Worth the Wait | Posted September 10, 2013
Mississippi native David Huff is well into the third phase of his career. The long-time industry vet, with the help of his twin brothers, founded David & The Giants, first billed in 1964 as Little David & The Giants. The group was a secular rock outfit who continued to record and tour into the 1970's. In 1977, when David and his brothers accepted Christ, there was a fundamental shift in the direction of the band. Once immersed in the rock ‘n roll party scene and all the temptations that came along with it, the guys now chose to dedicate themselves to playing songs about Jesus. The pioneering Christian rock group spent twenty years on their new path before finally disbanding in 1997.
Huff began a solo career in 2000. In addition to releasing projects on his own Giant Records label, he is the proprietor of his own recording studio, Huff Recording, outside of Atlanta. Chris Tomlin has recorded in Huff's studio, as have other artists, churches, and choirs – only Christian music is recorded there.
For an elder statesman, Huff has remained surprisingly prolific. In fact, his latest work, Wait, is his sixth solo project to date. The album, two and a half years in the making, ended up serving Huff as a lesson in patience. Hence the title, Wait.
With music that feels at once retro and progressive, opening track "The Best Is Yet To Come" voices hope for a better tomorrow. Huff's vitality and zest propels the song forward and pulls the listener along. So much so, that when he sings, "There's no limit to Your love / I believe that the best is yet to come," one senses that, in addition to referencing coming blessings and Heaven's promised rewards, Huff is making a personal declaration as an artist: "God's not done with me yet."
His energetic delivery continues with the celebratory praise of "We Made It." Huff acknowledges that it's Jesus who makes possible our victories so that we may rejoice and sing on earth now, and later, before God's throne: "We made it / We won it / You brought us out of it / You did it / We're living because of all You've done / Oh, we made it."
Upbeat "We Must Wait (On The Lord)" is about resting on faith with expectancy, while trusting that God has a plan: "I'm learning the blessing of knowing You know why / When life's situations don't turn out like they should / I know it's working for our good." Huff sings with conviction the message that He will renew our strength and never forsake us.
Melodic yet muscular rock number "Just a Shout Away" rejoices that our redemption and our King's coming is "just a shout away / He's just beyond the clouds."
Huff shows his mellow side with "You Alone," a beautiful song about how Jesus reaches us, breaching the walls we build around our hearts, and by so doing, draws us into deeper relationship.
Beatles fans will heartily embrace the extraordinary "God Is Love." While the "love, love, love" in the chorus recalls "All You Need Is Love," the track's musical sensibility and Harrison-esque guitar solo suggest it could have been right at home on deeply spiritual George Harrison's seminal work, All Things Must Pass. Huff wisely opened the vault to bring new life to this 1982 David & The Giants tune. This superb new recording is not to be missed!
"Step in My Shoes," another updated David & The Giants song, was originally the title track from their 1979 album. It's a laid-back jazz/blues fusion number that serves as both personal testimony and explanation from a converted Christian to a confounded observer.
Huff's sincere vocal performance works in tandem with gorgeous musical accompaniment to entrance on the tender "To Be With You," one of the prettiest worship songs I've heard this year.
After a contemplative intro, Huff jolts us awake with the lively lead radio single, "My God." Fans of dcTalk and tobyMac should appreciate this great tune and its driving, melodic bass line.
Huff focuses once more on Jesus' return, wrapping up the record with the funky "He's Coming Back." Supported by backup singers and a soulful groove, Huff counsels us to get ready: "I know He's coming back / Well, He's coming back / to take His children away."
Closing Thoughts:
David Huff has said that among all his recordings, he is most proud of this one. For an artist accustomed to fast results, Wait was a labor of love. Sometimes industry vets make the mistake of trying to adapt to current musical trends or of emulating today's artists. Thankfully, Huff has chosen to stick to what he does best. Wait reveals a versatile artist with a refreshingly unique sound and a voice that belies his age. Each of the ten tracks has its own identity, and together they form a showcase where Huff demonstrates that spiritual fervor does not fade with the passage of time.
Song to Download Now:
"My God" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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