The Real Thing

First off folks, this is on Blue Note, it's a Jazz vocal album. If you are looking for Pop this isn't your album. Ms Williams has recorded a fine album in The Real Thing which shows off her exceptional vocal talent. As some have said there is a variety of styles on this album traditional to modern. This not only helps to showcase Ms Williams talent but keeps things interesting as well. My favorite stand out tracks are I Fell In, the title track, and, Lazy Afternoon is not only a nice song but I can relate to the sentiment. The Real Thing is the type of album you put on, sit in your listening chair, relax and enjoy the performance. I don't think it's fair to rate this album based on what you thought it should be but rather what it is. And, what it is, an outstanding vocal album. Hope she decides to do more of this in the futureThe recording has a nice sound stage with the instruments nicely spread out across it. Nothing overlaps or covers any detail. Ms Williams vocals are nicely done and balanced with the accompanying music. If I had to criticize the sound it would be that it comes off as a studio album. Meaning, I don't get the live in the studio feeling from the background instruments. For instance, the strings are off to the left, properly balanced and mixed but they don't have that floating or live presentation like strings on some Jazz or Classical recordings. But this is not the type of thing most listeners would pay any attention to. Nor, would it even be noticed unless played on exceptional hi fi gear.

I liked the song variety and sound quality of the Vanessa Williams (My Baby) CD and also the great condition that the CD was delivered in. Thanks Again Vendor And Amazon! H.L. Mack***

Delightful. Vanessa as a mature singer is just wonderful in this album.

There is no doubt about this year in the way of albums that are out. most of them have felt like you've wasted your money on something that felt like garbage. It has been very sad. Nevertheless, there are some artists that have really known how to make a great album time and time again. That absolutely has been the case with Vanessa Williams. It has been 4 years since her last album, 2005's Everlasting Love, and she has proven that she has more life in her music and acting than ever. With the massive success of her work on Ugly Betty, Vanessa has been introduced boldly to a whole new generation of fans. Now she is back to sing her soulful little heart out again, and this time it definitely is a winner.Vanessa Williams 2009 album The Real Thing is definitely a well-rendered and delightful return to form for Vanessa's sultry voice. The album contains a nice and simple mix of quiet storm, R&B, Jazz and Latin rhythms. The songs here really work very well for Vanessa, and shows how much she has delivered well. The album includes a lot of great tracks including the sultry and seductive Breathless, the Jazz Standard Lazy Afternoon, as well as other great songs like the title track The Real thing, and the easy and mellow Hello Like Before. Sadly though there are a few disadvantages with the album. The first is that it is very short, and leaves hard core listeners going wild for more. The second disadvantage is that I was hoping for a bit more variety in the songs, considering there could've been a few more upbeat songs to the mix. Still, Vanessa carries through on the album very well, by letting her simple and soulful voice carry through the album beautifully.While there really haven't been very many albums that have worked this past year, Vanessa Williams still knows how to make a album work well. If you haven't yet heard a Vanessa Williams song, or if you are a hard core fan of Ugly Betty, than this would be a great download for your MP3 Player. So than you'll finally hear why Vanessa Williams is still The Real Thing for over 20 years as a singer.Songs: B+Price: BMastering: BOverall: B+

Love It!!! Great CD.

This is a CD thats great,Its a cd that gets attention when played in the background, its great dinner party music. Its old school melodic music. You cant go wrong with this. Some of these reviews state the same others say A couple of songs let you down,No WAY!!This is a thriller of a cd. If you by this and dont like it , then this type of music is not your forte, However if you like smooth jazz, cool melodies and a sexy voice unlike anything else out there then Buy it, You cannot go wrong!Hey now ha ha - hiya high!

Ms Williams has been doing excellent work in the singing department for quite some time.

Buy a lot of CD's but rarely write a reivew...good or bad. Am a fan of Vanessa's (not her last CD) and this one has been in my CD player since I purchaseed it. Each time I listen it gets better and I find myself hitting the repeat button on October Sky and Just Friends and not skipping any of the others. Voice matches the music and orchestration. Not promoted by her new record company but one of her best CD's.

I have just read the BBC review above with astonishment, and so have been prompted to offer my opinions as a working musician.I have played this album far more since purchased six months ago, than any other in my very large and eclectic collection.(I assume that the BBC review is by some kiddo who prefers anguished singer-strummers with tippy-tappy drummers, and has not even grasped the 'stages in a love relationship' theme of this album, finishing with the wonderfully ironic 'If there were no songs'.)The album has clever and meaningful lyrics - especially to anyone who has been deeply in love - the arranging detail is superb, the Latin brass choir tight and punchy with the most perfect intonation I have ever heard. Vanessa can change her sound and in one style achieves a distinctive Billie Holiday interpretation. The studio sound production quality leaps out compared to most albums.I heard this former Miss America sing 20 years ago but only really discovered her talents, including mustering the support of Masters of the (pop music) Universe, with this album. This work evidences the 'American Dream' achieved by talented hard-workers.I wish I could imagine some English musicians achieving such exceptional standards of creativity and performance, but no chance.

This album is a much better bet than the next album just revieved.It is the first albu this artist released for 9 yearsand is highly recommended.

Man würde sich wünschen, dass mehr Künstler heuzutage den Weg gehen würden, den Vanessa Williams und ihr Produzententeam mit THE REAL THING von 2009 gegangen sind. Hier hat man es nämlich mit einem Soul-Album zu tun, das weder mit krampfhaft modernem Schnickschnack nervt, noch mit der krampfhaften Retro-Masche langweilt. Stattdessen greift man auf die zeitunabhängig bewährten Qualitäten zurück, bringt diese ins neue Jahrtausend und schafft damit ein musikalisches Werk, das zeitgemäß und stilsicher, sowie dabei gleichermaßen traditionell und modern ist.Das Geheimrezept dabei ist eigentlich gar nicht so geheim und so kompliziert - es lautet: echte Musiker, echte Instrumente! Ja, so einfach und doch so effektiv. Man hört auf diesem Album also größtenteils echte Percussion, echtes Schlagzeug, viel Akustikgitarre, Piano usw. Zudem kommt bei 7 der 11 Songs eine String Section zum Einsatz (echte Streicher - keine aus dem Computer) und auch Bläser sind öfter mal dabei. Soul- und Funk-Fans der alten Schule werden im Booklet außerdem Namen wie Dean Parks und Greg Phillinganes auffallen.Man muss dazusagen, dass diese Musik für die meiste Zeit schon sehr sanfte und ruhige Klänge anschlägt. Und das ist auch der einzige Kritikpunkt, den ich habe. Denn ein paar flottere und zupackendere Nummern hätten hier sicher nicht geschadet. Ein Album also für eher ruhigere Stunden - und dafür ist es dann aber auch perfekt. Es ist nicht nur Musik, die man angenehm nebenher laufen lassen kann, sondern auch beim aufmerksameren Zuhören offenbaren sich in den lebendigen und vielschichtigen Arrangements immer wieder schöne Details, wie zum Beispiel das Cello-Solo bei "Close To You".Nicht zu vergessen natürlich, dass das, was Vanessa Williams stimmlich hier abliefert, auch über jeden Zweifel erhaben ist. Zudem ist die Songauswahl durchweg stark, bietet immer wieder tolle interessante Melodien und echte Ausfälle sucht man vergeblich. Alles richtig gemacht also - THE REAL THING eben!

I have heard Vanessa over the years and without a doubt she has establish herself. This album shows versatility, and yes this is not like her normal tunes. It is better

O sentito questo cd percaso e mi è piaciuto subito la cantante non la conoscevo devo dire che è veramente brava . La consegna in tempi record due giorni e lo stavo ascoltando amazon una garanzia