Search - Wendy Moten :: Wendy Moten

Big voice, narrow range

Bellini | near Sacramento, CA, USA | 11/25/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Like many others, I'd heard "Come In Out of the Rain" and wanted to see what else Wendy Moten could do. This CD is a mixed bag, and it pains me to say that - I really wanted to like it more than was possible. I'm happy to hear this talented lady - I just didn't need this whole CD for the three best songs.



Overall, I think she's gone somewhat in the wrong direction as a singer. "Come In Out of the Rain" (a worthy hit) and another even better song, "So Close to Love", show that Wendy has the sexy, creamy softs all the way to the big, resonant louds that make her a natural for the big power ballads like those that made Whitney Houston stand out from the rest. That these songs are on even on the CD shows that her strengths in this area are recognized. They're just not exploited enough. Most of the songs here are standard R&B "party music" with less substance and nothing to give this voice a chance to stand out from the thousand lesser singers that specialize in this style. If a voice has this kind of beauty when not covered by the rhythm section, it's a mistake to hide it - she needs better material.



In hearing live recordings of "Come In Out of the Rain", the low notes of the song almost disappear, and this is already not a song with a wide range. A narrow range is a weakness to be dealt with, but not a career-killer. There are many singers who are also range-challenged who have had respectable careers, and who didn't have a sound as attractive as Wendy Moten, but the music and the arrangers have to be chosen carefully.



The other song I liked, "Once Upon a Time", shows the same strengths as the other two I mentioned, to a lesser degree."