Notes & Personnel Info |  | Personnel includes: Karen Clark-Sheard, Faith Evans, Donald Lawrence, The Tri-City Singers, Kierra Sheard, The Clark Sisters (vocals); J. Kool (rap vocals); James Moss (various instruments); Bill Moss, Jr. (piano); Paul Allen (keyboards, programming, drums); Danny Weatherspoon (keyboards, synthesizer); Cedric Thompson (keyboards); Mel Gray (bass); Calvin Napper (drums); Dottie Alexander, Pam Taylor (background vocals); Stanley Brown, Benjamin Love, Lanar "Kern" Brantley. | | Motown Romance String Orchestra includes: John Hughes, Lenore Sjoberg, Bruce Smith (violin); Hart Hollman, Manchin Zhang (viola); Marey Chaneaux (cello); Pat Terry-Ross (harp); Stephen Molina, Rick Robinson (bass); Sam Tundo (percussion). | | Producers: Donald Lawrence, Stanley Brown, James Moss, Paul Allen. | | Engineers include: Jif Hinger, Michael Anzel, Paul D. Allen, Timothy Powell, Dan Glomski. | | FINALLY KAREN was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. | | Smoothed out on Jesus, Karen Clark-Sheard flavors her enthusiastic, inspirational message with the sounds of contemporary easy-listening soul. Dominated primarily by cool grooves, slinky bass and keyboard lines and acrobatically embellished vocals, Finally Karen bridges the gap between the pop and Christian genres. Tracks like "Nothing Without You" (featuring Faith Evans), "Unconditional (Mad Love)" and "Praise Festival" (which concludes with a rap) would sound at home both at the altar and on the local Lite Soul radio station. | | Clark-Sheard's voice sounds like a thing unleashed slick and purring one minute, growling, soaring, looping and diving through the heavens the next ("Jesus Is A Love Song" is a fine example of her dexterity). Nods to traditional gospel are also included, like "Balm in Gilead," and "Holy, Thou Art Holy," and even the artist's daughter, Kierra Sheard, manages to sneak on for the last number. A wholly impressive effort, Clark-Sheard's first solo album celebrates being devout with a contemporary twist. Nominated for a Grammy in 1999. |
Musical Guests | | Faith Evans | | Donald Lawrence | | Twinkie Clark | | Danny Weatherspoon | | The Clark Sisters | | Kierra "Kiki" Sheard |
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