The name
Karen Clark-Sheard has been synonymous with music fans for more than two decades, basically due to her association with her sisters
Dorinda, Jacky, and
Twinkie, collectively known as
the Clark Sisters.
Sheard's 1997 debut solo effort, the critically acclaimed
Finally Karen, increased her already large fan base, with the assistance of special guest
Donald Lawrence, urban music chanteuse
Faith Evans,
the Clark Sisters, and her daughter
Kierra Sheard. The project garnered
Sheard a Grammy nomination, a Lady of Soul award, and four Stellar awards. Her Elektra Records debut, the 2002 release
2nd Chance, pairs
Sheard with some of the top production talent within the music industry, including Walter Milsap,
Lawrence, the PAJAM Production team of
J. Moss and
Paul D. Allen, Tim & Bob,
Mike City,
Richard Smallwood, and
Missy Elliott.
Elliott shows that she can do more than produce hot hip-hop beats through the tracks "Only Call on Jesus" and "Higher Ground."
Sheard gives masterful performances on both tracks, joined on the latter by fellow gospel divas
Kim Burrell,
Mary Mary, and
Yolanda Adams.
Sheard pours her heart and soul into the beautiful "If I Can't Say a Word," written and produced by
Lawrence.
Sheard even displays her own production and songwriting talents on the captivating "It's Not Over." The project's remaining tracks features a mixture of urban-flavored and traditional gospel-laced material. ~ Tim A. Smith