I'm Here for You is the debut album by the American singer Ann Nesby, released in 1996.[2][3] Nesby supported the album by performing at the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics, in Atlanta.[4]
| I'm Here for You | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1996 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 1:11:02 | |||
| Label | Perspective[1] | |||
| Producer | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | |||
| Ann Nesby chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album peaked at No. 157 on the Billboard 200.[5]
Production
editThe album was produced in part by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.[6][7] Nesby cowrote or wrote every song on I'm Here for You.[8] Gerald Albright contributed saxophone to the album.[9] "Lord How I Need You" was written in Nesby's hometown of Rockford, Illinois, and was produced by Rockford native Big Jim Wright.[10]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide | [13] |
| Muzik |  [14] |
The Los Angeles Sentinel praised the "earthy singing," calling the album "the sound of love, passion and blackness."[15] The Star Tribune wrote that Nesby's "majestic voice shines on a spiritual collection of R&B."[16]
The Christian Science Monitor deemed the album "a smooth mix of traditional gospel, dance tunes, and ballads... The traditional gospel tune 'Lord How I Need You' showcases Nesby's origins in the church choir."[17] The St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote that, "while the strings, vibes and other background instruments too often sound slightly, frightfully, canned, Nesby's voice rises above it all to deliver a truly spectacular performance throughout."[18] Jesse Ballinger, of Miami New Times, opined that, "on 'Let the Rain Fall', Nesby makes the strongest argument I've heard yet for hip-hop/gospel fusion."[19]
AllMusic deemed it "a brilliant blend of gospel, R&B, dance and ballads."[11] MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide considered the album to be "one of the most complete and pleasurable packages ever put together by Jam and Lewis."[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Let the Rain Fall" | 4:32 |
| 2. | "I'm Still Wearing Your Name" | 5:03 |
| 3. | "If You Love Me" | 5:31 |
| 4. | "The Invitation" | :28 |
| 5. | "(What a) Lovely Evening" | 6:01 |
| 6. | "I'll Do Anything for You" | 5:51 |
| 7. | "String Interlude" | :39 |
| 8. | "Thrill Me" | 4:32 |
| 9. | "Hold On" | 5:11 |
| 10. | "In the Spirit" | 5:28 |
| 11. | "This Weekend" | 4:22 |
| 12. | "Can I Get a Witness?" | 4:02 |
| 13. | "I'm Here for You" | 5:28 |
| 14. | "I'll Be Your Everything" | 4:51 |
| 15. | "Let Old Memories Be" | 4:27 |
| 16. | "Lord How I Need You" | 4:36 |
| Total length: | 1:11:02 or 71:02 | |
References
edit- ^ "Jet Top 20 Albums". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. November 25, 1996. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ "Ann Nesby Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "Sounding Off". Ebony. Vol. 51, no. 9. Jul 1996. p. 14.
- ^ Faison, Datu (Aug 3, 1996). "Rhythm section". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 31. p. 32.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research. p. 563.
- ^ Banez, Cherry (30 Aug 1996). "Ann Nesby: Sweet Sounds of Success". The Philadelphia Tribune. No. 62. p. 8 Suppl.
- ^ Hasson, Bill (Oct 1996). "I'm Here for You". American Visions. Vol. 11, no. 5. p. 42.
- ^ Reynolds, J.R. (Mar 30, 1996). "Ann Nesby makes solo sounds". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 13. p. 25.
- ^ Lee, Edith C. (July 19, 1996). "Nesby finds the grounding she needs by returning home". USA Today. p. RC.
- ^ Lee, Edith C. (26 Sep 1996). "Nesby finds song in her Illinois roots". The Ithaca Journal. Gannett. p. 10A.
- ^ a b "I'm Here for You". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 155.
- ^ a b MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 421.
- ^ Billingham, Alf (June 1996). "Ann Nesby: I'm Here For You" (PDF). Muzik. No. 13. p. 117. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- ^ Sye, Robert J. (19 Dec 1996). "Ann Nesby's 'I'm Here for You' and Little Kim's 'Hardcore,' hard to beat". Los Angeles Sentinel. p. B6.
- ^ Bream, Jon (29 Dec 1996). "1996: The Year in Review: Favorites from the national scene". Star Tribune. p. 3F.
- ^ Walters, Laurel Shaper (22 July 1996). "CD Reviews". Features. The Christian Science Monitor. p. 10.
- ^ Walsh, Jim (July 9, 1996). "Disc-y Business". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. 8D.
- ^ Ballinger, Jesse (October 10, 1996). "Rotations". Music. Miami New Times.