Yolanda Adams Believe CD

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel includes: Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard.
Producers include: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright, Shep Crawford, Drop Squad.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Yolanda Adams (vocals, background vocals); Karen Clark-Sheard (vocals); T-Bone (rap vocals); Professa (guitar, bass guitar); Eric Walz, Jay Williams, John Jubu Smith (guitar); Connie Ellisor, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Lee Larrison, Alan Umstead, Catherine Umstead (violin); David Angel, Jim Grosjean, Kris Wilkinson, Gary VanOsdale (viola); Mark Douthit, Jeff Bailey , Mike Haynes (trumpet); Chris McDonald (trombone); Kevin Bond (keyboards, programming, background vocals); James "Big Jim" Wright (keyboards, background vocals); Grant Nicholas, Shep Crawford, Bobby Ross Avila (keyboards); Iz, Ishmael Ferguson, Jeremy Haynes (drums); Alexander Richbourg (drum programming); Onitsha Shaw, Greater Philipian Youth Choir, New Life Cogic Youth Choir, Deirdra Coker, Clinta Turner, Naybu Fullman, Tanjala Wright, Kim Washington, Lisa Keith, Big Jim (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Neil Pogue; Kevin "KD" Davis; Manny Marroquin; Jan Fairchild; Xavier Smith; Kevin Bond; Peter Mokran; Ralph Cacciurri; Soul Providers; Steve Hodge; Bradley Yost.
Recording information: Bonded Music, Stone Mountain, GA; Doppler Studios, Atlanta, GA; Flyte Time Studios, Edina, MN; Hartman Way Sounds, West Hills, CA; Live Wire Studios, Detroit, MI; Marvin's Room Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Record Plant Studios, Hollywood, CA; Reflection Sound, Charlotte, NC; Seventeen Grand Studios, Nashville, TN; The Embassy, North Hollywood, CA; Westlake Studio, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Marc Baptiste.
Arranger: Kevin Bond.
While Yolanda Adams' voice is as warm and enveloping as a cozy blanket, the lush album opener "Never Give Up" lacks the against-all-odds passion the song's title suggests. Adams belts in vein-popping intensity throughout these songs, although the arrangements, progressions, and lyrics are less than moving. Adams is in lovely voice. ~ Liana Jonas
While Yolanda Adams' voice is as warm and enveloping as a cozy blanket, the lush album opener "Never Give Up" lacks the against-all-odds passion the song's title suggests. Listeners are left anticipating a heart-rending crescendo, but that explosive musical and vocal peak never happens, even when Adams belts in vein-popping intensity at the song's end. What's the problem? This song and most of the fare on Believe are plagued by formulaic R&B and gospel arrangements, predictable key changes and progressions, and less-than-moving lyrics. The album does not justly showcase Adams' fullest vocal potential, which, to be sure, she has in spades based on past recordings. Adams should secure better songwriters and producers. Without them, her many talents go wasted. She can and should do better. ~ Liana Jonas
Riding a crossover wave that culminated in a Grammy win for 1999's MOUNTAIN HIGHŕVALLEY LOW, this gospel superstar re-teams with some of the same collaborators for her first studio album of the new millennium. Superstar producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis return to the helm for the inspirational lead-off single "Never Give Up," hip-hop flavored "I'm Thankful," and the gorgeous ballad "I'm Gonna Be Ready". Elsewhere, Adams keeps the contemporary R&B vibe going with the up-tempo funk of "Fo Sho'" (featuring fellow gospel songbird Karen Clark Sheard), groove-fueled jam "Unconditional," and the Stevie Wonder-lite of "Darling Girl" inspired by her newborn daughter.
Like fellow crossover sensation Kirk Franklin, the former schoolteacher/model keeps one foot firmly placed in the world of Christian music. For this outing, Adams shares her faith on the lush "Only If God Says Yes" and makes like Patti LaMojo (Publisher) (4/03, p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Adams' latest offering marries traditional Christian messages with modern R&B grooves....It's a winning combination..."