Marvin Sapp - Thirsty

Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

This is the DVD version of Marvin's seventh album, recorded live at Resurrection Life Church, Grandville, Michigan in January 2007. The production is very tight and Marvin is surrounded by a large group of high quality musicians and singers who are obviously passionate about what they are doing, but don't for a minute swamp Marvin's powerful voice. When reviewing the audio CD I had observed that the songs are very personal and having now seen Marvin singing them they seem even more so. He comes over very genuinely as he shares testimony as to how God has worked in his life over the last few years. I still hold to my opinion that the programme of songs is too ballad-heavy though the extended length of some of the tracks works much better on DVD than when just listening to the CD. Visually, not only are there several cameras on jibs doing nice visual moves but you can spot someone walking around with a Steadicam too, so the filming is of a high quality. The whole thing is a very professional concert and yet the audience certainly found it an occasion of praise and worship - at times in a quiet prayerful state, at times with tears and at other times getting down rather enthusiastically! Also featured is a backstage interview, although this is very short. It would have been nice to have a bit more of this sort of thing to provide more of a picture as to who Marvin is.