True Beauty is the Grammy-nominated and debut studio album by American Idol contestant Mandisa. The first single, "Only the World", was released on May 22, 2007, and the full album was released on July 31, 2007. The album covers a remake of gospel duo Mary Mary's hit song "Shackles (Praise You)" (which Mandisa covered on American Idol in the top 11).
Subsequent singles included "God Speaking" and "Voice of a Savior", released to Christian radio in October 2007 and April 2008, respectively.
Contents
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number one on the Christian albums chart and number 43 on the Billboard 200 with over 17,000 copies sold in its first week. It broke the Billboard chart record for a female debut in Christian music and is the largest female debut in the history of her label (EMI/Sparrow Records). True Beauty has sold over 219,000 copies as of December 2010. The album spent over a year on Billboard's Christian Albums and Christian and Gospel Albums charts.
Awards and nominations
True Beauty received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2007 for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.
Personnel
Mandisa – lead vocals, backing vocals (1–3, 5, 7–10)
Shaun Shankel – programming (1, 10)
Sam Mizell – programming (1, 10), keyboard programming (3), drum programming (3), backing vocals (4)
Shannon Sanders – keyboards (2, 9), programming (9)
Blair Masters – keyboards (3, 6, 11), acoustic piano (6, 11)
Jamie Kenney – keyboards (4, 8), programming (4, 8)
Josiah Bell – programming (4, 5), additional programming (8)
Robert Marvin – programming (4, 5), additional programming (8)
Jamie Moore – programming (5), bass (5)
Christopher Stevens – keyboards (7), programming (7), guitars (7), bass (7), drums (7), horn arrangements (7)
Greg Hagan – acoustic guitar (1), electric guitar (1), guitars (10)
Mike Payne – electric guitar (1)
Drew Ramsey – guitars (2, 9), bass (2, 9), programming (9), backing vocals (9)
Scott Denté – acoustic guitar (3, 6)
Lynn Nichols – guitars (4)
Cary Barlowe – guitars (5)
Tim Roseneu – guitars (5)
Production
Brad O'Donnell – A&R
Shaun Shankel – vocal co-producer (1)
Chance Scoggins – vocal co-producer (1, 3, 6, 11)
Joseph Prielonzy – production coordinator (1, 10)
Jan Cook – creative director
Tim Frank – art direction
Andy Norris Design – design
Michael Gomez – photography
Tanzy Clark-Ragion – hair stylist
Ony Powers – make-up
Katie Moore – stylist
Kami Shahid – stylist
Technical
Brian Gardner – mastering
Russ Long – recording (1, 10)
Sam Mizell – recording (1, 10)
Joseph Prielonzy – recording (1)
Shaun Shankel – recording (1, 10), digital editing (1, 10)
Lee Bridges – digital editing (1, 10)
Greg Fuqua – recording (2, 9)
Erik "Keller" Jahner – recording (2, 9), mixing (2, 9)
Jason Lehning – engineer (4)
Steve Bishir – recording (3, 6, 11), mixing (11)