In a world of disposable pop music, there are a few artists who
somehow manage to create music that pierces the monotonous
tedium of the Top 40. From the first time we hear them there is
an intimacy, a fire, a subtle shade of interpretation that spurs
our imagination. With repeated encounters comes a warmth and
familiarity that can only be described as visceral. We connect
with them. We feel we know them. Mary-Kathryn is such an
artist.
On her fourth album, Dreams & Visions, Mary-Kathryn blends
elements of soft pop, rock and folk with world music influences
as diverse as the continents to create a spiritual amalgam that
transcends musical boundaries. Sophisticated without being
elitist; understated without being simplistic, Mary-Kathryn
displays an emotional depth that can only be described as
remarkable. The album features appearances by Hugh Marsh
on Violin and Fergus Marsh on Chapman Stick & Bass, Tony
Morra on Drums & Percussion, the Finnish vocal group Fire
4U, co-produced by Paul Buono and Mary-Kathryn and
mixed by Tony Palacios at the Sound Kitchen.
While her earlier releases hinted at Mary-Kathryn’s world music
influences, her new millennium release, One Spirit, exploded with
exotic rhythms and Old World passions. Middle Eastern
cadences nestled comfortably against Native American
inflections. Traditional folk melodies from France, Italy, and
America melded seamlessly with musical influences from such
faraway lands as India and Ireland, Africa and Egypt. And shot
through it all was a deep and abiding spirituality.
With Dreams & Visions Mary-Kathryn delves even deeper into
the world music realm, painting word pictures on an aural
canvas with exotic instrumentation, adroit production, and
lyrics that are nothing short of God-haunted. But as Billboard
Magazine’s reviewer so aptly put it, “the most affecting
instrument…is Mary-Kathryn’s lovely voice.”

"Dreams and Visions" is the title of my new album coming out this August. Producer Paul Buono and I have created a wonderful, new sound that is in complete harmony with my previous albums, only better! I can't wait to make it available to you. Until then, you can hear three of the new cuts currently posted called "In Your Time", "Incense of Praise" and "Psalm 91." Enjoy!

Billboard Magazine: "Mary-Kathryn is a gifted singer/songwriter whose music resonates with warmth and a hope-filled charm . . . But the most affecting instrument on the album is Mary-Kathryns lovely voice. There's a purity and clarity of tone that makes for soothing listening."

"You really blew me away at the Tom Jackson event. I was able to catch about 3 songs of your gig and was completely caught off guard. What a blessing you are to an industry that is mostly bland and colorless."
Brent Manning, Vocal Coach www.singingsuccess.com

"Listening to music whose origins are shrouded in mystery provides a joy similar to that offered by music sung in languages one does not speak."Phil Freeman, Global Rhythm Magazine

"We're all just chipping away at our quest for immortality!"Paul Buono, Producer


My band always includes some really excellent musicians:
Roy Salmond - production, keys, guitars
Paul Buono - production, guitars, keys, vocals
Fergus Marsh - bass and chapman stick (Bruce Cockburn, Kevin Prosch, Mark Heard) (recorded and live)
Hugh Marsh - electric violin (Bruce Cockburn, Loreena McKennitt, Turkish Sufi DJ Mercan Dede and film scores including "Armageddon", "Shrek 2", "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.") (recorded and live)
Spencer Capier - electric guitar
Jerry McPherson - guitars
Phil Robertson - drums
Tony Morra - drums and percussion
Paul Cookson - drums and percussion (live)
Ginger Cookson - keys, percussion, vocals (live)
Aboubacar "Papa" Camara - African vocals
Mike Atkins - keys and vocals (live)
Sharif Iman - vocals, guitar, percussion (live)
to name a few . . .

My live band today includes:
MK - singing lead, as well as playing a little rainstick and drum
Rich Stevens - keys, bgvs
Alison Stevens - keys, bgvs
Bart Elliott - drums, percussion
Paul Buono - acoustic guitar, baritone guitar, sitar guitar
Tony Marvelli - bass