs, but he also brought his faith to the everyday world, traveling the country to lead praise-and-worship meetings, and working with organizations that catered to the less fortunate. Mullins' belief in the teachings of Jesus blended effortlessly with his musical talent, resulting in sacred music like "Elijah," a pitch-perfect balancing act between Sunday-service devotion and polished pop appeal, and "While the Nations Rage," a reminder that earthly concerns are vanquished by what rules overhead. The gorgeous "Verge of a Miracle" serves as a soul-baring reminder that the Divine resides in us all, an idea that our Rich Mullins Essentials captures in all its glory.