(Photo :Kathy Troccoli)

Other Than Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, Troccoli was one of the few Christian artists from the 90s who was able to cross-pollinate into the secular side of music.  In a time when pop music was nurturing its ménage of roof-hitting divas (such as Whitney Houston, Taylor Dayne and Mariah Carey), Troccoli certainly finds much to akin with.  Like many of her diva sororities, Troccoli has pipes that could easily win her the crown on American Idol.  Yet, she is not all about volume and range.  Within her richly textured alto she shows her variegated arrays of emotions through her disciplined use of restraint and expression.  As a result, Troccoli zoomed right into the top echelon of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the Diane Warren penned "Everything Changes."  This was followed by her first Christian number one hit "Help Myself to You."  Other notable hit songs such as "My Life is in Your Hands," "Go Light Your World" and "I Call Him Love" quickly followed.  However, with the turn of the Millennium, radio has turned its favor to various callow beat-chasing divalets.  On the other hand, Troccoli has never given up on her concinnity in churning up great projects.  She has returned this year with two sets of worship songs released under Green Hill Music: "Draw Me Close" and "'Tis So Sweet."  "Draw Me Close: Songs of Worship" is a repackage of Troccoli's 2005 effort of the same titular.

The cognomen "Draw Me Close: Songs of Worship" is indicative of this disc's direction.  These 16 songs are designed for us to be used for personal and meditative worship and devotion.  They are by no means designed for loud bombastic congregational shout outs to Jesus.  Rather, they are supposed to be soft yet affirming, slow yet faith-building, and familiar yet thoughtful.  And in light of these goals, "Draw Me Close: Songs of Worship" certainly passes with honors.  Save for her own original "My Life is In Your Hands," Troccoli has decided to surround some of the well-known worship ballads and hymns with gentle acoustics and strings.  Slowly warming these pensive songs with her glowing alto, listening to this album is like wrapping oneself in a clement blanket by the fireside on a cold winter's night.  Our hearts are strangely warmed by the Holy Spirit as Troccoli thoughtfully croons about her adulations of our Lord.

It's difficult not to be mesmerized by the beautiful piano swirls of "My Life is in Your Hands" as Troccoli gently leads us to bequeath the cares and concerns to our Savior's care.  As for the rest of the songs, they can be categorized under well-known worship songs and hymns.  As far as worship ballads are concerned, it's hard to pick one's favorites.  Kelly Carpenter's worship staple "Draw Me Close" comes close.  The gentle tinkling of the piano keys are like the soothing effect of dew on a crusty dried up soul; the way Troccoli sings about drawing lose to Jesus is so refreshing.  Plenty of reflective moments occur with the extended guitar introduction of "How Great You Are." And Troccoli's take of Graham Kendrick's "Knowing You" is so spirit-filled and earnest that it shreds any thread of skepticism of those who have doubts about the transcending greatness of God.  

When it comes to the hymns, the Gaither's "He Touched Me" is stripped of its bombastic harmony driven backings.  Rather, simple, short and so alluring gorgeous, this is one of the tracks that will make you press the "repeat" button copiously.  "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" often suffers from a dirge-like feel, but here Troccoli breathes life and freshness to this ancient chestnut of the church.  Not to be missed is Kent Henry's "Awesome in This Place:" this is one of the most beautiful introits into God's presence to have had ever grace Christian music.  If you are searching for a meditative soundtrack of worship songs and hymns to relax to or to accompany you in your morning devotional time, look no farther than this record.  Performed by one of contemporary Christian music best voices, on this album Troccoli is more than a singer, she too is a fellow worshipper.  And her worship has never been more sincere, heartfelt and moving.