Sara Groves - The Collection - 2CD (2013)

She's the consummate storyteller, a singer-songwriter who is equal parts observer and autobiographer. Sara Groves has been sharing her heart and baring her soul through her music for 15 years. The Collection celebrates her career thus far, culling the best and brightest from her 10 studio albums while also including four new tracks to mark the occasion. Of course, it's no easy feat narrowing down her catalog. From the first strains of her 1998 debut, Past the Wishing, to the confessional Fireflies & Songs and the award-winning Add to the Beauty, there are mini-masterpieces everywhere. Tracks like "You Cannot Lose My Love," "All Right Here" and "Roll to the Middle" testify to her gift as a poet, whether she's talking about parenthood, the difficulties of marriage or the loves and losses that shape who we are. Groves is able to explore universal issues and beyond-the-basic spiritual truths in a way few others can. Her sound ranges from stripped down singer-songwriter fare to thoughtful pop tunes and piano-driven ballads, but her music always has its heart in helping us fi gure out who we are meant to be and how God fi ts into our lives. Whether you're a longtime fan of Sara Groves or just discovering her music for the first time, The Collection is a must.