|  |
Yolanda Adams Biography
Review The Artist (23)
Source: http://webobjects.elektra.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/elektra/Home.woa/-/ArtistNavTemplate.wo?ID=1302
Yolanda Adams has accomplished what few singers before her have ever achieved: The ability to attract fans from all walks of life without ever straying from the intricate roots that nurtured her Grammy winning voice in the first place.
The cornerstone of her amazing career so far 1999's platinum-plus, award winning Elektra Records debut, Mountain High_Valley Low(Yolanda once described it as her coming-out album') established her as an undisputed gospel siren one of the key figures of the genre's bold renaissance. Yolanda's impressive musical range and undeniable charisma helped liberate gospel music's more formal, traditional image. She's also displayed the kind of vocal immediacy and vulnerability possessed by few pop singers. Her show stopping October 2001 performance of the classic song "Imagine," on TNT's Come Together: A Night For John Lennon as well as her performances on Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View and countless others, sealed her reputation as gospel's most transcendent ambassador.
Honored with an incredible array of awards within the last 2 years alone, including 2000's Grammy award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, five Stellar Awards, two Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards, and five NAACP Image Awards, Yolanda followed up with last year's holiday gift to to her fans, Christmas With Yolanda Adams, and 2001's acclaimed live album, The Experience. Now, after intense collaboration with some of the most revered producers working today, Yolanda steps back into the arena with her first collection of new material in three years _ the incredible 12-song masterpiece _Believe.
"I always get asked the same question," says Yolanda, who takes an appreciative but modest attitude in regard to her ever-widening audience. "'Will you get tired of gospel?' 'Is there a temptation to do something else?' My answer has always been the same. No way. I'm a gospel artist. There's no confusion about that. I like to sings songs that in the end touches everybody. There's a humanity to these songs that gets in your blood."
Believe runs deep with that humanity. Emboldened by another lineup of great producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, (who also produced her multi-format smash hit "Open My Heart" which spent most of 2000 at #1 on Billboard's gospel and Contemporary Christian charts), Shep Crawford, Kevin Bond, Mike City, Warryn Campbell and Buster & Shavoni - Yolanda raises the musical bar on this one, strengthening her own formidable song writing skills to meet the challenges she places on herself. "I like to work with great people because it makes me work harder," she says.
Yolanda points out that working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis was a long awaited reunion. The superstar duo helms three songs on the new disc "I'm Gonna Be Ready," "Never Give Up," and the album's in-your-face closer, "I'm Thankful." The angelic, inspiring "Never Give Up" shines as one of Yolanda's most tender ballads, singing heartfelt lines such as: /Keep the dream alive don't ever let it die./ "It was a joy to write. Getting together with Jimmy and Terry was like having a reunion with your big brothers," she says. "They have such great spirit and heart. I believe we'll be collaborating for the rest of my career. When we get together, it's so natural, it's like OK, I have this title - I have this verse - what do you have?'"
On Believe, Yolanda switches musical gears from song to song with an amazing ability to complement each producer's unique style. She talks about some of the diverse ingredients on Believe. "There's Mike City ("A Song Of Faith," "Unconditional") who is very good with taking risks, he's a young cat who you know is going to bring some real progressive ideas," she says. "And then you have someone like Shep Crawford ("I Gotta Believe," "Fo' Sho") who lets you get in there and really express yourself." The latter song features a duet with gospel legend and recently signed Elektra artist Karen Clarke Sheard of the Clarke Sisters. "I have been a fan of hers since I was 11 years old," says Yolanda. "I was so thrilled that she could contribute something to this record. It's so wonderful when you have the opportunity to actually show your appreciation to one of your influences." Yolanda's incredible rise has been about honoring those influences, but also never being afraid to - as she puts it - "spread my wings."
Her road to the top of the musical mountain' has been filled with the kind of conviction that now causes a new generation of singers to cite her as an influence. A former schoolteacher and avid church singer, the Houston Texas native - and the eldest of six siblings - diligently pursued a singing career.
She caught the eye of prolific composer/producer Thomas Whitfield, who helmed her first-ever record with the prophetic title, Just As I Am, in 1987. It wasn't too long before the young singer was drawing comparisons to Aretha Franklin. Subsequent albums (on gospel labels Verity and Tribute), including 1991's Through The Storm, netted Yolanda several Stellar Awards, and 1995's R&B flavored, award winning More Than A Melody would establish her as a force to be reckoned with gospel or otherwise. The latter disc garnered Yolanda her first Soul Train Lady Of Soul Award, as well as her first Grammy nomination.
Yolanda also began to establish herself as one of the genre's most sought after live attractions. Her incredible performances would soon become legendary throughout the entire music industry. Her 1996 album Yolanda Live In Washington furthered her reputation as a one-of-a-kind performer, and landed her yet another Stellar Award and another Grammy nomination. But it was the ground breaking Elektra debut, Mountain High Valley Low that would change Yolanda's life forever.
A veritable testament to Yolanda's tremendous faith, it was also a nod to her incredible musical savvy. Enlisting producers such as Keith Thomas and the above-mentioned Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Yolanda saw the move to Elektra as a chance to expand her reach without "watering down" her message. Only her seventh album, it captured the amazing potential of Yolanda without sacrificing her commitment to God. Said one rave review: "Much of the album recalls Stevie Wonder or Bob Marley, where spirituality is at the center but it doesn't limit the musical expression."
The album spawned a host of sold out tours, such as her Sisters In The Spirit Tour (with gospel superstars Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary and Angela Christie), from which her live CD, The Experience, was born. There was no doubt that Yolanda's inventive, unforgettable performances were attracting new and old fans alike.
Despite all the accolades Yolanda's crowning achievement was the birth of her baby girl, Taylor Ayanna. Says Yolanda about that 'experience': "You really don't know what love is until you have a child. No matter how tired I am after a show or how distracted I might be after a long recording session - all I have to do is see her little smile and I know everything is right in the world."
With the completion of her greatly anticipated album, Believe, she is again excited by the prospects of sharing her new music with the world. "I've grown as a songwriter and a performer and I'm eager to spread those creative wings again," she says. Aware that the country may be hungering even more for a spiritual message these days, Yolanda's album title hints at what the new disc can offer in the way of spiritual redemption. "Music has always been a potent force. I'm proud that this album addresses the spectrum of life. It deals with struggles and relationships and sadness and joy. Our music - gospel music - has always been a comfort to those who are looking for some kind of encouragement in their lives." |
Would you please submit the latest Yolanda Adams biography to me? Thank You.
|
Review about Yolanda Adams
magic power form the lord | Reviewer: andreana lee | 5/12/2008dear ms.yolanda adam
i andreana lee love your show and i ask the lord to come to your concert.because i have never been in my life.but,i'am ask the lord
that my daughter canethia bryant can meet you one day.my daughter canethia
can sing and god has gving her a gift to use.and i pray all day long and
i have a testimony myself to tell. ms.yolanda adam you really touch my
spirit.i pray through the lord the he answer my pray through you ms.yolanda adams my daughter is 18 go on 19 this year and graduate
this fom middleton high school may 28,2008.i wish she can meet with
you in person.my daughter is confuse she don't what direction to take.
i told her to listen to god.the devil try he's best to get to my daughter.
but,i just keep on pray.
uplifting lyrics | Reviewer: Valerie | 4/8/2008
Dear Ms Adams.
I have to tell you that I find all of your songs very inspirational,especially, "I gotta belive". That song has really touched me in ways that you can't imagine, when I'm feeling a little defeated about some things or I start to look back at some of the things from the past, I remember that song and know that, my heavenly father is always with me. Thank you for all that you do and may," God Bless You."
Great Artist | Reviewer: Dr. Edwina Hart | 2/14/2008
Yolanda,
You are a beautiful and talented artist. I wonder if you would come to a very small town to perform. You could be a great blessing to our community. We are planning a music fest July 5, 2008.
Dr. Hart,
a sing angel | Reviewer: shanelle | 1/10/2008
Hi Ms.Yolanda Adams my name is shanelle an im doing a research project on your wonderful singing but i notice i never told me when you actually started singing and when became famous.I was wondering if you can answer that question for me. THANK YOU!!!
Grateful for your music | Reviewer: Barbara Sharpe | 1/3/2008
Iam so grateful to finally be able to thank you for all of your songs, but especially for your "FRAGILE HEART", I played this song over and over at my son's funeral. I saw you on the gospel channel and thought you needed to know that you and the Lord got me through a really low time in my life.You and your loved ones,"BE BLESSED", because you are loved. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. UR no.1 FAN. Mz B
my favorite gospel singer | Reviewer: Yolanda Green | 12/18/2007
Hello Ms.Adams this a fan from st.peterburg florida and im 15 years old and my name is yolanda to i love your songs and the why you incourage people to do so good in there life time. my favorite song from off your album is tonight.from yolanda green a loving fan.
My mentor in music | Reviewer: Maria Aduba | 12/11/2007
Yolanda Adams has been my favorite gospel artiste since I got saved. Having always been drawn to unique sounds, hers has not seize to draw me into the spirit since. I love her and its my dream to meet her in person one day.
Speaker for high school graduates | Reviewer: Trena Eaton | 10/23/2007
I would like to get information about Yolanda Adams being a speaker at my event.I may be contacted @ 281-272-1192 T.M.Eaton. Thanks!
as | Reviewer: donald Echols | 10/21/2007
dear yolanda adams
name is donald echols
i if 5of your cd and my
car music good to me
and what church you
faith temple ame church spfld il rev nathaniel randall
love donald echols please back letter god bless
I saw you in Hampton at the Black Expo 07 | Reviewer: Faith | 8/27/2007
Yolanda,
I have to say you are such a wonderful personality. Your stage presence, the ability you have been so very BLESSED with is AMAZING. Your show was UPLIFTING, POWERFUL, FULL OF GRACE and GIRRRL may I add SPIRIT!!! You have been given the gift of grace. I feel so honored and blessed to have been able to have seen you in person I cannot tell you. Your albums/CD's video clips on Youtube do not do you justice. You had the whole room about to SHOUT! Glory to you Ms. Adams. I hope to one day be able to let you know how positive and influence you have made. You glorify GOD on a level I hope to one day reach. Continue to bless all that have the pleasure of hearing you and hopefully feeling the love of God that you have. I considered it an honor to have been able to hear you live.
Blessings and love to you,
Faith
Review By Pages: 1 2 3
Review the Artist Yolanda Adams
| |
|
