Tikaram wrote the majority of the songs that form the album between December 1989-January 1990, just before the release of her second album The Sweet Keeper, with "Hot Pork Sandwiches" dating far back to 1988.
The basic recording of the album took place in June 1990 at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York. The same team of musicians that had worked on her previous two albums were brought to play for this one, including Mark Isham, Helen O'Hara and Mark Creswell. Further recordings took place at Abbey Road Studios back in England. As with her previous two albums, Rod Argent and Peter van Hooke produced the record, but for the first time Tikaram co-produced the songs as well, a move she said she had not felt confident enough to do on the previous two records. This would be the last time Tikaram collaborated with Argent and van Hooke on production.
Jennifer Warnes, of whom Tikaram had always declared being a fan, and whom Tikaram had met when Warnes attended one of her concerts at The Roxy in 1989, added harmony vocals on two songs on the album, the single "Only the Ones We Love" and "Mud in Any Water".
The album sold moderately well in Europe, but there was an evident decline in sales in comparison with Tikaram's previous albums, and in most territories this was the singer's last album to achieve a chart placing, including the USA. Everybody's Angel debuted and peaked at #19 in the UK, and achieved similar top 20 placings around Europe, but fell off the charts pretty quickly. In the USA, it peaked at a low #142.
Two singles were released off the album. The lead single "Only the Ones We Love", with backup vocals by Jennifer Warnes, did not become a substantial hit and only peaked at #69 in the UK. The second single, a re-recorded "I Love the Heaven's Solo" with a gospel choir, did not chart at all. The album track "Deliver Me" was touted as a possible third single (or US-only single) as it was getting a good response, but no release ever came to be.
Reception
Billboard noted that "though Tikaram's vocals are as mesmerizingly somber as always, they're surrounded this time by infectious musical arrangements reminiscent of Van Morrison on many of the 14 tracks. First single, "Only The Ones We Love," is bolstered by background vocals by Jennifer Warnes. Other than the fascinating instrumentation, "Angel" also offers a more confident Tikaram who has learned to use her interesting voice to full effect."[14]
Spin commented that "combining the husky warmth of Tracy Chapman's vocals, with the pastoral sound of recent Van Morrison, Tanita Tikaram's fine third LP promises sweet n' easy listening fun... Rich and intriguing, Everybody's Angel expands with each hearing. Nifty stuff."[15]
In a retrospective write-up from AllMusic, Tom Demalon claimed the record " her most interesting work to date. It might be partly due to Tikaram aiding in the production. There seems to be more of a focus and maturity in the melodies and her performance seems more impassioned. The record also is given some kick by the extensive use of horns, including Mark Isham. It's easy to imagine that songs like "Deliver Me" and "This Stranger" are actually Van Morrison covers. Rod Argent's organ playing adds some muscle to "Mud in Water" and "Never Known" is a nifty reggae-inflected number. There's a jauntiness to songs like the shuffling "Hot Pork Sandwiches" that is infectious. Tikaram's voice, always the focal point, never disappoints and is simply gorgeous on the lovely opening track, "Only the Ones We Love."[16]
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