The second straight Patti LaBelle studio album to be titled like a compilation, Classic Moments -- following 2004's Timeless Journey -- is an all-covers affair with a few pleasant surprises. While it won't shock fans to hear LaBelle in great form, some of the material the singer takes on couldn't have been all that expected. Soul classics like "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" (hindered by a rather plain arrangement) and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (sounding entirely modern, even with the disco zaps and galactic keyboard effects) are natural picks, but a few other songs make this more than an average covers album, which are often spat out like contractual obligations. Highlights include strong takes on Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgetting," the Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You" (turned into a spare piano ballad) and the Jones Girls' "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else." The set's not spotless, but it's more than a stopgap release and will please LaBelle's followers. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Elton John (Piano), Elton John (Vocals), Patti LaBelle (Vocals), Patti LaBelle (Vocals (Background)), Patti LaBelle (Producer), Patti LaBelle (Executive Producer), Bill Meyers (String Arrangements), Frank Fontaine (Flute), Frank Fontaine (Saxophone), Louis Alfred III (Percussion Engineer), Bashiri Johnson (Percussion), Michael Bearden (Organ), Michael Bearden (Piano), Michael Bearden (Arranger), Michael Bearden (Conductor), Michael Bearden (Drums), Michael Bearden (Keyboards), Michael Bearden (Producer), Michael Bearden (Orchestration), Michael Bearden (String Arrangements), Michael Bearden (Synthesizer Bass), Michael Bearden (Orchestral Arrangements), Michael Bearden (Wurlitzer), Charlie Bisharat (Violin), Charlie Bisharat (Concert Mistress), Paul Bushnell (Bass), Jon Gass (Mixing), Everette Harp (Sax (Alto)), Trey Henry (Double Bass), Paula Hochhalter (Cello), Tiffany Hu (Violin), J'Anna Jacoby (Violin), Wendell Kelly (Trombone), Rob Lewis (Vocals (Background)), Sami McKinney (Arranger), Sami McKinney (Producer), Sami McKinney (Vocal Arrangement), Mark Needham (String Engineer), Lori Perry (Vocals (Background)), Lori Perry (Vocal Arrangement), Herb Powers (Mastering), Jimi Randolph (Engineer), Robin Ross (Viola), Daryl Simmons (Producer), Tom Tally (Viola), Serban Ghenea (Mixing), Lamont VanHook (Vocals (Background)), Kristine W (Vocals), Roy Davis, Jr. (Producer), Dorian Holly (Vocals (Background)), Paul Boutin (Engineer), Valerie Wagner (Design), Matt Still (Engineer), Peggy Baldwin (Cello), Johana Krejci (Violin), John Krovoza (Cello), Tara Podolsky (A&R), Adriana Zoppo (Viola), Jeff Majors (Harp), Clarence Allen (Keyboards), John D.S. Adams (Engineer), John D.S. Adams (Mixing), Derrick Rutledge (Make-Up), Terry Dexter (Vocals (Background)), Terry Dexter (Vocal Arrangement), Joey Fernandez (Mixing), Gerry Hilera (Violin), Kenya Ivey (Vocals), Eric D. Jackson (Guitar), Brian Swartz (Trumpet), Brian Swartz (Flugelhorn), Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Drums), James Freebarin-Smith (Cello), Akisia Grigsby (Art Direction), Joey Arbagey (Producer), Joey Arbagey (A&R), Teddy Campbell (Drums), Carlo Dalla Chiesa (Photography), Giovanna Moraga (Cello), Alyssa Park (Violin), Tameka Foster Glover (Stylist), Cassandra ONeal (Keyboards), Songa Lee (Violin), Will Brierre (Assistant Engineer), Dan Naim (Engineer), Gina Warnick (Viola), Alwyn Wright (Violin), Nicole Garcia (Violin), Nicole Garcia (Concert Master), Caroline Buckman (Viola), Erica Bowen (A&R), Tim Robert (Mixing Assistant), Carol Corless (Package Production), Cookie Lewis (Vocals), Tre Major (Hair Stylist)
