Reviewed by Rob Worthington

The cover of 'Slow Revival' has a moody photo of Bryan Duncan sitting on the steps of what looks like an old church building, suggesting a laid back blues album. But the opening track "A Heavenly Light'cracks into upbeat funkiness. Thereafter the whole album is very much a soul and funk affair from the veteran American CCM man. As many will know by now Bryan has an exceptional voice which has most impact when allowed to soar. The songs here range from soulful ballads to driving funk tracks and are generally good. A couple of the songs are excellent. "Don't Look Away" with its soulful backing vocals conveys the message that it can sometimes be inconvenient and uncomfortable to look at those in need (and indeed to look at Christ himself) and urges the listener not to look away. My favourite, and who knows perhaps the key to the moody album cover, is the gently melancholic "Lonely Tonight". It includes the line "I know you love me and I know you care, I know you're always there but I'm lonely tonight," which for me expresses nicely some of the inherent loneliness and restlessness of the human condition. Soul music indeed.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.