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Mark Schultz live (CD/DVD)

Beating Time

MARK SCHULTZ LIVE
A Night of Stories and Songs
CD with DVD £14.99
http://www.mark-schultz.com/

Stomach-churning sentimental saccharin. That was my first impression. ‘When You Come Home’ is a tear-jerking piano ballad about Mark's relationship with his momma (yes, Schultz is an American).

It moves fast: the first verse has him scraping a knee at school; the second sees him leaving home for the big city; and the third cuts to mom's deathbed. Each is followed by the chorus:

When you come home
no matter how far
run through the door and into my arms
It's where you are loved
It's where you belong
I will be here
When you come home

Not my cup of tea at all! But Schultz is a great storyteller, and he got me hook, line and sinker (I'm hopeless, I still blub in anticipation of the ‘Daddy, my daddy!’ moment in The Railway Children).

However, relief comes swiftly in the form of a delicious twist once the song finishes. Schultz begins to explain to the live audience that his mom is still very much alive. Apparently, he read a book called ‘how to write a hit song’ which says to finish with a strong last verse, and he couldn't think of anything stronger. He then tags on another verse which will have you rolling on the floor, laughing out loud. So, first impressions can be misleading!

The story-telling and humour continue for most of the concert. The only problem is that you begin to expect every story to have a funny ending. The true song about a kid with cancer isn't funny, but it does have a wonderful ending. There are also a few cringey ‘God Bless America’ moments.

But although this is a ‘feel good’ album, it is not light on content:

I AM the Maker of the Heavens
I AM the Bright and Morning Star
I AM the Breath of all Creation
Who always was
And is to come

I AM the One who walked on water
I AM the One who calmed the seas
I AM the Miracles and Wonders
So come and see
And follow Me
You will know

I AM the Fount of Living Water
The Risen Son of Man
The Healer of the Broken
And when you cry
I AM your Saviour and Redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The Author and Perfecter
Beginning and the End
I AM

Mark's style is very Leo Sayer. There is a lot of power and dynamic range in his voice, although, at times, he's just a little rasping for my taste. He's a fine pianist, too, and supported by a good band. The cello certainly adds something to those heart-string-tugging moments, but at other times the band plays full on rock.

You get a lot for your money. The CD is really just a subset of the DVD and should probably be kept for the car. In a word: sweet.

PGDH
http://ColossiansThreeSixteen.org