Draw Near to
Me
A review of the Scott Brenner CD |
by Kim Gentes
President, WorshipMusic.com
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Refreshing, enthralling, and God-ward!
That is the rapturous sounds of "Draw Near To Me", the
independently released devotional music project from Scott Brenner. The CD
is sub-titled "Intimate, devotional worship for your quiet
time". This is the perfect description of this project. The lyrical
content is prayerful (I Want To Be Holy), scripture themes (Changed by The
Mere Reflection), and sometimes direct scripture quotes (O God You Are My
God).
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Simplicity is woven into these lyrics,
giving the church gifts of excellent songs for devotion.
The purity and integrity of Scott's love for Christ
comes through in his voice and music, as though you
are sitting in a room with him and everyone is lifting
up Jesus. Melodic and rich, the CD takes a trek
of invitation (Longing for the Day) to prayer (O God
You Are My God/ Psalm 63) to intimacy (In Silence I Wait)
and finally thankfulness (Thank You Lord).
This CD is notably soft music, laying the heart and
soul of Scott's prayer's before God with care and kindness.
It isn't rushed, and it isn't loud--- it is intimate, and
it is soft. This CD certainly reminds me of his earlier
work on the Vineyard project "Before You Now" (second half
of that project). Yet, this project is even more
pensive, more intimate.
The thing that made me fall in love with this CD was
the music and the arrangements. And perhaps not
in the way you might think! The power of this project
was the simplicity and care that was taken in giving
it lots of strength with a few instruments. Using the
guitar, keyboards, a cello and oboe, this project
stays uncluttered- and it SHINES! Those of us used
to listening to praise and worship music are used to
the ever-present bass guitar- but not here! This CD
is the first independent project I have heard that absolutely
does away with the bass guitar and thrives because of
it. I know this might sound strange, but the breadth
of instrumentation with just the oboe, cello, guitar
and piano give a wonderful diversity in relative
simplicity. The occasional visit of electric guitar
and some drums and percussion (all without a bass
guitar present) make a few songs accented perfectly
for some variety to the ear.
You will be turned toward the Lord immediately as
"Longing for the Day" begins this project off, and we
share an invitation to Christ for His return. Each
song leads effortlessly into the next on this whole
project. The fourth song (and title track), "Draw Near
To Me", is a wonderful invocation song calling out in
the theme of the Davidic devotional prayers for the
Lord to have our daily lives from the early morning
to the "never-ending". The tenth track, "We Cry
Glory",
is my favorite song of this CD. It's pacing, vocals
and instrumentation become so rich (yet well spaced)
it reminds me of the intensity of purity and
precision of devotion that I first heard from a John
Michael Talbot album- different musical framing, but
deeply and similarly focused. The CD ends on a
unified praise and thanksgiving that brings up
such a heart of gratitude, you will find yourself
singing "Jesus I Love The Way You Are".
This CD received my "Editor's Choice" award from
Worshipmusic.com. And if that doesn't convince
you to try this CD, listen for yourself to
these audio clips, see the CD, and order online
at the "Draw Near to Me" page at :
http://www.worshipmusic.com/sb-dntmcd.html
A great project!
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Apr 2000
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