Songs From the Heart (CD - 1998)

Personnel: Yolanda Adams (vocals); Gregory Curtis (various instruments, background vocals); Al Willis, Desabata (guitar); Donald Hayes (saxophone); Richard Gibbs (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Rodney East (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Fe Fender Rhodes piano); Percy Bady (guitar, strings, keyboards, Hammond B-3 organ, bass, percussion, programming); Kevin Randolph (Fender Rhodes piano); Steve Huff (bass, percussion); Sharay Reed (acoustic bass); Maurice Fitzgerald (bass); Ray Bady (drums, percussion); Ray Hammond, Mark Simmons (drums); The Levites (background vocals).

Engineers include: Jerry Christy, Percy Bady, Edward Draine.

Recorded at the Back Room Studio, Glendale, California; Houston Sound Studio, Houston, Texas; Hinge Recording Studios, IMI Records, Chicago, Illinois.

SONGS FROM THE HEART was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Personnel: Yolanda Adams (vocals, background vocals); Percy Bady (guitar, keyboards); Donald Hayes (saxophone); Sharay Reed (upright bass); Mark Simmons (drums); Steve Huff (percussion); Gregory Curtis (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Alvin Speights; Percy Bady.

Recording information: Back Room Studio, Glendale, CA; Hinge Recording; Houstion Sound Studio, Houstion; Houston Sound Studios, Houston, TX; IMI Records, Chicago, IL.

Photographers: Taylor; Reisig.

Arrangers: Gregory Curtis; Percy Bady; Yolanda Adams.

Yolanda Adams' Songs From the Heart is a mediocre effort with a few high points. Adams and her producers frequently put style over substance, drowning out her vocals, especially on the opening number, "Only Believe." Adams is clearly at her best when the arrangements are full-out gospel, as in "Is Your All on the Altar?," or smooth and jazz-tinged, as in "Jesus Medley." When Adams' voice is put first, the album succeeds, but sadly that's a rare occurrence. ~ Melinda Hill

Maryland-based gospel singer Yolanda Adams has a fine strong voice which recalls both gospel pioneers such as Shirley Caesar or Mahalia Jackson and the jazzier side of Aretha Franklin. The three tracks co-written and played by producer Gregory Curtis create an interesting tension by placing Adams' passionate vocals and devotional lyrics on a Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey-style bed of sequencers and dancy beats. The rest of the album, produced by Percy Bady, sets Adams in a more conventional setting, framed by earthy Hammond B-3 organ, Fender Rhodes electric piano and a supple, jazz-influenced rhythm section. It's on these tracks, such as "His Presence is Here" and "Jesus Medley," that Adams shines brightest. minimize