Portrait of Carrie

by Carrie Lucas

Overview

Perhaps her most characteristically varied outing, Carrie Lucas' fourth album ranges in tone from the jovial light funk of "Career Girl" to the serene ballad "Just a Memory" (a duet with her frequent musical friends the Whispers) to the chipper "It's Not What You Got (It's How You Use It)." It is clear throughout that solid production doesn't hurt in spicing up Lucas' vocals, which are consistently understated. Simultaneously, her lack of theatrics set her apart from the flock of '70s and '80s female R&B divas and contribute an unmistakable uniqueness to the arrangements. The fact that Lucas regularly served co-writing duties also gives her a distinction in the pack; and she is equally at home in dance and ballad settings. Besides the previously mentioned tracks, "Keep Smilin'," a remix of 1977's "I Gotta Keep Dancin'," is particularly notable: a great hook and clever production make it disco heaven. Portrait of Carrie is a close second to the vocalist's follow-up, Still in Love. ~ Justin M. Kantor

Product Details

Release Date:	07/26/2005
Label:	Unidisc
UPC:	0068381408129
Rank:	115203

Tracks

1. It's Not What You Got (It's How You Use It)
2. Lovin' Is on My Mind
3. Career Girl
4. Use It or Lose It
5. Fashion
6. Just a Memory
7. I Gotta Keep Dancin' (Keep Smiling)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Carrie Lucas   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
The Whispers   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Kenny Hudson   Percussion
Frederick Lewis   Timbales,Percussion
William Shelby   Keyboards
Kevin Spencer   Keyboards
Richard Randolph   Guitar
Ernest Biles   Bass,Guitar
Freeman Brown   Drums
Wardell Potts   Drums
Larry Michael White   Guitar
Melvin Coleman   Bass
Ahaguna Sun   Drums
Stephen Shockley   Guitar
Kossie Gardner   Keyboards
Kirk Perkins   Drums
Larry White   Guitar
Greg Phillinganes   Keyboards
Joey Gallo   Keyboards
Grady Wilkins   Keyboards
John Stevens   Horn Conductor
Werner Schuchner   Guitar
Janice Gower   String Conductor
Rick Smith   Keyboards
Otis Stokes   Vocals (Background)
Ahaguna G. Sun   Drums
Tiemeyer McCain   Vocals (Background)
Fred Rheimert   Guitar
Ernest "Pepper" Reed   Guitar

Technical Credits

Tim Bryant   Art Direction
Dina Andrews   A&R,Arranger,Engineer
Jeff Wack   Illustrations
Marge Meoli   A&R,Arranger,Engineer
Steve Hodge   Mixing,Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Bob Brown   Engineer
John Roberts   Arranger,Arranger
Kossie Gardner   Producer
Gene Dozier   Arranger
Carrie Lucas   Composer
Grady Wilkins   Composer
Dick Griffey   Producer,Executive Producer
Janice Gower   String Contractor
Leon Sylvers III   Producer
The Whispers   Producer
Otis Stokes   Associate Producer