Bryan Duncan

Item: The Last Time I Was Here
Author: Lisa Reid

The Last Time I Was Here

(1998)

Reviewed by Lisa Reid

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Label MyrrhThe Phantom Tollbooth1998

adult contemporary pop rock r&b soul

The title of this CD is a bit misleading. To my knowledge, Bryan Duncan has never been here. Not that there is any reason to complain: Duncan has always been a skillful performer in the blue-eyed soul genre, but this CD has more, well, "thump" than any of his previous efforts. Heavy bass lines dominate several of the songs, lending more of a soul/R&B vibe to the music than is normally present.

This is not to say that this doesn't sound like a Bryan Duncan album; quite the opposite. He brands the new music with a hefty dose of his signature vocals, and there are ballads that will sound comfortably familiar to any longtime fan. All songs feature Duncan's usual straightforward Christian lyrics, such as these:

The work takes me around the world
I keep coming back to you
You're the hope I'm running to
After all that's said and done

So please forgive me when I fail
My sad attempts don't seem to make it clear
There's only simple words that I can choose
And they're the same words every time
Simplest words that come to mind

After all we've been through I still love you
Simple as that, simple as that fact.

The liner of the pre-release touts the CD as "a rich and real commentary on the Christian life," and it hits that mark handily. Lyrics address such issues as the longevity of his faith ("I Still Love You - Simple as That"), grace ("This Love is What I Get") and uncertainty about the future ("Once I've Arrived").

Musically, Duncan goes all out in using a variety of sounds. The funky bass lines are carried out by several different instruments, from horns ("God Knows") to bass guitar ("Yes I Will") to drum with psychedelic guitar ("This Love is What I Get") to organ ("Sometimes in the Dark"), and he wisely makes use of gospel backup singers ("God Knows"). He also uses some other interesting effects, chiefly a text-to-voice computer in "Strollin' on the Water," which is a bit disconcerting on first listen but grows less so on successive listens. As always, he is in fine voice, showing off admirable range, strength and control, and his voice blends well with the musical effects he's chosen.

This is a rare find in that it is instantly accessible, instantly likeable, but doesn't grow old to the ears after just a few listens. The variation in tempos keeps listener interest high, and each song has its own unique sound. The fact that it begins with an upbeat song and ends with a slow one is appealing as well. The Last Time I Was Here makes excellent driving music, or headphone music, or background music. So even though this is not the Bryan Duncan you know and love, you'll love it anyway.

4.5 tocks