Just curious. If you're an R & B fan...it's a must you have Anita Baker in your catalog. She's kinda goin through the same stuff Prince is, as far as record contracts and stuff.

I believe she's one of the greatest singers/songwriters we've seen. Yet like Prince, it's rare you here her name. And it's a shame, because she's simply amazing.

Share your thoughts...

Blue
Drink Blue Kool-aid :Drink:

I confuse her with Aretha Franklin sometimes, but they're both 'divas' in their own right. Actually, Aretha is the "Queen of soul" but Anita still got something!

I remember 'Giving you the best that I got'.


[This message was edited Thu Sep 5 18:22:18 PDT 2002 by Starmist7]

I dig Her&think She was doing Neo-Soul back in the 80's along with Luther&Sade IMHO.Her first Albums are a Must.She is kinda forgotten.

...and 'Body & Soul' was a pretty nice hit also!

I don't know It's just an absolute shame that 'real' musicians are not talked about at all these days! We barely even talk about Luther Vandross, and he's a vocal Genius! Most of the songs that are out nowadays are remakes! Originality id dead! The bulk of the music industry is reliable on the creativity of those in the past. By the way, speaking of Stevie Wonder...who is 'currently' the most sampled musician in the Hip-Hop/R&B genre...not much recognition there...

I'm never surprised when Prince doesn't get his props, from 'mainstream' publications and media; like RollingStone or BillBoard.

True musicians are ignored these days... Anita, Luther, Prince, Stevie...I'm only 22 years old...I sound about 35-40!

Blue
Drink Blue Kool-aid

TheBluePrince said:

You Sound like a Music Fan that can see past the smoking mirriors the Biz is Pimping.believe it or not there are some folks 35-40 who think stuff out now is better than ever.you'd be surprised?

I love Anita's voice, and the way she phrases her songs. Just wondered whether any of you have any personal favourites ... two of mine are No More Tears and Caught Up In The Rapture, but she's recorded so many songs that it'd be cool to know what other people think.

My favorite Anita Baker songs are...


***"Mystery"(1986)---this hypnotic,jazzy song is the highlight of her 'Rapture' album,imo.

***"No One In The World"(1986)

***"Good Love"(1988)

***"You Belong To Me"(1988)---This is the last track on the 'Giving You The Best That I Got' album,and it's the best song,imo.

TheBluePrince said:

You listed some heavy artists just then. And even though you're only 22 years old, you seem to have good musical taste and can discern what is good and bad musically. It's "young" listeners such as yourself that gives the lie to the notion that young listeners don't have good taste in music and will consent to anything just as long as it is some music.This sounds like an idea for a thread. I just may start it up...Peace.

By the way,I've been "rediscovering" the greatness of Luther lately, as I've said in the Luther Vandross thread. This man's voice just amazes me. He is something else.

I love Anita Baker, she is a wonderful vocalist.

Brother915 said:

Thanks Brother, and MisterMaxx for your kind words. I just wish that 'all' people/all ages/races, would 'wake up' and smell the kool-aid! The music industry is about MONEY! That's it! Whatever is 'In' or Marketable. They don't care whom they offend or hurt. They're causing mass destruction within my race in particular... 'Bling, bling, platinum chain, Gucci Suit, Escalade, and a mouth full of Platinum and Ice! Ooh let's not forget about the 22-inch rims, which is a standard, even if you drive a 1985 Escort(Rims and tires more expensive than the engine in the vehicle), that's backwards.

Nowadays, what young men (mostly) where around their necks, in their mouths, and around their wrists, is enought to pay for an entire 4 year college education... Yet, they neglect to see the importance of knowledge...

"Naw man, I'ma just kick it, after High School"

"Naw, College ain't my thang...that's for smart kids and shit..."

My Brothers need direction...HELP!

I only have one thing to say (okay, maybe two); Not my son! Nor my students!

Nuff bitchin' on my part...this is about the warmth and beauty, of a extremely underrated musician...My fav Anita Baker tunes...

Been So Long
Body and Soul
Angel (BEAUTIFUL!)
No One In The World
Get Here
Rapture
I Apologize
Sweet Love

Just to name a few...

I've just 'rediscovered Luther too..AMAZING! (Gay or not, Big or skinny) The man is fantastic!

Blue
Drink Blue Kool-aid

Anita Baker's music is very soothing and calming. I can't believe she hasn't came out with anything new. I know that she has a greatest hits out but thats it.

Unforunately, Anita will not be making any new music. I heard recently she performed at a relatives wedding, birthday or something and the audience was urging her to start recording again. She stated that she is fine with just raising her family and has no interest in recording again.

WHY!

Rhondab said:

Yeah that's what it says in the liner notes to the recently released Rhino "Greatest Hits" cd (which is a great collection btw)... she's more interested in her family at the moment, which is understandable... I remember her losing her first child RIP so family is really important to her.

thats interesting..just two weeks ago a radio dj mentioned that Anita had started working on a new album but that either theft or fire had damaged her in-home studio...so the album was put on hold...


wonder what that dj was smoking...

SkletonKee said:

Actually,that story is partly true.Back in 2000,she did record a new album but somehow,the recording had a bunch of strange noises on it,and it could not be released.She sued the recording studio and planned to go back with the same musicians and re-cut the entire album.I say don't hold your breath.I think Anita is fed up with the music business.

Buenos Dias Orgers,

Here's a cut and paste from my comments on an Anita Baker thread from eariler this year discussing what happened with her new album that she had finished recording...

___

Anita Baker actually had an album complete a couple of years ago. However tape equipments she rented from Zomba Recording Company was defective and it messed up her studio tapes from the recording sessions. She filed a $200,000 law suit against the company. She said she paid out a total of $500,000 for the tape equipment, to hire musicians, producers and songwriters. That's the last I heard about her. She was planning to go back and rerecord the album over again using her same personnel