Reviewed by Andrew Rolfe

A re-packaged compilation of three of Ms Baker's CDs. Marilyn has grown to become a 'Grandma of CCM', without the dark pastimes and shock tactics of the secular rocker 'Granddads'. She's an upfront lady with a big, open heart and time to listen to your problems: just like a real granny should be. Singing from her heart and an obvious years-long relationship with her Lord, she's a Christian and proud of it. Her songs are full of the stuff: "Do you know the difference that Christ can make to you?", "Yes on the cross, Jesus died, and all your sins were laid on him" and "No one can come to the living God unless he comes to know him through me." Marilyn takes her master's advice and largely avoids the "vain repetitions of the heathen" which often appear in modern worship in the guise of endless chorus repetition. These albums do feature this "choral echo," just not ad infinitum. All the songs have a message as Mrs Baker says, "Music is a wonderful way of sharing one's Christian faith because people who will not listen to a preacher will often listen to a song." So how is it, listening to her music? There's loads of piano with mellow drum and e-bass. Most songs are soft which is Marilyn's signature style. Uptempo foot tappers appear but these are in the minority: Marilyn is simply more Holy Spirit-gentleness than the "bam bam" worship style of the recent "Florida Shoutpouring". She attempts a Psalm 23-esque rendition which tends towards a happy-clappy black gospel big band but doesn't match the vocal extravagance of your average black woman: she does well but her voice remains more suited to mid-range worship, as in vocal range and not quality, because sing she can. Song content is personal; honest about short-comings, struggles, pain and sadness; triumphalist-realist: we humans have big problems but, at the individual level, we can overcome them one person at a time because of a God who wants to get involved. Quite often a song will begin melancholy but finish more uplifting than a hot-air balloon race. There are lots of soul-searching melodies and slow waltzy "last dances." There's no obsession with hyper-driven electronics and no need for screaming guitars to introduce every key change: our singer/songwriter obviously isn't convinced of the merits of the wah wah pedal as an evangelistic tool. Her songs could easily provide the soothing atmosphere needed in counselling sessions a fact which sometimes renders the overall melodic-package annoying, at least to my male ears: things tend to get a bit too touchy-feely. Nonetheless, if you like Marilyn's conservative sound and you don't have many of her songs, then buy this set, at 15 UK pounds for 49 songs (mostly original works) you can't complain.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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