The Best of Me (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Yolanda Adams (background vocals); Debra Pearson, Michele Davis, Sandra Norris, Ericka Lorrick, Shellea Wade (soprano); Barbara 'Nellie' Johnson, Michele Gunn, Glenera Williamson, Tausha Bomar, Danielle Britt, Patricia Thompson (alto); Darren Carmichael, Stan Pearson, Darryl Izzard, Jessie Williams, Lavan Singletary, Ron Ellerson, Thomas Adams (tenor); Warryn 'Smiley' Campbell, Jimmy Jam, Kevin Bond, Shavoni, Terry Lewis, Buster (various instruments); Dave Foreman, Jay Williams, Mike Scott , Bobby Ross Avila, Phil Hamilton (guitar); Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitars); Elizabeth Sobieski, David Ewart, Michael Sobieski, Elsa Nilsson, Brenda Mickens, John Wittenberg, Tom Kornacker, Gill Romero, Carolyn Daws Gunkler, Charles Stegeman, Susannah Chapman, Bruce Dukov, Leslie Shank, Lesa Terry, Ronald Clark (violin); Robin Ross, Alicia Preves, Marilyn Baker, Tamas Strasser (viola); Daryl Skobba, Susie Katayama, Joshua Kolstenbaum, Principal Stephanie Fife (cello); Rickey Grundy (strings); Herman Jackson, Tim Carmon (piano); David Delhomme, Andy Weiner, Shep Crawford (keyboards); Fred Hammond (bass instrument); Nathan East, Barry Eastmond (bass guitar); Stokely, Teddy Campbell, Ishmael Ferguson, Jeremy Haynes (drums); Brad Dutz (timpani); Luis Conti, Kevin Ricard (percussion); Alex Richbourg, Tommie Walker (drum programming); Gregory G. Curtis, Shelea Frazier, Clinta Tuner, Victoria Purcell, Patrice 'Butaphly' Stewart, Miautra Dias, Pam Kenyon Donald, Marsha Johns, Tamika Lucas, Yoshawndala Parker, Bryan Pratt, Frederick J. Purifoy, Rosalind White-Gonsalves, Danaine Jones, Greater Philipian Youth Choir, New Life Cogic Youth Choir, James 'Big Jim' Wright, Darrell Crawford and The Fulfillment Choir, Renee Spearman, Gordon Chambers, JoAnn Rosario, Keith Allen , Kevin Wilson, Lauren Evans, Marva King, Mary Mary, Raymond Reeder, Sharon Bryant, Vanessa Williams , Lisa Curtis, Demeka Jackson, David Ivey (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Gerald LeVert (vocals).

Elektra/Atlantic's Best of Me collects 12 of inspirational gospel queen Yolanda Adams biggest hits, including "Victory," "Open My Heart," "I Gotta Believe" and "Be Blessed," as well as her cover of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." This doesn't include any tracks from her years with the Verity label, so fans looking to replace 1999's Best of Yolanda Adams should hold onto their copies, but as a compilation of her later works with Elektra goes, it's as solid a collection of contemporary gospel tunes as one could hope for. ~ James Christopher Monger minimize