Photos by Andy Argyrakis

From her earliest days singing in church, to repeatedly topping the dance charts in the three decades since debuting with the gold-selling album and title cut, “Finally,” CeCe Peniston always displayed a sense of spiritually-tinged soulfulness.

In fact, The Phoenix native sounded even more committed to her craft when she stopped by the classy City Winery for 90 entertaining minutes, while fans came out in full force to get caught up on the artist/songwriter/actress’ recent whereabouts.

Though Peniston released a steady stream of full-length projects on A&M Records throughout the 1990s, along with joining Thelma Houston, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden and Albertina Walker in a gospel supergroup, The Sisters Of Glory, she has since shifted the focus to frequent single releases.

As far as her club-friendly grooves were concerned, Jocelyn Brown’s “Somebody Else’s Guy,” “We Got A Love Thang” and “Searchin’” all utilized house music flavors, which felt right at home given the movement was birthed right here in the Windy City, plus they could easily fit in between Lizzo or Dua Lipa on a pumped-up playlist of today.

Peniston was equally at home diving exploring a range of R&B ballads, such as the original “Inside That I Cried,” along with Patti LaBelle’s “If Only You Knew” and Rufus/Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing.”

She even incorporated Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)” into the introduction of the sunny “Keep On Walkin’” and kicked up the romantic vibes with “He Loves Me 2,” all of which made the most of a funky four-piece band and a pair of background vocalists in the acoustically rich environment.

Yet it was the audience participation-filled finale of “Finally” that naturally tore the house down, not only pointing out why it was re-worked by the mega likes of Kyle Minogue, Lady Gaga, Travis Scott and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but secured the headliner’s own permanent place in pop culture.

For additional information on CeCe Peniston, visit CeCePeniston.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include TC Carson (Jan. 20); Rahsaan Patterson (Jan. 21); Bubbles And Beauties Drag Brunch (Jan. 22); Songs Of Elton John: 1969-1975 (Jan. 22); Jon B (Jan. 23-24); Brian Courtney Wilson (Jan. 25); Damon Williams (Jan. 26); Kevin Nealon (Jan. 27-28); The Prince Experience (Jan. 29); Miki Howard & Glenn Jones (Jan. 30–Jan. 31); The Hamiltones (Feb. 1); Thomas Allen (Feb. 2); Back 2 Mac (Feb. 3); Such (Feb. 4); Anthony David (Feb. 5); J-L Cauvin & Kevin McCaffrey (Feb. 7); BLKBOK (Feb. 8); Howard Hewett (Feb. 9); Pat McGee, Alice Peacock & Chris Trapper (Feb. 10); Wine & Crime (Feb. 11); Eleri Ward (Feb. 12); Sheila E. (Feb. 13-14); Ana Popovic (Feb. 15); Lalah Hathaway (Feb. 16-18) and Denny Laine (Feb. 19). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

Related Articles

City Winery hangs on the sophisticated soul and flashy funk of Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene Resilient “R&B Diva” Chanté Moore offers City Winery an uplifting “Christmas Back To You” Howard Hewett (Shalamar): “U R The One” Tour at City Winery The Manhattan Transfer: “The Junction” Tour at City Winery Shalamar’s Howard Hewett makes it “A Night To Remember” for a full capacity City Winery A crowded City Winery “Can’t Wait Another Minute” for revived R&B hit makers Hi-Five R&B, jazz and gospel songstress Regina Belle opens up “A Whole New World” for City Winery Freddie Jackson: “You Are (Still) My Lady” Tour at City Winery