Artist: Faye Adams Album: Shake a Hand

Year: 1961
Duration: 0:0-1

Faye Adams' Shake a Hand Album: A Critical Review of a Classic R&B Record

When it comes to classic R&B music, Faye Adams’ Shake a Hand album is a masterpiece that any serious music lover should have in their collection. Released in 1953, the album showcased Adams’ vocal prowess and explored the themes of love, longing, and heartbreak that were so prevalent in that era. It's no wonder that the album's title track became a number one hit and solidified Adams' place in music history. In this blog post, we'll take a critical review of the album, including a brief history of Adams, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critic to the album.

Faye Adams was an American singer born in 1923 in New Jersey. She started singing in gospel choirs before eventually transitioning to secular music in the early ‘50s. Her soulful voice and unique style of R&B set her apart from other singers of that era. Shake a Hand was her debut album which was hailed as a classic R&B record. It’s a strong start to an illustrious career, and Adams continued to release music until her retirement in the ‘80s.

Shake a Hand is an R&B album that is built on blues-infused melodies and catchy beats. The album features 12 tracks, with each one showcasing Adams’ impressive vocals and emotional range. The album's lyrical themes are mostly centered around love and relationships, which were commonplace in that era’s music. Adams’ singing style complements the music and lyrics perfectly, making it a compelling listen from start to finish.

The album's title track, Shake a Hand, is undoubtedly the standout song. It’s one of the best R&B songs of all time and for a good reason. The catchy hook and Adams’ raw emotive performance make the song memorable. The other tracks on the album are also impressive, with songs like Love Ain't Nothin' to Play With and Everyday proving to be highlights.

Adams' innovative use of backup singers on some of the tracks gives the album a unique feel that sets it apart from other R&B records of that era. The backing vocals provide an extra layer of depth to the music, creating a rich sound that is still relevant today. The use of horns as part of the music arrangement is also innovative and creates an echoing effect that makes the music more resonant.

When it comes to criticism, Shake a Hand is not without faults. Some of the tracks on the album tend to sound too similar, and the lack of lyrical diversity can make the tracks blend together and become indistinguishable. This issue could be attributed to the fact that the album was made in an era when albums were primarily designed to be played on jukeboxes. However, the overall strength of the album more than makes up for its drawbacks.

In conclusion, Faye Adams' Shake a Hand album is a classic piece of R&B music that should be included in any music lover's library. Adams' vocal prowess and the album's well-crafted music make it a compelling and enjoyable listen from start to finish. The standout track, Shake a Hand, is a testament to Adam's skills as a performer, and the rest of the tracks live up to the same standard. While not perfect, the album's strengths make it a must-listen for any R&B and soul music fans. It's no surprise that this album is still considered a classic more than half a century since its release.

In conclusion, Faye Adams' Shake a Hand album is a classic piece of R&B music that should be included in any music lover's library. Adams' vocal prowess and the album's well-crafted music make it a compelling and enjoyable listen from start to finish. The standout track, Shake a Hand, is a testament to Adam's skills as a performer, and the rest of the tracks live up to the same standard. While not perfect, the album's strengths make it a must-listen for any R&B and soul music fans. It's no surprise that this album is still considered a classic more than half a century since its release.