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Shari Addison

January, 2009 on BlackGospel.com
Musical Review by JenNifer Belot

The Word tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. If we believe in the integrity of the scriptures, then we must assert Shari Addison a woman of faith. Already in the prime of her life, with four grown children, and a loving husband, it was faith that brought her to auditions for BET’s Sunday Best. It was faith that made her look the judges steadily in the eyes when at that self-same audition, they doubted her ability to make it to the top. It was faith that kept her in the competition despite public tears and private pains. It was faith that kept a gracious smile on her face when she came in as runner-up. And finally, by the grace of God, her faith has paid off and Shari Addison, is seeing the fulfillment of her dream in the release of her eponymous debut album this January 13^th.

Though this Chicago native has been singing since the age of three, her primary aspiration was not to be the star of the show, but a supporting player, especially to her mother Sister Jenkins aka minister of music at Calvary Baptist Church. But although she tried “running from the call,” Addison has not been able to stay out the limelight. An accomplished singer and thespian, Shari has shared her gift around the world, from Carnegie Hall to South Africa, Russia and Brazil. No matter the worldly accolades, this woman of God was never content to be in front of earthly crowds and took on the role of minister and psalmist at the Bright Star Church of God in Christ in her hometown.

Now her ministry has been extended beyond the church walls, beyond the city walls, as undergirded by Zomba Records and the awesome talent of premiere gospel producers like Percy Bady, Donald Lawrence, Kevin Bond and Daniel Weatherspoon. Shari can now spread her wings worldwide as she praises and preaches, prays and prates all to the glory of her Master’s name.

Each producer brings their own particular flavor to the project giving it a distinctive panache. Of this magnificent accomplishment, Shari asserts “All of the songs are me, but it’s a multi-faceted me and exposes many different layers of my faith. It’s uplifting and encouraging and I believe that no matter what’s going on during your day, there’s something that will minister to you.”

Percy Bady brings his modern take on the gospel with Whateva a funky modern track one might be tempted to call uncharacteristic of Addison, but she pulls it off with sheer delicate power. You Know My Heart also written by Bady shows a different side to the modern compositor as the songstress has the opportunity to lay herself bare, both vocally and lyrically, as she engages in a melodious conversation with the Most High made even more impressionable by the intricate musicality of the Nashville String Machine.

Co-written by Shari Addison and Percy Bady, He Does All Things Well is perhaps the most personal look we get of the psalmist, as the words from her heart are translated into song. This personal testimony is a song of victory that dries the tears of frustration and declares triumphantly “everything that concerns me i can place in his hands for he does all things well concerning me.” It’s a big song, with big vocals, big instrumentation, and a big testimony.

“Shari Addison is a name that the national and international community of believers will come to recognize and enjoy for years to come! The raw power of her voice, coupled with the weight of her testimony, will leave an indelible impression on all who are blessed to experience the depth of her anointing”. These are the words of Kevin Bond himself as he brings his tempered passion to a couple of tracks. The first of which is I Praise You, a praise joint which gives audiences not just a glimpse at Shari’s fervent vocals but also of her pastoral abilities as she not only sings the Word but takes the time to speak it also. No Battle, No Blessing, also written and produced by Bond is the standout single from the album, which seems to rip from the pages of Shari’s life. It is a hymn of encouragement for anyone going through personal difficulties. There’s something about the expressiveness of Shari’ s voice that makes one think she is crying tears on humanity’s behalf as she emotes the words “There’s no blessing without a battle but know that this battle’s not yours”

Donald Lawrence’s Quiet Waters productions brings in the jazzy tones of One More Sunny Day. Joined by TriCity’s crème de la crème and punctuated by the pinching poise of the blaring brass, Shari seems to smile with tangible gratefulness as she proclaims multiple “hallelujahs” to The King.

Clarence Singleton offers a double-dose of inspiration with the uplifting You Can Rise, a rousing promise of brighter days ahead and It’s Your Time, another testimony that it’s never too late to walk into what God has promised you

“Through this project, I want people’s faith to be restored. I want to let them know that dreams have no expiration date. But most of all, I’m encouraging them to hold on until God brings them through.” Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14a). I am so grateful to God for showing me that dreams don’t have expiration dates. Although it tarried, I waited for it and in the process I’ve learned that “He does all things well concerning me.”

Indeed, God has done a very special work in and through Shari Addison for the world to enjoy and appreciate. The public will at least gain access to a portion of her special anointing in her latest album that will certainly become a Sunday Best CD for many contemporary Christians today.