Not many artists can cover this kind of ground. Vickie Winans goes from traditional to contemporary, from studio to live, jamming through every thinkable genre, grooving from classical to celebratory hip-hop, and that's in one song ("Joyful, Joyful")! And the music just keeps on coming, that throaty alto doesn't let up. As much as anything else "Woman to Woman" is a celebration of family, calling on the talents of sons Mario ("Thirty Reasons") and Mario (the groove-laden "He Loves Me"), husband Joe McLemore (check out his buttery smooth vocals in the duet "We Need Your Love"), and various family songwriters. I can't even imagine what family holidays are like on the Winans spread.
The first CD of the double-disc set contains 17 studio tracks, moving seamlessly through soaring ballads, high energy mass choir songs, dance tracks, burning slow jams, hip-hop and even a calypso track. Another large roster covers the production duties, but the Jerkins touch stands out as always. Rodney's "Go Go Praise" is classic New Child sound, smooth horns and stellar background vocals backing up this smokin' track perfectly. The groove of Fred Jerkins' "Trust Him" is smooth as silk over a tasty bass line. Focusing on God's trustworthiness, this and many other tracks highlight the encouraging and uplifting themes. Winans covers the Hawkins Family favorite "Try Christ" with an initially gentle piano intro that moves into a smooth pop jammer, and once again, don't miss Fred Jerkins' solid bass, right on time. Take special notice of the contributions of Kayla Parker-Tolbert as well, who shines at every showing.
The second disc opens with a fiery introduction by TD Jakes and 8 live cuts from the Mother's Day show at Chicago's House of Hope this past May, produced jointly by Winans and Steven Ford. This set has a more classic gospel feel, with again a heart of ministry at its core. Winans looks to encourage her audience at every turn, and they love her for it. Of the live tracks, the moving and dramatic "I Love You Lord" stands out, and of the remaining 7 studio cuts, "I Dedicate My Life" shines for the same reasons. But it is the pumping, pounding "Shake Yourself Loose Dance Mix" that really grabs the attention on the second disc, and Winans' guitarist brother Tim Bowman has much to do with this. His funk guitar solidly supports her rich scatting and I dare any listener to try to stay seated on this sizzler.
Even from within a richly talented and purposeful family like the Winans, Vickie shines brightly and "Woman to Woman: Songs of Life" earns her an indisputable place of recognition and well-earned props.
