Review

As I listened to the new album by Brenda Janz (rhymes with "pants"), I was struck by her versatile vocals. The songs range from smoky blues to country to rock to soft piano or guitar-led worship. In all there are 12 songs and no two are alike. This girl can sing and sing in a lot of different ways.

Brenda also knows a thing or two about worship leading. As a young woman she learned to play guitar while serving as a missionary in Hong Kong with Jackie Pullinger's ministry. During that time a young worship leader from Canada came with some others to teach and learn over there. His name was Brian Doerksen. This meeting turned into a long-time friendship, with Brenda ultimately returning to Canada and working with Langley Vineyard on many worship projects for Vineyard music. Brian Doerksen, you may recall, has been tremendously influential in the lives of so many worship leaders

Along the way, Brenda married Philip Janz, who has his own musical pedigree, not only as a keyboard player, but as producer, as well. So Brenda's been able to mix her God-given talent with that of Brian and Philip and the result is some amazing music!

"Treasure of My Heart" opens the album. Building on Jesus' admonition that losing your life to Him is greater than gaining the whole world, Brenda shows us her bluesy side. The next song up is called "Mama's Prayer", a song paying tribute to her own mother, who raised her as a single mom. It's got a great opening line, "I've never been afraid of hard work, mama saw to that"!

While paying tribute to her mother on one song, she and her husband, Philip, wrote a delightfully moving song about their daughter, Rebecca on another. In an album of worship, it resonates deeply when someone sings of the gifts of family that have been bestowed upon them.

"Taste and See" and "When You Call" are two worship songs that I've already begun to use at church. They are simple, and easy for the congregation to pick up. Some of you might recall the song "I Need You to Hold Me". This song first appeared on Vineyard's "I Bow Down" (from the Touching the Father's Heart series) back in the early 90's, written by the then Brenda LaFave.

The last song marries "The Old Rugged Cross" with Brenda's "To the Cross of Jesus", which complements the hymn very well. This is a signature song that will lift you out of any funk you may be in and have you singing along at the top of your lungs!

As I said, Brenda Janz has a wonderful voice, expressed in many ways, and she is a passionate and poignant songwriter. She is teamed up with her equally talented husband producing and playing keys, along with guitarist Brian Thiessen, drummer Calum Rees, Peter Davyduck on bass. This is, basically, the Brian Doerksen band, and they have played together for years, and it shows. Brilliantly played and produced, this album is well done and I'm already looking forward to the next.

Review by John Ausmus