Mary J Blige - Mary
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Artist: Mary J BligeBrand: Blige,Mary J
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1999-08-17
Music Label: Mca
Soundtracks:
- All That I Can Say
- Sexy
- Deep Inside
- Beautiful Ones
- I'm In Love
- Time
- Memories
- Don't Waste Your Time
- Not Lookin'
- Your Child
- No Happy Holidays
- The Love I Never Had
- Give Me You
- Let No Man Put Asunder
Music reviews of Mary
Music Review: Simply Mary
Rating: 5 Stars
In 1999, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige was on top of the world professionally. Her prior albums had all sold extremely well with some major number one hits between them. Known for her gritty hip-hop rooted soul songs, Mary upgraded to a more sleek production. She'd already tested those waters on 1997's Share My World, but her 1999 self-titled album immersed itself with more glossy and less hard edged beats.
However, Mary didn't "sell out". Like always, she sang from the heart and created music that told the story of her work in progress as a human being. That's why we love her. She managed to rise above her drug fueled depression on 1994's My Life and took the initiative to clean up her life. Her search for serenity and self love was the focus on Share My World and the discovery makes up this album. The cover is the first to show Mary's eyes and symbolizes her leaving her troubled past behind to journey on toward her brighter future.
The starry, dream like keyboards of All That I Can Say was co-written and produced by Lauryn Hill who also lends background vocals. Mary's rough voice blends well with the softer musical backdrop. Mary uses her higher register on the even softer 80s feel of Sexy, but the rap from Jadakiss isn't necessary. Despite that, the song is great with it's sample from Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It.
Deep Inside is Mary's plea for others to know that while she's famous and seems to have it all, she's still "just plain ole Mary." She admits that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be and that she has to be cautious when making friendships. "Is it cash they see when they look at me?/Cuz they're looking for a ride that's free?" Her delivery feels genuine as opposed to say "I'm just Jenny from the block." Elton John comes on board to play the piano riff from his own hit Bennie and the Jets.
The acoustic Beautiful Ones (not a Prince cover) is unlike any other song I've heard from Mary. Aside from the guitar, the sound of church bells and birds chirping as well as a choir of backup singers accompany her dedication to the man in her life. It's sweet and the arrangement is gorgeous. I'm In Love is a smooth jazz cover of a Gap Band song. I'm not familiar with the original, but Mary's version is lovely with some lively sax! The Stevie Wonder sampled Time allows Mary to reflect on the ills of the world and that "time is not on our side." It's not self righteous, but rather it gives you something to think about.
Memories should be subtitled Valentine's Day Sucks. Instead of spending time with her guy on that lovey dovey day, she thinks back on all the crap he's put her through. She cut him loose and for good reason, but she can't rid herself of the good times they shared. "Valentine's Day will never be the same!"
Mary teams up with her idol and fellow diva Aretha Franklin on Don't Waste Your Time. Mary plays the role of a woman who knows her man is stepping out on her, but she's hestitant about leaving him. Aretha is the older motherly type who's "seen it a million times before" and advises her to "stop making truth out of his lies" and kick him to the curb. Their voices go well together without either trying to outsing the other.
Her advice didn't fall on deaf ears. Mary duets with real life ex boyfriend K-Ci Hailey on the down and dirty tell all Not Lookin'. While Mary spent the entire My Life album begging him to love her and cherish their relationship, she tells him where to go and not to come back on this song. The tables are turned and he's the one begging for her to stay, but Mary ain't havin' none of it. You can imagine her rolling her eyes at his desperate pleas to take him back and finally frees herself from his grasp. "I know you're sorry!"
Mary discovers her man fathered a baby with another woman on the chilly Your Child. It's dramatic without stepping into Maury Povich territory with Mary meeting the other woman (a young girl really) "holding her baby with eyes like yours" and her then taking him to task for denying his own child. The storytelling and Mary's soulful yet subdued vocals enhance the quality of this track. She switches roles as the other woman on the throwback soul jam No Happy Holidays. At first not knowing her man is married, she's frustrated that he never comes around to see her on holidays or met her family. After learning the truth, she tells him that their relationship is wrong and that he should go back to his wife.
The Love I Never Had gives Mary a chance to finally cut loose. Although she knows letting a lover go is painful, she knows that she needs to "wake up and stop living in a dream" and do the right thing. Her dynamic vocals build momentum as the song goes until she tears it up and takes us to church. The live horns and guitars add to it's awesomeness.
Diane Warren's (who has that woman not written for?) sappy lyrics and the Disney-esque start of Give Me You thankfully don't tarnish Mary's sound. She delivers a performance bursting with love and devotion backed by Eric Clapton's rock guitar. The disco meets house funk of Let No Man Put Asunder rounds out the album. She should do more songs like that.
While Mary isn't as gritty or tough as What's The 411 or My Life, it's more mature and versatile. A more rounded view of a woman who never stops growing and encourages her fans to witness it every step of the way.
Description of Mary
No Description AvailableNo Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: BLIGE,MARY J.
Title: MARY
Street Release Date: 08/17/1999
Genre: SOUL/R & B
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