CD Review: Martha Munizzi – No Limits…Live

No Limits…Live
Martha Munizzi
Integrity/Columbia 2006
www.marthamunizzi.com

Martha Munizzi has gone from the hottest blue-eyed gospel singer on the circuit (one of the finest since Gene Viale) to one of the hottest gospel singers, period. Having watched the Florida-based performer work her magic at the Chicago Gospel Fest a couple of years ago, I know firsthand that she can turn a crowd into believers with her own blend of CCM, Praise & Worship, and Gospel performance techniques.

So a live project is the best way to enjoy Martha, as she is at her best in front of an appreciative crowd. On No Limits…Live, her first full-length live recording – and two CDs full, at that – Martha projects enough personality to fill a mega-church. There are no missed stitches here: it is a very polished and paced performance, a little too plasticine perfect in the beginning, but overall No Limits…Live is sacred singing with stadium concert power, punctuated by Martha’s impassioned ministering to the people. Listening to the project beginning to end, one will hear Martha cycle through CCM, P&W, and Gospel styles respectively, alternating uptempo workouts with more meditative moments.

Musically, Martha is at her finest when she eschews the heavy-handed arrangements popular in gospel today and shines a solo spotlight on her singing – a lovely voice in full flower – with only the most delicate of accompaniment. Examples of this on No Limits…Live include “Renew Me,” “Forever You’re My King,” “What He’s Done,” and the particularly beautiful “While You Worship” and “Holy Spirit, Fill This Room.”

The crowd pleaser on No Limits…Live is “He’s Already Provided.” Martha puts on her shouting shoes and propels the crowd into a frenzy with some old-church preaching and shouting, the organ chirping and burbling encouragement behind her.

“Jesus is the Best Thing,” with a rap written and performed by Byron Chambers, is a turn-up-the-volume urban gospel radio hit in the making, with Chambers rhyming “Munizzi” with “Keeps the Devil Busy.” A duet with Martha’s sister Mary Alessi on “Always Welcome” also works particularly well.

No Limits…Live will be consumed thoroughly by Martha fans and serves as a good primer for those who have heard about this sensation and want to hear her for themselves.