Ruben Studdard - I Need an Angel

If anybody ought to be hugging the velvet teddy bear for releasing I Need an Angel, the follow up to the Idol 2 champ's 2003 Soulful debut, it's the top brass in the gospel music biz. Not only does Studdard give the genre its props by reinvestigating his roots and turning in an entire disc's worth of well-loved renditions, he also, by virtue of his celebrity, will spawn a new audience of secular listeners for the music. Because to hear this stuff--whether you were raised in the church or outside it--is to love it. The spiritual build-up starts with a light touch: Studdard lays his impeccable musical timing and Luther Vandross-like pipes all over the R. Kelly-penned title track, an anthem that recalls Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." Later come gospel-soul hybrids ("Goin' Up Yonder"), spiritual ballads ("Center of My Joy," the Marvin Winans-penned "Restoration"), gorgeously interpreted traditional numbers ("Amazing Grace" and "Shout to the Lord") and a single twirl-toward-the-pulpit, free-your-demons Alabammy howler ("Fix It, Jesus," featuring the preacher Harvey Watkins, Jr.). Capping a disc that for an artist less blessed could have been inaccessible, alienating, or worse, is a Studdard original: "Don't You Give Up" borrows a hook from the Jackson 5, but it's Studdard we hope will carry on, be it as smooth R&B crooner or a mainstream spreader of spiritual inspiration. -Tammy La Gorce Amazon.com

Delicious songs for gods

I Need an Angel Food Cake is a uplifiting poean to the kind of Gospel from the sixties like Melvin Gaye's What's Goin on my Sandwich and Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing about mayonnaise and Mercy Mercy Me (the turkey gravy) August 21, 2008

Happy with this buy!

Not only is Rueben a good singer but the song selections on this album are fantastic. Makes you want to listen again and again! March 2, 2008

Brought Tears

His love for The Lord shines thru ! His rendidtion of Amazing Grace brought tears to my eyes. December 31, 2007

Its okay!!!!!!!!

This is not one of those cds that I would say you just have to go out there and buy its pretty good. I rated it as average because he is really talented but since this is a gospel joint I would have anticpated for it to be more annointed than just a regular artist coming up making a "church" album. I really like "Center of My Joy" as it is one of my favorites. The rest of the songs are sadly forgettable. I like Ruben but he just seems to be lost right now. I hope he can find his own identity and image. September 4, 2007

Fantastic!

This young man continues to amaze me with his vocal talent. This is obviously one of his best. "I Need An Angel" is truly angelical! He has such a wide range that he can sing just about anything and make you happy. I enjoyed this venture immensely. Can't wait to see what he does next! June 30, 2006

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