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Ever since he was 'discovered' by Integrity's Chris Thomason while helping out on Danny
Chamber's Carry the Call album, then rapidly signed up to the Vertical label with subsequent release of a striking self-titled debut CD, Lincoln Brewster has become known the music world over for
his lead guitar virtuosity and amazing instrumental versatility (inc. front and backing vocals, electric, acoustic and bass guitars, mandolin, keys, drums & percussion!).
A few years on and we find him
with his third work for the team - Vertical not just by name, but also by nature - for, while a studio production, Amazed resembles Lincoln's previous Live to Worship in it's basic, direct structure; - songs of focused worship, drawing attention less to self and his own talent, (hence fewer of the blistering solo guitar flashes that leapt
from album No.1) and more to God - just check the track titles and you'll get my drift! In fact, if these songs don't get used by churches or other artists, Brewster will consider the album to have failed!
Little chance of that though. We've got some roasting new tunes, a funkier, fuller-bodied take on 'Everybody praise the Lord', and a
couple of hot favourites from Delirious?' Martin Smith and Hillsong friend Marty Sampson respectively. There's also a re-write of a tune his mom wrote - she once played in his youth band too! - could this
be the more structured hymn 'Let all creation..'? Another of LB's fav' writers is Paul Baloche, with whom he teamed up to create one of several gorgeously tender songs of worship here - this the delectable
'You are the one'.
No finger in the production pie this time round (absorbed in family duties due to birth of first child!); this was proudly handed to award-winning Jones & Williamson. All in all,
Amazed is a vibrant, spicey offering, exuding worthy praises to the Lord of
Hosts. As Brewster himself puts it.....'a melody and a lyric still hits people no matter what'. Judging from these movers, he ain't wrong!
Review by tom lennie
- August 2002 |
