Can't Keep It to Myself is an album by the American gospel singer Marion Williams, released in 1993.[2][3] It was Williams's last album.[4] A few months prior to the release of the album, Williams had become the first singer to win a MacArthur Award.[5]

Production

The album was produced by Anthony Heilbut.[6] It contains a remake of one of Williams's earliest hit recordings, "Live the Life I Sing About in My Song".[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette	[8]

Ebony wrote that Williams's "spirited voice still gracefully skips down melodic mountains one soulful note at a time."[9] Rolling Stone thought that "the hymns' structural solidity allows Williams to take flight: While she demonstrates throughout the clarity and discipline of a classical singer, she slurs and bends notes with the command of a soul performer."[10] The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that the album "illustrates her ability to turn crawling, down-tempo gospel blues into a holy offering."[11]

The Philadelphia Daily News concluded that "without question Williams is the most rhythmic and bluesiest of all the old-school gospel divas—close your eyes and it's not much of a stretch to envision her in Bessie Smith's place, vampin' 'Gimme a Pigfoot' speak-easy style—which is why part of the joy of the album is in the mix."[12] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called Can't Keep It to Myself "an excellent primer on Williams' art, and one of the single best albums of the year."[8] The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote that Williams "unleashes that voice with sustained passion and pinpoint control, swooping and soaring with the fervor of a blues queen and the fluidity of a jazz diva."[13]

AllMusic deemed the album "awesome performances recorded with minimal, sympathetic accompaniment and little production support; just mostly Williams' smashing, note-bending, soaring vocals."[7]

Track listing

References