A Love Story is a 2019 album by British contemporary R&B singer Des'ree, her first in over 15 years. She began recording in 2012, but finalizing the album was delayed by caring for her sick mother, as well as tensions with her record label, stage fright, and personal health problems. She preceded the album release with the single "Don't Be Afraid".
Critical reception
In musicOMH, Nick Smith scored A Love Story four out of five stars, noting the "subtle beauty and emotional power" of the singer's voice that also has a "beautiful power and precious nuance", leading to the album being "a solid and engaging return".
Track listing
"A Call to Love" (Des'ree and Michael Graves) – 4:11
"Don't Be Afraid" (Tim Atack and Des'ree) – 4:49
"Drunk On Your Kisses" (Des'ree and Graves) – 4:30
"Honey" (Des'ree and David Munday) – 4:23
"Love Me" (Des'ree and Howard Francis) – 4:15
"Nothing I Can Do" (Des'ree and Graves) – 5:10
"Holding On for Dear Life" (Atack and Des'ree) – 3:59
"What'll I Do" (Des'ree and Graves) – 4:41
"Fake It" (Des'ree and Graves) – 5:00
Personnel
Des'ree – vocals
Robin Baynton – engineering and mixing
Andy Bradfield – mixing
Chris Cameron – arrangement, orchestration, and conducting
Geoff Foster – recording
The London Session Orchestra: Mark Berrow Rachel Bolt Ian Burdge Emil Chakalov Caroline Dale Ian Humphries Helen Kamminga Patrick Kiernan Joely Koos Boguslaw Kostecki Peter Lale Oli Langford Gaby Lester Anthony Lewis Rita Manning Steve Morris Everton Nelson Andy Parker Tom Pigott-Smith Kate Robinson Frank Schaefer Mary Scully Emlyn Singleton Sonia Slany Nicky Sweeney Cathy Thompson Allen Walley Vicci Wardman Bruce White Debbie Widdup Jonathan Williams Warren Zeilinski Dean Northcott – photography