Kate Miner - Prodigal Martha

Reviewed by Ruth Saint

American worship leader and songwriter Kate has received praise in the past (from Cross Rhythms at least) for her album on Sovereign Productions and independent releases but it's 'Prodigal Martha' which could well demonstrate to the fickle US public the sheer enormity of Kate's talent. Most of this album was written at a time when Kate was recovering from an operation on her vocal chords which necessitated her remaining completely silent for a week and then day by day adding five minutes of voice. This couldn't have been easy for a singer/songwriter, musician, wife and mother of four or any female actually! An ordeal that took three to four months to regain full recovery. At the front of the album Kate explains the thoughts she had during this time and by writing this album she wanted to convey life in the tornado and life in the calming wake of Jesus; and she does so, brilliantly. A mixture of gentle love songs to Jesus; rocky numbers; in yer face songs urging you to turn to Christ; songs about life and just simply, worship. The CD opens with the album title "Prodigal Martha" and is Kate at her best, with beautiful lyrics and haunting cello (Stefani Fife), through this song she tenderly conveys the thoughts of asking for Jesus' understanding for those "Martha" times. "Beautiful" gently captures the listener's imagination with lines like: "cover me under a blanket, made up of thousands of stars." Rockier numbers "Come To The River", "Jesus" and "Song In My Heart" punch home too. I highly recommend this mature and uplifting set.