Vesta Williams | Special
Album Review: Vesta Williams | Special
By Randy Holmes
The ultra sexy and talented singer Vesta Williams {Now known throughout the world as simply, "Vesta"}, originating out of Coshocton, Ohio,first came to our attention in 1996 with the release of her critically acclaimed self titled debut A&M Records album "Vesta". On that particular gem, the world was set on fire by the R&B radio staples, the Bryan Loren produced funk hip shaker, "Don't You Blow A Good Thing", and "Once Bitten,Twice Shy". Other R&B radio classics soon followed, such as, "You Make Me Want To (Love Again)", "Sweet, Sweet Love", "Congratulations",and "How You Feel". She's recorded and/or toured with Chaka Khan (Which a lot us thought was Chaka herself when that first single "Don't You Blow A Good Thing" dropped), Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, and even Canadian folk singer, Gordon Lightfoot. Vesta even took a stab at acting appearing in the Mario Van Peebles' 1993 Western flick "Posse".
On "Special", her third A&M Records 1991 release, she did it to us again with her four octave vocal range featuring the hit singles, the aforementioned "Special",and "Do Ya". Let's go back and take another peek at one her finest masterpieces she blessed the world with, and that is the project titled, ...... "Special".
The opener, the album's title track, "Special", produced and largely performed by the talented Attala Zane Giles, with co-production from Vesta herself, and pretty much throughout the entire album, with the exception of two tracks, is a sensual mid tempo hand swayer. Light bass synths, .... subtle, but sexy synthesizer lines, a gentle plucked electric guitar, swooning percussion, and great lead and background vocal performance by Vesta, with a little help from Attala, burned up R&B Quiet Storm play lists nationwide. She sung lyrics of how she appreciates what her man does for her, and how she appreciates having him around.
"I Don't Wanna Cry Anymore", a sad lyrical, but tender ballad. But this time around Vesta flips the script of how, probably the same Casanova she sings about in"Special", broke her heart when he walked out on her. Shame on him !Regardless, it's a wonderfully arranged song. Droned synthesizers, sweeping synth string parts, lightly tapped cymbals, made this song one of my favorites on this record .... and I'm sure it'll be one of yours upon first listen. Vesta's vocals on this track is nothing but sheer delight as wraps your ears with her soaring, but at times, jazzy like vocal performance. Excellent song !
On "Person To Person", (Not to be confused with the Average White Band track of the same name .....but wouldn't that be cool if Vesta tackled that one !!), .... Vesta must have reconciled with, "Super Lover", as she sings a song of, once again, loving her man, the mutual attraction they share, and how he made a difference in her life. The instrumentation is pretty much the same as aforementioned two songs. Another late night snuggle up,fire place roaring in the background, with a bottle of Chardonnay in tow. You can really the sincerity of a woman in love in Vesta's vocals.
"Can't Get Enough Of Your Love", (Once again, not to be confused with "The Guru Of Love", Barry White track), is a slightly stepped up tempo from the previous ballads, more in the line of Aretha Franklin's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel", but not as prevalent. The kick drum is more present in this track as it rings loud and clearly in your earlobes. Crisp finger snaps, soulful guitar lines, that ever present bass synth, and Vesta's lead and background vocals, is clearly one of the album's strongest songs.
"Where Does The Love Go ?", one of two tracks not co-produced by Attala and Vesta, but handled by the capable talents of David Crawford, with assistance from Vesta, starts off with a wonderful live acoustic string arrangement, then flows into an acoustic piano bit, followed by the gently sung Vesta, is one of sophistication, refined and mannered. The song gently builds up from a slow pace, then goes straight into a crescendo mode ala power ballad. This magnificent track is backed by an all-star rhythm section consisting of John Barnes on piano, bassist Neil Stubenhaus, Ndugu Chancler on drums, Charles Fearing on guitar, and sharing synthesizers duties, Ian Underwood and Jerry Peters.
The next track, "Thank You For The Chance", produced by one of the few female producers during that time in the music industry, the talented Tena Clark, is another live rhythm section performed selection, with live strings. It's definitely taylor made for R&B Quiet Storm, and Popradio as well. This track features the depth and soul of Vesta's vocal capabilities, at times sweet and soft, and at times fiery and powering. A great song to be appreciated by all !
On "TLC", she gets New Jack Swing on us ala Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation"track, but certainly not in terms of the melody, just the overall feel !!! .... and it works !! Back to the Attala Zane Giles/Vesta production collabo, Vesta gets down right funky on her vocals. {One note of interest, and this stems from my years as a mastering engineer, the sonic level of this particular song does not match the other songs, ...... and I'm quite shocked one of my mastering engineer heroes, Brian "Big Bass" Gardner didn't hear this ..... and I'm sure if Brian read that, I'm sure he'll say, "Well excuuuuse me Randy Mahon !I've only been mastering records before you were born, that's all !!!}.... Percolating rhythms, samples, the stabbing effect of the bass synth, will have you dancing !
On "DoYa", Attala and Vesta does it to us again by way of NewJack Swing, same modus operandi as "TLC". On this track though,you'll hear a little rock guitar in there, as well as synth orchestra performed lines and orchestra hits. Another club banger for sure ! ....and it shouldn't be surprising that Vesta's vocals shined through and through. This time, she sounded a LOT like Chaka, nonetheless, it's a cool song !
"Don't Trip", Attala and Vesta, takes it slightly Chicago House Style. You can really hear the "club side" coming out of Vesta in this song. A rap thrown in from Mr.Lee adds that Club Hip Hop feel to this track. Cool rhythm guitar parts,bouncy bass synth lines, orchestra hits and synth horns are all over this party jam ! A rap from Mr. Lee is thrown in to give it that Hip Hopedge.
Remaining songs, the New Jack Swingism's and World Music feel at the bridge, of "Compassion", and the heartwrenched ballad of the closing song, the beautiful and DEFINITELY Quiet Storm potential bound ballad, "I Promise Love", rounds out what I think is Vesta Williams' finest work in her storied career. I hope and pray she comes out with another record, her presence is sorely missed on R&B radio today.
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 9/23/2011 4:08 PM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, New School Soul
Tags: Music Videos 90's Music
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, New School Soul
Tags: Music Videos 90's Music
Randy,
"Special" was the serious JAM! Great Review too Brotha...
I pulled out the CD tonight to this.
T
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Thank You Terrill ! I enjoyed listening and reviewing this one ! ... More's coming !
Randy M.
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Randy,
I thought Vesta was a hottie when she was full figured and now today. Girl had that spunky, out going personality. Dug the game show she once had on BET in the 80's. What was that show called again?
I wish she releases another CD cause babygirl got it goin on. Vesta, just know that I, Charles, got a thang for ya baby!
Charles
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Hey Charles,
Vesta still look gorgeous ! I never knew she had a game show. I'm waiting just like you for her to drop a new one.
Randy
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....as I take some time to reflect on the career and music of sultry, beautiful R&B vocalist Vesta Williams, its important to state the importance and significance Vesta played on ALL of R&B music worldwide. I will play back ALL of her recordings throughout the weekend. May Vesta R.I.P.
T
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