| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [2] |
Heavenly Place is Jaci Velasquez' debut major label album, released on May 13, 1996 on Myrrh Records.
Critical reception
Rodney Batdorf wrote in his AllMusic review that "Heavenly Place is an impressive debut album from the 16-year old singer." This album includes five radio singles, including "On My Knees," which won a GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year in 1998.[3][4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "If This World" |
| 4:04 |
| 2. | "Un Lugar Celestial (A Heavenly Place)" |
| 4:07 |
| 3. | "Flower In The Rain" | Chris Eaton | 3:38 |
| 4. | "On My Knees" |
| 3:49 |
| 5. | "Shelter" |
| 4:19 |
| 6. | "Baptize Me" |
| 4:17 |
| 7. | "We Can Make a Difference" |
| 3:50 |
| 8. | "I Promise" |
| 3:39 |
| 9. | "We Will Overcome" |
| 3:52 |
| 10. | "Thief of Always" | Chris Eaton | 4:29 |
| Total length: | 40:04 | ||
- Track information and credits taken from the album's liner notes.[5]
Personnel
- Jaci Velasquez – lead vocals, backing vocals (1–4, 6, 10)
- Mark Heimmerman – keyboards (1, 2, 3, 5–10), drum programming (1, 2, 5–8), backing vocals (3, 4, 10), additional arrangements (4), keyboard programming (7), piano (9)
- Phil Naish – piano (4)
- George CocchinI – guitar (1, 2, 7)
- Dann Huff – guitar (2–6, 9, 10)
- Jackie Street – bass (1–7, 9, 10)
- Scott Williamson – drums (2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10)
- Terry McMillan – percussion (1–5, 7, 9)
- Bobby Taylor – oboe (4)
- David Hamilton – string arrangements and conductor (4)
- Carl Gorodetzky – concertmaster (4)
- The Nashville String Machine – strings (4)
- Sally Jumper – backing vocals (3, 4, 9)
- Chris Rodriguez – duet vocals (5), backing vocals (7), guitar (8)
- Nicole C. Mullen – backing vocals (7)
- D.L. Turnedge – backing vocals (7)
Production
- Mark Heimmerman – producer (1, 2, 3, 5–10)
- Phil Naish – producer (4)
- Judith Cotton Volz – executive producer, A&R direction
- Kathi Dement – A&R coordination
- Joe Baldridge – engineer
- Eric Elwell – engineer
- Todd Robbins – engineer (1, 2, 3, 5–10)
- Ronnie Brookshire – engineer (4)
- Dave Dillbeck – assistant engineer
- Dean Jamison – assistant engineer (4)
- Fun Attic Studio, Franklin, Tennessee – recording location (1, 2, 3, 5–10)
- Dark Horse Recording Studio, Franklin, Tennessee – recording location (1, 2, 3, 5–10)
- Studio at Mole End, Franklin, Tennessee – recording location (4)
- Great Circle Sound, Nashville, Tennessee – strings recording location (4)
- Joe Baldridge – mix at House of David and Battery Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
- Joe Costa – mix assistant
- Mike Wrucke – mix assistant
- Hank Williams – mastering at Master Mix, Nashville, Tennessee
- PJ Heimmerman – production manager (1, 2, 3, 5–10)
- Bridgett Evans O'Lannerghty – production coordinator (4)
- Christy Coxe – art direction
- Firehouse 101 Art + Design – design
- Matthew Barnes – photography
Singles
- "If This World"
- "Flower in the Rain"
- "Un Lugar Celestial (a Heavenly Place)" (A video was made for this song)
- "On My Knees" (a video was made for this song)
- "We Can Make a Difference"
Charts
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[6] | 142 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard)[7] | 2 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[8] | 4 |
Sales and certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Batdorf, Rodney. Heavenly Place at AllMusic
- ^ Ilex, J.B. (October 13, 2007). "Jaci Velasquez, "Heavenly Place" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ "Jaci Velasquez On My Knees". georgia.thejoyfm.com. thejoyfm.com. April 19, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ "On My Knees". doveawards.com. Dove Awards. April 23, 1998. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ Heavenly Place (liner notes). Jaci Velasquez. Rhino. 1996.
- ^ "Jaci Velasquez Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ "Jaci Velasquez Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ "Jaci Velasquez Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ "American album certifications – Velasquez, Jaci – Heavenly Places". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.