Essential Records
Release Date: August 24th 2018 / September 21st 2018 / January 11th 2019
Reviewed by Joshua Andre
Matt Maher– Hold Us Together (Live From Steinway) / Because He Lives (Live From Steinway) / Just As I Am (Live From Steinway) (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes) (Amazon mp3/iTunes) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Hold Us Together
- Because He Lives
- Just As I Am
One of today’s most prolific and ingenious worship leaders and singer/songwriters of the modern CCM era, Matt Maher, famous for his smash hit single “Your Grace Is Enough” (made popular by Chris Tomlin) and also writer of inspiring hits such as “Turn Around”, “Hold Us Together”, “Christ Is Risen”, “Because He Lives”, “What A Friend”, “Your Love Defends Me”, “Lord I Need You” and “All The People Said Amen”; is one of my favourite artists- partly due to his vulnerability and transparency and also due to the relevance of his music on today’s society. Having released Echoes in 2017 (of which you guys can read my brother’s review right here!); you might be wondering if Matt is in the studio for the next album. Or…maybe not, since he also unveiled the Christmas project The Advent Of Christmas. Maybe something is coming next year- but until that time, there is indeed new material from Matt. Well, not really new material, but new versions of familiar songs at least.
3 singles recently released from Matt last year and this year. A few of his most impacting songs and heartfelt melodies (“Hold Us Together”, “Because He Lives” and “Just As I Am”) have been reworked- and if you watch the three music videos, then you’ll know why Matt is such a good songwriter and worship leader, and even pianist. Sung in a music shop in a shopping centre, these three songs are ‘Live’ from Steinway, and feature just Matt on the piano, playing these tracks to perfection and singing with a wide grin from ear to ear. There’s infectious joy in these new renditions- and in some ways I enjoy these versions a whole lot more than the originals. There may not be a new Matt Maher album releasing soon, but we will have these three new and improved versions of these songs from Matt (and maybe more?) for us to hold onto and enjoy this year at least!
Matt Maher is a household name in terms of worship music, and now that He has recorded a few ‘acoustic’ tracks in what I reckon are better arrangements overall, let me say that out of all the pianists I’ve heard, Matt Maher is probably the best aside from Mark Schultz. While watching these videos, it’s pretty mind boggling to fathom such a crazily good pianist, yet that is what Matt is- and these are indeed songs for those who want to feel closer to God, and a must listen if you want to find some inspirational and hopeful melodies that you can sing at all times! Well done Matt, can’t wait for your next studio project and whatever else you have up your sleeve!
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Matthew West, Jeremy Camp, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Tenth Avenue North