Description
Joyride is the 12th studio album by the American singer and songwriter Bryan Duncan, formerly lead singer of Sweet Comfort Band, released on Diadem Music in 2000.
Bryan Duncan’s last project was a “best of” collection put out by his old record label, but Joyride marks the beginning of a new artist on a new label; Diadem Music Group. As a result, Duncan has dipped back in style to some earlier sounds in his career, while keeping things fresh, smooth, and relaxing. “I finally had a license to go back to the style of music I grew up on: old-school soul,” he says. “That meant I could loosen up a bit with the songwriting and have a good time. Lyrically I found myself going back to the basic fundamentals too-the fundamentals of my faith. The result is like a celebration. Joyride is what happens when I quit analyzing my faith and just embrace it.”
That’s why Joyride seems so relevant rather than a regurgitated effort to fit a best selling formula. Case in point comes from the danceable «It Gets Better», as well as the future hit single «Maybe I’m Amazed». That track is a cover that was originally performed by Paul McCartney, and Duncan paid proper respect to the former Beatle, while adding a bit of a gospel feel with a choir in the background and a few bars of «Amazing Grace».
«I’ll Always Have Jesus» is even more of a departure of the old Duncan, showing off a jazzy, slowed down sound put to a slow drum beat and tinkling piano. «The Battle Is the Lord’s» closes the disc, mixing a blues with urban gospel type feel. The track is also encouraging in the fact that it speaks of surrendering all cares up to the Lord and trusting in His greater plan. This project is a safe bet for any long time Duncan fan and also gives new listeners reasons to believe in this veteran’s talent. [Andy Argyrakis, The Phantom Tollbooth, 1/7/2001]
It amazes me that Bryan Duncan’s music just seems to be getting better with every fresh release. The Renaissance that began with ‘Blue Skies‘ which continued through ‘The Last Time I Was Here‘ is bearing even more fruit on this latest outing. It’s an apt title as this is one musical journey that is completely characterised by joy. A change of record label has given Bryan a new lease of life! Previous companies seemed to handcuff his natural funkiness and make the mistake of dumping his grooviest tunes to track eight or nine but ‘Joyride’ kicks straight in with a James Brown-style yelp and a horn-driven abandoned «I’d Like To Thank You Jesus». He’s definitely up for some fun and «Everything In The Garden» is a playful story of Adam and Eve, all jazzed up. A guest appearance from Ashley Cleveland on the supremely groovy «Clap Your Hands» only helps you appreciate what a pair of incredible singers they are. Stylistically, Bryan stretches things out nicely throughout and for once I’m pleased because although the ballads are great and allow him to let those emotions out, I just love it when he pushes the boat out and lets loose. He gets down to some serious funk with Donnie McClurkin on «Where There’s Love» and at the other extreme he turns McCartney’s classic love song for Linda, «Maybe I’m Amazed», into a gospelised celebration of the amazing grace and love of God. Vocally he’s never sounded better and it’s incredible to me that in a career stretching back to the ’70s, he’s never performed in the UK. With the high standard of recent releases, it would definitely be a case of better late than never to get him over here! [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, May 2001]
CD tracklist:
01. I’d Like To Thank You Jesus (For One Thing)
02. Maybe I’m Amazed
03. It Gets Better
04. Holiday N Heaven
05. Everything In The Garden
06. I’ll Always Have Jesus
07. Clap Your Hands
08. If You Pray For Me
09. Where There’s Love
10. The Battle Is The Lord’s
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