I Need An Angel

Ruben Studdard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B00064K2S0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,643 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If anybody ought to be hugging the velvet teddy bear for releasing I Need an Angel, the follow up to the Idol 2 champ's 2003 Soulful debut, it's the top brass in the gospel music biz. Not only does Studdard give the genre its props by reinvestigating his roots and turning in an entire disc's worth of well-loved renditions, he also, by virtue of his celebrity, will spawn a new audience of secular listeners for the music. Because to hear this stuff--whether you were raised in the church or outside it--is to love it. The spiritual build-up starts with a light touch: Studdard lays his impeccable musical timing and Luther Vandross-like pipes all over the R. Kelly-penned title track, an anthem that recalls Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." Later come gospel-soul hybrids ("Goin' Up Yonder"), spiritual ballads ("Center of My Joy," the Marvin Winans-penned "Restoration"), gorgeously interpreted traditional numbers ("Amazing Grace" and "Shout to the Lord") and a single twirl-toward-the-pulpit, free-your-demons Alabammy howler ("Fix It, Jesus," featuring the preacher Harvey Watkins, Jr.). Capping a disc that for an artist less blessed could have been inaccessible, alienating, or worse, is a Studdard original: "Don't You Give Up" borrows a hook from the Jackson 5, but it's Studdard we hope will carry on, be it as smooth R&B crooner or a mainstream spreader of spiritual inspiration. -Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

J Records release the first inspirational album by 'American Idol' 2003 winner Ruben Studdard, with the lead single, 'I Need An Angel,' written and produced by award-winning hit maker R. Kelly. The album includes new versions of several inspirational classics and traditional tunes, along with a Studdard original composition, 'Don't Give Up.' The mainstream contemporary inspirational album is Studdard's follow-up to his two-million-plus selling 2003 J Records' Grammy-nominated debut 'Soulful.'

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars That's more like it May 3, 2005

By Anthony Rupert

Format:Audio CD

People may be surprised that Ruben Studdard's latest album, I Need an Angel, is a gospel album, but in my opinion, this is really what he should have been doing in the first place. Like most of the other reviewers on here, I didn't really care for Soulful because the lyrics weren't that great and also because he wasn't singing quite as well as he sang on Idol. But this album is quite an improvement.

It's really kind of hard to ruin a gospel album -- well, unless you can't sing (Michelle Williams' Heart to Yours, anyone?). And with this album, Ruben finally has a chance to let his vocals soar because when you're singing gospel, your voice can't help but to sing with pure emotion. There are great songs on here, including "Center of My Joy" and Marvin Winans' "Restoration". Ruben also does well with the standards "Amazing Grace", "I Surrender All" and "Shout to the Lord".

An album in this day and age doesn't seem complete without an R. Kelly-penned song (especially a gospel album), so the title track is a major highlight. Actually, none of the songs on here are really bad. But I have not forgotten that "We Have Not Forgotten" (with Fred Hammond) was already on Ruben's first album, so it really doesn't need to be on HERE. Oh well, switching to gospel still proved successful in this case. Did Ruben take the easy way out? Maybe, but at least it resulted in quite an enjoyable listen.

Anthony Rupert

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! December 30, 2004

By Dominique Beaumonte

Format:Audio CD

Congrats to Ruben. Just that easily, "I need an Angel tops many Gospels fan's top spot for 2004. I love this song. He also does great renditions of the gospel cuts we all grew up singing and listening to!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better! December 28, 2004

By Alice Smith

Format:Audio CD

I have loved Ruben from the start, and own his other cd in addition to this one. I sense that he is much more comfortable with this style of music and therefore this cd is better than his first. I really enjoy this one.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars RUBEN the vocals of an ANGEL ! November 29, 2004

By FredericWhite

Format:Audio CD

If you examine the criticism for this product on the Amazon site, you'll notice most concur that this is the product Ruben and his team should have delivered to the world initially. Unfortunately the previous release was molded by BMG hoping to cast Ruben into a pop format. They should have allowed the artist to follow his OWN musical instincts, as it seems to be the case with this project.

The first track on this CD is a perfect blend of gospel and pop. Ruben provides warm vocals that are tender, emotional and "Luther"esque! Fans of his performances on AI will be more than pleased.

This CD may not be the ideal product for the average member of the 12-year-old Britney crowd. It is however the ideal product for a mature audience capable of appreciating musical production as well as the sheer level of emotional beauty in Ruben's vocals. The content of the CD is compelling yet be warned it is rooted in gospel. It's surprising but this may be the gospel CD that could break wide open the gospel musical format into mainstream top 40.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT AN ALBUM!!! if only i could sing like this man. February 11, 2005

By ACG

Format:Audio CD

This album has to be in my top 5 albums in my cd collection. what a voice this man has got. He is a legend. I am a great fan of AI and was so glad ruben won it. I think he is the best AI winner so far.

This album is great because it relly shows how great and powerful his voice is. Whereas his debut album "SOULFUL"didnt as much as this one. Although it still deserves 4 stars.

Every song on this album is brilliant, whuich all show you exactly why ruben won AI2. My favourites on the album are,"I NEED AN ANGEL" and "AMAZING GRACE". These are two songs that make me go all tingly everytime i hear them. He has got this nice, smooth, soulful voice that is just one in a million. IF ONLY I COULD SING LIKE THIS MAN!!!

If tou are looking for an album that will make you feel all happy and can really get into, this is a must for you.

I absolutely love this album and love rubens voice, you definately have to buy this album. youll love it. 5 **** all the way.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE RUBEN WE LOVE IS BACK!! November 24, 2004

By Michelle Williams

Format:Audio CD

This CD is absolutely beautiful. I find the best way to truly review a CD is to be alone in my car and listen to each song very loud so I can focus on the music. THIS CD GIVES ME CHILLS! The Ruben I came to love on American Idol is back with an incredibly powerful message and one that will bring inspiration to everyone. The fast gospel songs make you dance along and lift you up. The slow songs are gorgeous and fill you with emotion. His voice sounds so smooth and sultry, and you can truly tell he is showing off his vocal abilities on this album. The gospel classics are a joy to listen to, with a new spin. The gospel choir sings along in many of the songs, which is a nice addition. I played this for 20 people in my church last night and many are planning to go buy it b/c they were blown away! Everyone needs a copy of Ruben's latest CD!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ruben Hits the Mark with "I Need an Angel" November 28, 2004

By Donna Reynolds

Format:Audio CD

Ruben Studdard has matured as an artist and this is highly evident on this lovely collection of gospel and inspirational songs. What is most remarkable about this CD is the vocal range that he displays on the various songs. It is inspiring and entertaining at the same time.

I love the title track and predict that it will be a huge hit for him. The more I listen to this CD, the better I like it and the more inspired I become. This is smooth, soulful Ruben at his best. Try it, you'll like it.

Thanks Ruben for giving us an insight into your spiritual side and bringing these great songs to the masses.