Reviews

Yolanda Adams - The Experience

"The Experience"
Yolanda's latest effort on Elektra, is appropriately billed as a "Stunning Document of a Remarkable Year!" It leads off with a rendition of "I Believe I Can Fly" featuring fellow Elektra artist, Gerald Levert.

This studio-produced track stands alone, before thrusting the listener into 'The Experience' of Yolanda Adams on stage…LIVE. "Already Alright" starts us off and finds an energetic and enthusiastic Adams displaying her vocal prowess over the instrumentation of an impressively cohesive band.

Immediately following is "Continual Praise," which serves as exactly that, prompting audience participation and massed praise activity. Yolanda then slows down with the introduction of "Fragile Heart" a song she co-wrote in memory of a friend who has passed away.

Her heart is painfully apparent amidst aggressive percussion and searing guitar licks. All elements provide an unconventional, yet undeniable rhythmic homage to those who have gone on to be with the Lord. Yolanda revisits her 1995 CD, More Than A Melody, with the beautifully orchestrated revival of "What About The Children," penned by BeBe Winans.

If nothing else, this shows that although Yolanda gave up teaching, she obviously did not give up caring about the plight of our children. Reaching back a little further, Yolanda pulls "Oh Ye Of Little Faith" out from the confines of her 1993 CD, Save The World.

Remarkably consistent with the musical trends of 2000, this song incorporates Latin flavor, Spanish lyrics, and a time-honored truth of God's ability to see all, know all, and do all. This song also leads to the song that was an anthem for so many in the past year, "Open My Heart".

Yolanda delivers a compelling interpretation of this song with an incredibly smooth introduction that makes its message inherently clear. The one-two punch of "That Name" and "In The Midst Of It All" follows and dares any who listen to do so without giving thanks and offering praise.

"That Name" showcases an earnest Adams, while "In The Midst Of It All" displays her powerhouse vocal ability. A personal favorite, "Yeah" manages to exemplify all that is synonymous with Yolanda Adams. It's fun, intricate, spontaneous, infectious, and rousing, and still manages to ooze ministry.

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