A silly skit, sound problems and a lukewarm performance from one of the opening acts couldn’t hold Mary Mary down as they worked to lift spirits through their unique brand of new school gospel Friday night at the Fox Theatre.
The evening began with an underwhelming offering by rising gospel star Jessica Reedy. Reedy’s vocal range – from first alto to baritone – would elicit envy even amongst the most gifted of vocalists. But her stage presence…not so much.
Sedentary for the majority of her set, Reedy all but strong armed guests into a spiritual call and response and praise breaks. Reedy seemed uncomfortable – even eager to finish – as she pressed the crowd to worship and, though allegedly half-jokingly, made jabs about the low energy feedback from the other side of the stage.
Fellow opener Isaac Caree, the more seasoned of the opening performers, seemed to instinctively encourage them to elevate the energy level and prime the audience for the pace of Mary Mary’s neo-gospel. Although he did more talking than singing, the crowd was ready to get their praise on by the time he closed the show with his inspirational radio hit “In the Middle.”
A remotely funny skit about the fertility of Erica and Tina Campbell – also known as Mary Mary – (the sisters have eight children between them) kicked off a set that seemed to suggest the use of more multimedia than what was actually executed.
Mary Mary emerged in the non-churchy ensembles that have had traditional saints looking sideways since they stepped on the scene nearly 15 years ago with their urban radio crossover hit “Shackles.”
In form-fitting hot red, high heels, black leather and bling, they were dressed to minister to the new generation of gospel listeners as they urged the crowd to “Get Up” before transitioning into their 2005 smash “Heaven.”
Sound problems plagued Mary Mary’s performance from the very beginning and the decision to use tracks for background vocals instead of live singers took away from the vocal awe that their show typically inspires with the vocal powerhouses being complimented by rich harmonies of a live trio.
But Mary Mary pressed forward urging audiences to press towards their blessings through songs like “Go Get It (It’s Your Time),” and “Walking.”
The sisters infused the testimony of trying to create a music ministry that speaks to a new generation while bucking the longstanding strongholds of traditions in faith based music.
“God gave me everything I need to be who he called me to be,” Erica said, being met by thunderous applause, before the duo jumped into a scaled down two part harmony and holy version of pop singer Bruno Mars “Amazing.”
A few awkward moments within the performance came at the hands of an attempt to gain sponsors for Feed the Children and a break/wardrobe change/commercial for their hit reality show on the WE network.
A song snippet that included contemporary urban classics narrated by Mary Mary’s music director somewhat worked against the gist of the show’s purpose – which was assumed to be an evening of praise.
But all was forgiven when Mary Mary reemerged from backstage – this time donning B-girl hip-hop gear that included tight jeans and tennis shoes.
By the time they concluded their 75 minutes or so on stage with their breakthrough hit “Shackles” and hip-hop radio jam “It’s the God in Me,” Mary Mary had fulfilled their purpose of ushering the audience out with the with a praise reflective of a new breed of worshippers– which the group gladly claims as their niche in the gospel music genre.
Mary Mary blessed the stage as they worked to lift spirits through their unique brand of new school gospel Friday night at the Fox Theatre. The sibling duo of Erica and Tina Campbell have been a faith-based musical force since they emerged on the gospel music scene nearly 15 years ago with their urban radio crossover hit “Shackles.”
