True Spirit

This article is about the Carleen Anderson album. For the film, see True Spirit (film).

True Spirit
Studio album by
Carleen Anderson
ReleasedJune 6, 1994 (1994-06-06)[1]
Genre
Label
Producer
Carleen Anderson chronology
True Spirit
(1994) 		Blessed Burden
(1998)
Singles from True Spirit
  1. "Nervous Breakdown"
    Released: January 31, 1994[2]
  2. "Mama Said"
    Released: May 16, 1994[3]
  3. "True Spirit"
    Released: August 1, 1994[4]
  4. "Let It Last"
    Released: January 1995[5]

True Spirit is the debut solo album by American singer and musician Carleen Anderson, released in 1994. The album includes four UK Top 40 singles: "Nervous Breakdown" (No. 27), "Mama Said" (No. 26), "True Spirit" (No. 24) and "Let It Last" (No. 16).[6]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]

The Guardian noted that "big ballads like 'Only One for Me' and 'Secrets', all strings and heavy breathing, are so pompous that even this fine singer can only coast along."[8]

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Tom Demalon describes Anderson's voice as "warm" and "soulful" and that the album "succeeds in drawing on older R&B vibes and making them sound fresh." He went on to say that the lyrics are "literate and sophisticated", adding that "True Spirit is a gorgeous album that constantly draws in the listener, both musically and spiritually."[7]

Track listing

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All tracks written by Carleen Anderson, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."True Spirit" 4:40
2."Morning Love" 5:36
3."Mama Said"
  • Anderson
  • Ian Green
4:07
4."Ain't Givin' up on You"
  • Anderson
  • Green
4:24
5."Only One for Me" 4:36
6."Nervous Breakdown" 7:34
7."Secrets" 4:35
8."Let It Last"
  • Anderson
  • Mark E. Nevin
4:54
9."Feet Wet Up" 4:34
10."Welcome to Changes" 3:19
11."Ian Green's Groove Conclusion"Green1:37

Personnel

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  • Carleen Anderson – arranger, primary artist, vocals
  • Amanda Drummond – strings
  • Ian Green – arranger, instrumentation, mixing, producer
  • Martin "Max" Heyes – mixing
  • Nigel Hitchcock – alto and tenor sax
  • Stephen Hussey – strings
  • Norman Jay – handclapping
  • Brendan Lynch – glockenspiel, handclapping, producer, synthesizer
  • Marco Nelson – bass
  • Mark E. Nevin – arranger, guitar, handclapping, mellotron
  • Jake Rea – strings
  • Timothy Russell – engineer
  • Steve Sidwell – trumpet
  • Michael Talbot – keyboards
  • Crispin Taylor – drums

Charts and certifications

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Weekly charts

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Chart (1994) Peak
position
UK Albums Chart[6] 12

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[9] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Album Releases". Music Week. June 4, 1994. p. 20.
  2. ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. January 29, 1994. p. 25.
  3. ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. May 14, 1994. p. 27.
  4. ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. July 30, 1994. p. 25.
  5. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. December 24, 1994. p. 31.
  6. ^ a b "Carleen Anderson Full Official Chart History". Official Charts. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "True Spirit Carleen Anderson". AllMusic. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  8. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (June 3, 1994). "Pop/rock". Features. The Guardian.
  9. ^ "British album certifications – Carleen Anderson – True Spirit". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
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