The Dream – Maurette Brown Clark

Maurette Brown Clark
The Dream
AIR 2007
www.malaco.com

Known affectionately as the “Princess of Praise and Worship,” Maurette Brown Clark hit the ball out of the park with her first live album, The Dream. It produced two major gospel hits: the antiphonal sing-along “One God” and the current charter “It Ain’t Over (Until God Says It’s Over).”

The album also earned Maurette her first Stellar Award in 2008 for Praise & Worship CD of the Year. Her daughter Jada Simone Clark earned a Stellar that same year for her performance of “I Am What God Says I Am,” also from The Dream.

Backed by a tight-knit group of musicians and marvelous background vocalists that include Anthony Brown and Answered Prayers, Maurette does what P&W artists do best: sing and minister their heart out such that the recording session inevitably becomes a church service.

In addition to the two hits mentioned above, the two-part “Sovereign God” is worth catching on The Dream, and from the sounds of the live audience, it was a crowd pleaser that evening. Jonathan Nelson’s “My Heart Has Been Restored” is a jazzy ballad with a spirit-filled climax, and interestingly, the musicians remain in the jazz mood while accompanying Maurette on the standard, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.”

In addition to Nelson, other top-shelf songwriters contributing to the project include Donnie McClurkin and Maurette’s choir director, Richard Smallwood. Maurette herself penned a few songs on the album, including the title track, an extended testimony centered around a simple, effective four line tone-poem.

The gorgeous, crystal-clear piano accompaniment of Eddie Brown, especially on “Alright” and “Lord We Praise Your Name,” bears mentioning. Like the snap-and-crackle of a fire on a chilly winter night, Eddie’s playing is crisp and stands on its own, deserving nearly as much of the spotlight as Maurette.

The Dream was recorded at the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, where the Pastor is gospel artist Dr. Jamal H. Bryant. The album is a superb live performance with demonstrated staying power as a gospel super-seller.

Five of Five Stars