Songs of Faith & Inspiration/What the World Needs Now Is Love

by Spy

$11.51

$16.98

Average Rating:
Sales Rank:	101694 (lower is better)
Price Used:	$9.98
Shipping:	Free Shipping on most orders over $25*
Availability:	Usually ships in 9 to 13 days
Release Date:	2002-05-21
Label:	Spy
UPC:	644244600123
Binding:	Audio CD
Published By:	Spy
ASIN:	B000066ALF
Category:	Music

Tracks on Songs of Faith & Inspiration/What the World Needs Now Is Love by Spy

1. What a Friend - The Sweet Inspirations, Traditional
2. I Shall Know Him - The Sweet Inspirations, Drinkard Houston, C
3. Swing Low - The Sweet Inspirations, Traditional
4. Guide Me - The Sweet Inspirations, Traditional
5. Looking on the Bright Side - The Sweet Inspirations, Drinkard Houston, C
6. He'll Fight - The Sweet Inspirations, Reverend Craig
7. Without a Doubt - The Sweet Inspirations, Drinkard Houston, C
8. The 23rd Psalm - The Sweet Inspirations, Traditional
9. Down by the Riverside - The Sweet Inspirations, Traditional
10. Pilgrims of Sorrow - The Sweet Inspirations,
11. Alfie - The Sweet Inspirations, Bacharach, Burt
12. What the World Needs Now Is Love - The Sweet Inspirations, Bacharach, Burt
13. To Love Somebody - The Sweet Inspirations, Gibb, Barry
14. Watch the One Who Brings You the News - The Sweet Inspirations, Covay, Don
15. Am I Ever Gonna See My Baby Again - The Sweet Inspirations, Clark, Rudy
16. Unchained Melody - The Sweet Inspirations, North, Alex
17. You Really Didn't Mean It - The Sweet Inspirations, Millrose, Victor
18. Just Walk in My Shoes - The Sweet Inspirations, Lewis, Helen
19. Where Did You Go - The Sweet Inspirations, Drinkard Houston, C
20. I Could Leave You Alone - The Sweet Inspirations, Drinkard Houston, C
21. That's How Strong My Love Is - The Sweet Inspirations, Jamison, Roosevelt
22. I Don't Want to Go on Without You - The Sweet Inspirations, Wexler, Gerald

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Customer Reviews

great - Reviewed on 2005-04-08

this 2 cd combo was awesome. On every song they harmonize extremely well. I really enjoyed the gospel set because on the group efforts (there are two solos (What a Friend and Pilgrims of Sorrow) by Cissy Houston and I think Swing Low is completely sung by Myrna Smith) their sound is so rich and full, they sound more like a choir than 4 singers. The songs are really interesting and really inspiring. What the world Needs Now is awesome, too. The group's version of Alfie is fantastic and so is just about every other song on the cd.

great - Reviewed on 2005-04-07

1 customer found this review helpful.

this 2 cd combo was awesome. On every song they harmonize extremely well. I really enjoyed the gospel set because on the group efforts (there are two solos (What a Friend and Pilgrims of Sorrow) by Cissy Houston and I think Swing Low is completely sung by Myrna Smith) their sound is so rich and full, they sound more like a choir than 4 singers. The songs are really interesting and really inspiring. What the world Needs Now is awesome, too. The group's version of Alfie is fantastic and so is just about every other song on the cd.

Sweet Chirping! - Reviewed on 2005-01-06

These WOMEN CAN SING! The harmonies are impeccable!
You can't get anymore Soulful than the Sweet Inspirations!
If you are a music lover, then you must have something "Sweet" in your collection!

AT THEIR PRIME - Reviewed on 2003-09-19

3 customers found this review helpful.

Hailed as one of the greatest ensemble groups in R&B history THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS (CISSY HOUSTON, ESTELLE BROWN, MYRNA SMITH, AND SYLVIA SHEMWELL) were not as big as they should have been in terms of popularity. Compared to album sales for MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS, THE SUPREMES or THE RONNETTES they were not at the top. But with one listen you become aware that they were by far more talented and polished. The main reason could be that ATLANTIC records employed them as session vocalists for every big act or solo performer at that time. If one markets their album really well maybe they are not available to perform on everyone else's record? (Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Esther Phillips, Wilson Pickett)

Be that as it may that didnt stop them from releasing some stellar soul music. This release just issued on cd in 2002 catches a gospel and pop/r&b recording.

On the gospel set(SONGS OF FAITH AND INSPIRATION)Cissy Houston (mother of WHITNEY) writes half of the tunes. The hand clapping, toe tapping "Looking on the brightside" is pure traditional gospel and inspiring. Estelle takes the lead on the accapella "He'll fight". A true testament of THE SWEET's vocal power and harmony. Other standouts are "The 23rd psalm" and Cissy's solo reading of "Pilgrim of Sorrow".

The second part of the cd brings you to the pop/r&b side with "WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE". The title track is slammed from beginning to end with the vocal power and mesmorizing harmonies this group can provide. One of the best versions of the great song ever! Their version of "Alfie" clearly overshadows Dionne Warwick's version. The whole release is consistent with first class production and special readings of classics by THE BEE GEES ("To love somebody") and even OTIS REDDING ("Thats how strong my love is"). The original "You really didnt mean it" is pure soul balladry as Cissy again takes lead on a song about a love that wasnt meant to be.

One of soul music's institutional groups deserves better recognition then they got when they were together. A great pairing of two good releases. Pick it up and enjoy. There is so much to savor!

Book Subjects

• Gospel
• Pop
• Pop-Soul
• R&B
• Soul
• Soul/R&B
• Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues