Search - Wayne Watson :: Signatures

Wayne Unplugged -- Does It Get Any Better?

M. A. Ratcliff | Pennsylvania United States | 01/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is basically an episode of "Wayne Watson, Unplugged", in which Wayne plays 10 of his hits just the way you'd hear them at one of his concerts. I've had the privilege to see Wayne 3 times, live and in concert, down thru the years, and the man is just an immensely gifted musician with an obvious and genuine love of Jesus Christ. In concert, Wayne basically plays alone anymore, just him and his guitar, or him and the piano, and he spends alot of time between songs chatting with the audience or telling the story behind a song.



The stripped-down effect, in concert and here, is simply breathtaking.



Wayne's son, Neal, produced this set, which is wonderfully ironic as many of Wayne's songs down thru the years have been about Neal, and his other son, Adam. These songs have been a chronicle, so to speak, of the Watson family's life down thru the years, tales of love and change and grief and joy and "life", poured with great care into 4-minute emotional/musical masterpieces. For those of you who have been fortunate enough to see Wayne in concert, you'll understand this quote from Neal in the liner notes.... "It's as if he (Wayne) rediscovers the blessing or the loss every time he plays these classics." For those of you who haven't seen Wayne in concert....what are you waiting for?!? But in the meantime, buy this essential CD and listen over and over, let these songs grow on you. You'll see what I mean.



Highlights for me include:

The anthemic "Almighty", a wonderfully simple expression of worship to our Father God. Your choir at church may have sung this down thru the years.



The prodigal's song, "Friend Of A Wounded Heart", for a hurting heart in need of encouragement and restoration...."Jesus, He meets you where you are.....Jesus, He heals your secret scars.....All the love you're longing for, all the love that you need.....You'll find in Jesus, the Friend of a wounded heart."



"Home Free", perhaps Wayne's finest song ever, written during a time when a close family friend was fighting cancer, and ultimately was "healed" by being called home by the Lord. Brings me to tears every time.... (Reviewer's Note: the song "Turning Into Dad" from the 2000 album "Wayne Watson" is a sort-of sequel to "Home Free", dealing with the sudden death of Wayne's father in 1997, with a haunting penny whistle solo of the "Home Free" chorus as its bridge.....simply brilliant.)



The catchy "Walk In The Dark", always a fave of mine, perhaps for its defiant claim of allegiance to following Christ in the midst of a world turning decidedly anti-Christian.



The melodic "Beautiful Place", a perfect song for you to just "Veg Out" to....put the headphones on and let the cares of the world melt away.



Overall, this album is 5 Stars all the way. Here's hoping a "Signatures, Part II" is in the works!

"