print: GOSPEL MUSIC REVIEW: With Praises From The Heart (Dana Mackey) | August, 2006 on BlackGospel.com

Dana Mackey (With Praises From The Heart)
August, 2006 on BlackGospel.com - Review by Jennifer belot

There’s a storm brewing along the Florida coast and for once it has nothing to do with hurricane season. No, this particular clamor is about Tampa native, Dana Mackey whose tumultuous talents have definitely awakened the local gospel scene to the new sound of her contemporary crooning as evidenced on her debut project entitled With Praises from the Heart.

Taking the words of the psalmist to heart, Dana has spared no musical genre from her artistic vision as one can find a fusion influences all tempered by instrumentation perfectly blended with the expertise of a seasoned musician.

Having honed her craft as an organist along the Southeast and more particularly in Florida, Dana Mackey served as a worship leader for the Bethany Christian Bibleship Church in Tampa and even served as a guest organist for a Memorial Celebration in memory of 9/11 victims sponsored by Governor Jeb Bush.

Working in collaboration with producer and local gospel artist in his own right, Minister Ernest Collins Jr., (former music director for Pastor Clint Brown of the Faith World Church of Orlando, Florida). Dana used her writing talents and her voice to bring her debut project to fruition. The instrumentation on the CD Album "With Praises From The Heart" were all played by Minister Ernest Collins, Jr, who was also the Producer of the project.

Opening on muted synthesized beats, Dana opens the project with the mellow, succinct tones of With Praises, and invited listeners to lift up the name of the Lord. The same message is reiterated in the sedate congas of Praise Your Holy Name as the songstress once again invites listeners to lift their hands in praise.

Exhibiting lyricism that is easily translatable in its simplicity, We Glorify Your Name could easily be a worship hymn at any Sunday morning service.

The more contemporary sounds of More Of You and the cadenced rhythms of No Limit contrast evenly with Only You and Teach Me How, the ballads of this project. Meanwhile, the title track sets itself apart. Unlike the rest of the album, which, is offered in quiet gratitude, From the Heart is all unapologetic, boisterous praise, complete with synthesized beats, hand clapping and horns for a full, ecclesiastical praise featuring beats in rhythmic succession. One really can’t help but do a righteous dance to the infectious beats of this track.

Gentle piano chords lead into the inspirational words of Wonderful. “There is a name that’s worthy to be praised, a precious name above all names… how wonderful is the name Jesus.” For gospel aficionados, the lyrical content will seem familiar, as it is very similar in places to Yolanda Adams’ That Name. Once again proving that simplicity can be eloquent, Dana sticks to prose that finds its poignancy in the truth of the ministry.

Never superlative in her vocal flow, Dana Mackey is neither too timid nor too vigorous in the proclamation of the greatness of the God she serves. She merely proclaims her love to the lover of her soul in a sweet soprano that never veers off course. Consistent in her message, abides the words of the psalmist as found in the 138^th chapter “I will praise you oh Lord with all my heart.” Thus from the core of her soul to the ears of heaven, Dana Mackey sings With Praises From The Heart.