Hearing Mark Schultz always makes me think of a relatively unknown artist from Cincinnati named Jeff Sack. Both are adept at power pop vocals and both write moving, sometimes maudlin songs that will tug at your heartstrings. But while Sack never rose above opening for Rich Mullins and playing the church camp circuit, Schultz has become a rising star in the CCM world.
Live is almost a greatest hits collection, which is what most fans would desire at a concert. Everything you would expect to be here is: "I Have Been There," "Back in His Arms Again," "He's My Son," "You Are a Child of Mine," "I Am the Way," "Letters from War," and "Remember Me," as well as other lesser known songs from his albums. The one notable omission is "Kyrie," the Mr. Mister cover that was all over CCM radio last year.
Schultz has a self-deprecating style of patter between songs, making the audience laugh with tales of his childhood and his personal foibles, and keeps a good flow going from one song to the next. The CD offers a bonus studio version of a newer Schultz song, "I Am." Other than that, the DVD doesn't offer much different than the audio version, other than putting faces with names.
The disc is as advertised -- a night of stories and songs. And while Schultz occasionally comes off as a one note Johnny, he does what he does well. Most listeners will find something entertaining here. Schultz fans will treasure the entire thing.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Michael DaltonMark Schultz Live . . . A Night Of Stories & Songs is a gift for fans. The two disc CD/DVD, with matching audio content except for the studio version of "I Am" (a new song) at the end of the CD, showcases the stories that have become songs like the popular "He's My Son." If you have listened to Christian radio for any length of time, chances are you have heard his hit songs, which are faithfully…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Joe MontagueMark Schultz's CD / DVD set A Night of Stories and Songs is a rarity in the music industry today. The always personable Schultz set out to provide glimpses into his personal life and to pay tribute to the people who helped him along the way. What we get instead is a mini biography of one of the more gifted and nicest people in the industry today. If you have the advantage of meeting Schultz, you…Similar sounding releases
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