Charlie Wilson: You Are
Gap Band frontman pushes out another wave of smooth, sultry R&B romance, but with a taste of crossover pop
The velvety voice of Charlie Wilson returns on the type of ballad that Luther could’ve only crowned. On “You Are,” Wilson belts out a love song, exercising his trademark vocal runs and high register, with the intensity of a gospel ballad. Lyrically, the song outshines his 2009 adult R&B hit “There Goes My Baby” and pushes Wilson a few inches closer to his spotlight in the mainstream. It’s an innocent tune that’s even getting buzz on Christian radio (#19 Christian Songs), especially since the lyrics flow like a swooning Valentines’ card: “You are/The reason I love/The reason I trust/God sent me an angel/You are.”
The music video, released just in time as the single rides high on R&B charts, reveals a dapper Wilson wearing his cool dark shades and singing to the side as a couple’s story of sweet love unfolds with images of their early days going from the high school hallways to the roller skating ring. The video really works, nothing really cheap and that would diminish the quality of the song. Even though he’s Uncle Charlie, his role in the video isn’t limited to just being a chaperon. Wilson, now 57, still boasts sex appeal and has one of the best R&B voices in the business. And that’s enough.
J MATTHEW COBB
LISTEN TO:
CHARLIE WILSON – YOU ARE
[audio:http://hifimagazine.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/charliewilson-youare.mp3|titles=charliewilson-youare]
