The Heavens Are Telling

by Karen Clark-Sheard

Overview

Powerful, inspirational, and just downright gifted, Karen Clark-Sheard was already a successful artist as part of the Gospel Hall of Fame group the Clark Sisters when her 1997 solo debut Finally Karen launched her into a whole new stratosphere of popularity. The combination of her energetic voice with R&B/hip-hop-infused gospel songs pushed that album and its follow-up, 2nd Chance, to levels of crossover success rarely experienced by a gospel artist. Clark-Sheard's third disc, The Heavens Are Telling, incorporates the best elements of her previous outings by showcasing six new live performances alongside five new studio tracks. Rarely does this formula coalesce into a solid listen, as one set of tracks tends to overshadow the other; but in Clark-Sheard's case it works well as the enormity of her voice and depth of her message remain consistent throughout. Recorded in Detroit at the church where her husband serves as senior pastor, the live tracks (which successfully blend in studio overdubs) bristle with energy right from the start, as Clark-Sheard's commanding voice thrillingly demands attention in the jubilant R&B workout "We Acknowledge You." She maintains that joyous intensity on each successive live track, diversely moving through songs like the upbeat Stevie Wonder-ish "Glorious (Make the Praise)" and the gorgeous pop/R&B gospel ballad "God Is Here." The studio tracks, although more urban in tone, comfortably follow as the invigorating hip-hop of "Go Ahead" leads the way with guest Missy Elliott reshaping her songs "Work It" and "Slide" into praising raps. Once again working with her 2nd Chance writers/producers, Clark-Sheard effortlessly sings a set of songs that any R&B diva would be ecstatic to record -- especially when many of them are settling for mediocre retreads. Whether in the studio or on the stage, Karen Clark-Sheard sounds completely in her element and in command and totally committed to her music, her audience, and her message. Although her talent was already apparent as part of the Clark Sisters, it seems that going solo further enhanced her gifts and The Heavens Are Telling lets her rising star shine brilliantly. ~ Aaron Latham

Product Details

Release Date:	11/04/2003
Label:	Elektra
UPC:	0075596289429

Tracks

1. We Acknowledge You
2. We Are Not Ashamed
3. Glorious (Make the Praise)
4. The Heavens Are Telling
5. God Is Here
6. You Loved Me
7. Go Ahead
8. Praise Up
9. I Owe
10. Sometimes
11. Don't Change

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Karen Clark-Sheard   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Missy Elliott   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Mary Mary   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Vanessa Williams   Guest Artist,Vocals
Yvonne Graham   Vocals (Background)
Larry Johnson   Organ
Jeane Lavant   Vocals (Background)
Katie Hagen   French Horn
Audra Alexander   Vocals (Background)
Sean Reed   Vocals (Background)
Beth Beeson   French Horn
Latrice Pace   Vocals
Larry Gold   String Conductor
Joey Woolfalk   Guitar
Calvin Rodgers   Drums
Mark Douthit   Saxophone
Melonie Daniels   Vocals
The Nashville String Machine   Strings
Randy Poole   Horn Engineer
Cedric Thompson   Piano,Musical Director
Chris McDonald   Trombone,Conductor,String Conductor
J Moss   Vocals (Background)
DeWayne Woods   Vocals
Troy Bright   Vocals
Erica McCollough   Vocals
William Wood   Vocals (Background)
Daphne Ginyard   Vocals (Background)
Mike Haynes   Trumpet
Quince "Quincey" Howard   Vocals
Blanche McAllistor   Vocals

Technical Credits

Rob Preston   Assistant Engineer
Dwight Levens   Assistant Engineer
Roger Erickson   Photography
Derek Downing   Assistant
Michelle Murray Gee   Product Manager
Jay Brown   A&R,Executive Producer
Chris Conway   Mixing,Engineer
James Moss   Composer,Composer
Paul Allen   Composer
Dwayne Draine   Sound Technician
Paul "PDA" Allen   Engineer,Producer,Mixing
Warryn Campbell   A&R,Executive Producer
Larry Gold   String Arrangements
Charles Harris   Production Coordination
Steve "Supe" White   Programming
Melonie Daniels   Vocal Overdubs
Martha Munizzi   Composer
Brent King   String Engineer
Karen Clark-Sheard   Executive Producer
Donald Lawrence   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Vocal Arrangement
Chris McDonald   Arranger,String Arrangements
J Moss   Engineer,Producer
Israel Houghton   Composer
Jill Scott   Composer
Troy Bright   Overdubs
Amir "A.J." Murray   Production Coordination
Melanie Harris   Make-Up
William Wood   Assistant Engineer
Safiya Lewis   Coordination
Anita Marisa Boriboon   Design,Direction
Roberto Fantauzzi   Photo Production
Todd Kozey   Mixing,Engineer
Mark Anthony Williams   Engineer
Mike Pierce   Assistant
Andrae Crouch   Composer
Sylvia Rhone   Executive Producer
Ayuana George   Overdubs
Keith Pelzer   Composer
D Rock   Hair Stylist