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Mary-Kathryn
Live at Grace Center DVD
Artist: Mary-Kathryn
Label: Rhythm House Records
Length: 9 tracks/52 minutes plus one bonus track
On Live at Grace Center, Mary-Kathryn engages in a different kind of worship experience. Charismatic believers (those who seek to operate in the gifts of the Spirit) have not had the kind of popular DVD releases of artists like Hillsong and Michael W. Smith. Perhaps noting their absence, Mary-Kathryn asks in “Dreamers,” “Where have all the dreamers gone?”
This DVD has none of Hillsong’s anthem-like choruses or the drama of a Michael W. Smith concert. Instead of simple choruses, you find poetic expressions of love sung to world music influences. Unlike many westerners, who tend to be reserved in worship, Mary-Kathryn is not afraid to dance and use movement as an expression of praise.
Musically, she is like a modern-day gypsy, incorporating a multitude of influences that give her an exotic and ambient sound. “Tehillah” is distinctively Native American with Mary-Kathryn keeping time on a hand drum. “Let Us Praise” and “Incense of Praise” feature sitar, which make them sound gypsy-like. “Psalm 91” incorporates progressive rock. “Spirit Song” features a short time of praying and singing in the Spirit.
This was shot using two cameras to document the event. Unfortunately, the sound quality does not meet the standard found on most music DVDs, and the camera work is elementary. It makes me wonder if releasing this was an afterthought. If you can get past the production, what you have is a performance and worship experience that is outside the norm.
The artist and band do an excellent job of reproducing songs taken primarily from Dreams and Visions (2007). The CD is a better introduction to Mary-Kathryn’s artistry. However, the DVD presents an unvarnished concert that captures her spontaneity. This will appeal to those who don’t like watching more popular concerts that can start to feel staged.
The DVD includes a bonus performance of “Incense of Praise,” which has better production. This is a signature song for Mary-Kathryn, and the DVD is worth having for these two tracks.
Even though this concert is geared toward Christians, the world music influences and the prophetic dimension of the songs have the potential to reach those outside the Christian faith. Mary-Kathryn’s music has broad appeal. It cannot be confined within the CCM mold or the praise and worship genre. Dream on Mary-Kathryn.
Michael Dalton
March 11, 2009
Artist: Mary-Kathryn
Label: Rhythm House Records
Length: 9 tracks/52 minutes plus one bonus track
On Live at Grace Center, Mary-Kathryn engages in a different kind of worship experience. Charismatic believers (those who seek to operate in the gifts of the Spirit) have not had the kind of popular DVD releases of artists like Hillsong and Michael W. Smith. Perhaps noting their absence, Mary-Kathryn asks in “Dreamers,” “Where have all the dreamers gone?”
This DVD has none of Hillsong’s anthem-like choruses or the drama of a Michael W. Smith concert. Instead of simple choruses, you find poetic expressions of love sung to world music influences. Unlike many westerners, who tend to be reserved in worship, Mary-Kathryn is not afraid to dance and use movement as an expression of praise.
Musically, she is like a modern-day gypsy, incorporating a multitude of influences that give her an exotic and ambient sound. “Tehillah” is distinctively Native American with Mary-Kathryn keeping time on a hand drum. “Let Us Praise” and “Incense of Praise” feature sitar, which make them sound gypsy-like. “Psalm 91” incorporates progressive rock. “Spirit Song” features a short time of praying and singing in the Spirit.
This was shot using two cameras to document the event. Unfortunately, the sound quality does not meet the standard found on most music DVDs, and the camera work is elementary. It makes me wonder if releasing this was an afterthought. If you can get past the production, what you have is a performance and worship experience that is outside the norm.
The artist and band do an excellent job of reproducing songs taken primarily from Dreams and Visions (2007). The CD is a better introduction to Mary-Kathryn’s artistry. However, the DVD presents an unvarnished concert that captures her spontaneity. This will appeal to those who don’t like watching more popular concerts that can start to feel staged.
The DVD includes a bonus performance of “Incense of Praise,” which has better production. This is a signature song for Mary-Kathryn, and the DVD is worth having for these two tracks.
Even though this concert is geared toward Christians, the world music influences and the prophetic dimension of the songs have the potential to reach those outside the Christian faith. Mary-Kathryn’s music has broad appeal. It cannot be confined within the CCM mold or the praise and worship genre. Dream on Mary-Kathryn.
Michael Dalton
March 11, 2009