Description
Prodigal Martha is an album by the American singer Kate Miner (a.k.a. Pam Dwinell), released on Floodgate Records in 2005, distributed by Word Entertainment. The album was produced by David Miner.
Prodigal Martha is the result of a singer/songwriter being literally silenced by God. Kate had surgery in April of last year to remove polyps from her vocal chords, and after that operation, she was not able to talk for a week, and then the following months only five minutes a day until she fully recovered. It forced her to do just what Martha of the Bible did – to sit at the Savior’s feet and listen. This theme is very present throughout the album. The candidness of her lyrics and the sheer power of her voice (even after surgery) combine to make honest heartfelt songs. Some people have a natural gift to be able to sing, and then there are people like Kate Miner who have a divine gift of singing. Some contemporary Christian singers seem insincere in their songs, but when she sings lines like, “Jesus changed the tenor of the cross/ from the sound of cold nails driven to the song of man forgiven,” it doesn’t sound as if she’s preaching but rather speaking from experience.
All eleven of these songs are gems – bright shining gems. Dealing with the struggle common to us all – whether it’s doubt, feeling overwhelmed, or unloved – there’s something for everyone to connect with on this album. The heart-wrenching «Who Will Cry» deals with the utter crassness of human loneliness and its many forms: death of a loved one, homelessness, prostitution, infidelity, etc. This tune will surely pull the listener’s heart strings. Her voice, clearly expresses the hopelessness that so many who have to deal with these situations feel. To balance the album, Kate has included some encouragement: the tender «Hung The Moon» which exalts God’s desire to please us and love us eternally is a fine example. The red-bull infused rocker, «Song In My Heart», is another, Kate shows us she is not afraid to rock out from time to time, which is a very good thing because she handles it astoundingly well.
Prodigal Martha is Kate’s first release with Floodgate; I have to take my hat off to Mr. Tim Taber who did a wonderful thing by signing this extremely talented woman. This project will get you where you need to be at the foot of the Savior to just listen to Him. Prodigal Martha is a testament of how God consistently transforms human pain into glorious works of art. [Aaron C. Anderson, The Phantom Tollbooth, August 2005]
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. [Ruth Saint, Cross Rhythms, February 2006]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/prodigal-martha/272635701)
CD tracklist:
01. Prodigal Martha – 4:38
02. Come To The Water – 4:36
03. The Cross – 4:14
04. Beautiful – 6:28
05. Song In My Heart – 4:58
06. Covered – 4:44
07. Jesus – 3:16
08. Who Will Cry – 5:37
09. Hung The Moon – 4:08
10. Overwhelmed – 4:19
11. All – 3:44
Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://thekateminerorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/prodigal-martha
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