Vanessa Bell Armstrong

It is without saying that Detroit has given the music world some of its top singers and musicians. Included in that number is Vanessa Bell-Armstrong. One of gospel music’s premiere vocalist, Vanessa takes her music and ministry to the proverbial “next level” on her latest release for Verity Records, Desire of My Heart – “Live”.

Under the watchful production eye of Dan Cleary, whose credits include critically acclaimed album by Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, among others, with Vanessa serving as co-producer, a first for her, “Desire of My Heart – “Live” takes her away from the tranquility of the recording studio in a live concert setting at Detroit’s Perfecting Church pastored by Marvin L. Winans. Included is a live video shoot during the recording session.

Initially, Vanessa had some apprehension in regards to recording the album at home in Detroit. “To be frank, I was somewhat scare”, says Vanessa. The bible says that a prophet is without honor in his own country”. That causes you to think that you will be better off going somewhere else. But it turned out to be a fantastic service. The people were so wonderful “It was just like being with family”.

After working exclusively in the study, what prompted Vanessa to record this project live? “My fans had been wanting me to do a live recording for some time now. Personally, I really didn’t wasn’t to do it because I had become spoiled working in the studio. For me, the atmosphere is much more relaxed. But in doing a live album, I knew it was going to take a lot more work, concentration and discipline on my part. All in all, I ended up having ball. “It was just like doing a concert”. Vanessa adds, “It seems people enjoy live recordings more because they feel as if they’re a part of it. With this album, I feel I’ve given the people what they want, what they’ve been waiting for from Vanessa”.

Joining Vanessa on this landmark project is the Perfected Praise Choir. Even though I had my singers to sing, there were a few song that needed that extra something that only a choir could give them and the Perfected Praise Choir provided that for me. They gave me everything I needed and then some, says Vanessa.

That “extra something” is evident on the album’s opening track the rousing, up tempo atmosphere, “We Sing Glory” and “Grab Hold”. Marvin Winans joins Vanessa and the choir on the powerful “He is Lord”. Vanessa’s father, Elder Jesse G. Bell, brings a “bluesy Flavor” to the track of which he also penned the mid-tempo “Labor in Vain.” For a dash of contemporary flavor, there’s “Free”, written by youngest sister Margaret. A song that is sure to make some noise is John P Kee’s – “Oil of God!”

Vanessa’s road to the distinguished career in gospel music she now enjoys began at the age of four. It was at that time she began traveling around to various churches in the Detroit area with her mother, dazzling and mesmerizing those that heard her, with the talent and vocal control of one much older.

By the age of 13, Vanessa was “discovered” by the legendary Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who would become her mentor. Through the tutelage she received by singing in Clark’s various choirs, Vanessa was afforded the opportunity to travel and share the stage with the likes of Rev. James Cleveland, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Clark Sisters and the Winans.

From this point, Vanessa’s career began to take shape with her signing with the Benson distributed Onyx label for whom she recorded three critically acclaimed albums.

The year 1987, proved to be a pivotal year for Vanessa. Looking for a voice with both power and soul, Vanessa beat our both Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin for the opportunity to record the theme for the popular ABC sitcom “Amen”. The year also found Vanessa making a mark on Broadway, thrilling audiences all across the country in the hit musical, “Don’t Get God Started!” It was also the year Vanessa inked a lucrative deal with Jive Records. Her self-titled debut album for the label yielded two crossover R&B hits, “You Bring out the Best in Me’. Her follow up album, “Wonderful One”, included a duet with label-mate jazz guitarist Jonathon Butler, entitled “True Love Never Fails”. T he song also appeared on Butler’s More Than Friends album. Vanessa also appeared with Oprah Winfrey in the popular made for television move, “The Women of Brewster Place”.

Through albums such as “The Truth About Christmas, Something on the Inside, and The Secret is Out, Vanessa’s audiences continued to expand. Her music reaches far beyond her large legion of gospel based fans. Mainstream entertainment notables like Oprah Winfrey, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tisha Campbell consider Vanessa among their favorite vocalist.

For Vanessa, “Desire of My Heart-Live” displays a personal growth, both spiritually and artistically. On the artistic end, the album showcases Vanessa’s talent as a songwriter for the first time, with her having penned the title track. “I know a lot of people can identify with this song”, says Vanessa. “We get so caught up focusing on our own desires that we squeeze God out of the whole thing. It’s always I want this and I want that, but my real desire over and beyond anything else is to please God!” Vanessa adds, “I never considered myself a songwriter, but this song came directly from the Lord!”

Another song that is close to Vanessa’s heart is “The Classics, a medley of fan favorites, “Nobody but Jesus” and “Peace be Still.” Everywhere I go, these are the two songs people always want to hear.” Says Vanessa. “And what we tried to do was to keep them pretty much to the original form in which I recorded them with my friend, the late Min. Thomas Whitfield. “It was a blessing for me to record them again, and I know that they’ll be a blessing to whoever hears them.”

Desire of My Heart-Live captures the heart of Vanessa Bell-Armstrong. It captures her enjoying what she loves to do most, making melody in her heart to the Lord. More importantly, the music on this album presents a spiritual challenge to the listener. “I just want people to be blessed. My main objective with this album as it was with my other recordings is to reach and be a blessing to people everywhere…. Then I am assured that my “singing” is not in vain!”