Mary McKee & The Genesis - Simply... Mary McKee & The Genesis: By The Rivers Of Babylon

Thursday 9th December 2004
Mary McKee & The Genesis - Simply... Mary McKee & The Genesis: By The Rivers Of Babylon
Mary McKee & The Genesis - Simply... Mary McKee & The Genesis: By The Rivers Of Babylon

STYLE: Country
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 12293-1359
LABEL: Kingsway KMCD2593
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 3
RELEASE DATE: 2004-12-03
RRP: £16.99

Reviewed by Dave Brassington

An unexpected re-issue that is a surprise and a delight!. Offered here is a three CD boxed set of recordings made in the '70s featuring the lilting Irish voice of Mary McKee and the equally fine backing by her group Genesis. These oldies prove that British musicians were capable of making good country recordings. I personally have fond memories of listening to Mary all those years ago and there is simply not a duff track on any of these CDs, which comprise a mixture of familiar items, eg, "By The Rivers Of Babylon" and the Glenn Campbell tune "Try A Little Kindness", with many less familiar. My one great disappointment with this release is that the accompanying sleevenotes only list the words to the songs, when I was really looking forward to reading a potted history of Mary McKee, how she came to faith, details of the recordings and what she and the group are doing nowadays. These recordings in my opinion still sound very good 30 years later and that is a tribute to the quality of the originals, and who knows, Mary may yet be tempted back into a recording studio? I certainly hope she does!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.

Reader Comments

Posted by INEH PRECIOUS G.C in ILEIFE OSUN STATE NIGERA @ 16:41 on Sep 30 2023

Mary mackee & The Genesis ha been my favourite Christain group band. I came to know their songs the year 1996, then it was in cassatte, now I have their five Albums on CD PLATES. Their songs are calm and cool, lifting up ones spirit to heaven. I will like to know if they are still alive. Their country of origin. They have blessed our generations with their inspired spirit filled melodious song. I love them all. God bless them and their offspring. Amen



Posted by Chukwuemerie Okoli in Enugu, Nigeria @ 02:17 on Jul 25 2023

As I type this I'm listening to Mary McKee's songs that I downloaded hours ago. Mary McKee and The Genesis music was the best thing that happened to their generation. I'm glad that somehow I was exposed to country music in my late teenage years around 2002. Ever since then country music has been one of my favourite music genres. That was how I came to know Mary and The Genesis. Their songs are soul-lifting, tear-inducing and soothing. I would like to know more about her. Also I would want the lyrics of their songs to be uploaded on the Internet.



Posted by Charles. M. Chigbo in Anambra, Nigeria. @ 07:23 on Oct 3 2021

Sis.Mary McKee & the genesis. I will never forget such people like them. There music was wonderful and extraordinary.



Posted by Charles. M. Chigbo in Anambra, Nigeria. @ 07:21 on Oct 3 2021

Sis.Mary McKee & the genesis. I will never forget such people like them. There music was wonderful and extraordinary. I don't know whether if she still alive but where ever she is and the genesis I send my regards to them. His entire generation may the Lord bless them all. Even though know history about them but at least they have one in heaven. They are Lucky. My regards once again.



Posted by Ojo Babafemi Sunday in Ibadan,Oyo State,Nigeria,West @ 21:06 on Jan 1 2021

How I wish Mrs Mary McKee and some of the Genesis brothers can just send us New year's greetings and render to us some inspiring heavenly land songs !




Posted by Christopher Imoniche in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. @ 00:23 on Dec 9 2020

Happy to discover this medium!

Where are they? How come so difficult getting information about them. Not even wilkipedia can give any information about them yet their songs are readily available! Why?

They were great instruments in the hands of God and they touched souls... loved them much.

Lets know about them and any of them still around be told we love them and God bless them all. Amen.



Posted by Patrick Oguejiofor in Abuja, Nigeria @ 13:11 on Aug 23 2018

Sister Mary McKee is a voice from heaven. How can I ever forget the wonderful impact her songs had on my life? Right now even as I write these lines, I can hear her golden voice at the back of my mind calling me to live upright! That was McKee and the Genesis. May her golden voice continue to reign in people's life. It's a voice that will never die because God was speaking through her songs and her voice!



Posted by Victor Orji in Abuja @ 14:31 on Mar 20 2017

please how can I download these songs???
seriously am shot of words . but one thing is sure that..... Sister Mary Mackke's songs have impacted in my life. I love all of her songs...
especially "CAST DOWN YOUR CARES"
I break down in tears whenever I listen to this track..
""for its only when you die are your free to live""
Remain blessed .



Posted by Ojo Babafemi Sunday in Ibadan,Oyo State,Nigeria. @ 01:16 on Oct 9 2016

Praise the LORD !!! It is one of my happiest moments writing a message to the sweetest voice I have ever listened to and the joy that she is still very much alive,probably with the band's members and will be reading this my message is a great privilege !!! She really is a kind of GODsent blessing to our world indeed. I bet it,there has never ever been a divinely inspired and heaven oriented country songs again,I mean such that can ever change your mind,bring you to your knees and bring down tears to your cheeks!!! Ah ! Mary Mckee and the Genesis is it !!! I was just 8 years and I was brought down to Ibadan from Ilesha for long September's holiday when I heard " Heaven song,JESUS is LORD of the way I feel,Shine thro' me,I am loved and so on...." in 1979/8I.I was shedding tears. Two years later,in another long holiday,I went down to Ibadan and there I then listened well to the same album,now much understood than before and was able to read the words of the songs,just,at the flip side of the record jacket,ah,ah,ah !!! It was then that I wept the most alone,listening and crying and even pledging to GOD,that,no matter the case/situation,that I would stick and belong to GOD forever. Whao ! Listening to"shine thro' me" will definitely knock a wicked or evil one off his/her feet to follow JESUS.
One more thing,ma Mrs Mary Mckee,you need to render some old Xmas songs that are also biblical with your unique angelic voices for our little ones to enjoy,ma. May you and the band members live long and GOD bless you real good. You are just blessed all through and so shall GOD bless all that pertain to you all,ma and sirs.
My elder brother to whom I usually came,and,that also played me the songs is still alive and remain ever faithful and grateful and still in the faith serving GOD now.
Praise ye the LORD,ALLELUIJAH !!!



Posted by Peterson in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria @ 18:41 on Mar 27 2016

Mary Mckee. It's possible that she and her group may not still be alive today, but their solemn, Spirit inspired songs can never be forgotten.

Her "Shattered Dream" and "He came in Love" and "Lord how did it feel"? are ever wonderful and others.

My church choir being a "kind solemn worship church" have rendered many of their songs in church, though a little distorted sometimes.

Please a work on her biography should be done. I want to see her profile on Wikipedia. Please where is Roberts Liardon, the author of all "God's Generals"? Somebody should tell him to do a work on Mary Mckee.

I know she won't miss her reward in her. God bless her.


Reply by alison frizelle in United Kingdom @ 15:00 on Aug 13 2016

mary mckee and the genesis band are all very much alive today.

[report abuse]


The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

Add your comment

We welcome your opinions but libellous and abusive comments are not allowed.












We are committed to protecting your privacy. By clicking 'Send comment' you consent to Cross Rhythms storing and processing your personal data. For more information about how we care for your data please see our privacy policy.

NAVIGATION
CONNECT WITH CROSS RHYTHMS
SIGNUP

Connect with Cross Rhythms by signing up to our email mailing list

A Step Change...
Cross Rhythms Media Training Centre
MORE ARTICLES
DISCOGRAPHY
ARTIST PROFILES
Artists & DJs A-Z
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
Or keyword search

 

PRAYER ROOMS
Dedication Room
Live on the edge and shout what you believe in our Dedication Room