Personnel includes: CeCe Winans (vocals); Keith Crouch, Tommy Sims (various instruments, background vocals); Celebrity Status Entertainment, Ced "C", Vic "C" (various instruments); Andrew Ramsey (acoustic & electric guitars); Peter Moore (acoustic guitar); John "Jubu" Smith, Eric "Fonksta" Bacon, Zac Harmon, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); John Catchings (cello); Sam Levine (alto & bass flutes); Mike Haynes (trumpet, flugelhorn); Tony Rich (keyboards, drums, background vocals); Daryl Simmons (keyboards, programming); Eric Darken (vibraphone, percussion); Sherree Ford-Payne, Nora Payne, Eric Dawkins, Duawne Starling, Tiffany Palmer, Alex Morris, E. Dawk (background vocals); Nashville String Machine.
Producers include: Keith Crouch, ChakDaddy, Babyboy, E. Dawk, Tony Rich.
Engineers include: Craig Burbridge, John Frye, Martin Woodlee.
EVERLASTING LOVE was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
Personnel: CeCe Winans (vocals, background vocals); Duane Starling (vocals, background vocals); Johari Newton, John Jubu Smith, Paul Jackson, Jr. , Zachary Harmon (guitar); Andrew Ramsey (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Peter Moore (acoustic guitar); John Catchings (cello); Indigo Quartet (strings); Sam Levine (alto flute, bass flute); Mike Haynes (flugelhorn); Tejumold Newton, Myra Walker, Vance Taylor (piano); Tony Rich (keyboards, drums, background vocals); Daryl Simmons (keyboards, keyboard programming, drum programming); Danny Duncan (synthesizer, programming, computer); Eric Darken (vibraphone, percussion); Vere Isaacs (bass guitar); Steven Meeder (drums); Godfrey Mgoina (percussion); Kip Kubin (programming); Vicki McKisic, Eric Dawkins, E. Dawk, Priscilla Ngqumeya, Lulama Lallo, Chelle Davis, Pamela Cork, Gloria Bosman, Wings Segale, Mandisa Dlanda, Pastor Benjamin Dube, Tanya Smith , Langa Dube, Stephen Molakeng, Alex Morris, Sibusis Victor Masondo, Keith Crouch, Nora Payne, Ann McCrary, Sherree Ford-Payne, Tiffany Palmer (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Pete Martinez; Craig Burbidge; Booker T. Jones III; Rick "Soldier" Will; Jon Gass; Tommy Sims; Warren Riker.
Recording information: Dugout; House; Seventeen Grand; Sixt; Sound Stage; Studio 56 (B-Funk Lab); Studio LaCoCo; Westlake studios.
Editor: Randy LeRoy.
Photographer: Mario Castellanos.
Arrangers: Keith Crouch; Tommy Sims.
For her second solo album, Cece Winans decided to record a full-fledged urban R&B/soul album, enlisting an impressive array of guest artists and collaborators -- including Keith Crouch, Tony Rich, Lauryn Hill, Diane Warren, Daryl Simmons and Tommy Sims -- to record Everlasting Love. All of the guest stars do nothing but enhance Winans' talents. There is no doubt this is her record, and she breathes life even into the weaker material. Fortunately, there isn't much that's weak on Everlasting Love. The songwriting is consistently classy, the production is polished without being slick, and Winans' voice simply soars. The only gospel inflections that remain are in her singing, as all of the songs, with the exception of Hill's direct, affecting "On That Day," have a distinct contemporary flavor. It's to Winans' credit that she flourishes in this setting and makes the album as personal as her gospel album Alone in His Presence. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
CeCe Winans first found fame with her brother, BeBe, with whom she developed a style of pop-Gospel which was both devotional and radio-friendly. Their efforts were not in vain: the duo experienced monumental success on the R&B charts, earning multiple Grammys and becoming a household name. On her sophomore album, EVERLASTING LOVE, CeCe displays all the conviction of a gospel belter, while employing the vocal acrobatics of a true soul diva.
Right from the playful bounce of the album's opener, "Well, Alright," CeCe brings forth a message of hope and pride, stressing the importance of faith, not only in oneself, but also in one's creator. Masterful vocal arrangement is featured on the celebrational Zulu language choruses of "Feel The Spirit," and also on "The Wind (Tears For You)," which is graced by lush string and wind orchestrations. The tender ballad "Life" tells of courage in the face of adversity, while the tile track gives CeCe's simple formula for survival: it's all in the power of love. minimize