Henrietta TelfairI’m Yours
T Records (2013)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
Inside the unassuming jewel case of Henrietta Telfair’s I’m Yours is the work of a talented vocalist who can soothe like the Balm of Gilead in one moment and roust folk from their reverie in the next.
Jacksonville, Florida’s Telfair dubs her singing style as R.A.W. (Real Anointed Worship). That’s what you hear on I’m Yours, her third album but first in more than a decade. Her calm but powerful vocals burst forth on the title track as well as on her current single, “Remember Me,” written by Stellar Award nominee Jason Clayborn. When Telfair teams with piano to work a medley of the hymns “’Tis So Sweet” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” she does so like a veteran church soloist.
“Let’s Fill the Atmosphere” is an up-tempo, jazzy church workout that celebrates the presence of God in our midst. Even though the selection plunges forward with a modern thrust, the keyboards punctuate the arrangement with old school riffs reminiscent of Dorsey-style jazz. “Undone,” on the other hand, is tender and acoustic, Telfair’s voice warm and ethereal.
I’m Yours benefits not only from solid songwriting by Clayborn, Jacinto Sims, and Leon Timbo, but also from the production of Ken Andres and of Emtro Records, whose T Records subsidiary this album is on. Troy and Emily Sneed remember their roots and make sure their artists do, too, but they probably didn’t have to persuade Telfair of that.
Among other responsibilities, Henrietta Telfair is music coordinator and worship leader at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Four of Five Stars
Picks: “Remember Me,” “’Tis So Sweet/What a Friend Medley”
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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