Yolanda Adams Albums (12)
What The Critics Say
Gospel has scores of queens, leading ladies, and prophetesses, but class acts are hard to come by. Yolanda Adams is one of those rare gems, and What a Wonderful Time continues to prove it. The Christmas collection is her first album for Columbia Records, but she doesn't let the new guard change the way she does things. She continues to favor elegant urban soul with just the right amount of adult contemporary, so much so that one really has to pay attention to realize that this is, after all, a seasonal disc. Only three songs are traditional here, while the rest are all originals fashioned with Adams in mind -- they're soulful, inspirational, and uplifting. This may be an issue for those who prefer their yuletide hits to sound like the holidays, which What a Wonderful Time definitely doesn't. That's because Adams is more an encourager than an entertainer, which explains the hopeful, motivational nature of cuts like "With God," "Hold On," and "Just Because," all of which would've fit gingerly on her own Mountain High...Valley Low or Day by Day albums. That's not to say she doesn't reflect the spirit or even the triviality of the holidays; the sumptuous, big-band title track finds her half-singing, half-scatting what Christmas means to her -- from Jesus all the way down to baked goods. That's exactly what's endeared Adams to so many people: to her, gospel isn't just about deep, life-changing religious experiences, but also about a lifestyle -- the way one lives the music long after the high of the Sunday service is gone. This makes What a Wonderful Time an enjoyable treat, not to mention one of the most unseasonable seasonal albums to come out of contemporary gospel music. ~ Andree Farias, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Recorded in the aftermath of personal turmoil and the dissolution of Elektra as a record label proper, Yolanda Adams' tenth career album, Day by Day, had every reason to get lost in the shuffle. It almost did, as the album appeared nearly four years after Believe, the underwhelming follow-up to the singer's now-classic Mountain High...Valley Low -- the benchmark against which all other Adams albums must be assessed. Day by Day sees the songstress grabbing hold of her gospel heritage with more aplomb than ever before, if not in sound, at least in message, sidestepping the inspirational pleasantries of previous semi-hit "I Gotta Believe" or her cover of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." Here, Adams doesn't succumb to niceties and offers unabashed declarations of triumph in Christ ("Victory"), praise ("Lift Him Up"), and gratitude ("I'm Grateful"), all of which are delivered with such joy and gladness that you'd never think Adams recorded them in the face of trials. More striking still is Adams' ability to switch gears and slow things down, entertaining her urban soul sensibilities with the class of an Anita Baker or a Toni Braxton, but suffusing them with her own brand of uplifting contemporary R&B. What sets her apart from other smooth divas is that she's an encourager first and a singer second, something that's self-evident in the chart-topper "Be Blessed," the slow-burning "Someone Watching Over You," and the stirring "This Too Shall Pass," collectively some of the most inspiring material Adams has recorded. She isn't just content with singing to her audience, but she outright demands their attention -- not forcefully, but with poise and elegance, using her own victory over hardships as leverage. It all amounts to one stunning, well-balanced collection -- and the de facto follow-up to her beloved Mountain High. ~ Andree Farias, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
While Yolanda Adams' voice is as warm and enveloping as a cozy blanket, the lush album opener "Never Give Up" lacks the against-all-odds passion the song's title suggests. Adams belts in vein-popping intensity throughout these songs, although the arrangements, progressions, and lyrics are less than moving. Adams is in lovely voice. ~ Liana Jonas, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Capitalizing on the breakthrough success of the Grammy-winning Mountain High...Valley Low, this live disc from gospel star Yolanda Adams is every bit as bombastic as its predecessor was modest. That doesn't mean it doesn't occasionally work. On the contrary, Adams brings a power surge to many of the numbers, and on the studio version of "I Believe I Can Fly" with Gerald Levert mixes the spiritual and secular in the most divine of ways. ~ Michael Gallucci, All Music Guide
'Christmas with Yolanda Adams'
Release Date 10/24/2000
Tracks 10
Label Elektra
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What The Critics Say
After her forays into R&B and pop flavors on albums like 1998's Grammy winner Mountain High Valley Low, a Christmas album was the next logical step for gospel singer Yolanda Adams. Where better than a Christmas album to explore new textures within classic sacred songs? Traditional Christmas favorites include "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Silent Night"; interpreted with Adams' signature rich, emotive voice and passionate delivery, they gain a new depth. She also tackles a few pop classics, including "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song." ~ Stacia Proefrock, All Music Guide
'Mountain High...Valley Low'
Release Date 9/21/1999
Tracks 11
Label Elektra
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What The Critics Say
Yolanda Adams is too beautiful and talented to have escaped the bickerings of some narrow-minded people within the gospel community. She has been criticized in the past both for her manner of dress (more glamorous than seductive) and for her "secular" music (which focuses on faith-driven lyrics while branching out into R&B and pop styles). With the release of Mountain High. . .Valley Low, her first album on a major, mainstream record label, it would seem that she has provided her attackers with their most potent ammunition ever. The album has been heavily promoted by Elektra Records, and has world-class producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Keith Thomas stretching Adams' musical boundaries further than ever. While at times they take her in strange directions (the hip-hop flavor on "Time to Change" sounds like a lost track from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill), each song, taken independently, works. The album is incredibly varied and makes use of a full grab-bag of effects, from heavy over-dubbing (on some tracks Adams is singing up to three layers of vocals at the same time, while backup vocalists add even more textures) to swelling pop-orchestra string lines to funky electronic effects. The bottom line, though, for critics and fans alike, is the message. Before they crank up their pitching arms the stone throwers should take note: this is an incredibly inspirational album in which every song focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. Adams just gets to have a lot of fun along the way. In a time when most gospel albums don't make a dent in music sales outside of the Christian community, an artist with Adams' kind of appeal is a blessing, not a curse. ~ Stacia Proefrock, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Yolanda Adams' Songs From the Heart is a mediocre effort with a few high points. Adams and her producers frequently put style over substance, drowning out her vocals, especially on the opening number, "Only Believe." Adams is clearly at her best when the arrangements are full-out gospel, as in "Is Your All on the Altar?," or smooth and jazz-tinged, as in "Jesus Medley." When Adams' voice is put first, the album succeeds, but sadly that's a rare occurrence. ~ Melinda Hill, All Music Guide
'Yolanda Live in Washington'
Release Date 6/1/1996
Tracks 11
Label Tribute
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What The Critics Say
Yolanda Live in Washington is a winning album that showcases the vocal gifts of Yolanda Adams. Accompanied usually by keyboards, bass, and drums, this very talented singer is able to sing softly or with great power, in a style that includes elements from gospel, jazz, blues, and R&B. One moment she may be singing with great gusto, the next in a pretty whisper. Adams is also very adept at extending and bending notes as she pleases while maintaining great control over her voice. The song selection is good and varied, including the popular "The Battle Is the Lord's," which features the backing of a mass choir and a virtuoso performance from Adams. The opening cut, "The Only Way" also with a backing choir, is one of the better uptempo cuts on the recording. Make no mistake about it, the songs presented have an evangelical fervor; however, they are sung with such conviction that listeners often get lost in the message, regardless of their beliefs. The only cut that strays from a strict gospel theme is "Save the World," and it suffers a bit from naiveté in its lyrics, with a "do what you can to help humanity" message. "Praise Your Holy Name," on the other hand, displays the funkiest beat on the album, and it works very well, while keeping the message intact. All in all, this a fine gospel recording that benefits from both good song selection and the vocal talents of Yolanda Adams. ~ Michael Ofjord, All Music Guide
'Shakin' the House: Live in L.A.'
Release Date 3/1/1996
Tracks 14
Label Benson
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What The Critics Say
More than a Melody is a fairly unremarkable album. It's plagued with a pop sound that never quite showcases Adams' voice the way it should be. There are a few exceptions: "What About the Children" is quite moving, as it came on the heels of the Oklahoma City bombing; "Fly Like an Eagle is a quirky, interesting take on Christians awaiting the rapture; and "Take Away has a rich, classic gospel sound. Overall, though, the album is too long and the sound too bland to live up to expectations. ~ Melinda Hill, All Music Guide
