I Need an Angel

Ruben Studdard

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 2004)
• Original Release Date: November 23, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B00064K2S0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,991 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Need An Angel

2. Center of My Joy

3. Goin' Up Yonder

4. Fix It Jesus

5. Amazing Grace

6. Shout To The Lord

7. Running Back To You

8. Restoration

9. We Have Not Forgotten

10. I Surrender All

11. Ain't No Need To Worry

12. Don't Give Up

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

18 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 "Michelle 205" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, December 30, 2004

By	Dominique Beaumonte "domo1906" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!