About Billy from Greece:
I don't know, and neither do you.
Island years / Sony (51,074)
by Billy from Greece
While some fans believe that even the imprint of the Sony logo on a Mariah cd would erase all "bad" memories or imply a magical restoration to the good old 1990s, among the many things that can be said about the divisive Island years, I have to acknowledge that if there was ever a problem (since "Charmbracelet") that would be the single choices, not the material. Old story, but re-checking out posters of "Charmbracelet" now and even the stickers on the album, there was no clear direction as far as the second single was concerned. Apparently, sticking to "one" plan never really worked (except for the "Mimi" album). Similarly, with "E=MC2" and "Memoirs" not choosing for singles songs that charted on the Hot 100 for crying out loud (not on a subsidiary chart) with no promotion at all seem now like career-making or breaking choices. Although I want to avoid the "shoulda coulda woulda" kind of posts, and I may sound like I'm rehashing topics that have been exhausted to death, I'm saying all this to point out that, despite the record industry politics that went on, the material recorded while Mariah was on Island is really of high quality. A record company alone, or chart success, does not entail great music per se, which many people seem to forget. Finally, to all the fans that complained about wanting "classic" Mariah during the Island years and not getting it, I'm still amazed at how "The Elusive Chanteuse" failed to satisfy them. That album is the epitome of classic Mariah. (Saturday 21 March 2015; 16:37)
FYI / Rainbow interviewer (50,997)
by Billy from Greece
The guy who did this interview is Craig Seymour. He has written a biography on Luther Vandross which I own and I have seen him talk previously on a Luther tribute. Wikipedia says he is also a former stripper. Always good to know. (Tuesday 17 March 2015; 21:42)
MC/Whitney VH1 countdown (50,954)
by Billy from Greece
I think someone was looking for this a while back. I think this is the whole interview, so there you have it. (Monday 16 March 2015; 21:32)
Re: Lost "Rainbow" Mariah interview (50,898)
by Billy from Greece
Amazing. Articulate, astute, intelligent, a true artist. Great questions. Kudos on the interviewer as well for knowing his stuff. That's exactly the kind of discussion I would love to do with Mariah if I ever get the chance to meet her (again). The energy of the "Rainbow" era still gives me life. It's just so empowering. Mariah was confident then, outspoken. You could even feel that in her music and her performances. Though they are almost controversial words, that's when I feel she was at her most genuine and real, in the years 1997-2001. She pretty musch deconstructs her whole image which at that point in pop culture was pretty radical to do for a "mainstream" artist like Mariah. I love it. Thanks to anyone who uploaded it and brought it to our attention. Finally, this interview shows clearly just how aware Mariah is of everything that pertains to her career and public perception of her. She is no amateur. The woman is a total pro, an array of professions combined in one entity. And yes, "Rainbow" is a total classic. (Sunday 15 March 2015; 15:21)
MC interview (2000) (50,784)
by Billy from Greece
That's a short but very nice interview with Molly Meldrum. I love "Rainbow" era Mariah. She was the the most "Mariah" she's ever been. (Wednesday 11 March 2015; 16:49)
Mariah Instagram - "Glitter death" (50,674)
by Billy from Greece
I burst out laughing when I saw that post. Girl has humor. "I know it was bad but sheesh. Lol, kitsch, cult classic lol." Check it out. (Friday 6 March 2015; 10:31)
Re: Baby / "Heartbreaker" jeans (50,656)
by Billy from Greece
Just have a look at Lenny Kravitz's 2000 "Greatest Hits" set and you'll see how she influenced guys wearing their jeans also. (Thursday 5 March 2015; 9:39)
"Crystal Ball" article (50,615)
by Billy from Greece
They write the following: "The two weren't able to work out a day to record, leading to some tension and Mariah to hold an impromptu press conference: 'If you're not careful, the media can come between a collaboration, especially when you have two incredibly public icons collaborating such as Lauryn and myself. I still have faith in the song and in the idea that both her and I can make it happen.'" Two incredible public icons? Icons? That so-called quote sounds so un-Mariah. Most likely a totally made up "statement". (Wednesday 4 March 2015; 12:13)
Mariah and Whitney / Oscars, Oprah (50,582)
by Billy from Greece
Since it was recently mentioned here (in a different context), I thought about bringing it up. I get the impression that most fans prefer Mariah and Whitney live on Oprah. That was also my initial preference, though at this point I prefer the Oscars' version. What I realized about the Oprah live was that there was some overdubbing on Mariah's first big note on the refrain, while the vocal interplay between the two was a bit rougher compared to the Oscars. While some people say that Whitney dominated in the Oscars, if you watch the duet on a good quality video, the performances were complimentary. What I love about Mariah in that performance is that, while not necessarily at her loudest, her voice was very agile, and the many nuances that to me are the highlight of the performance. Whitney's bottom notes were very resounding, no doubt, yet Mariah's high notes (both in the bridge and in the climax) are much clearer than the Oprah version. I also find Mariah's interpretation in the Oscars more expressive compared to the Oprah duet, though that was impressive in its own right. Finally, both MC and Nippy looked stunning in the white dresses, and the setting was very arresting. Looking back at it, with a distance of a decade and a half at this point, it is a highlight in Mariah's career, and also a great testament of that precious collaboration and diva friendship. I love diva collaborations. (Monday 2 March 2015; 23:41)
Re: Trey Lorenz (1992) (50,537)
by Billy from Greece
"Always In Love" is gorgeous. Actually the whole album is like a lost Mariah album of the eraly 1990s. It has a "Can't let Go"/"Do You Think Of Me" kind of vibe throughout, not to mention the quite a few impressive guests on it. (Saturday 28 February 2015; 22:27)
Re: Norman (50,531)
by Billy from Greece
Wow. That was poignant. I loved reading your post. It's probably the most mature, knowledgeable and respectful post I've read in I don't remember how long in a messageboard that is inundated with teenage-level futile comparisons between Mariah and other artists, rehashing the same points over and over again. I really appreciate the distinction that you made between knowing Mariah the artist versus Mariah the person, as most people here seem to forget that, but this is the nature of fan cultures I guess. You're really a Mariah fan I would be interested in exchanging viewpoints with. (Saturday 28 February 2015; 12:19)
Re: Carlos (50,249)
by Billy from Greece
Carlos thank you for your help. I finally managed to find it after all. It is from a new photoshoot for Vegas, right? I've thus far seen this one and another one similar to your profile picture, with the same big hair. (Tuesday 17 February 2015; 20:23)
Re: Carlos (50,204)
by Billy from Greece
Hi Carlos. Could you please provide a link for the photograph you have as your profile picture? Thank you in advance. (Monday 16 February 2015; 10:47)
Nannies / Mariah "comment" / public (49,456)
by Billy from Greece
These stories are definitely ear-candy for the general public who consider Mariah a supreme diva-bitch in the vein of original "supreme" diva-bitch Diana Ross. At the same time I do recall an interview of Mariah in early 2014 (not sure at the moment which one) where she did throw shade to some nannies (before any of these stories break out) hinting at hiring/firing different people "when they try to be more important than mommy". This was not the exact quote, but she did say something along these lines, which means that there must be a history of mishappenings. The comment, though, in the recent article that the twins "were getting confused about who mommy was" does sound far-fetched. Still, such stories about Mariah that have been more often in the last decade combined with her stint at American Idol are the source of the general public's "change of heart" towards Mariah. In fact, out of all the issues that have been discussed here about the underperformance of "The Elusive Chanteuse", I believe that it was the Nicki Minaj fight debacle that caused everything. Remember that in the 1980s Diana Ross suffered a huge decline in popularity and public liking in the US as a result of a fictionalized stage play ("Dreamgirls") based on a foe's autobiography, and then of an unauthorized biography portraying her as a tyrranical person. (Thursday 29 January 2015; 17:05)
TEOM / 10 years later (49,390)
by Billy from Greece
2005 was really a page-turner for both Mariah and her fans. The "Mimi" album was eye-opening. It was as if it came out of nowhere with a big bang. I was left speechless song after song. "Mine Again" made me drop my mouth a few times I recall. I loved the live instruments, I loved Mariah establishing herself fully as an R&B artist. Equally important, apart from overcoming the "Glitter" jinx, "TEOM" was significant for Mariah in terms of how she was seen within a broader pop culture, namely, as a black artist, which meant a lot to her obviously. At the same time, as much as I loved the whole era, in the next years I ended up cringing every time the fans would wish that Mariah repeat everything she did with the "Mimi" album. In fact, the "TEOM" cast a huge shade over subsequent releases and their evaluation, to the point that it became overbearing. "Mariah was so classy during the Mimi era. Mariah was so perfect during Mimi. Mariah, why can't you be the Mimi album all the time?" I don't know if it is mainly people that became fans during that era that make these comments and cannot envision Mariah outside that "role" but I feel torn now about the "Mimi" effect. Even Mariah was trapped in the unparalleled success of that album and the pressure to repeat it. The album as a piece of music is truly valuable. However, I wish fans will able to appreciate what Mariah has done post-"Mimi" and not glorify an era just because of commercial success or a (questionable) Vogue stylist. (Friday 23 January 2015; 21:50)
"Emotions" / "Make It Happen" (49,324)
by Billy from Greece
This is mostly for the young ones who may not be aware of this, but remembering the controversy regarding the singles from the "Emotions" album, I revisited the "originals" from which MC and C&C supposedly borrowed. While The Emotions' "Best of My Love" can be considered an inspiration, in the case of "Make It Happen" and Alicia Myers' "I Wanna Thank You" I have to admit that the chord changes of the intro are very similar between the two songs, although the foundational melody is pretty different. Bottom line: both are great songs. (Tuesday 20 January 2015; 20:02)
Re: Grammys (49,288)
by Billy from Greece
My last post regarding the Grammys included a link of an article published by Billboard. You can find it online if you're interested. It offers some explanation about the voting members and process and how the recording academy is not responsible for the results. You may gain some insight into why Mariah has been snubbed throughout her career. (Sunday 18 January 2015; 20:18)
Grammys (49,280)
by Billy from Greece
Some information that may (or may not) clarify some things pertaining to the Grammys. (Sunday 18 January 2015; 7:40)
Re: Jenny / "Without You" (49,268)
by Billy from Greece
I guess subtle jokes don't communicate via written language always. (Saturday 17 January 2015; 23:14)
Eyes / Ellen (49,244)
by Billy from Greece
No disrespect to those believing that Mariah looked happy on Ellen, as it comes from a loving place, and I'm not doubting that either, but let's face it, only Mariah knows how she feels no matter how she looks (and did she look gorgeous or what). Remember an obscure song she recorded that says "you always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows"? (Friday 16 January 2015; 23:25)
"One More Try" (49,240)
by Billy from Greece
Am I the only one that gets a lump in their throat just with the opening bars of "One More Try"? The original song is obviously gorgeous, but Mariah's version. It is this album's "The Beautiful Ones", primarily in terms of meaning and significance at the point that it was recorded. Mariah is totally "naked" in this song, showing what a brave artist she really is. Especially when she's whispering "who's the teacher, I'm the student", I just lose it. Such an emotional song. (Friday 16 January 2015; 21:52)
US lambs (49,239)
by Billy from Greece
I'm so gutted and jealous over the US lambs being able to go see MC. I need to pay over 1000 dollars for an airplane ticket just to get to Vegas, meaning no show for me. I want to see Mariah live dammit. When will be my turn? Cry baby, I cry. (Friday 16 January 2015; 21:41)
"Meteorite" (49,237)
by Billy from Greece
Can we acknowledge the banger that this hypnotic track is? Mariah is the epitome of the dance diva here. Superb work from a masterpiece album. (Friday 16 January 2015; 21:33)
Slant Magazine / Juzmine Sullivan (49,218)
by Billy from Greece
In an interview with R&B singer-songwriter Juzmine Sullivan, the interviewer (Andrew Chan, also a fan of Whitney) poses this questions: "How much does the singer in you factor into the songwriting process? You listen to some of the other great female singer-songwriters in R&B, like Mariah Carey, and you imagine while they're writing a song, they're keeping in mind that moment when they can make that key change and hit the sweet spot in their range. Is that something you think about while writing?" Cool, right? (Thursday 15 January 2015; 23:49)
Shelly / "Vanishing" (49,182)
by Billy from Greece
Dear Shelly, the iconic "Vanishing" should never, by any means, ever, in the history of mankind be touched by the "artist" you mentioned. No disrespect, but for the sake of the lambily, even as a thought, it should evaporate as soon as possible. I mean, ever. (Thursday 15 January 2015; 9:21)
