Martha Munizzi (When He Came) - Reviews

Martha Munizzi
When He Came

Martha Munizzi is no newcomer to Gospel, but is enjoying her first blockbuster success atop the Billboard Gospel chart this year. It comes as no surprise with her inviting praise and worship leadership style and smooth and relatable voice, that Munizzi has been embraced in the marketplace that fits her.

In her first Christmas offering, Munizzi sticks with the tried and true, both in production and material. Most of the material on When He Came is traditional, some songs in their original, simple form, and some done with a twist. Sure to afford Munizzi with a more vast audience, the choice seems to be a wise one, because in a season rooted in tradition, holding fast to familiarity is always good.

“O Come All Ye Faithful” is kept traditional in pretty much a straight-forward sing-along mode. The Munizzi children join in on “Silent Night/Away In A Manger” with nice musical arrangements and clean production by Aaron Pearce.

“When He Came” is another acoustic guitar guided tune. A ballad co-written by Munizzi and twin-sister Mary Alessi, it reflects on the changing power of Christ Jesus, and the impact of His very existence. Jovaun Woods, Jerard Woods and LeAnne Palmore accent the punchy background vocal lines.

Pearce also pens a Christmas love song in “My Only Wish” that spotlights Munizzi’s voice.

Other streamlined version songs are “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” and “What Child Is This?”, the inclusion of which gives the project a broad appeal. “Come, O Come Emmanuel” is given a spicy twist with plenty of acoustic guitar from Tom Hemby.

More on Martha

Check these additional Martha Munizzi features:

Interview with Martha Munizzi (2004)

The Best Is Yet To Come album review

Say The Name album review

Producer Aaron Lindsey steps in on “His Name Shall Be Called”, a midtempo tune that swells in intensity and pace to what one might call a Christmas groove. New Breed backgrounders, Daniel Johnson, Stacey Joseph and Jamil Whiting add the vocal juice.

Israel Houghton co-writes with Munizzi on “White Christmas” —but this is not the Bing Crosby croon-festival you might be lead to think it is. Instead, the song focuses on our sins being washed whiter than snow than a winter wonderland. The cleansing power of Jesus’ blood and the healing power in His name put in a seasonal context, adding potency to the meaning. Electric guitar by Eric Brice is rightfully highlighted here.

Lindsey teams up with wife Adrian Lindsey and Munizzi on “Peace on Earth” another midtempo song, this one focusing on Christ centered memories and hope for the season.

When He Came finds just the right mix of new and traditional, and seems set to introduce even more to the wonderful vocal gifts of Martha Munizzi.

There are song snippets available from the album. If you don't have RealAudio, be sure to obtain your free RealAudio player software first, by clicking on the blue RealAudio icon on the right.

To download the song snippets, simply click on the highlighted text below, let stream on RealAudio, and enjoy.

"When He Came"

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

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Producers: Various album release date: November 2, 2004
Martha Munizzi Ministries

— reviewed by Melanie Clark and Stan North —