This is My Song

Description

This is My Song is a contemporary gospel album by the American R&B singer and songwriter Deniece Williams, released on Harmony Records in 1998, a division of Relativity Entertainment. The album was co-produced by Deniece Williams, Raina Bundy and Loris Holland.

Like many R&B artists, Deniece Williams began her musical journey in the church. She exploded on the national pop scene in the 1970s as part of Wonderlove, Stevie Wonder’s backing group. That exposure led to a solo recording contract with CBS, which yielded Williams her first Top 30 hit in 1977, and a No. 1 hit with pop crooner Johnny Mathis, «Too Much Too Little Too Late», a year later. But she’s probably best-known as the vocalist on «Let’s Hear It for the Boy» from the 1984 film Footloose.

The thrilling vocalist has always brought her Christ-centered convictions into the pop arena by including songs such as «God is Truly Amazing» on her general market recordings. And during the ’80s, Williams recorded several well-received albums for Sparrow. This is My Song marks the return to the gospel marketplace for one of pop music’s most distinctive singers.

Williams takes a back seat to no one in power, style and silky smoothness. On this captivating disc, Williams interprets several beloved hymns of the church, adding fresh melodic and harmonic twists, contemporary rhythms and often, new lyrics. Although this isn’t an entirely original production device, Williams’ creative arrangements make it unique. Highlights include «Nothing But the Blood», «It is Well» and the superb «I Love Him Above All Things», which displays Williams’ soaring high range. The lady called “Songbird” has provided another fine example of how she earned that beloved nickname. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, May 1998]

Having one of the most distinctive (if not highest!) voices in R&B gospel has equipped Deniece to win awards and top charts in both mainstream and Christian music making her one of the significant crossover artists of our times. Now known in this country as a radio presenter for the beeb, the versatile Ms W returns to the gospel fold with this fine selection of songs and listening to this, my immediate feeling is that it’s been far too long. ‘This Is My Story’ takes a batch of traditional songs, mixes in a few newies and coats the whole shebang with one of those slick productions that has the music floating smoothly from the speakers straight into your heart. Only Deniece Williams could breathe this much new life into old horses like «Blessed Assurance», «Nothing But The Blood» and «Great Is Thy Faithfulness» – the latter hymn gets integrated into a song about prodigals. For me, there are some delightful moments! Check out the sassy jazziness of «It Is Well» where Deniece gets the chance to kick back and let loose a little. «I Come To The Garden Alone» is an intimate devotional perfect closing to the album and «Lover Of My Soul» is a piece of bittersweet R&B straight from Deniece’s soul balancing heartache and faith. She’s incorporated some up to the minute sounds to give this a stronger edge than some of her previous recordings so «Standing» has a dance pop groove and she even has a rapper on the groovy «Just As I Am», unfortunately he should have been hotter to be in good company on this album. Apart from that blot, I offer a warm welcome back to ‘Niecey’! [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, August 1998]

CD tracklist:

01. Blessed Assurance – 4:42
02. Lover Of My Soul – 5:37
03. Standing – 5:12
04. Nothing But The Blood – 4:54
05. No, Never Alone – 5:31
06. Just As I Am – 4:40
07. Prodigal Sons And Daughters – 4:00
08. It Is Well – 5:01
09. I Love Him Above All Things – 5:24
10. I Come To The Garden Alone – 4:51

A full-page advertisement for various new releases on Harmony Records, including Deniece Williams’ This Is My Song, was featured in the May 1998 issue of CCM Magazine.