The Real Thing (Vanessa Williams album)

The Real Thing
Studio album by Vanessa Williams
Released June 2, 2009
Recorded 2008-09
Genre Pop,[1] R&B[2]
Label Concord
Producer Keith Thomas, Babyface, Rob Mathes, Rex Rideout,[3] Guy Sigsworth[2]
Vanessa Williams chronology

Everlasting Love
(2005)		 The Real Thing
(2009)		 -
Singles from The Real Thing
  1. "Breathless"
    Released: February 24, 2009
  2. "Just Friends"
    Released: May 19, 2009
  3. "Close to You"
    Released: August 11, 2009
  4. "The Real Thing"
    Released: September 28, 2009
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [2]

The Real Thing is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Vanessa Williams, released on June 2, 2009 on Concord Records. It features productions by Keith Thomas, Kenneth Edmonds, Rob Mathes, Rex Rideout, and Guy Sigsworth, and songs written by Stevie Wonder and Babyface. The Real Thing achieved moderate success, peaking at #91 on the Billboard 200. It also reached #1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, #2 on the Top Jazz Albums chart and #36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Background and composition

The Real Thing was originally intended to be a "Brazilian-type" record. However, when Vanessa Williams contacted Babyface for the album production, it was revealed the album would have a more R&B sound. She considered the album a combination of different influences, such as classical, jazz and latin music.[4] The Real Thing was also produced by Keith Thomas, Rob Mathes and Rex Rideout, and features songs written by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, Phil Galdston, and Babyface.[1] When asked about the album style, Williams said:

"Yes, for me this is kind of a reflective record. [...] You know, I'm in my mid-forties; I've been divorced twice; I've raised four children; I'm a career woman... So it is a kind of look at love from all those different female perspectives. [...] 'The Real Thing' represents the promise of being back with a lover; 'October Sky' is a break-up song… Plus, with me being an actor who's also a singer, my favourite songs to sing are always those that tell a story. Because, when I go into the studio, I do kind of approach everything as an actor. [...] So, in that way, I do think all the songs on 'The Real Thing' either have some deep storyline, or can give an effect of a character at a particular time in a particular place."[4]

Singles

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Breathless"  Lauren Evans, Tai Jackson, Rex Rideout 4:50
2. "Hello Like Before"  John Collins, Bill Withers 4:28
3. "Loving You"  Bayer Sager, Kenneth Edmonds, Rob Lewis 3:33
4. "Just Friends"  Edmonds 3:27
5. "The Real Thing"  Stevie Wonder 5:12
6. "Lazy Afternoon"  John Latouche, Jerome Moross 4:56
7. "Close to You"  Bebel Gilberto, Guy Sigsworth 4:36
8. "I Fell In"  Shelea Frazier, Galdston 4:47
9. "October Sky" (feat. Javier Colon)Javier Colon, Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken 4:28
10. "Come On Strong"  Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen 2:39
11. "If There Were No Song"  Lewis, Rob Mathes 4:29

Charts

Charts (2009) Peak position
US Billboard 200[3] 91
US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[3] 36
US Billboard Top Jazz Albums[3] 2
US Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums[2] 1

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Real Thing CRE 30816 02 : Vanessa Williams". Concord Music Group. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "The Real Thing - Vanessa Williams - Album Review". Allmusic. All Media Guide. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "The Real Thing - Vanessa Williams". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lewis, Peter (October 2009). "Vanessa Williams: In Vogue". Blues & Soul. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  5. ↑ "Billboard.com - Vanessa Williams Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-12-30.