Which is not to say that Blake Thornell and Shanna Hart’s “Acoustic EP” is plain in any way. On the contrary, their sound is richly textured, a thoughtful mix of bluesy, rootsy worship that cuts to the quick. They first began playing together at Mississippi State College in 2003. While they’ve put a lot of playing time under their respective belts since then, Suite happened to catch them just as they’re beginning to find their way professionally; thus, the painfully brief EP. Oh, but what they do with just four songs!
I loved Blake’s “Lift You High,” the project’s only original track. Immediately the bluesy changes of Blake’s rhythmic acoustic guitar brings Jimmy Needham to mind, as do the cozy vocals of both Blake and Shanna on this first track. Their soulful harmonies are stunningly tight throughout, shining brightly on their moving rendition of Don Chaffer’s “Those Who Trust.”
Blake Thornell gets a lot of sound from one acoustic guitar; their lively version of “Beautiful One” is full and satisfying. But it’s on his quiet arrangement of “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” that you feel the full effect of Blake and Shanna’s special brand of sweetness. Deeply soulful and reverential, “It’s So Sweet” is a lovely interpretation rendered with great thoughtfulness and emotion. Together these two tap into a spirit of worship that makes good use of their skill sets. The result is authentic worship couched in lively rhythms and sweet and soulful vocals. Blake and Shanna, a delightful combination, one I look forward to hearing much more from.
