Final "Alive & Breathing" EP from Matt Maher| Posted January 21, 2020
This is fourth and final of the excellent Alive & Breathing EP releases from Matt Maher. Each features three songs, a combination of new songs, live versions of songs that Maher has written for other artists but hasn’t recorded himself, and live versions of some of Maher’s previous songs. Here are a few comments on each song on Vol. 4. Come as You Are – This is a live version of a song made popular by Crowder, and included on his 2014 album Neon Steeple. The song was written by Maher, Crowder and Ben Glover. The song begins with acoustic guitar and then slowly builds with piano, guitar, bass and the audience singing along.
Key lyric: Oh, wanderer come home You're not too far
Lay down your hurt Lay down your heart Come as you are Lord, I Need You – This is a live version of perhaps Maher’s most popular song, which was written by Maher, Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves and Kristian Stanfill. I first heard this song sung by Chris Tomlin on the 2011 Passion conference album Here for You. The song begins with piano and gently builds with bass, drum and the audience singing along.
Key lyric: Lord, I need You, oh, I need You Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You Come Holy Spirit – This is a live version of a song I hadn’t previously heard, featuring Martin Smith, formerly of the band Delirious? The song was written by Smith, Maher, Paul Nelson, Lydia McAllister, Henry Milne and Connor Patterson. The song begins with piano, and then builds powerfully with keys, strings, bass, drums, guitar, the audience singing along and ends with some excellent organ. This was the highlight of the EP for me.
Key lyric: Come, Holy Spirit Fall on us
Burn like a fire
Living flame of love
to add lyrics if not listed.
