Everlasting Love

Description

Everlasting Love is the sophomore solo album by the American gospel singer and songwriter CeCe Winans of BeBe and CeCe Winans fame, released on Pioneer Music Group in March 1998, marketed and manufactured by Sparrow Records, distributed by Chordant Distribution Group in the US.

Growing up in a household with 10 kids, CeCe Winans no doubt got really good at sharing. Through the years she’s happily shared the spotlight with her big brother Benjamin (that’s BeBe to you), and she’s graciously stood in the shadow cast by her better-known friend, Whitney Houston. With her second solo project, though, Winans proves she’s got plenty to say and is perfectly comfortable going it alone.

The 13 (yes, 13!) tracks on ‘Everlasting Love’ shift seamlessly back and forth between themes of spiritual encouragement and gentle admonition. And while she’s a woman who’s not afraid to tell it like it is, don’t worry because Winans’ exhortations go down easy when coated with her silky smooth vocals. In spite of the album’s uncompromising message, though, some gospel purists are still sure to complain that with this more contemporary sound, Winans is straying too far from her gospel roots. The sound may be more current, but the lyrics are still packed with truth. And the prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jack box? These songs, more so than her previous solo release which featured several traditional hymns, have broader appeal and the potential to speak to not just Christians but non-Christians, too, which really can’t be a bad thing.

Winans opens with the jazzy soul of «Well, Alright», urging listeners to hold on during difficult times, and then there’s the soothing sound of the evangelistic «What About You». The almost ballad-like title track is another encourager while «I Am» turns things around with Winans singing from God’s perspective. The bluesy «Slippin’» is an ode to a friend who’s fallen away from the faith as is «Come on Back» which has some nice R&B touches. «Feel the Spirit» is a great praise song with interesting percussion and a catchy beat. And one of the most touching songs on this release has to be the Jamie Houston-penned «Healing Part» with its wrenching plea for a second chance.

Co-writing seven of the songs on ‘Everlasting Love’, Winans plays host to an all-star cast of writers including Diane Warren, Tommy Sims, Cedric Caldwell, Victor Caldwell, Keith Crouch, Tony Rich and Lauryn Hill (The Fugees).

For those who question where she is headed, Winans spells out what she’s all about in the song, «Life». True, it’s one of the songs she didn’t write, but she makes the words her own: “I’m born again, blessed and saved/…With every heartfelt melody and every song I sing and every song of praise, I sing to You.”

Such dedication and strong faith definitely shine through. CeCe Winans is not in the shadows anymore. [Wendy Lee Nentwig, CCM, April 1998]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/everlasting-love/716707721)

CD tracklist:

01. Well, Alright – 4:16
02. Life – 4:07
03. What About You – 4:15
04. Everlasting Love – 4:38
05. I Am – 4:17
06. Slippin’ – 4:31
07. The Wind (Tears For You) – 4:46
08. Come On Back Home – 4:06
09. Feel The Spirit – 4:02
10. The Healing Part – 3:59
11. Listen With Your Heart – 4:38
12. On That Day – 4:00
13. Just Come – 3:57

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