Finally Karen

Finally Karen is the debut solo album of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters, released on November 4, 1997. The live portion of the album was recorded at Bailey Cathedral in Detroit, Michigan.^[1] The album was Grammy-nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album in 1998. The song "The Will of God" launched the gospel career of her daughter Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, who won her first Stellar award from the strength of her vocal performance. Finally Karen also won the Lady of Soul award for Best Gospel Album the same year.^[2]

Finally Karen
Live album by Karen Clark Sheard
Released	November 4, 1997
Venue	Bailey Cathedral, Detroit, Michigan
Genre	Gospel contemporary gospel R&B
Length	74:04
Label	Island Black Music
Producer	Donald Lawrence Cedric Thompson J. Moss Paul D. Allen Stanley Brown Kowan Paul Milton Thornton
Karen Clark Sheard chronology
Finally Karen (1997) 2nd Chance (2002)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

Track listing

1. "Just for Me" – 4:39
2. "Nothing Without You" (featuring Faith Evans) – 4:52
3. "Praise Festival" – 3:48
4. "Unconditional (Mad Love)" – 4:37
5. "Gotta Right..." – 4:15
6. "Can't Take It" – 4:25
7. "Jesus Is a Love Song" (featuring The Clark Sisters) – 6:38
8. "Jesus Is a Love Song (Reprise)" – 2:56
9. "Balm in Gilead" – 6:33
10. "Holy, Thou Art Holy" – 7:42
11. "Heaven" (featuring Donald Lawrence) – 4:18
12. "Couldn't Tell It If I Tried" – 7:16
13. "A Praying Spirit" – 7:05
14. "The Will of God" (featuring Kierra Sheard) – 5:03

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for Finally Karen Chart (1997–1998) Peak position US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)[3] 2 US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[4] 11 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] 28

Year-end charts 1998 year-end chart performance for Finally Karen Chart (1998) Position US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)[6] 7 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[7] 97 1999 year-end chart performance for Finally Karen Chart (1999) Position US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)[8] 24

References

1. Finally Karen Album Review at AllMusic
2. "Award Nominations at The Envelope". Los Angeles Times.
3. "Karen Clark-Sheard Chart History (Top Gospel Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
4. "Karen Clark-Sheard Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
5. "Karen Clark-Sheard Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
6. "1998 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-98. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
7. "1998 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-50. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
8. "1999 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-103. Retrieved May 14, 2021.