Mary Lou's Mass

Like many such ambitious conceptual projects, wasn't quite as impressive in its results as it was in its artistic scope. It's more or less acceptable, successful - fusion, sometimes vocal, sometimes instrumental. While the vocal selections seem to be aiming to be uplifting and inspirational, sometimes they can get a bit hokey in their abundance of cheer. The musical tone, while commendably eclectic, is uneven, from deft piano and -tinged rousers to funky stompers, down-home bluesy piano interludes, and melodramatic solo vocal turns. [The material on the 2005 CD version of is not identical to the tracks that came out on the 1975 LP release of the same title. ' "mass" was an ambitious work upon which composition dated back to the mid-'60s, and this CD is the most complete version of it ever issued, though the 32-page booklet somehow does not manage to make it clear what was first released where, and what's previously unreleased. Generally, however, it can be deduced that it includes recordings from both the albums and the 1975 version of , as well as some previously unissued selections, adding up to 61 minutes of music. Serious admirers will appreciate the attempt to put the most complete version of her vision together for this CD release, as well as the extensive annotation that accompanies it.] ~ Richie Unterberger