Evolution (Oleta Adams album)

Evolution is the fourth album (second published worldwide) by the American vocalist, pianist and songwriter Oleta Adams and was released in 1993.

History

Adams followed her worldwide hit album Circle of One with Evolution, an album fully produced by Stewart Levine. Like its predecessor, it consisted of songs with a mix of jazz, soul, pop, adult contemporary and gospel. Evolution features three cover versions: the James Taylor song "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight", Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" and Ivan Lins' "Evolution". Adams wrote six of the twelve album tracks, and it also featured a song written by songwriter Diane Warren.

Evolution entered the top 10 in the UK albums chart. However, without the aid of a big hit single, the album dropped quickly and only stayed in the charts for seven weeks. In the USA, the album peaked at #67 and stayed only 13 weeks in the charts. It had more success in continental Europe, most notably in Holland where it peaked at #6 and stayed in the chart for almost a year.

Five singles were taken from the album. The lead single, "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice", failed to become a big hit as "Get Here" had been for her previous album. It peaked at #42 in the UK and did not chart in the US Billboard Hot 100. Other singles failed to chart in both countries. However, they sold better in continental Europe. These were the gospel-tinged "Window of Hope", "Easier To Say (Goodbye)", "My Heart Won't Lie" and "The Day I Stop Loving You".

Track listing

1. "My Heart Won't Lie" (Adams) – 4:42
2. "Hold Me For A While" (Adams) – 5:11
3. "Don't Let Me Lonely Tonight" (James Taylor) – 4:45
4. "When Love Comes To The Rescue" (Adams) – 5:16
5. "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice" (Allen Rich, Jud Friedman) – 3:38
6. "Come When You Call" (Aaron Zigman, Jerry Knight) – 4:14
7. "Easier To Say (Goodbye)" (Adams) – 6:32
8. "Lover's Holiday" (Adams) – 4:11
9. "The Day I Stop Loving You" (Diane Warren) – 5:04
10. "New York State Of Mind" (Billy Joel) – 5:33
11. "Evolution" (Brock Walsh, Ivan Lins) - 3:41
12. "Window Of Hope" (Adams) - 4:24
13. "Oh Me, Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby)" (Jim Doris) - 4:39 (Japanese bonus track)

Charts