Jon Buller is a man on a mission. He says, "I'm passionate about life and about what I believe. Days are full of good experiences and ones that make us wonder. Those moments are God's gifts to us. Sharing those gifts through music, story, and worship is my contribution." Sinner and the Saint is the fruit of that passion--12 songs of worship and praise that propel the listener into the throne room of God.
Many of these songs would be right at home as part of a church worship service. In "Resting Place" he sings
I searched the east
I searched the west
But found You in my heart at last
Creation testifies that You are true
With my heart I will worship
I found my resting place in You
"Free" is a worship song about the freedom found when we give our lives over to the one who leads us through the storms of life. In a chorus that is at once catchy and uplifting, he sings:
I will give Him praise
The One who loved me
I will give Him praise
The One who gave me life
Most of these songs are acoustically based worship tunes. But Buller adds enough variety to keep the pace moving. "Fundamental" is a funky tune with a trumpet solo played by Buller himself. The first single from the CD, "Peace," features some classic Celtic fiddle playing. And the song "Meet Me In the River" is an Irish romp, complete with tin whistle and bodhran. Its lighthearted melody will stay with the listener long after the last notes have been played.
With four previous independent releases, Sinner and the Saint is the fifth CD in Buller's catalogue. As his active touring schedule attests, many listeners are hungry for the worship music that he plays. This CD is a good representation of his skills as both a songwriter and musician. The only drawback to an otherwise satisfying project is Buller's lack of passion in his vocal presentation of the material. These songs are pleasant to the ear, and are filled with thought-provoking lyrics but they tend to run, one into the other as Buller's voice remains at an easy listening timbre all the way through. There are no real highs or lows. Worship, without a passion for the One who is worshipped, becomes yet just another exercise in the latest popular musical genre. One would hope, as Buller says, that the passion is indeed there. Perhaps as time goes on he will be able to voice it and these songs and the ones to follow will be examples of true worship.
3 tocks
