CeCe Winans Albums (9)
What The Critics Say
CeCe Winans' seductive gaze in the album cover of her eighth album, Thy Kingdom Come, doesn't exactly scream "church," but the album is one of the churchiest the singer has released yet. While it left no doubts about her faith, her previous release, 2005's Purified, was squarely aimed at the pop and urban markets, both in style and in message. In contrast, Thy Kingdom Come sees Winans doing justice to her family name and singing almost exclusively for the saints -- songs of praise, songs of encouragement, songs of worship, songs of inspiration. But the fact that this is an album for the church doesn't mean it sounds like Sunday morning. Winans does appear to be leading others to the throne in the congregational number "Forever," but she ultimately sticks to her pop singer persona -- the same populist, non-melismatic songbird she's been since her days as part of BeBe & CeCe. As is expected of Winans, the songs are expertly produced, the ballads are beautifully orchestrated, the urban pieces are as urban as Whitney in her prime. In other words, Thy Kingdom Come is precisely what a CeCe album should sound like, which isn't to say she's settling for the middle road; instead, she's giving her Christian fan base what they've come to expect from her in the past, namely, solid, Scripture-centered urban pop meditations -- nothing too gospelized, but hip enough to be bumped in the car or the iPod, yet sufficiently churchy to be enjoyed in-between services at your local congregation. ~ Andree Farias, All Music Guide
'Cece Winans Presents Pure Worship'
Release Date 8/28/2007
Tracks 14
Label CMD
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What The Critics Say
Long one of the most successful and respected voices in the world of African-American gospel music, with Purified CeCe Winans makes a bid for crossover success. Her seventh solo album is a mixed bag, thematically speaking, combining funky pop music, moderately gritty R&B, and more typical gospel fare. Things get off to a slightly awkward start with the hackneyed and maudlin "Mamma's Kitchen" ("Can't we just go back to the simple kind of living," etc.), but gradually finds its groove over the course of the next few tracks: "You Will" is a gorgeous expression of spiritual devotion and trust, and "Pray" (the album's first single) is a delicious pop-funk gospel confection. "All That I Need" invokes early Anita Baker with its surging quiet storm groove and throbbing vocals, but combines that seductively earthy sound with artfully ambiguous romantic-spiritual lyrics. The album peaks about halfway through with "Just Like That," a funk-gospel masterpiece that opens with a spare and strutting verse before exploding into a rich and densely arranged chorus. "You Are Loved" is a winner as well, but then the program bogs down just a bit, finally reaching its nadir with the eye-rolling string of multi-culti banalities that is "Colorful World." "He's Concerned" goes a good distance toward redeeming the album's last stretch, but not quite far enough. Definitely worth acquiring, but you'll want to be selective about what you put on the iPod. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After eight years of performing as a duo with brother BeBe Winans, 1995 saw the beginning of CeCe Winans' solo career, a move that only served to further the artistry and ministry of this singer/songwriter. In 2001, Winans' self-titled release marked her second album from Wellspring Gospel. The follow-up project to her 1999 gold-certified album, Alabaster Box, the release combines a variety of styles, including CCM, pop, urban, R&B, inspirational, and gospel. Winans had no doubt as to the direction and purpose of the self-titled release. In fact, with it she desired for "people to feel encouragement and passion." And the album does just that. Upbeat, energy-filled, and enthusiastic, the project is not only musically diverse but offers hard-hitting messages. The song "It's Gonna Get Better" was written with teen suicide prevention programs in mind, while "Bring Back the Days of Yea and Nay," a duet with brother Marvin Winans, challenges parents to take responsibility for training their children. A definite highlight on the album is the song "Looking Back at You." It is an inspirational track, leaning toward a ballad, that speaks of God's unfailing and unconditional love. ~ Ashleigh Kittle, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Alabaster Box isn't a box-set package devoted to CeCe Winans, but rather her third non-Christmas solo album, and the first for her own Wellspring label. It's a return to her gospel roots, in contrast to the straight-ahead urban soul of Everlasting Love, and it's a triumphant one. Winans sounds invigorated by the spiritual material, delivering committed performances and commanding vocals. The production sounds very contemporary, if a little slick at times, but that's not likely to bother most fans. Alabaster Box is an excellent album from a terrific talent. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
For her second solo album, Cece Winans decided to record a full-fledged urban R&B/soul album, enlisting an impressive array of guest artists and collaborators -- including Keith Crouch, Tony Rich, Lauryn Hill, Diane Warren, Daryl Simmons and Tommy Sims -- to record Everlasting Love. All of the guest stars do nothing but enhance Winans' talents. There is no doubt this is her record, and she breathes life even into the weaker material. Fortunately, there isn't much that's weak on Everlasting Love. The songwriting is consistently classy, the production is polished without being slick, and Winans' voice simply soars. The only gospel inflections that remain are in her singing, as all of the songs, with the exception of Hill's direct, affecting "On That Day," have a distinct contemporary flavor. It's to Winans' credit that she flourishes in this setting and makes the album as personal as her gospel album Alone in His Presence. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It may be a little too clean and predictable for some tastes, but CeCe Winans' His Gift is a charming holiday record, thanks to her rich voice and elegant phrasing. She brings life to old favorites like "Do You Hear What I Hear?," "O Holy Night," "Go Tell It on the Mountain," "Away in a Manger" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and the newer songs, while not always particularly memorable, are pleasant and ingratiating. For fans of Winans, or contemporary gospel in general, His Gift is a very appealing Christmas record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Alone in His Presence'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 12
Label Sparrow
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What The Critics Say
The R&B grooves of her earlier recordings with The Winans' give way to a more string-oriented traditional gospel sound (exemplified by "Blessed Assurance" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness") on her solo debut. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
