I'm So Proud Explained
I'm So Proud is an album by American singer Deniece Williams which was released in 1983 by Columbia Records.[1] The album reached No. 10 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.
Singles
"Do What You Feel" reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.[2] A cover of Curtis Mayfield's "I'm So Proud" reached No. 28 on the same chart.[3]
Critical reception
Connie Johnson of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "The album works due to fresh-sounding, quality material. This is black pop at its most enterprising."[4] Phyl Garland of Stereo Review professed, "I'm So Proud shows why Deniece Williams has every right to be. It's simply superb."[5]
Accolades
I'm So Proud was Grammy nominated in the category of Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.[6]
Personnel
- Deniece WillIams – lead vocals, backing vocals (6, 7)
- George Duke – electric piano (1, 4, 5, 8), synthesizers (1, 4, 5, 8), acoustic piano (5)
- Jerry Peters – keyboards (2, 6)
- George Merrill – synthesizers (2, 3, 6), backing vocals (2, 6)
- Brian Mann – keyboards (3)
- Tyrone Downie – keyboards (7)
- Michael Sembello – guitars (1, 5, 8)
- Jeff Baxter – guitars (2, 3, 6)
- Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars (2, 3, 6)
- Ronald Butler – guitars (7)
- Louis Johnson – bass (1, 4, 5, 8)
- Freddie Washington – bass (2, 3, 6)
- John "Shaun" Solomon – bass (7)
- Ricky Lawson – drums (1, 4, 5, 8)
- Denny Seiwell – drums (2, 3, 6), percussion (3)
- Errol Corwin – drums (7)
- Bob Zimmitti – percussion (2, 6)
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion (5, 8)
- Lenny Castro – percussion (6)
- Kenny Florendo – percussion (7)
- Larry McDonald – percussion (7)
- Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone (1)
- Lee Oskar – harmonica (2)
- Bill Neale – arrangements and conductor (2, 3, 6), backing vocals (2)
- Philip Bailey – backing vocals (2, 6)
- Carl Carwell – backing vocals (2, 6)
- Oren Waters – backing vocals (2, 6)
- Johnny Mathis – lead vocals (3)
Production
- Larkin Arnold – executive producer
- George Duke – producer (1, 4, 5, 8)
- Bill Neale – producer (2, 3, 6)
- Deniece WillIams – producer (2, 3, 6, 7)
- Peter Chaiken – engineer (1, 4, 5, 8)
- Tommy Vicari – recording (1, 4, 5, 8), mixing (1, 4, 5, 8)
- Don Murray – engineer (2, 3, 6), mixing (2, 3, 6)
- Kenny Florendo – engineer (7)
- Wally Traugott – mastering
- Nancy Donald – design
- Phillip Dixon – photography
Studios
- Recorded at The Complex (Los Angeles, California); LeGonks West (West Hollywood, California); Sunset Sound (Hollywood, California); Monterey Sound Studios (Glendale, California).
- Mixed at Lion Share Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California); Sunset Sound.
- Mastered at Allen Zentz Mastering (San Clemente, California).
Notes and References
- Deniece Williams: I'm So Proud. 1983. Columbia Records.
- Deniece Williams: Do What You Feel (Hot Soul Songs). Billboard.
- Deniece Williams: I'm So Proud (Hot Soul Songs). Billboard.
- News: . Johnson . Connie . WILLIAMS CAN BE PROUD . Los Angeles Times . 12 June 1983 . t59 .
- October 1983 . "I'm So Proud" Is a Stunning Showcase for Deniece Williams . July 18, 2023. Phyl Garland. 48. 10. 69. Stereo Review.
- Web site: Deniece Williams. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. grammy.com.
