Yolanda Live in Washington (CD - 1996)

LIVE IN WASHINGTON was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Yolanda Live in Washington is a winning album that showcases the vocal gifts of Yolanda Adams. Accompanied usually by keyboards, bass, and drums, this very talented singer is able to sing softly or with great power, in a style that includes elements from gospel, jazz, blues, and R&B. One moment she may be singing with great gusto, the next in a pretty whisper. Adams is also very adept at extending and bending notes as she pleases while maintaining great control over her voice. The song selection is good and varied, including the popular "The Battle Is the Lord's," which features the backing of a mass choir and a virtuoso performance from Adams. The opening cut, "The Only Way" also with a backing choir, is one of the better uptempo cuts on the recording. Make no mistake about it, the songs presented have an evangelical fervor; however, they are sung with such conviction that listeners often get lost in the message, regardless of their beliefs. The only cut that strays from a strict gospel theme is "Save the World," and it suffers a bit from naiveté in its lyrics, with a "do what you can to help humanity" message. "Praise Your Holy Name," on the other hand, displays the funkiest beat on the album, and it works very well, while keeping the message intact. All in all, this a fine gospel recording that benefits from both good song selection and the vocal talents of Yolanda Adams. ~ Michael Ofjord minimize