Candi Staton – His Hands (2006)

During the later seventies and the early eighties R&B lost its Soul. R&B charts were dominated by polished artists as Whitney Housten, Michael Jackson and George Michael even. Artist like Candi Staton became either marginalized or were forced into the new mold. The Nu-Soul movement appeared to bring some promise of better days. But artists like D'Angelo and Erykah Badu failed to deliver in the long run. It did however rekindle interest in the forgotten veterans of Soul. Recent years have brought us successful comeback albums by Solomon Burke, Al Green and Bettye Lavette. Although the production was different from the golden age of Soul the essence was the same. Stories of love lost and love gained sung with a whole lot of hope and dignity.
Candi Staton is the latest in the row of veterans to be brought back under our attention. The last two decades she mostly spend singing gospel. His Hands is her first secular effort in years. And a successful effort it is. In part because of the choice in song, in part because of her deliverance.
A great deal of this disc is filled with country songs. Candi tackles the songs of Merle Haggard and Will Oldham, a beautiful throwback to her Muscle Shoal years. Her singing on this disc is great. Her voice didn't lose in quality over the years. It seems as if Candi Staton is not only enjoying herself but is taking the material seriously. The production in turn sounds as if Candi Staton as a secular artist is taken serious again. And that was long overdue.

Please note that this is an older but good rip (without log), made with an older version of EAC, and coming from my archives on external hard disc.

Personnel:

Candi Staton - Vocals
G-Daddy - Acoustic guitar
Al Willis - Electric guitar
Tony Crow - Piano, Keyboards
Barry Beckett - Hammond B-3 Organ
Dennis Crouch - Upright Bass
Marcus Williams – Drums

Tracklist:

01. You Don't Have Far To Go
02. When Hearts Grow Cold
03. It's Not Easy Letting Go
04. His Hands
05. How Do I Get Over You?
06. You Never Really Wanted Me
07. I'll Sing A Love Song To You
08. In Name Only
09. Running Out Of Love
10. Cry To Me
11. When Will I?

Recorded At The Beech House Megaplex, Nashville, Tennessee
Produced By Mark Nevers

Sound Quality: 8/9