Oleta Adams

Item: Come Walk With Me
Author: Beau Black

Come Walk With Me

(1997)

Reviewed by Beau Black

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Harmony RecordsThe LighthouseUnsorted 1998

gospel r&b soul

Oleta Adams has become one of R&B's favorite voices since Tears for Fears members discovered her singing in a Kansas City lounge show. After singing and touring with them, she released her first, critically acclaimed project, Circle Of One, followed by two more moderately successful general market outings. These first three efforts, though pretty albums showcasing her bold, rich voice, offered only love songs, barely hinting at her faith. On Come Walk With Me, Adams sings about that faith, both in songs she wrote and in re-workings of traditional material, pairing her big voice with a message worthy of it.

Adams teams again with Michael J. Powell, known mainly for producing Anita Baker's first three albums. Though he's no stranger to big voices, Powell's work here is only adequate, and frankly sounds dated in places. As a result, this album may not appeal to many non-gospel fans, though several cuts should find a warm response in the gospel/contemporary Christian arena. Chief among these are the moving title track, the soulful "This Love Won't Fail You," and the breezy "I Will Love You." This last song features the backing voices of new find Special Gift, whose album I'm looking forward to hearing. (Of all the vocal groups who've sprung up in the last seven or eight years, they come closest to matching Take 6 for sheer vocalese. Unfortunately, they're underutilized here.)

It's also unfortunate that nothing here works up the fervor of "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice" or "Get Here." The fault again seems to lie more with the production than in Adams' voice. And although it's a bit disappointing on the whole, this is a much more enjoyable CD in the long haul than you might think at first listen. Any chance to hear Adams sing is a special occasion; hearing her sing songs about her faith in Christ is a blessing.