CD Review: Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson’s debut CD is a solid but imperfect album. The great svengali Clive Davis is the executive producer  and he is clearly attempting to appeal to various demographic audiences. Hudson along with Fantasia are the most talented singers to ever be on American Idol. Jennifer Hudson is the most successful former American Idol contestant ever. Hudson didn’t even win American Idol yet she went to become an Academy Award winning actress.

Unfortunately Jennifer Hudson’s debut falls flat with uninspiring songs that just don’t demonstrate Hudson’s extraordinary voice.  For instance, the Diane Warren song “you pulled me through” is  for the adult contemporary crowd. “You Pulled Me Through” is just a horrible song it is just not very good. Another song I don’t like is “All Dressed In Love” the theme song for the Sex & The City Movie. 

I think the producers  have to pick songs that showcase Jennifer’s personality more. Jennifer’s voice has a lot of range she has demonstrated the ability to have restraint and be vulnerable. Diane Warren is known for writing saccharine songs but this one is just dreadful.  Hudson is an incredible talent but the problem with Jennifer Hudson’s debut is the material it just doesn’t showcase her vocal abilities enough.

 The stand out songs include “Giving Myself”,  “my heart”, the hit single “spotlight,” and the duet with Fantasia “I’m His Only Woman”. “I’m His Only Woman” is actually an updated version of the 1970s soul classic Shirley Brown’s “Woman To Woman”. Overall Hudson’s voice is strong and she clearly has the abilties to tap into her emotions to give life to the songs. However, the material is just not  very inspiring at times. Hopefully in the future Jennifer Hudson will have more control over the songs selected for her albums which will showcase her talent.