NEW SERIES!!!
I look at the sales charts weekly, so I know what y’all are buying and what you’re not buying. But I don’t always know the reasons behind consumer behavior. This new series is aimed at appeasing my curiousity about certain albums that I thought would do better, commercially. I wanna why you decided to ”buy” or simply say “bye-bye” to certain projects.
I was listening to Kelly Price’s gospel debut, This Is Who I Am, this morning and I wondered why it didn’t sell more units.
For years before she released it, gospel folks were begging for a gospel project from her. She gave it, then folks didn’t buy it… I wanna know why.
Tell me honestly– did you buy it? Did you pass on it? Why?
Buy or Bye-Bye? And why?
I bought it and liked!! Im still waiting on another one from her!!
What I really wanted was for Kelly 2 do an "R&B" album w/ gospel lyrics. The only song I bought was "I Can't Turn Back." That was fire. But everything else I dismissed. Especially that screechfest with Vanessa Bell (made me mad). It coulda used 2 or 3 studio tracks with Warryn Campbell or PAJAM to prop it up, cuz the single wasn't too special 4 me. She looked great. She can sing heaven down as always. But that album was all smoke, no fire. I hope she changes her formula and does one more like Coko's albums. That would be hot.
got it. wish i woulda left it. and i LOVE kelly p! [bye.] production quality wasn't that great. wish she would have done a studio project.
I actually purchased the cd when it was released. I think this cd suffered from lack of promotion. Also this was her debut release on a gospel label (EcclectiSounds / Gospo Cetric / Zomba Music Group) and unlike Def Jam ( her former label) they probably did not have the resources to properly support this album. This proves the statement that it takes more than raw talent in order to make a project successful. You must have an entities that are willing to support they project to the fullest extent in order have a positive result.
I bought it and wished I hadn't. For all the reasons above and more. It just wasn't a good album to me. I think I only listened once or twice. And I don't buy the "you gotta let it grow on you" mantra. If after a second listen I aint feelin it, that's it. Kelly Price is a beast and all, but I think she rushed that album cuz so many people wanted one. You can't be sacrificin quality cuz of demand. EJ, since my KP CD is practically new, I can send it to ya if you wanna do a giveaway. :(
Bought it and loved it. I like her vocal intensity. The world of gospel and R&B are vastly different. I needed to make sure I was creating a standard in gospel that is solely related to R&B and vice versa. Definitely waiting on her next solo gospel project.
I have this cd and was one of the people who wanted a Kelly Price gospel cd. After the initial listen to the cd there were no standout favorites. The songs were not memorable. She did a Margaret Douroux song, I love her from the GMWA days, entitled God Is Not Dead. Well, I will not venture out into the world of puns...it did nothing. Even with the guest vocalists of Donnie McClurkin and Joe Ligon, nothing. The production of the cd and live sound....nothing. I was expecting the same energy and sound from Lord of All and God's Favor. Of course the producers are different, so I shouldn't expect the same. I just think with the right producers and writers, everyone would buy her cd because of the great sound and material.
I didn't buy it because I heard it prior to purchasing and didn't like it at all. She needed better writers and producers. I'll rephrase that. She needed different writers and producers for her. What they brought to the table for her wasn't something I wanted to hear. Kelly came to my church and ripped it! She did straight church songs, mostly throwbacks, but they sat well with her vocally and spiritually. This cd just did not do it for me, nor capture the essence of who she is as a GOSPEL vocalist. I think one of the strongest cuts on the cd was the Vanessa Bell number towards the end. If someone like Donald Lawrence got ahold of her and produced for her, I believe her next gospel cd could be one for the record books. I mean her Christmas cd was better than this one..."Go Tell It"?? WOW. I mean showcased her on all sides in a great light!
This album was out when I was hosting a gospel music show on radio. "Healing" was the only thing charting at the time and that's what I played. However, there were no requests for the song and after a brief time I simply stopped adding it to the playlist. Although Kelly Price is extremely talented...and this is where I lose ppl...there is a difference between TALENT and ANOINTING! Many have said how ANOINTED they thought Kelly's voice was and my reply is anointing can't be ignored. They mistake her talent for something greater than it is. Much like many of the secular artists making music now...it was a business decision and not a spiritual one. She was losing footing in secular music and she found her fan base had moved to more Christian/Gospel music tastes. She just followed her audience. She would have done just as well releasing another R&B album. The exact same number of Christians would have bought it. Her gospel offering provided nothing of substance to people trying to live a Christian lifestyle or even Christianity itself. It was just another record....that didn't sell well. Is anybody else noticing a trend? Even Patti LaBelle's gospel offering nominated for multiple awards....didn't sell. And I thought EVERYBODY LOVES PATTI!!! LOL. Wake up saved ppl! It was said best in The Temptations movie...."Would you buy this album or a sandwich?" As for me and my house.....ham and cheese, please!!!! It'll do more for your soul than a Kelly Price song.
I didn't buy it because I was told not to by people who's musical ears I trust, lol. Everyone I trust who heard it said it wasn't good. They said that the recording quality, lyrics, and musicality were way off...which sucked cause I was ready to buy it. I never listened to it cause I didn't want to subject myself to a bad Kelly Price experience. I'll just hold on to her Celebration of Gospel rendition of For Every Moment instead, lol. *felt a quickening at the thought of it*
I brought it and it was ok, but wasn't totally what I expected. Nothing really stood out, although 'The Warning' was a nice song that would have been better as a studio track. I heard 'Healing' and thought the album would be more along that vein, but it was all live and the radio version of Healing wasn't even on the CD. On top of that, the CD felt very 'traditional' at moments, esp with the Donnie McClurkin and Vanessa Bell Armstrong cuts. Unfortunately, it doesn't stand the test of time, even after 3 1/2 years, imo. Still, if she does another gospel CD, and after previewing it I like it, I'll get it.
@Hernandes Union I agree with your statement that it was "just another record". That is exactly how I feel about it... and when you have others coming out with great or even significantly better than average records, "just another record" is not gonna be good enough
I bought it, and I was really happy with my purchase. She has some classic songs up there. I'm confused as to why it didn't sell because, like you said, so many folks were asking for her to put one out. The Gospel community is so shaky at times. Which is why I appreciate the artists I like to call "fishers." Let's bring in the new souls, and minister to them. Because with the way the Gospel industry supports artists, we would only be waiting on artists like Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard, Donnie McClurkin and Mary Mary to carry the industry. And that is an impossible feat for ANYBODY! Regardless of what kind of songs you write.
Bought it, wish I didn't. Just another record. No originality. Can we please get back to original music and stop remaking classics? Nine times out of ten the original version was the best. Kelly has a great voice and hopefully she goes back to the drawing board and the next record will be better, if she's not discouraged from the sells and support of this album.
I bought this CD after listening to one song. At the time I was teaching a student that was in church for over 30 years with no relationship with God. Being sent by God to me, I didn't hesitate to perform the work of the Lord. While teaching, I was being judged in my face for my style of dressing which wasn't the traditional Pentecostal look, no skirt wearing, no makeup, etc. Sure it hurt me deeply, but after hearing Warning, the song soothed me completely. The student judging me had the CD and only listened to one song. So I immediately told them to listen to Warning. After they did, they felt bad but continued being judgemental. I felt better and knew for a fact that God would take care of me and them. So because I didn't look like them religiously, they rejected what they needed. I thank God for the words of the song and began to understand that not everyone will accept me, but I say to all get what you came for and don't let small things block what is life saving.
I bought the album as well because I love Kelly's voice and always thought she would do better as a gospel artist. The lyrical content was fluff (and overall very cliche), and the recording was rushed, with some songs not being mixed well. Also if you read her album label she talks about how she was not in good voice on the night of the recording. Despite this she did some good singing on the CD (+I love me some Vanessa Bell Armstrong and a good squawl!) However, Kelly has not found her niche within gospel. Sure she comes the C.O.G.I.C tradition, so one might think she should record traditional music or "new traditional". But her fan base are R&B lovers. I believe she tried to bring the best of both of these worlds together in this recording, but it just didn't work. She definitely should go for the more avante guard producers such as those who produce for Mary Mary and Ki-Ki Sheard for her next endeavor. I'm willing to give her another chance.
I bought the cd but I believe it could have been better. She didn't have the right produciton and song writing team. I think Donald Lawrence would do wonders with her. I love Kelly P!!!
I really wanted to like this CD...Because I love Kelly Price. But, I couldn't quite connect with the songwriting and production. However, I do look forward to future Kelly Price projects. Hopefully, she'll put out another gospel album.
While I love her voice and I think that she is very talented it is sad that her personality and spirit were awful when I had the misfortune of working with her. As a result, I passed on the project and prayed for her to do better in her walk with God.
I like others luv her voice and looked forward to the gospel release. Purchased it, listened to it 3x have not had the desire to revisit. Now her Christmas CD cannot wait for the season to come around to play it continuously and will sometime play it out of season. I agree with most of the critics about the quality of work (writing and production). She would not have needed alot of production due to the fans who were anticipating the release of a gospel CD by Ms. Price.
I have the CD and i like it. she is supposed to be working with my block now. I like the live feel and eric seats did his things on the drums.
I bought this CD when it first came out. I really wanted to like it better than I did. I think I recall the song "Healing" that I played for a little bit but now the CD is sitting in the cabinet and I don't really miss it.... I wonder if Hernandes Union is on to something re. the distinction of talent versus anointing. Kelly can sing, no question. And she talks about her spirituality and her church upbringing so maybe my expectations were set too high for her. And maybe that with the combination of what you all are saying about poor production, writing, etc. concluded with a non-memorable product. But all is not lost for Kelly P: I play her Christmas CD year-round. "Messiah Has Come" is probably my favorite cut on that CD.... Now that song is anointed!
Bought it and thought it was alright. I was not moved, felt she was singing and not ministering. Nothing brought me into a place of worship. Love Kelly all day and I think she is one of the few current "singers" out right now, but I would need for her to tap into her source when she sings gospel.
I bought the album when it was released, I still have it...Sadly I don't listen to it. I just don't think that it was her best. She is a great singer, but it did not really show. The production of the album wasn't that great, and in all honesty I just expected more. Hopefully, this next record she comes out with is more up to point. Still love her though :)
Laughing out loud at myself for typing "For Every Moment" instead of "For Every Mountain"! LMBO!
Not only did I buy it, but I was at the live recording and have been anxiously awaiting the release of the live DVD that we were told would be following the release of the cd. I'm really disappointed to hear about the lack of sales because it's definitely is a moving, wonderfully laid out project. And the guests on this album were simply stellar!
I love Kelly but this album wasn't good I only liked 3 songs.
Looking over the previous comments -- wow! Yikes :(
I bought the album and I liked how she added the twist into AL Green's Love and Happiness and also the track Get Up and Praise was hot but other than that it was an okay cd.I thought her gospel music would be more studio with an R&B flava,however she did her thing on the project and that's all that matters.
I pretty much agree with everyone's sentiments. The 4-year old project was underwhelming and it did not minister to me at all. It had a rushed, packaged sound, and she did not let loose enough. I am not talking about screaming, hollering and running, but just letting her spirit sing instead of just her voice.
As with a majority of Gospel projects the reason it didn't sell more is because of lack of promotion and a very effective marketing strategy.