After spending most of her life singing with her siblings in
the Clark Sisters,
Karen Clark-Sheard released her debut solo album,
Finally Karen, in 1997. Listeners already knew from
the Clark Sisters that
Karen possessed a wonderful, powerful voice, but
Finally Karen confirms the depth and range of her talent. From the outset, it's clear that she has decided to broaden her appeal by bringing in urban R&B influences.
Clark-Sheard works with producer/songwriter
Donald Lawrence,
Stanley Brown,
James Moss,
the Tri-City Singers, and
Faith Evans, and the result is a joyous, inspirational album, largely recorded live at Detroit's Bailey Cathedral. It's alternately celebratory and reflective, and it confirms that
Karen Clark-Sheard is a talent in her own right. ~ Rodney Batdorf