True Spirit | ||||
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Studio album by Carleen Anderson | ||||
Released | June 6, 1994 (1994-06-06) | |||
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Carleen Anderson chronology | ||||
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Singles from True Spirit | ||||
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True Spirit is the debut solo album by American singer and musician Carleen Anderson, released in 1994. The album includes four UK Top 40 singles: "Nervous Breakdown" (No. 27), "Mama Said" (No. 26), "True Spirit" (No. 24) and "Let It Last" (No. 16).
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Select |
The Guardian noted that "big ballads like 'Only One for Me' and 'Secrets', all strings and heavy breathing, are so pompous that even this fine singer can only coast along."
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Tom Demalon describes Anderson's voice as "warm" and "soulful" and that the album "succeeds in drawing on older R&B vibes and making them sound fresh." He went on to say that the lyrics are "literate and sophisticated", adding that "True Spirit is a gorgeous album that constantly draws in the listener, both musically and spiritually."
Track listing
All tracks written by Carleen Anderson, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "True Spirit" | 4:40 | |
2. | "Morning Love" | 5:36 | |
3. | "Mama Said" |
| 4:07 |
4. | "Ain't Givin' up on You" |
| 4:24 |
5. | "Only One for Me" | 4:36 | |
6. | "Nervous Breakdown" | 7:34 | |
7. | "Secrets" | 4:35 | |
8. | "Let It Last" |
| 4:54 |
9. | "Feet Wet Up" | 4:34 | |
10. | "Welcome to Changes" | 3:19 | |
11. | "Ian Green's Groove Conclusion" | Green | 1:37 |
Personnel
- Carleen Anderson – arranger, primary artist, vocals
- Amanda Drummond – strings
- Ian Green – arranger, instrumentation, mixing, producer
- Martin "Max" Heyes – mixing
- Nigel Hitchcock – alto and tenor sax
- Stephen Hussey – strings
- Norman Jay – handclapping
- Brendan Lynch – glockenspiel, handclapping, producer, synthesizer
- Marco Nelson – bass
- Mark E. Nevin – arranger, guitar, handclapping, mellotron
- Jake Rea – strings
- Timothy Russell – engineer
- Steve Sidwell – trumpet
- Michael Talbot – keyboards
- Crispin Taylor – drums
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Chart (1994) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Albums Chart | 12 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 60,000 |
Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
- "Album Releases". Music Week. June 4, 1994. p. 20.
- "Single Releases". Music Week. January 29, 1994. p. 25.
- "Single Releases". Music Week. May 14, 1994. p. 27.
- "Single Releases". Music Week. July 30, 1994. p. 25.
- "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. December 24, 1994. p. 31.
- ^ "Carleen Anderson Full Official Chart History". Official Charts. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- ^ "True Spirit Carleen Anderson". AllMusic. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- Marsh, Tim (July 1994). "New Albums". Select. p. 82. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- Sullivan, Caroline (June 3, 1994). "Pop/rock". Features. The Guardian.
- "British album certifications – Carleen Anderson – True Spirit". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 25, 2018.