BeBe Winans

Description

The self-titled solo debut album by the American gospel singer and songwriter BeBe Winans of BeBe and CeCe Winans fame, was released on Atlantic Records in 1997. Also distributed by Sparrow.

WARNING: By reading further, you will be subjected to what, in all honesty, cannot be classified as anything short of “glowing,” radioactive glowing, in fact. After several days of spinning nothing but BeBe Winans’ self-titled solo debut, constructive criticism has taken a holiday. Luther Vandross has left the building, and at this point, I’m perfectly okay with his exit.

BeBe Winans packs a powerhouse production team, and every cut is as seamless and soulful as any R&B aficionado can ask for. With Ron Shapiro, Rhett Lawrence, Manuel Seal, Keith Andes, “Little” Louie Vega, Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez, Nigel Lowis, Arif Mardin and Cedric and Victor Caldwell on your team, youre already thinking Super Bowl. Spend a little time in the finer studios of Los Angeles and New York; throw in a little London Symphony Orchestra, the Soul City Brass and Eric Clapton(!) on guitar; then add Margaret Bell-Byars, Hezekiah Walker’s Love Fellowship Choir, Eternal, Ron, Debbie and CeCe Winans and – dare I say it – Luther Vandross himself on background vocals, and you might as well sit down and shut your mouth. Or better yet, stand up and get ready to howl. It rarely gets much better than this.

Lyrically, this project is one big valentine, with all the heartfelt tenderness and devotion of 80-year-old sweethearts strolling in the park and all the passion and power of a man on his knees begging for another chance. It is a tribute to the power and presence of Love: His ultimate sacrifice «In Harm’s Way»; gratitude for salvation in «Thank You»; how Love changes everything in «Love is the Reason»; and the attributes of Love in «Did You Know». With two exceptions, Winans wrote or co-wrote every song, and although there is enough emotion and romance here to woo lovers worldwide, the heart of these songs overflows with a pure passion for God.

If I must choose highlights, I’d have to start with «I Wanna Be the Only One», with its wildly contagious, funk-brassy groove that makes sitting still almost impossible, even in the car. England’s Eternal background vibe does BeBe’s playful effort a very good turn. Michael Ruff’s «Seeing for the Very First Time» is the stuff of fairytales, a love ballad destined to be a wedding standard; Winans’ silken voice wraps the package perfectly. «Oh Happy Day» is gloriously that. (Forward to Edwin Hawkins’ classic for one more spin). My oh my… it’s time for church! This must be a prelude to paradise.

With all due respect to his Grammy-winning sister CeCe, BeBe Winans should never be thought of as half of a duo again – as half of anything again. To think so is to subdivide what is organically and vocally complete on his own.

BeBe, what took you so long?! [Melissa Riddle, CCM Magazine, December 1997]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/bebe-winans/396468826)

CD tracklist:

01. In Harm’s Way
02. So In Love (feat. Margaret Bell)
03. Love Is The Reason
04. Thank You
05. This Song (feat. Eric Clapton)
06. Did You Know (feat. Debbie Winans)
07. If You Say
08. Love’s Coming
09. I Wanna Be The Only One (feat. Eternal)
10. With All Of My Heart (feat. Billy Preston)
11. In The Midst Of The Rain
12. Seeing For The Very First Time
13. Oh Happy Day (feat. Debbie Winans and The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir)

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Atlantic Records.