Monday, May 6, 2013

Deniece Williams - I'm So Proud

Today (May 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of I’m So Proud, the seventh studio album from R&B singer Deniece Williams.

This 1983 album, produced by George Duke, charted at number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 10 on the US Billboard R&B charts.


Side one begins with “Do What You Feel”, the B-side to the first single and the A-side to the second single. It charted at number 102 on the US Billboard Pop charts and number 9 on the US Billboard R&B charts. The song is light and bouncy, allowing Williams’ vocal range to be showcased. She even throws in a little jazzy scatting near the end.

The mid-tempo title track is next. “I’m So Proud” was released as the third single and went to number 28 on the US Billboard R&B charts. With a nice gentle sway to it rhythmically, it beams with the pride a woman has for the man she loves.

“So Deep in Love”, a duet with Johnny Mathis, was released as the first single. The keyboard and guitar hooks really jumped out and grabbed me right from the start. This was not the first time the two collaborated together. In 1978, they had a huge hit with the duet "Too Much Too Little Too Late", and in 1982, they recorded the theme some "Without Us" for the TV show Family Ties.

The slower tempo “I’m Glad It’s You” closes out the first side.

Side two opens with “Heaven in Your Eyes”, the album‘s fourth and final single. The track has an energetic dance beat to it and a rousing piano solo as well.

Things slow down a bit with “They Say”, a song that goes back to Williams’ spiritual roots with a song with a religious subject.

The B-side to both the second and fourth single was “Love, Peace and Unity”.

The final track on the album is “It’s Okay”, which was also the B-side to the third single.

Of the tracks from I’m So Proud that I could locate to listen to, I certainly enjoyed them. The first two are available on a greatest hits CD compilation. The rest only were released as part of the original vinyl and cassette formats back in 1983. Deniece Williams has such a pleasant, inviting voice that sets the listener at ease.

For my review of her 1982 album Niecy, please click here.

For my review of the 1984 soundtrack for Footloose which features a huge hit for Deniece, click here.

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