Messageboard

About Billy from Greece: I don't know, and neither do you.

"There's Got to Be a Way" remix (61,160) by Billy from Greece I had no idea that there were some additional adlibs towards the end of this remix, as well as some re-arranged background vocals. Wow. I've always regarded TGTBAW as the cheesiest song in Mariah's catalogue, which nonetheless functions as a perfect vocal showcase. (Friday 8 April 2016; 22:30)

Re: Meet and greet (61,144) (61,148) by Billy from Greece I don't think it's Mariah per se that charges. I think it has to do more with the promoters and the variety of packages they offer to make more money, so I don't think Mariah can say let's make a free meet and greet. Surely, Mariah can give her consent or not. But I think these types of tickets are a relatively recent trend, and is probably connected to touring companies. But it is weird when all you want is just a little time with your idol because you get just a glimpse of the backstage madness in this industry. And the fact that it involves such huge amounts of money kinda ruins the "innocent" drive that brought you there in the first place, which is (I guess for a lot of people) pure love of music and of an artist, and you may feel like that magic is lost since it is all about the logistics. That being said, I think the best opportunities to meet an artist of her caliber is through contests and through luck to be honest. When you get too close, the myth you have been building for years may fall apart. (Friday 8 April 2016; 18:01)

"Hero" in Riga (61,146) by Billy from Greece The bridge in this performance is everything. (Friday 8 April 2016; 17:37)

G4 (61,108) by Billy from Greece I can't get over that G4 here. (Thursday 7 April 2016; 20:56)

Nigel / American Idol (61,080) by Billy from Greece So, regarding the Mariah/Nicki feud, Nigel commented that "nothing would stop them, once they got going, which I don't think the public enjoyed, we certainly didn't." Right, Nigel, whatever. Just notice his face and body language when he says that. (Wednesday 6 April 2016; 12:45)

Re: Mariah was fabulous in Helsinki / Andrew (61,059) (61,064) by Billy from Greece Tiina, that was pretty much the situation when I got the chance to take a group photograph with Mariah back in 2009, during the Christmas event at Westfield London. Luckily, I didn't have to pay that extravagant amount of money as I won at a contest, but it was out of fear of experiencing what you just described that I decided to opt out of choosing the meet & greet package this time. Although it was surreal that I met her and it was a dream come true, imagine having five people trying to concurrently talk to her, while chaos taking place, while cameras are shooting, while security directing you, while etc. I did manage to say a couple of words to her quickly (though, in retrospect, when I think of the way I phrased it I'm like "what was I thinking") which made her turn and grab my hand tightly (which really took me off guard in the best way possible), and although I know this would be the closest I could get to Mariah at this point in her life and career, I wish there was a more intimate setting with no cameras that would allow me to spend maybe a couple of minutes with her. For instance, the fans that were backstage at the Jimmy Fallon thing in 2013 were much luckier I guess. But yeah, on the hand you want to meet your idol, but there is always the chance of being let down, not necessarily because of their behavior (and we all know Mariah is the kindest and most cordial towards her fans) but the whole saga that comes along with it sort of leaves me now wanting to admire from afar. (Tuesday 5 April 2016; 18:53)

"One Sweet Day" (61,005) by Billy from Greece I'm really surprised she has included this song in an international setlist. I would prefer her to do "Through the Rain" instead. Oh well. (Sunday 3 April 2016; 13:24)

Article: I cleaned house because my staff didn't have my back (60,984) by Billy from Greece The quotes sound totally un-Mariah. (Saturday 2 April 2016; 18:30)

Re: Awkward interview (60,918) (60,922) by Billy from Greece Walking down that 90s memory lane, aren't we? I so love "Bedtime Stories" too. One of the first albums I owned (though "Ray of Light" was the major turning point, and the first cassette I bought by myself). I'm having it on a daily rotation this past week actually. Such a "cerebral" (as a reviewer characterized it) album. "Love Tried to Welcome Me" is such a masterpiece. But Mariah doesn't have to know (just for laughs). I'm also exploring Natalie Cole's catalogue more and more lately. Her voice never moved me really, though I did find it pleasing and always loved the "Unforgettable" album. Still, as I have gone deeper into her discography and career after her passing I have ended up understanding her style and sound evolution better, though I prefer her in her jazzy phase. Also, what really made an impression on me is how widely respected she was in the industry and in America specifically, ever since she debuted in the mid 1970s. I never realized that before. She was also a really eloquent lady and seemed sweet too. (Tuesday 29 March 2016; 23:29)

Article: Mariah Carey is happier than ever at 46 (60,891) by Billy from Greece Great article, very well-written. Kudos to the writer. (Tuesday 29 March 2016; 1:04)

Awkward interview (60,887) by Billy from Greece Remember this? Poor Mariah. She still managed to "shake it off" with humor, despite the interviewer's rather questionable attitude. Love, though, how she's on the verge of "ringing" the second alarm. (Tuesday 29 March 2016; 0:25)

Re: Music with Will.i.am (60,733) (60,740) by Billy from Greece "Heat", the UK bonus tracks on "E=MC2", is produced my MC and will.i.am. Not sure about the other collaborations in will.i.am's "folder". (Tuesday 22 March 2016; 18:50)

Re: album titles / "Phoenix" by Labelle (60,699) by Billy from Greece By the album titles some of you guys suggest, I wonder whether you have been following another artist all these years. On the basis of Mariah's personality, do you really believe she would go for the ones I see here? On another note, Labelle had an album called "Phoenix" back in the late 1970s. Really strong album, check it out. (Monday 21 March 2016; 16:33)

Re: That voice (60,641) (60,660) by Billy from Greece Hey enwar. I will indeed travel to Amsterdam to catch the show there. Although I couldn't resist succumbing to "spoilers" (that is, watching clips from the UK shows), I'm still very excited about attending and I'm waiting to see what it feels like to hear a "My All" big note or an "Emotions" intro live. A comment on a YouTube video has stayed me with me: "The videos don't do her justice." So there, that has me "toss and turn in my bed". (Sunday 20 March 2016; 14:32)

"Open Arms" live 1996 (60,650) by Billy from Greece Just fantastic tone. (Sunday 20 March 2016; 9:31)

That voice (60,621) by Billy from Greece Apart from discussing how gorgeous she's looking and how beautiful Mariah's sounding currently, I just marvel at the little hints she gives in her live performances of the real "knowledge" that lurks behind those vocal chords. Let me try to make it more clear: Mariah is a master of technique and obviously knows too very well how she wants to sing her hits to please both the fans, as well as have fun for herself when she sings a specific song for the nth time. However, it is at moments like the intro of "Emotions" and this particular note at the end of "My All" that just has me begging for more of that. It's not just the stupendous full-sounding resonant belting she is capable of. It is the incredible drama, the weight, and the unrealized potential that her voice carries, that one is left wanting for more of "out of the box" notes and performances. This clip I've posted just takes an already huge song and performance into a whole new level. Instances such as this make me wonder how much Mariah is holding back - since she is (still) an artist performing within the medium of "popular" music - and how much knowledge she has acquired over the years, which luckily is exhibited gradually more through variedvocal approaches. (Saturday 19 March 2016; 20:46)

Around the World (2002) / "reality" (60,491) by Billy from Greece For those who were quick to get caught up in the "reality" rumors, have you forgotten the VH1 special "What It's Like: Mariah Around The World" from the Charmbracelet era? It's not the first time Mariah has done this docu-series thing. (Wednesday 16 March 2016; 17:15)

"Loverboy" live / Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour (60,462) by Billy from Greece Are you kidding me? Loverboy and When You Believe live? She looks amazing by the way from the little snippets I've seen. Glitter-like hair too. "Against All Odds" too? I can't even believe it. She sounds a bit intimated and more reserved compared to Vegas. Hopefully she'll loosen up as the tour evolves. Can't believe she included these songs. So happy. (Wednesday 16 March 2016; 0:44)

2002 Oscars (60,380) by Billy from Greece Wow, Mariah was really a punching bag during those years, and nobody showed mercy or support. I was just watching Whoopi Goldberg's opening monologue at the 2002 Oscars and the jab at Mariah ("America suffered through a great national tragedy but we have recovered, Mariah Carey has already made another movie") was biting. Not appreciated by the way. Wow, "Glitter" almost did kill her career for good, sometimes I tend to forget. This just shows what a stamina this woman has to keep rebouncing. (Saturday 12 March 2016; 15:01)

Article: Las Vegas shows a complete disaster? (60,254) by Billy from Greece This reeks fabrication, most likely courtesy of the Firecracker lady camp. (Tuesday 8 March 2016; 11:58)

Re: J Lo addresses "I don't know her" quote (60,154) (60,165) by Billy from Greece She also says "We've met many times." Have they? If MC had shaded her without having met, imagine the magnitude of the shade have they actually met. Gotta love Mariah. (Friday 4 March 2016; 1:52)

"Makin' It Last All Night (What It Do)" / "Mimi" (60,164) by Billy from Greece Now, that's a song that I have completely forgotten about (most of the times I prefer to listen to the standard edition of "Mimi"). It just popped in my head out of the blue the other day and then I realized I haven't listened to it in ages (a rarity for a Mariah track). I enjoyed it when it came out, now I find it a bit dispensable, though I like that it is "vibey" and all (I particularly like the stacked vocals on the "tonight I need your body etc" part). I prefer "Sprung" over it (wow, that's another one I haven't heard in a while) and "Secret Love". Since I'm talking about the "Emancipation" sessions, and considering that the first three tracks/singles were almost last minute additions, can you imagine what the album would sound like if, instead of them, we had "Sprung", "Secret Love" and "When I Feel It"? While I do think that the JD tracks are stronger, I think I see the "vision" of the "Mimi" sound/concept better with the original three tracks, while I find the album would feel more of a continuation of "Charmbracelet" (in a good way), more "artsy" maybe, live sounding and experimental. All great tracks notwithstanding. (Friday 4 March 2016; 0:11)

Re: Sam Smith (60,141) (60,143) by Billy from Greece Last one on SS: Just saw Chris Rock's comment after Sam performed: "Amazing, hey, my favorite song is Father Figure. " Just cracking up. Poor Sam. Enough though. Let's talk about Mariah now. (Thursday 3 March 2016; 1:13)

Re: What is this mess (60,139) (60,142) by Billy from Greece Are you serious? This has me laughing, for real. It's as if she is peeping behind a curtain to see what Mariah's next move is so she can follow "on her tipy toes". (Thursday 3 March 2016; 1:10)

Re: Sam Smith (60,134) (60,141) by Billy from Greece Hey enwar. Latch is also pleasant (and the video has some hot dudes too), perhaps because Sam's falsetto is covered by the production. I just can't stand it. Not to be hating on the guy, he's young and all (how many posts about being drunk can he post, not to mention that once he starts speaking it's like he has no filters), but yeah, you get my point. Darren Hayes (of Savage Garden) on the other has much better transitions to that area of his voice, and overall control. Finally, I also liked some of the stuff Mary J. did with Disclosure. And make sure you check his posings. So dramatic. (Thursday 3 March 2016; 0:59)

MORE MESSAGES