In short: A staple for anyone into praise and worship.

I first heard Jami Smith when I was in college, at a BSU state convention. In those days, worship music wasn't stylish. It wasn't what everyone was doing. I was just waking up to what worship really was myself... and this album was the first, possibly most important one that I got.

Soul Thirst was early in Smith's career. In fact, it was before she signed on with Vertical music... which means it's probably out of print. (I know.. if you've read many of my reviews and have discovered now MANY of my recommendations are out of print, you're probably getting tired of hearing this. As usual, though, it's worth the effort to look for it. Two words: E BAY.) Jami has, since those days of independent producing, come to be known as one of the best worship leaders in the country, heard on Passion compilations and continuing to deliver great albums.

Some of the songs from this CD were picked up on Jami's self-titled debut on Vertical records. I'm pretty sure they were re-recorded, but the songs were "Psalm 63," 'Worship You," "We've Come to Declare," "Needy," "Mercy Again," and "To Speak Your Name." (Might have been easier to name the ones NOT on both.) Like I said, though... they sound re-recorded, and the new versions don't retain the kind of stripped-down goodness that the original recording produced. In addition, Soul Thirst has her versions of Darrell Evans' "My God Reigns" and the Hillsongs classic "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," (two songs which drip with passion and pure worship) as well as a couple others. In my humble opinion, Jami's version of these songs is exactly how they were meant to be done.

Given the choice between this album and the self-titled, I'd choose Soul Thirst ten to one. It's a vivid picture of where Jami's come from, and a pure rendering of the worship heart of an artist who hasn't backed down a bit. If you like her new stuff, get this one and see the whole picture.

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