Search - Melba Moore :: Soul Exposed

Melba Moore: a talented lady that deserves better

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 02/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The recent theatrical film "The Fighting Temptations" features a stellar cast of R & B and gospel performers. One of these artists, long out of spotlight, is Melba Moore. Thankfully, her vocal skills are still intact and she equates herself spectacularly.Moore came to prominence on the Broadway stage in the musicals "Hair" and "Purlie". In the 70's and 80's she also scored big as a solo artist with hits on the R & B and dance charts.1990's "Soul Exposed" showcases the singer's versatility. From quiet storm tracks ("Crying in the Night", "Hold Me", "I Like Being in Love") to dance cuts ("Do You Really Want My Love," "Don't You Want to Be My Lover"), Moore is able to do it all.Her rendition of "Stormy Weather" almost puts Lena Horne's original to shame.The album's highlight (featured in both "short" and "long" versions) is, without a doubt, "Lift Every Voice and Sing", a star-studded rendering of the song regarded as "The Negro National Anthem". The fact that so many well-known singers combined their efforts with Moore on this recording indicates the importance of this song to one and all.This selection, by itself, makes this album a necessity."