Making this album was truly a new experience for her. She won a Tony award for her role as that famous Nubian princess. Then she was asked to perform in Aida, written by Elton John and Tim Rice.
She performed in The Lion King on Broadway as Nala, the lioness. Influenced by calypso, reggae, and other traditional music of the islands, the self-proclaimed “Trinimerican” brought her own style and talent to the states when she was fifteen. Growing up in Trinidad, Headley played concert piano and sang in competitions. Thank God she hasn’t given her soul to the studio.
Above all, her music is real, not fake or forced like so much of today’s pop music. Her lyrics are simple and true to life, and she conveys them with honest dynamics. Her vocal ability is enormous and obvious. Headley is here and now and in your face. Heather Headley takes her place among the “it” girls in R&B: Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, and Alicia Keys, to name a few. Headley gives gospel and soul a Caribbean lilt, and the result is one spectacular groove.Īn R&B star is born. It’s the introduction of her fresh, remarkable sound to popular music. This Is Who I Am is Headley's statement to the world. It’s a stubborn character and powerful voice that refuses to be ignored and demands the recognition it deserved - making a place for itself in among my “favorites” CD collection. It’s a new face for R&B: swinging, bold soul, and a taste of the islands. Then one night last week, I was in Boston with my headphones on, listening to This Is Who I Am walking in pace with the fast, jolting beat of the first song, “He Is,” and singing with the verse, “These words/ Are only/ Frosting on my cake.” It was perfect for the moment, the city and the night. Still, that first time, it was good all the way to the end, and then, even better afterwards, developing into a craving for more I couldn’t help but give in to. There was never a moment when the music came to some dramatic high point or climax. It was good, yes, but the first time I heard it, I didn’t sense an explosion at all on the album. At first it was just a prominent, flavorful beat, a catchy, if not too remarkable, melody, powerful, trained, full-of-feeling vocals, and simple, yet true lyrics. I’m not sure how This Is Who I Am made it into my “favorites” CD wallet. CD REVIEW This is Who I Am Heather Headley: The New Diva By Allison Lewis
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