Description
Special Love is the second full-length gospel album by the American R&B singer and songwriter Deniece Williams, released on Sparrow Records in 1989. Also manufactured and distributed by MCA Records. The album was produced by Brad Westering.
It’s hard to believe that ‘Special Love’ is only Deniece Williams’ second gospel album. Her first. ‘So Glad I Know‘ (also on Sparrow), yielded no less than five singles from a nine-song LP. That, as they say in the biz, is “good mileage.”
Over the last three years, Williams has recorded two albums of mainstream R&B/pop for CBS and this new gospel collection, all with basically the same team of producers, arrangers and musicians. Those who still think mainstream albums by Christians always feature better musicians and bigger budgets ought to check out the credits, sporting names that read like a Who’s Who of L.A. players. Or they could just listen to these sophisticated samplings of contemporary Gospel, slick enough to play for any fan of modern R&B. Like label-mates BeBe & CeCe Winans, Williams and husband/producer/manager Brad Westering have delivered a top quality product good enough to be marketed in the mainstream.
The album kicks off with the title-tune, a percolating piece reminiscent of Prince’s «Sign-O-The Times». This is the one to push on the dance floor gang, and its begging for a re-mix. But like ‘So Glad I Know’, ‘Special Love’ is a mixed bag, with enough material to cover a wide range of radio formates. Herein lies its strength to the Christian radio community. However, the smorgasbord approach may not achieve a clear musical identity in the mainstream market place. No matter, Williams has already established herself there over the years, and any crossover would just be icing in the cake.
Meanwhile, back at the cake, Christian keyboard wiz and blue-eyed soulster Roby Duke plays, arranges and co-writes a tune on the album, and it’s no doubt his influence that brought his protege Sheldon Gooch’s song «I’m Free» to the table here. «Healing», a song featured on her ’86 CBS album, ‘Hot on the Trail’, makes the scene with a new mix and lead vocal but otherwise intact from those ’86 sessions. The closest thing to the big R&B ballad is the big gospel hymn, and like her reading of «I Surrender All», last time around, Niecy knocks ’em dead again with «His Eye Is on the Sparrow» – sure to be a hit on inspirational radio.
‘Special Love’ concludes with «We Sing Praises», a duet with mainstream R&B prodigal Natalie Cole. It’s not an overwhelming performance, but extremely heartening to hear, considering her recent confessions as she climbs back to the top. Like her previous Gospel release, and her recent work, ‘Special Love’ affirms the faith and the impressive vocal talents of Deniece Williams. Let’s hear it for the girl again. [Thom Granger, CCM, August 1989]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/special-love/1652252087)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Special Love” – 3:56
A2. “Fire Inside My Soul” – 3:55
A3. “Healing” – 4:38
A4. “I’m Free” – 5:35
A5. “Every Moment” – 4:12
Side Two
B1. “Who’s Who” – 3:58
B2. “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” – 5:05
B3. “Give It All To You” – 4:57
B4. “Somebody Loves You” – 3:47
B5. “We Sing Praises” – 4:48
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Sparrow Records (with the CD edition featuring one bonus track, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”).
The January 1990 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Deniece Williams.
“Every Moment” (MUSIC VIDEO)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.