Bryan Duncan

Item: My Utmost For His Highest: Quiet Prayers
Author: Vanessa Crooks

My Utmost For His Highest: Quiet Prayers

(1996)

Reviewed by Vanessa Crooks

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Label MyrrhThe LighthouseJune 1996

adult contemporary ccm worship

We've experienced it with film and literature; now we have a prime example in the musical arena. Sequels rarely equal, and even more scarcely do they surpass, the quality and impact of originals. The My Utmost For His Highest series began last year with a highly acclaimed compilation project, featuring a variety of artists recording songs whose inspiration was derived from the classic Oswald Chambers devotional of the same title. As that album's popularity and subsequent recognition [it won several Dove Awards this year] will attest, it showcased worship music at its best-subtle, soul-stirring, and ethereal. Unfortunately, this year's two ensuing My Utmost offerings, The Covenant [also an anthology] and Quiet Prayers [the first solo effort], fall far beneath that benchmark. Bryan Duncan, who for the most part has chosen to re-interpret traditional hymns and choruses, desires to create a reflective atmosphere that would lead the listeners of Quiet Prayers to contemplation and adoration. Certainly this aspiration is admirable, however Duncan's results are not as praise-worthy. His Quiet Prayers are expressed in such an insipid, synthesizer-saturated manner that they lead this listener more to slumber than supplication.

Quiet Prayers has a balanced blend of both vocal and instrumental tracks. However, the instrumental arrangements (standards like "El Shaddai" and "You Are My Hiding Place"), while soft and delicate, lean toward the syrupy quality found in "elevator music." Duncan's vocal renderings (classics like "I Surrender All," "As The Deer," etc.) are equally sweet and unengaging. For those who have followed Duncan's career, Quiet Prayers is an unusual disappointment-we have come to expect outstanding work from him. Generally his recordings are consistent and commensurate with his considerable vocal ability and creativity. Indeed, Quiet Prayers is especially disappointing in light of Duncan's stellar contribution to the initial Utmost album, "A Heart Like Mine."

The redeeming moments on this endeavor are the two originals, "Bryan's Hymn (When I Turn to You)" and "Bryan's Prayer (I Love You With My Life)." It is through these personal petitions that Duncan's emotional and aesthetic depth finally come to the fore. True aficionados will remember "I Love You With My Life" from the beginning of Duncan's career-it's always enjoyable when long time favorites are revitalized. While compatible with the project's inspirational and devotional nature, the more personal perspective of the two self-penned songs provides a sincerity and freshness which highlights Duncan's vocal strength and artistic sensitivity.

Hopefully, any future My Utmost For His Highest projects will learn from Quiet Prayers' unfortunate flaws and embrace more unique and personal paths of expression. As for Duncan, I am confident that this lapse is momentary and I look forward to a return to his passionate and articulate style.