MuthaFunka said:

Co-sign that. I remember when I first saw that video I was like "Who is that white dude hanging out in this Babyface video?" It was eerie how much alike they sounded.

Lovesexy82 said:

They sound a lot alike, but you can tell the difference in the solos. Jon sounded fine, but Face took it to another level, which is unsurprising since he was a much more accomplished soloist. Vocally, Face is the Tim Henman of singing. He doesn't have the most talent, but he uses what he has to the fullest. Both of his brothers have much better voices IMO.

Lovesexy82 said:

I remember when I heard "Nobody Knows" by Tony Rich on the radio when that came out and I was like "damn, Babyface came out with another slammin' cut!" Imangine my suprise when I heard it wasn't him. To me he sounded more like Babyface than Jon B. did. Babyface has a unique singing voice, but strangely there are singers there who sound dead on him.

Lovesexy82 said:

It's because Face tells them to sound like that. Jon B. said it in an interview a while back.

I liked his for the cool and you and face 2 face albums best.
I also dug him better when he was with the deele. I blame him for
tearing apart a good funk band. Him and l.a reid produced a lot of hits in
the late 80's although a lot of it was derivative. The deele was the joint
unfortunately l.a and face got into producing hits for other artists and loss
all interest in being in a funk band. Even their last album with the deele
eyes of a stranger was bland compared to the first two deele albums.

i like "when can i see you again" and "nobody knows but me"

AlexdeParis said:

Does it matter, music is music and a slow jam is slow jam.

MuthaFunka said:

Co- The Jon B shock Factor.

MuthaFunka said:

Exactly. Face orchestrates it down to the finite detail.

MsLegs said:

You aint never lied.

MuthaFunka said:

MsLegs said:

Does it "matter"? Depends. I was just stating a fact. He gained a lot of new crossover fans with "When Can I See You" who never heard "Whip Appeal." When I saw him in concert, he (unsurprisingly) ended the show with those, his two signature songs.

Luther, another artist who experienced crossover success later in his career, was in a similar situation. Most of his long-time fans would say his signature song was "Superstar" or "A House Is Not a Home," but his pop fans would probably point to "Here and Now" or "Power of Love/Love Power."

AlexdeParis said:

That demarcation also seems to exist with Babyface's producing record, even though a lot of his songs became crossover hits. I've met quite a few pop music fans who don't immediately associate Babyface as the creative force behind songs like "Don't Be Cruel," "Ready or Not," "My, My, My" and "Superwoman."

Based on my discussions, the songs that pop fans typically associate with Babyface include his work with Madonna ("Take a Bow"), Eric Clapton ("Change the World"), Boyz II Men ("I'll Make Love to You") and Toni Braxton ("You Mean the World to Me").
[Edited 8/3/07 3:59am]

AlexdeParis said:

[Bait snip - luv4u]

MsLegs said:

WTF? Alex gave you a frame of reference for his line of thinking and your response is to give him a snide remark? There's no point being petulant and childish about it.
[Edited 8/3/07 3:33am]

AlexdeParis said:

"Whip Appeal" is a classic slow jam All of the slow jams on the 'Tender Lover' album are excellent...."Soon As I Get Home","Given A Chance","Sunshine","Where Will You Go".

Babyface is a master at slow jams.I remember some of his songs with The Deele..."I'll Send You Roses","Just My Luck" and of course "Two Occassions"!!

SoulAlive said:

"Whip Appeal" (12" Version with the fingersnaps from the video) and "Where Will You Go" are my favorites, but all of Tender Lover's side 2 is slow-jam heaven.

Najee said:

[Bait snip - luv4u]

I haven't kept up with Face as much since the lackluster The Day, but I think his "If Only for One Night" was one of the better tracks on that tribute to Luther. It's kind of amazing they didn't work together at the peak of their careers (although I think they did later).

I don't like him, but he's a GREAT guitarist ...

AlexdeParis said:

That's quite evident. He has a vast catalogue and as time goes on you'll become more familiar with it.

AlexdeParis said:

'The Day' was a weak album,wasn't it? I was really disappointed with that one.That sappy Kenny G.collaboration ("Everytime I Close My Eyes")...that silly Shalamar remake ("This Is For The Lover In You")....with this album,it was evident that he was running out of ideas.

NOT GON CRY

and of course the stuff
he did for Tevin, Toni, MiMi,
and countless others

vainandy said:

I remember seeing The Deele in concert at 1st Ave. Years ago. They put on a very good show. They brought the house down with "Body Talk", Material Thangz" and "Two Occasions".

AlexdeParis said:

I never liked the "Whip Appeal" 12...they should have used the album version for the video!

SoulAlive said:

MuthaFunka said:

It's funny how much Face tried to cop Prince's steelo. First with coming out with The Deele which was Face's attempt at being like The Time. Then when Face produced his own stable, they ALL sounded like him: Jon B., Toni Braxton, Tony Rich - ALL sounded like him, the same way P would try and have a lot of his protogees sound.

Shit, when I heard Jon B.'s "Someone To Love" I had no idea it was a duet with him and Jon B. because they sounded exactly alike.

I remember reading this when you first wrote it and I came across it again today. This is a pretty deep and right on analysis. I think it could be a thread in itself. I don't think many realize how much of a prolific svengali that Babyface is.

Lovesexy82 said: