The first MJB album I bought was "Mary"

Before that I just couldnt relate to her music. I didnt think she was bad.

She performed "No more Drama" (I forget which awards show it was) and she blew me away. I felt it!
Im still not HUGE fan,but I respect her,her lyrics have meaning.

badujunkie said:

I dig all the artists you listed, but I like Mary better than all of them.

It's cool you don't like her. I couldn't stand her first album. I have to say that My Life changed my life. To this day, the lead track makes me cry until it hurts my very soul. It's very cleansing when I get depressed.

It's never been Mary's voice that did it for me. It's the lyrics and the pain in her voice and if you've ever gone through what she's talking about, there is an instant unbreakable connection.

I have My Life, Share My World, and Mary. I couldn't get into the album before Breakthrough.

Stymie said:

Same here,I gave it away 3 days after I bought it

ThreadCula said:

What the hell is a dancerie?

Stymie said:

It's where you perc-yoo-late, duh.

Stymie said:

LMAO!!!

I dont know what the heck a dancerie is

FunkMistress said:

I'm having a great day, but it just got better. Hello beautiful.

Stymie said:

You got me open. Now I'm floatin'. So you gots to dance for me. And percyoolate while you're at it, wouldja?









...I can't believe you hated her first album! That was the breakout SHIT! It established her as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul before there was such a thing as Hip Hop Soul. It was the end of "No Crossover" (which is not necessarily a good thing, mind you, since it also signaled the death of hip-hop as we knew it, but that's another story). Biggie, Mary and Puffy (when he still knew his place - as a producer) jumped on the scene with something brand-new. Ah, yes.
[Edited 1/27/06 10:03am]

FunkMistress said:

The only thing I liked off the album was You Don't Have To Worry but I only like the remix.

Stymie said:

Do you have the remix album? Hottness.

Stymie said:

Nobody can..I dont even think Mary can..notice is the one album not referenced in MVP MJB.

vainandy said:

I agree 100%.... In the past her stuff had almost 0 originality... "My life" and "I'm the only woman" RUINED Roy Ayers and Curtis Mayfield's music, in fact I don't think there was ANY original music on my life. And folks can speak of the soul in her voice, but that just covers up that fact that she is a terrible singer, especially live. She sing flat and misses and cracks too many notes! I cringe when I hear her sing. There are certain kinds of people that are not the greatest of singers, but their voice blends well with their lyrics and music like Sade or blues singers... but she doesn't write her songs, rips off the music, and off-keys singing can do nothing for me. I will admit that in the past year or so, she has improved her technical skills, but she has a long way to go before I can appreciate her.

badujunkie said:

Give her first couple a shot.

I can't help but wonder why you're expecting to like Mary just b/c you dig Erykah, Jill, Lauryn & TLC - they all sound different, they all have different flavors. Is this really about the music or are you just supposed to dig every Black chick singer out?

I just don't really understand the question, hence my initial Shit is goofy

I love the shit out of Jill, Erykah & Lauryn... I'm here & there w/ Mary, very spotty w/ TLC. There is no "why", I just like what I like

CalhounSq said:

Yeah, I'm kinda with you there.

I used to be a hardcore fan of Eyrkah and Lauryn but can't be bothered with them lately. I've been a hardcore fan of Mary since day 1, other than her last album with Puff from a few years back. But I just don't worry about it. If I'm not clicking with a particular artist, I just move on and hope to catch 'em later.

CalhounSq said:

It's not a race thing, I knew you'd take it there.
Save for Jill they all have that urban, fresh, early/mid 90s r&b thing going on and have shared producers in common and gotten the same exposure at radio and on TV...they are contemporaries. It's like saying I don't like NSync, but I love Britney, Christina, Backstreet Boys, and JLo. You would wonder why being that they are C-O-N-T-E-M-P-O-R-A-R-I-E-S. Nothing to do with race.

For some reason, Mary reminds me of Celia Cruz.

It must be the hair, and the blond Frida Kahlo-deal she's been sportin' lately...



"Mary" was a good album; it's the only one of hers I have. But I take forever with albums, especially r&b ones.

Mary is Mary man! She is not the greatest singer but she has an innert honesty in her voice and expresses that in her music. And I appreciate her musical expression. "Also appreciate them luscious full lips and hips"!! Yes indeedy Mr. Petey!

badujunkie said:

Honestly, that's the only thing they all have in common. I don't see their music sounding similar like the bubblegum pop kids you listed. But whatever man, I hope people here can help you solve your dillema

@ Mary and U2's take on "One". What were they thinking?

Axchi696 said:

i love it...and i hated the original....

Axchi696 said:

love it!

Mary is cool. She has a great voice. You can't judge her by one album. I like her music.

sosgemini said:

Every time it comes on I'm like, "Corny shit, NEXT!" but I end up letting it play & now I like it & I've NEVER heard the original all the way through

CalhounSq said:

my sentiments exactly

CalhounSq said:

lol, it's not a dilemma. just a discussion, curious what folks who do like her like about her.

I don't like her either, but then I saw her sing "One" with U2 during the Hurricaine Relief Concert and she was amazing. I think she will be doing it again on the Grammys. Watch it and tell me she doesn't have an amazing voice.

DirtyChris said:

Same here...
I skipped over it constantly when I bought the cd
then I just let it play through,it's nice
Then I found there was a song after it
Dayum her

ThreadCula said:

what I hate the most is that
the domestic version of The Breakthrough
got that bullshit "Show Love"
which I find hard to believe
it's a Chucky Thompson track...
but... I digress

overseas versions got the good shit
like "So Lady" & "Out Of My Head"