This Is Niecy is the debut album of American R&B singer Deniece Williams released on August 13, 1976, by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 33 on the Billboard 200. The album has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA and Silver in the UK by the BPI.
Overview The album was remastered and reissued with bonus tracks in 2013 by Big Break Records.
Critical reception
Andy Kellman of AllMusic declared, "This Is Niecy is a great complement to Earth, Wind & Fire's Spirit, released the same year -- not only for its overlapping personnel, but also for its greatness." David O' Donnell of the BBC noted that "what really shines from the album is Williams' distinctive soprano voice, range and acrobatic vocal ability which confirms her as one of the greatest R&B and soul singers of her time." Sheila Prophet of Record Mirror called This Is Niecy "a great first album". Prophet added, "Niecy's voice combines the silkiness of Diana Ross with the exuberance of Linda Lewis".
Singles Singles from the album included "Free" which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Track listing
Personnel Deniece Williams – lead and backing vocals Maurice White – drums, backing vocals Freddie White – drums, percussion Verdine White – bass Al McKay – guitar Jerry Peters – acoustic piano, electric piano George Bohanon, Randy Aldcroft – trombone Gale Robinson, Sidney Muldrow – French horn Oscar Brashear, Steve Madaio – trumpet Ernie Watts, Plas Johnson, Ray Pizzi, Terry Harrington – woodwinds Sidney Barnes – backing vocals
Production Producers – Charles Stepney and Maurice White Engineer – George Massenburg Assistant Engineers – Steve Hodge and Dean Rod Mastered by Mike Reese at The Mastering Lab (Los Angeles, CA). Design – Ron Coro and Norm Ung Photography – Ethan Russell and Jimmy Shea
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1977) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1977) Position US Billboard 200 55 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 19
Singles Year Single Chart positions US Pop USR&B USDance UK Pop Singles1976 "It's Important to Me" — — 13 —1977 "Free" 25 2 1 1 "Cause You Love Me, Baby" — 74 — — "That's What Friends Are For" — 65 — 8
References
External links