Customer Reviews

Vesta 4 U

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vesta Williams, former background vocalist for the legendery Chaka Khan, steps out on her own on her sophomore set entitled "4U". This is Vesta's best effort to date.This CD contains the Top 10 R&B singles "Sweet Love" and "Congradulations" and the Top 40 R&B title track. Vesta sizzles with sex on "Hunger", grooves through "How You Feel" and "Best I Ever Had". Her vocals shine on the powerful ballad "Running Into Memories".Although Vesta was stilling sounding a lot like her mentor, Chaka Khan on this CD, eventually, she would find a more original sound with future albums, although they proved to be not as successful as this one.This CD is a must for anyone who enjoys strong vocal performances and appreciates a real, talented singer. Outstanding!

After wowing listeners with her 1986 debut and as a former background singer for Stephanie Mills and many other singers. Vesta Williams returned in 1988 with the smash hit cd 4U that won the ears of many radio stations with the lovely ballad Congratulations that was a top ten hit on the 80's charts and quickly became Vesta's {as she was better known as} trademark hit and becoming an instant classic. In the 90's Vesta followed up 4U with the underrated Special and Everything and More both of which did poorly on the charts and are now out of print. She Then tried again in 1997 with a album of ballads titled Relationships which only produced one minor single Someone For Me and failed to connect with radio and R&B listeners. Vesta should connect more with other fans and perhaps make a comeback album AND should bring back her cds in print which is why I don't have 4U yet. But someday maybe somehow she'll try again for a place on the R&B hotseat very soon but until then Vesta has left behind a album that will be a instant R&B classic

Strong, confident sexy vocals are dominanat throughout this album. It has a great mix out ballads & up-tempo songs. This is an impressive album as are all of Vesta's albums. I love all the songs on this album! In short, get this & all of her CD's, you will be glad you did!

Vesta is very talented.her voice reminds me a little bit like Chaka Khan's.Congratulations was the cut.she is very underrated to me.

I once owned this collection on cassette tape and played it non-stop. Of course, Vesta's signature song, Congratulations, was at the top of the charts then and it was my favorite. Sweet, Sweet Love is a jam too and Best I Ever Had is naughty upbeat anthem that gets in your head and stays there. There are other mellow grooves to round out the collection nicely.

Who knew then, that it would be her greatest work.

She was a true DIVA with a powerhouse voice and a commanding stage presence. RIP, Vesta, your music lives on and your fans will NEVER forget you!

When I first heard Vesta voice (like everyone else) I thought it was Chaka Khan. But still she had a singing style different from Chaka. Not only that, but I thought Vesta could really blow just as well. The track that, I always liked off this CD 4 U is "Sweet, Sweet Love." A very mellow, relaxing, grooving song with good singing of course by Vesta.

What I cannot fathom is why Vesta is not huge? The fire and gusto that shoots out through this CD is enough to sell out concerts and break record sales but why such a limited success? I have been looking into some of R&B/soul/funk/pop's finest misbegotten (it's members: Lisa Fishcer, Miki Howard, Angela Winbush, Cherrelle, Millie Jackson...just to name a few) and it boggles my mind as to why these songstresses, Vesta included, have gotten minimal to no accolades. Vesta is no exception but the comparison to Chaka Khan is evident. Vesta, like Lisa Fischer (whom was compared to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston in her time), was compared to the legendary graveled voice diva Chaka Khan. Vesta, like Chaka, was heavy set, big haired and had the same gruff and melodic voice as Miss Khan. And if to not further mention that Vesta sung backup for Chaka as well.
So why didn't Vesta achieve the same amount? One can only wonder and blame the music industry for marketing more flashier, thinner and glamorous singers. Still Vesta's 1988 sophomore effort can hang with the tops of 1988 (Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl", Bobby Brown's "Don't Be Cruel", Pebbles "Pebbles" etc.)
Vesta pulls of an incredible album. It's chock filled with funky New Jack influence R&B jams and slow sultry smokin' ballads. And Vesta's vocals are not to be dissed. The woman can SING and she SINGS!
I tend to love songs that start off with conversation (like Alexander O'Neal's "Hearsay" for example) and on the opening track, "Here/Say" we hear Vesta arguing with her man about "sneaking around", then the full blast of sound pops with the opening chords. A swinging song that's heavy on the keyboards and drum machine (Vesta even breaks it down in rap!) and perfect for opening the album with. "All On You" starts off with a skittsh Vesta singing over, "Na na na na". Great opener! And a slinker dance vibe is on this track. The mid-tempo dance number title track is a good track, though at times it's lacks some depth but it has that New Jack swing thang going. "Sweet Sweet Love" is the first ballad and it's a very pretty, lush R&B tune. The jumpy "How You Feel" is verry 80's, the syncopated vocals and rhythms, drum machines...yep, great 80's stuff here! "Best I Ever Had" is gritty, raw and down right funky. Vesta really tears it up here! The standout track is the sultry smooth mid-tempo ballad, "Hunger". What a fabolous song! It starts slow and then crescendoes and leaves ya, well "hungry" for more. Great song and lovely flute solo. Vesta yearns and churns with this baby. Her big hit off of this is "Congratulations", a lush 80's styled ballad. To tell you the truth, I don't really like this. I mean it's an okay song but the strident trickle of keyboards at the beginning is what started EVERY 80's ballad back then and this song is just kinda cheesy and generic to me. The next track, "Running Into Memories", is by far better with it's smooth vocal stylings by Vesta. Her remake of Bread's 70's classic, "Make It With You" is a great recreation. I never much liked the original (too bland and uninspired for me)but Vesta made me realize what a pretty song this is. She really sings this song with passion and she made it better than the original!
The reason to grab up Vesta's "4U" is for the sole purpose to hear an album filled with just GOOD music, which is something hard to find these days. I'm 19 years old and a freshman at college, it amazes me how music has changed drastically since I was a child (when this album was released!) and now that music has become so commericialized it's hard to find a genuine female vocalist now. I'm glad that people like Vesta have made MUSIC, something that soothes the soul, makes you think and let's you enjoy. Pick this up if you love New Jack, soul, R&B or want to hear a vocalist really give it all "4U". Highly recommend!

Jennifer's Top 5
1. Hunger
2. Here/Say
3. All On You
4. How You Feel
5. Running Into Memories

vesta williams is one of the most talented singers of our time and, yet, she never receives the credit she deserves. her impressive range and soul-bearing delivery put her in a class with artists such as chaka khan and cheryl "pepsii" riley. from sassy, uptempo numbers like "hearsay" to slow, sultry ballads like "hunger", vesta proves that she's got what it takes. "running into memories" and "congratulations" will strike a chord with anybody who has ever let that special someone slip through their fingers. be sure to check out vesta's new album, "relationships", on sale now. vesta's back...and this time it's personal.

After hearing about the death of Vesta Williams I realized that I only had recordings of her performing with other musicians-nothing from just her. A co-worker was playing this CD and I had to get it. Such a talented singer gone much too soon. I do recommend this recording-it's loaded with great songs and her voice is phenominal!

This cd is awesome! When I first heard it, I was amazed. The songs on this cd are beaufifully written. My favorite songs are 4u, Congratulations, and Sweet Love. I bought this album because of those three songs I like.

Her voice is very soothing and well heard. You got to get this album, because you're in for a real treat. You won't be dissappointed.