Wayburn Dean - Through The Rain

By Peggy Oliver

When God is glorified, inspiration keeps overflowing. Since becoming a solo artist in 2001, Wayburn Dean has quietly gone about his heavenly Father’s business, while recording three CDs. The latest, Through The Rain follows suit with songs of encouragement, story-based themes, and worship jewels, including a long time favorite.

At one time, Dean walked away from the industry for nearly a decade, until realizing God had more melodies to share with the hurting and to challenge the complacent. Even though this Wayjade Music project doesn’t inject an urban music flavor, i.e., Smokie Norful or Deitrick Haddon, there’s plenty of refreshing, soulful aftertaste. It pays having a voice that’s road-tested, thanks to his long stint with Acapella, a group birthed out of the Church of Christ congregations. Dean and his wife Janae have also passed on the gift of music, sending CDs to different countries that have limited exposure to the Gospel through their ministry, Afterword Music.

Dean never wastes words when addressing the body of Christ. The extremely infectious title track zeroes in on walking the walk: Been holding on too long, singin’ that same old song. If anyone has seen the new reality TV series, The Moment of Truth, What Will Be Your Legacy is somewhat the Christian lie-detector test equivalent: You have one chance to write your story, did we live truth fully for God or in the moment.

A Change Is Coming shovels out nineties’ dance grooves, while the lyrics call for our attitudes to align with Christ: Make up your mind, you’re gonna’ stop the wrong, move along, and start singin’ a God song. Then there’s The Least of These, where the blessed tend to hold back from the unfortunate (Matthew 25: 37, 39 & 40).

There are a few stories along the way. Do You Believe? spotlights several biblical moments; the man who walked through the city of Jericho (Luke 10:25-37), King Nebuchadnezzar versus the Lord-abiding Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego (Daniel 3), and all the animals in Noah’s ark (Genesis 6-9).

Never forgetting the old-school, Dean communicates his heart’s desire for praise and worship, including an ambient take on I Surrender All.

Doug Beiden, as on previous efforts, is the chief instrumentalist joined by bass guitarist, Duncan Mullins. Through Dean’s solo recording history, excess high-tech or overdone arrangements aren’t necessary, because God is clearly the centerpiece. It’s also a guarantee Dean’s musical reservoir will not be depleted for a very long time.