Music critics saw a more emotionally engaged side of Houston, particularly with the soundtrack's gospel offerings. “For the first time in her 12-year recording career, Houston sounds genuinely moved by her material. Early on she stumbles through the Annie Lennox-penned "Step By Step," but the presence of the Georgia Mass Choir on six subsequent tracks melts her frosty reserve,” People magazine wrote.[ 7]
Released on November 26, 1996, The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on the issue dated December 14, 1996, selling 90,500 units in the first week.[ 8] On its second week, the album jumped to number four on the chart with the Greatest Gainer mark, and the following week reached number three, which was the album's peak position.[ 9] [ 10] The album also debuted at number eight on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart, and in three weeks later, peaked at the number one and remained there for two weeks, becoming her fourth number one album on the chart.[ 11] [ 12] It stayed for a total of 43 weeks and 49 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and the Top R&B Albums chart respectively.[ 11] [ 13]
In addition, the soundtrack was more successful on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. It debuted at number one, becoming the first album by a female solo artist to do so. It spent 26 consecutive weeks at the top from December 14, 1996, to June 7, 1997. It remained on the chart for 117 weeks during its initial run.[ 14] [ 15] It has since returned to the Top Gospel Albums chart for 44 more weeks, bringing its total to 161 cumulative weeks. The album was the number one gospel album on the 1997 Billboard Top Gospel Albums year-end chart.
Prior to the album's release, music industry insiders had expected The Preacher's Wife soundtrack to "do at least as well as" Waiting to Exhale 's soundtrack, which sold 5,100,000 copies in the United States.[ 16] The album was the Best-selling Gospel Recording by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) in 1996–1997.[ 17] [ 18] It was certified 3× Platinum for shipping 3 million copies in the United States alone by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 30, 1998.[ 19] According to Nielsen SoundScan , as of 2012, the album has sold 2,627,000 copies in the United States alone.[ 2]
Chart success of the soundtrack and its hit singles, "I Believe in You and Me" and "Step By Step", the singer further promoted the album and singles touring across Asia, Australia, and in North America. Known as the Pacific Rim Tour , Houston played shows in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia and Hawaii. The setlist featured tracks from the album, as well as duet performances of "Count On Me" with singer CeCe Winans and "In Return" at select shows in Japan.
Date
Title
Details
December 13, 1996
Rosie O'Donnell Show
Houston is interviewed by Rosie O'Donnell to promote The Preacher's Wife film and her soundtrack album.[ 22]
December 14, 1996
Saturday Night Live
Houston performed "I Believe in You and Me" and "I Go to The Rock".
March 15, 1997
UK National Lottery Show
Houston performed "I Believe in You and Me" and later followed by a brief interview broadcast live on the BBC in the United Kingdom.
All tracks are produced by Houston and Mervyn Warren , except where noted.
Certifications and sales
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American Music Awards
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Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
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GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Awards
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The NARM Best Seller Awards
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People's Choice Awards
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Soul Train Music Awards
edit
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^ Gail Mitchell (December 14, 2002). Arista Aims New Houston Album at 'Core Urban' Fans . Billboard . Retrieved August 27, 2010 .
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^ Datu Faison (December 14, 1996). Datu Faison's Rhythm Section . Billboard . Retrieved August 28, 2010 .
^ Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart listing for the week of June 7, 1997 . Billboard . June 7, 1997. Retrieved August 28, 2010 .
^ Hochman, Steve (November 10, 1996). "Artists Formerly Known as Hits" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 29, 2022 .
^ Billboard 1997 The Year in Music: Top Gospel Albums Year-End chart listing . Billboard . December 27, 1997. Retrieved August 28, 2010 .
^ a b NARM Names Its Best Seller Awards . Billboard . April 12, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2010 .
^ "RIAA certification for The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album " . the Recording Industry Association of America . June 30, 1998. Retrieved August 28, 2010 .
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