Different Lifestyles

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
In the same year that Amy Grant achieved household-name status with her crossover album Heart in Motion, Bebe and CeCe Winans rocked out in celebration of Jesus' light with the amazing Mavis Staples on the duo's remake of the gospel-soul monster hit "I'll Take You There." Certified platinum, Different Lifestyles generated a chunk of No. 1 hits, placed at the top of both Billboard's gospel and R&B charts, and resulted in a slew of awards from the NAACP and the Dove and Grammy folks. Pal M.C. Hammer raps up something fierce, BeBe wails lead, and backing singers on the powerful booty-shaking "The Blood" include Whitney Houston and the original singing Winans: Marvin, Carvin, Ronald, and Michael. A major milestone in not only the group's career, the high-spirited Different Lifestyles marks a not-so-subtle shift and a generous achievement in the genre. --Paige La Grone

Tracks:

Depend On You
Addictive Love
It's O.K.
The Blood
Two Different Lifestyles
Supposed To Be
I'll Take You There
You Know And I Know
Searching For Love (It's Real)
Better Place
Can't Take This Away
Addicted To Love (Extended Version)

Amazon.com essential recording

In the same year that Amy Grant achieved household-name status with her crossover album Heart in Motion, Bebe and CeCe Winans rocked out in celebration of Jesus' light with the amazing Mavis Staples on the duo's remake of the gospel-soul monster hit "I'll Take You There." Certified platinum, Different Lifestyles generated a chunk of No. 1 hits, placed at the top of both Billboard's gospel and R&B charts, and resulted in a slew of awards from the NAACP and the Dove and Grammy folks. Pal M.C. Hammer raps up something fierce, BeBe wails lead, and backing singers on the powerful booty-shaking "The Blood" include Whitney Houston and the original singing Winans: Marvin, Carvin, Ronald, and Michael. A major milestone in not only the group's career, the high-spirited Different Lifestyles marks a not-so-subtle shift and a generous achievement in the genre. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

truly inspirational.......2006-08-01

this is a great album.it provides tru innsight to a great spiritual relationship.Bebe and Cece make a great r&b/gospel dou.

Musical and Spiritual Perfection!.......2003-03-22

1991's "Different Lifestyles" comes as close as one can get in bridging the gap between secular and religious music. Like the other reviewers has stated, many of the selections here can be interpreted differently by the respective ear and inclination. This makes the album work for every interest.

The hits "Addictive Love" and "It's O.K." were revolutionary upon their original release. Now contemporary artists such as Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin commonly do songs of their types. Such is Bebe and CeCe's legacy.

While together they are magic, it is on two particular "solo" efforts where each gets a chance to show his/her unique interpretive skills. CeCe illuminates "Supposed to Be", a truly uplifting lyric extolling the virtues of giving one's life to the Lord. BeBe's solo offering, "Searching for Love", allows him to pull out all the passion of his vocal instrument in a song about the power of real, uncompromising love. The latter also features background backing and arrangement from a certain Luther Vandross.

And in homage to one of their musical foremothers, BeBe and CeCe are joined by Mavis Staples on a cover of The Staple Family's "I'll Take You There".

"Different Lifestyles" is one of the best from the 90's and deserves greater recognition AND increased sales.

A spiritual and soulful listening experience.......1999-12-01

On the CD "Different Lifestyles," the writing, production and vocals of BeBe & CeCe Winans reached a new plateau. Their third collaboration with producer Keith Thomas (of Amy Grant's "Heart in Motion" and "House of Love" fame) was filled to the rim with catchy hooks, spotless arrangements and soaring, soulful vocals. It even worked as a crossover of sorts: singles like "Depend on You" and "Addictive Love," while intended to sing the praises of God, could certainly be played from friend to friend or even lover to lover; with this album BeBe & CeCe gave new meaning to the concept that music should be universal. The title track is an eloquent musing of a humble, flawed human trying to meet God's expectations in a modern world, and a remake of the Staple Singers' hit "I'll Take You There" (featuring a cameo by Mavis Staples) is nothing short of breathtaking. Even when BeBe & CeCe sing about trying times (on "It's Ok" and the stunning "You Know and I Know") the lyrics convey a bright ray of hope amidst drop-dead gorgeous musical arrangements. And for instant sunshine and optimism, look no further than the happy pop shuffle of "Can't Take This Away," a song whose spirit is boosted with a full-bodied testament by the Calvary Choir. Throughout all of its production strengths BeBe & CeCe give some of the most soulful and joyous performances of their careers. This is one of those rare albums that succeeds within its genre and still invites fans from outside of it. Recorded in 1991, the only sign of dating itself is a guest rap by MC Hammer (on the funkfest "The Blood"); otherwise this immaculate and moving album -at once a portrait of a duo at the height of their artistry and a textbook for incomparable pop/soul production- is a timeless classic.

This is a top-notch album. It really moves you........1998-11-06

A friend of mine told me to buy the CD. Since I already liked a couple of the tracks heard on the radio, I decided to buy it. Boy, was I surprised. The songs on the album were so great. As it turned out, I ended up listening to it every, single morning so that my day got started on a "positive note". This is an album for anyone who isn't particularly spiritual (if you aren't, then this album will make you think and feel otherwise). The track, "The Blood" featuring MC Hammer and in the background vocals, Whitney Houston, is so awesome, so powerful.