Hugh's Favorite 1997 Albums

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Lisa Stansfield
Produced by Ian Devaney

Probably the most under appreciated female vocalist of the nineties, Lisa Stansfield has a big soulful voice and her music is testament to her love of seventies soul. Her first two albums Affection (featuring All Around The World) and Real Love were marvelously produced by Devaney and Andy Morris.

On this outing, Stansfield hands the reins completely to Devaney (now her husband). Unlike her first two albums, Stansfield performs songs by other songwriters. She does a great remake of Barry White's Never, Never Gonna Give You Up. Other songwriters are Diane Warren (I Cried My Last Tear, Last Night) and James Mtume and Reggie Lucas (You Know How To Love Me).

However, the stand out songs are her own: Never Gonna Fall is traditional Stansfield at her best and Suzanne is a creative and touching piece on spousal abuse.

If you love good old soul music, Lisa Stansfield will get your creaky bones groovin'!

More 1997 Albums:

Brian McKnight — Anytime Various producers His best album to date and also his breakthrough success. Includes the radio favorite title track and one of the few Dianne Warren songs I really like Show Me The Way Back To Your Heart.	JOE — All That I Am Various Producers A great album if you can get past some of the raunchy lyrics like on the naughty All The Things Your Man Won't Do. However, I do like the lyrics on the scolding Love Don't Make No Sense.	Boyz II Men — Evolution Various producers A very decent effort from the boyz when a let down would have been expected. I especially like the Babyface penned Girl In The Life Magazine.
Luther Vandross — One Night With You - The Best Of Love Volume 2 Various producers Marking the end of his successful association with Epic records, this collection includes songs since the very good Best Of Love collection. This one isn't as good since it doesn't have as much material to draw from. Features new songs including R. Kelly's When You Call On Me.	Mariah Carey — Butterfly Various producers Another decent album from Mariah. Includes the lovely My All.	Earth, Wind & Fire — In The Name Of Love Produced by Maurice White This album is sad to listen to because it's obvious that Maurice doesn't have it anymore. In fact Sheldon Reynolds takes up a lot of the lead vocals slack. Still, Philip is still in good form on Cruising and I also like The Right Time.
The Whispers — Song Book Volume 1 Various Producers An album devoted to remakes of Babyface songs isn't really the greatest concept. Most of these songs did not deserve reinterpretation. I do like I Love You Babe and the best song may be the only non-Babyface tune All In Good Time.	Vanessa Williams — Next Various producers The standout song is Happiness which samples from Nu Shooz's I Can't Wait.	En Vogue — EV3 Various producers Dawn Robinson was my favorite EV but her vocals were sadly deleted from this album after contractual problems with Elektra forced her out of the group. The stand out songs are Damn I Wanna Be Your Lover and Does Anybody Hear Me.