Karen Clark-Sheard - Finally Karen

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, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Stepniewski Violin Angie Hollis Alto (Vocals) Annette Fyre Alto (Vocals) Arnetta Murrill-Crooms Alto (Vocals) Benjamin Love Musician Bill Moss Piano Bob Murphy Violin Bruce Smith Violin Calvin Napper Drums Carl Robinson Engineer Caroline Caode Viola Cedric Thompson Mixing, Musical Director, Producer, Keyboards, Arranger Chris Carroll Photography Chris Gehringer Mastering Chris Habeck Assistant Engineer Chuck Nice Engineer, Overdubs, ?, Voiceover Dan Glomski Engineer Danny Weatherspoon Synthesizer, Soloist, Keyboards Darius Lawrence Engineer Darrell Hendrick Tenor (Vocal) Derrick Brown Tenor (Vocal) Donald Lawerence Mixing, Performer, Producer, Arranger, Vocal Arrangement Donald Lawrence Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Arranger, Mixing Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers Vocals, ? Dorinda Clark-Cole ? Dorothy Ashmore Soprano (Vocal) Dottie Alexander Vocals (Background) Eric Young Tenor (Vocal) Erica Bratton Alto (Vocals) Faith Evans Performer, Critic Fred Hammond Critic Geoffrey Applegate Violin Glenn Mellow Viola Hart Hollman Viola, Contractor Hiriam Hicks Executive Producer I.V. Duncan Assistant Engineer Iva Johnson Soprano (Vocal) J. Kool Rap Jacky Clark-Chisholm ? Jacob Campbell Engineer James Moss Keyboards, Vocals (Background), Drum Programming, Instrumentation, Drums, Keyboard Programming, Producer Jif Hinger Engineer Jimmy Dawkins Tenor (Vocal) Joei Powers Engineer John Cleveland Hughes Violin John Hughes Violin John Thuman Cello John Thurman Cello Jon Dectaur Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer Judy T Art Direction Julie Logan Alto (Vocals) Karen Clark-Sheard Vocals, Voiceover, Vocals (Background) Kayt Defever Design Ken Wallace Mixing Kevin Jeffries Tenor (Vocal) Kierra "KiKi" Sheard ?, Performer Kirk Franklin Critic Kowan "Q" Paul Vocal Arrangement, Producer Lajuana Henderson Soprano (Vocal) LaJuene Thompson Tenor (Vocal) Lanar Brantley Musician Lenore Sjoberg Violin Linda Snedden-Smith Violin Manchin Zhang Viola Marey Chaneaux Cello Marguerite Deslippe Violin Mario Defiore Cello Mark Williams Mixing, Engineer Mattie Jones Alto (Vocals) Melvin Gray Bass Michael Young Tenor (Vocal) Mike Anzel Engineer Milton Thornton Producer Motown Romance String Orchestra ? Myron Williams Arranger Nancy Galdo A&R Pam Taylor Vocals (Background) Pat Terry Harp Paul Abrams Engineer Paul D. Allen Drum Programming, Keyboards, Drums, Instrumentation, Mixing, Engineer, Producer Paul Riser Orchestral Arrangements, ? Peggy Tundo Violin Penny Hardaway Critic Quinton Douglas Tenor (Vocal) Rick Robinson Bass Robert Haynes Engineer Rodney Barber Tenor (Vocal) Rodney Bolden Tenor (Vocal) Ronnie Dawkins Tenor (Vocal) Roycee Martin Assistant Engineer Sadie Whiteside Soprano (Vocal) Sam Tundo Percussion Sasha Mishnaevski Viola Sharla Reed Alto (Vocals) Shirley Bolden Alto (Vocals) Stanley Brown Producer, Executive Producer Stephanie Watson Soprano (Vocal) Stephen Molina Bass T.D. Jakes Critic Tami Young-Spann Alto (Vocals) Teddy Riley Critic Terry Miller Tenor (Vocal) The Clark Sisters Vocals, ?, Performer Timothy Powell Engineer Timothy R. Powell Engineer Tonya Praileau Alto (Vocals) Traci Drummond Soprano (Vocal) Tri-City Singers Voiceover Twanzette Henson Soprano (Vocal) Twinkie Clark-Terrell ? Tyronn Wilkins Tenor (Vocal) Vanessa Durrah Production Coordination Vanessa Glenn Soprano (Vocal) Walter Kearney Production Coordination