Slow Revival

Description

Slow Revival is the seventh studio album by the American singer and songwriter Bryan Duncan, formerly lead singer of Sweet Comfort Band, released on Myrrh Records in 1994, a division of Word. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic, a division of Sony Music.

If ‘Mercy‘ began a Bryan Duncan’s a transition into a more “mature” or serious brand of music, then it’s likely that ‘Slow Revival’ marks the completion of the journey.

Oft criticized in years gone by for projects lacking in adult appeal, this album is definitely a step in toward the goal of reaching more shall we say “mature” listeners. Don’t get me wrong now; if you’ve found yourself drawn to Bryan’s unique brand of high-energy, horn-loaded, vocally acrobatic music, you won’t be disappointed in this album. But, if your favorite Bryan Duncan songs are those with a tempo faster than 100 beats per minute, you’ll be lacking for choice material here.

Both A and B side openers are solid. The former, «Heavenly Light», boasts a pleasantly paced laid-back groove that offers Bryan the opportunity to show the attitude-rich vocals that have been his trademark over the years. Having set the pace for a session of heavy head-bobbing, the rest of the opening side backs off a bit from there until track four, «Your Love My Saving Grace», which puts you back in toe tapping mode with its soulful bgv’s, searing sax licks and seemingly endless vamp. But with the exception of one or two other songs, that’s the extent of the up-tempo selections.

Side one closes with «Traces of Heaven», a somewhat plodding number that doesn’t get to the chorus soon enough or stay long enough and ends up being less than memorable.

Just one track shy of the end, «Wheels of a Good Thing» is a bright spot on the back side of the album, hitting you right between the eyes with some nifty horn riffs from the opening measure and getting even cooler from there. No lack of attitude and groove on this cut, and I loved hearing some real horns… especially that all-too-brief trombone solo.

‘Slow Revival’ brims over with stellar vocals (both lead and background), accessible melodies and great pop sensibilities compliments of producer Dan Posthuma. Its diversity of tempo and styles also offers Duncan the opportunity to show just how flexible a vocalist he is. But despite the solid performances, outstanding production, and a broader stylistic range than most of his past recordings have covered, this album left me a bit flat… a feeling that is magnified coming on the heels of ‘Mercy’, arguably a career album. [Todd Chatman, CCM, September 1994]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/slow-revival/1165955823)

CD tracklist:

01. Heavenly Light – 4:28
02. United We Stand – 4:13
03. Don’t Look Away – 4:32
04. Your Love, My Saving Grace – 5:17
05. Traces Of Heaven – 4:53
06. My House – 4:17
07. Lonely Tonight – 4:33
08. Things Are Gonna Change – 5:43
09. Wheels Of A Good Thing – 3:35
10. Safe Harbor – 5:08

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Myrrh Records.

A full-page advertisement for Bryan Duncan’s Slow Revival was featured on the back cover of the September 1994 issue of CCM Magazine.