Music Review of Week 37~A soul-stirring experience

“On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame…”

That opening line always gets to me. It’s one of those old time hymns that carries a very deep meaning. It is a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice and the love that held Christ to that cross. Personally, it’s not just a song but a declaration, a resolve and a strong reminder that even in the face of life’s troubles, we just have to cling to that old rugged cross. Because it’s from it, we draw strength, thereby, finding hope and assurance.

Now don’t get me wrong; this is not just me talking about one of my favorite hymns. This is actually a review of a beautiful rendition I came across by none other than @jedum. I was going through the top 15 list of performances, and the title alone caught my attention. I clicked in, and let’s just say, I wasn’t at all disappointed.

@jedum didn’t just sing; he ministered. I could feel the emotion in every line. I could indeed tell that he understood what the song really meant and it’s not just lyrically, but spiritually.
It wasn’t about just hitting the perfect notes or performing for everyone’s applaud; it was about conveying a message of love, sacrifice and grace. And he did it so well. His voice really carried a deep level of depth and sincerity. And believe me, that kind of delivery is what puts someone in the top 15, and there is no doubt about it.

Now just when I actually thought I had gotten all the feels from that performance, another rendition by caught me completely off guard and that was @danielkuye rendition of “Wade in the Water.” I can’t lie, this was my first time hearing the original of that song. I’ve heard snippets and variations, but I’ve never the real deal like this. And I was wowed.

There was something that felt so raw and beautiful about it. It pulled me in that instant. The soulful expression and the rhythm is just too connected. And of course, y’all know for a fact that I can’t talk about that performance without talking about my favorite part — the guitar. Y’all know I’m a sucker for guitar strings. Like I always buttress, there’s just something about the way it carries a song. And in this rendition, @danielkuye brought the strumming, the depth and the grace all together at the same time and that felt so amazing.
Sir, if by any chance you’re reading this, just know that you really did Justice to that song.

And again, both renditions reminded me why I love music so much. It’s more than just sound. It’s ministry, it’s storytelling and it’s a form of healing when it’s in its right place. It’s the kind of experience that makes you pause, reflect and then smile.

So yes, I enjoyed every bit of it. From the emotion to the instrumentation, to the message and I know that behind it all, was a thorough in-depth preparation that brought out a beautiful musical journey.

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