Terry Scott Taylor

Item: Glimpses of Grace
Author: Tony LaFianza

Glimpses of Grace

(1999)

Reviewed by Tony LaFianza

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Label KMG RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1999

folk rock singer-songwriter

Looking for something to feed your Daniel Amos craving? Maybe you would like to spin some Swirling Eddies-like music? Are you missing the Lost Dogs? Well, although Terry Taylor is a driving force in all of those bands, do not come to Glimpses of Grace, the latest release under Mr. Taylor's full name, looking for any of that. For the most part, this is the serious Terry Scott Taylor.

One of the founding fathers of Contemporary Christian Music, Terry Taylor has released more material than any other active artist in the CCM world, that I know of. He has written for, produced and/or contributed to multiple bands and various projects, but his most personal work is saved for his solo efforts. Knowledge and Innocence was released in 1986 and A Briefing for the Ascent was released in 1987. Then after a long wait, with only splashes of solo work here and there, John Wayne, his third full-length solo record, came out in 1998. Centered around life's pain, doubts and questions, Taylor's personal journeys and concerns have been expertly written about on these three records. Anyone honest enough in their faith to be able to ask hard questions, and appreciate great music, can relate to Taylor in expressing deep heartfelt issues. Through his masterful writing Taylor asks the profound questions, and in the process encourages the listener to think deeply and then to trust in the Lord of Grace to handle the unanswerable answers.

The new CD starts with a beautiful song from 1993's Unplugged Alternative: Brow Beat collection, "Will Have To Do For Now," a lovely sprawling song of unknowing. For now we can only see through a dark glass, and that "will have to do for now." Staying in the 90's the next tune from John Wayne is another song of hope when faced with not knowing the full picture. In "Chicken Crosses the Road" Taylor sings, "Find what you need in what you've got." The next three songs are from Knowledge and Innocence, starting with a silky duet with Randy Stonehill, "Song of Innocence," followed by a circa Sgt. Pepper's Beatle-ish "Ever After," and then the 80's Frankie Valli-like drift of "Only One." Taylor's trademark sense of humor finally makes appearances with two songs from his John Wayne CD, putting his tongue firmly in his cheek for "Mr. Flutter" and "Ten Gallon Hat." The eighth track on the new anthology is from Knowledge and Innocence and brings to mind the trouble with this collection. Although "(Out Of) The Wild Wood" is a beautiful song, it is also a reminder that Taylor's solo efforts are basically concept records from the 80's. The songs on Knowledge and Innocence and A Briefing for the Ascent all flow into each other, and sound less dated when taken as part of a whole work. Every individual song here is a masterpiece, but they do not blend as well together as one compositional classic. Maybe Taylor's solo releases have spoiled me, but there seems to be something missing, something that builds and binds.

Terry Taylor has also included a couple of songs from the Camarillo Unplugged section at the end of the The Berry Vest of the Swirling Eddies CD: "Glorious Dregs," an acoustic duet with Deliverance veteran Jimmy Brown II, and "With the Tired Eyes of Faith," a quiet country choir tune about a tired, but sure, hope in the resurrection of Christ. A hope that brings the believer a quiet assurance in the coming day of one's own resurrection and deliverance from the troubles that are just part of being here in "this shadow land." The CD also includes a flowing Beach Boys tribute from Surfonic Water Revival called "Into the Deep." It is yet another song about one who is taken low by loss and brokenheartedness "into the deep," where God can now reach and teach the one in trouble. The record ends on a last ditch note of hilarity in the hidden bonus track of a live performance of the camp song "The Happy Wanderer:"

...my nap sack on my back,
vala-rie, valer-rah, vala-rie,
vala-rah ha ha ha,
ha ha ha ha ...

Glimpses of Grace is full of lovely "Middle Of the Road" songs from a man of extremes. One who has come to a place of wisdom and faith. You can be sure that that wisdom didn't come without hard times and the pain that comes from living in a fallen world. Engaging, delicate, divine songs of deep faith and thought, written in celebration of God's Grace, with a touch of Taylor's patented humor sprinkled in for good measure.

Terry Scott Taylor fans are very loyal to this honest artist--a man of integrity and courage who writes songs that express deeply felt emotions, and lyrics that phrase hard, thought-out faith issues in an unusually clever way. Taylor is true to himself and to the grace that he knows. Glimpses of Grace will give you a glimpse into the man and the songwriting that these loyal fans have loved for many years. Although the record is not quite a masterpiece in and of itself, it's a piece of the mastermind that has piloted so much great music in the last couple of decades. This CD is a valiant attempt to bring together fragments of about four of those masterpieces. I recommend getting Glimpses of Grace, and then finding the Stunt Records web site, buying the individual solo albums that these songs came from, then enjoy the serene turmoil and the tumultuous peace that these records stir up. Somehow Taylor collects those feelings, and they make sense. The search is in the questions and the pain, the answers are in the foggy glimpses of grace that the Savior gives you, the joy and peace are in the sure faith that we have a big God who has it all under His control. For pat Christianese, go to your normal CCM outlet; for something more candid and contemplative pick up Glimpses of Grace. Please.

4.5 tocks