The other day, I posted a thread about Janet, Jody, Karyn and Pebbles during the late 80's to early 90's. Another new recording artist at that time, Vanessa Williams, also scored several hits. Vanessa's first 2 albums The Right Stuff and The Comfort Zone found success on both the r&b and pop charts from 1988-1992.

Of course, Vanessa continued to record after 1992, but most of those other songs were mostly soft/corny ballads.

Anyway, my question is, what do/did you all think of Vanessa's music during her peak years of 1988-1992?

I'm not entirely sure, but isn't it true that Vanessa was one of the few successful r&b/pop girls who didn't use either Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis or Baby Face/L.A. Reid during the late 80's to early 90's?

I feel this really set her apart from Janet, Jody, Karyn and Pebbles.

Vanessa's biggest hits from this period:

from album #1 The Right Stuff

"The Right Stuff"
"(He's Got) The Look"
"Dreamin"
"Darlin' I"

from album #2 [i]The Comfort Zone[i]

"Running Back To You"
"The Comfort Zone"
"Save The Best For Last"
"Just For Tonight"
"Work To Do"

my mom was a big fan of her music when I was a kid
I like her songs too (probably for that reason)

Vanessa Williams, I think you're so divine.
Just wanna put your name in a rhyme...

I'm repeating myself from another thread, but I think that Vanessa always kept the quality up in the nineties when there was some real frivilous shit. I know she is mostly known (and probably collecting royalties from) the real soft pop songs like "Save the Best For Last" but she had a way with some strong upbeat and midtempo R&B. Wish she would go back into the studio and make another original album with some of the typical AC stuff but also good strong dance/R&B. And not a cash in album just because she is on "Ugly Betty" but a real good solid album of originals (and not another Christmas album!).

If her greatest hits fell into my hands, I would listen to it. If one of her songs (aside from that wretched Save the Best for Last ) came on the radio, I'd listen to it. But I can't see myself going out to purchase a Vanessa Williams CD.

That said, The Right Stuff and Dreamin' are my faves from her.

I like one song by her: "Darlin I" from her debut album in 1988 That one is nice.I can't tolerate the schmaltzy,boring "Save The Best For Last".

I liked Vanessa Williams's music. She has a great voice, one that works great for uptempo and ballads. I love The Right Stuff, Dreamin and Save The Best For Last (for a while I hated it because it was overplayed but I love it again). I would love for Vanessa to do some more music but with the success of Ugly Betty, that won't be happening for a while.

I love Vanessa. Her 1st 2 albums are classics (imo). Almost every song on both projects is great. When she hit it BIG with STBFL, she took the "pop" turn. The Sweetest Days (3rd cd) was an ok cd, but it was a little too "light rock/soft pop" for me. Though, I did love "Betcha Never" that was done by Babyface.

I saw her in concert with Luther Vandross in 97 and I must say that she put on one of the most boring shows I've ever seen. She concentrated on the ballads and totally left the dance stuff alone. Come on, how are going to go to a Vanessa show and she doesn't sing Right Stuff or Running Back To You? Her only redeeming moment of the show was when she performed "Betcha Never" and she brought out a latin dancer and they did a mambo-style dance. The rest was GARBAGE!

Sander said:

Doowutchyalike!

I like Vanessa. My favorites by her are "The Comfort Zone" and "Just for Tonight." I also love "Dreamin'," "Darlin' I," and her excellent cover of "Work to Do." I'm unashamed to admit I like the cheese-fest that is "Save the Best for Last."
[Edited 7/25/08 8:58am]

AlexdeParis said:

I like STBFL also, but it was just wayyyy overplayed in my area. That's kind of what put it on my "despised" list.

daPrettyman said:

It was overplayed everywhere. But that was 16 (damn!) years ago.

Me and JackieBlue LOVE her!!

AlexdeParis said:

SunnySkies said:

Yup, I'm a huge VW fan.

I loved her uptempo R&B material and always thought she moved away from too early in her career but respect that she wasn't afraid to do something other and stick with it.

When I saw her in concert she was great. Plenty of uptempo tunes, communicating with the audience and there was great little dance segment where she got to showcase her footwork.

I'm looking forward to a new album but if it's a collection of standards, covers or yet another Christmas album I will be truly hot. I want original material, dammit!

I'm sure the Japanese enjoy torturing prisoners with her material.

JackieBlue said:

Yeah, she did a good job on "Everlasting love", but she should record some original material. But she should stick to the ballads, that`s what she does best.

Well, I'll say this, her version of "What Child Is This" from A Very Special Christmas 2 is one of my favorite holiday tunes!

namepeace said:

RipHer2Shreds said:

AlexdeParis said:

I have to agree, I really enjoy her Holiday music. Every Xmas they get a nice run.

V-Dub,... sexy then and sexy now.
She can hold a note, I dig her somewhat, her music is pretty safe.

She did get her start with the Dr..as backup on "Hey Good Looking" and "Do Fries Go with That Shake?".

I like some of her songs, she has a nice voice, kinda soothing. My faves are "You Can't Run," "The Comfort Zone," "Still In Love," "Running Back To You," "Dreamin," and "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Bobby Caldwell.

funkyslsistah said:

That remake of "Baby It's Cold Outside" is KILLER!!!!

Wrinkle-mina Slater is EVERYTHING and a cherry on top

AlexdeParis said:

I LOVED her cover of "Work to Do". Because I used to play a TON of weddings, I came to hate both "Save The Best For Last" and Stevie's "Ribbon in the Sky".

JackieBlue said:

Definitely! It just makes Christmas all warm and cozy!

NuPwr319 said:

That's not a valid excuse.

AlexdeParis said:

I think absolutely nothing of her or her music. Then or now. Am not and will never be a fan.

AlexdeParis said:

Please. Ya'll know Stevie's my boy. But playing that song two zillion times for a bunch of freaked out brides and that whole wedding scene thing. . .I just needed to go a LOOOOONG time before I ever heard it again. I was o.k. when he played it a few weeks ago in concert here in Detroit.