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

Records, charts and what not (59,537) by Billy from Greece Just enjoy the music. Cultural impact or longevity ("I hope they achieve longevity" ) does not rely on charts and records. Quality, above everything, surely doesn't. (Wednesday 3 February 2016; 18:03)

Re: Negative press, artist success and more (59,512) by Billy from Greece Regarding the discussions about Mariah getting a bad rap for the past, probably, 10 years and her mismanagement of her own image, all I can say is that it's not a "one plus one equals two" situation. The way that ownership of the media in America and around the world functions is very intricate, and many outlets are interrelated and interdependent. As far as the music business is concerned, the success or failure of an artist will impact not just the artist and their label, but a whole other line of sponsors and corporations attached to them. In this sense, there is a conscious effort to see certain artists succeed at certain points in time. It, then, all comes down to connections and alliances. The public does have a power to form cultural happenings, but on the basis of the products they are presented with. The reason why Mariah or some other artists may be more trashed in the media is because they may not have the access, through their collaborators, to those channels that control certain aspects of the press. Why do you think Beyonce is so successful (especially with the Grammys) for the past decade and has such coverage, positive for the most part? It all has to do with deals between Sony and CBS (which is the main network of the Grammys since the 70s) and the NARAS board. This is just an example. Mariah enjoyed that privilege in the 1990s, but after she basically became a free agent (just like Diana Ross in the 1980s) she lost part of the corporate intervention. That's why, after Def Jam, she started forming alliances with L.A. Reid, for instance, or BET and its president etc. In Hollywood, the press agents were always on top of managing or even determining the success ratio of a star. Make no mistake though: Mariah is a very smart business woman too, so don't feel like she has been left behind in terms of deals. (Tuesday 2 February 2016; 14:37)

New Yorker Whitney article (Mariah mention) (59,398) by Billy from Greece Clearly, the person who wrote this is not a fan of Mariah, but what he writes is not only disrespectful but downright offensive and verges on (counter-)racist. He writes: "The first challenge to Houston's legacy arrived in the early nineties, in the form of Mariah Carey, who, from the very beginning of her career, with her constant vocal runs and obsessive flurry of hands, took certain 'black' singing habits to extremes. These were habits that Houston [...] largely eschewed. Despite Carey's caricature of black stylistics and her mixed racial background, the skin-color difference between her and Houston managed to bring out America's racism. Houston was subject to the singer's version of the black athlete's curse: as the daughter of the gospel great Cissy Houston and a cousin of Dionne, Whitney was regarded as all instinct and natural gifts, whereas Mariah, arranger and songwriter, had a brain." "Caricature of black stylistics"? It's Ms Carey we're talking about here, not Christina Aguiera. So frustrated when people not only don't appreciate Mariah's musicianship but in fact misinterpret and misrepresent her. You can read the rest here. (Thursday 28 January 2016; 17:39)

Narada Michael Walden (Whitney book) (59,005) by Billy from Greece I just found out that NMW released a book about Whitney after her passing. Expectedly, there are a few references to Mariah. He supports that during his work with Mariah for her debut, she was "dying to hear the new recordings" that he had done with Whitney (for the "I'm Your Baby Tonight" album). She then asked "Is my stuff anywhere near as good as this?" He also stresses that both artists had their own distinct sound. (Saturday 9 January 2016; 23:05)

Re: Tears (58,866) (58,872) by Billy from Greece Great post Anthony. I also did chock up when I first heard "Cry.". Likewise, "Butterfly" is too deep for words, so tears often ensue. And yes, "Outside" has me crying them tears even to this day (I also feel similar to your experience pertaining to this song). In general, the whole "Butterfly" album puts me in a totally different emotional state whenever I listen to it and whenever I'm invested in it fully, to the point that by the end I'm aiming for catharsis. Still, another song that has brought me vehemently to tears is "The Beautiful Ones". It takes you gradually from an inner monologue situation, to a dialogue to a lashing out thing. An unbelievably intense listening experience that one. Oh, and how could I forget? "I Wish You Well". Very "tear-able" song, hits hard. Among a few more, out of the most recent songs, the cover of "One More Try". (Monday 4 January 2016; 0:40)

Re: Snippet: Mariah Carey/Michael Bolton live duet (58,663) (58,667) by Billy from Greece I'm ecstatic I'm finally hearing this. In fact, today I woke up humming Barbra's version and was thinking after I finished listening to Kate Bush, I should pop Barbra's cd in the cd-player to blast this power ballad. Now finally I get a glimpse of Mariah's apparently epic version. I'm not sure how many of you realize the importance of such performances surfacing at this point in time. We're talking about one of the most important vocalists of our time, which may have been overstated at times but not for the right reasons (i.e. promotional purposes). Listening to early Mariah twenty five years after she broke through is like finding gold all over again or, to put it differently, like acknowledging the legend that she is. (Wednesday 23 December 2015; 11:15)

"Joy To The World" (remix) live (58,616) by Billy from Greece I just can't get enough of her incredible "nostalgic" homage to the 1994 performance of JTTW remix, not to mention those epic intros. The woman has been giving stellar after stellar performance these past few weeks. I'm so happy that these videos circulate on YouTube. (Monday 21 December 2015; 21:28)

Re: Diva devotee (58,611) (58,614) by Billy from Greece I also love this site and I'm happy I got to understand to some degree the technical aspects of singing. The commentary is indeed pretty interesting. (Monday 21 December 2015; 20:49)

Merriest Christmas (58,575) by Billy from Greece I don't know what Mariah's been doing but to say that she is gorgeous is not enough. Seeing her next to Babyface I had to remind myself that it's not 1998 but 2015. Literally, she looks as if she's straight out of 1998. The special was cute and I loved seeing her festive and in the mood. Clearly the Vegas residency has helped her regain her ease on stage and with the camera and she's definitely more confident in her vocal chops as well. I personally never doubted that she can still sang like a powerhouse anyway. The only thing I don't like is the tendency to overdub. So unnecessary given that the woman can still blow like no other. I really don't understand this, especially when it's clear that it makes her also feel uncomfortable. She's concentrating not to miss the lipped note that it almost ruins the moment. It just gets me because her current voice is equally fantastic. It's not like she can't find equally impressive notes live with the recorded versions. Her mid-belts for example are in fact stronger than back in the day. Likewise, her vibrato is back and so damn good. Moreover, "Hark. The Angels Sing" really turns into a live highlight every time, her tone on "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" was fantastic, while her melismas are still unmatched (Babyface seemed a bit under-rehearsed but it was sweet seeing them together). Not to mention her improvisations next to Big Jim Wright. I think he has really helped Mariah these past few years feeling more secure in herself. He is really there for her. Anyways, bottom line, I love seeing Mariah looking and sounding so good these past few weeks. (Sunday 20 December 2015; 16:27)

Tickets - Amsterdam (58,555) by Billy from Greece Ok, I'm dying. Just booked my tickets for the Amsterdam concert in April. Anyone else going? Eric, what about you? (Saturday 19 December 2015; 16:31)

MC BET Honors 2012 (58,541) by Billy from Greece Just looking through some videos from the olden days and I stumbled upon Mariah getting honored at the BET awards in 2012. This is one of the most emotional moments for both Mariah and the fans. You can see how filled with emotion she was throughout, but especially when Patti sang "Hero" to her, wow, that was intense. Mariah said "Patti you just murdered me" when she walked out on stage, and really seeing Mariah's reaction is so heartwarming. A really special honoring. Also having the queen of soul herself Ms Aretha Franklin in the audience standing up for Mariah when she went up to receive the award just makes it even more divaliciously special, knowing that Mariah is now officially in the company and lineage of her idols. (Friday 18 December 2015; 15:48)

Two amazing performances (58,538) by Billy from Greece First, "O Holy Night". Yes, she did lip the expected parts but her voice in the rest of the song was just as wow. It has some amazing mid-belts, while the opening part in her lower register was as full and heavy as the 1994 version. It flows seamlessly. And that ending, she took it home people. Second, "Joy to the World". Kudos to the cameraperson. The video allows you to see Mariah in all her live glory and makes you wish you were standing next to her to witness her work them vocals live. (Friday 18 December 2015; 11:13)

MC 2015 (58,537) by Billy from Greece So, 25 years into her career, Mariah started 2015 with one of her most bizarre and reprehensible live appearances ever in Jamaica (which nonetheless did include its own shining moments) and ended the same year with some of her best live vocals and performances ever. Only Mariah. Of course, in between the excellent Vegas residency took place. Overall, 2015 was a "getting it together" year for Mariah, in which she eventually triumphed. So glad that we see Mariah rejuvenated. (Friday 18 December 2015; 11:07)

MC Milan/Amsterdam (58,536) by Billy from Greece Hi guys. Just a quick question for anyone attending the concert in Milan: Are there any meet and greet packages for this concert? The best tickets I see avalable right now in Ticketone are the "Settore Gold Numerato" that cost 138 euro. Also, anyone attending the concert in Amsterdam? I'm considering that option as well. There is also a bigger variety of tickets there. The gold hot tickets seem like a good deal. (Friday 18 December 2015; 10:53)

My wig was snatched (58,478) by Billy from Greece I have killed the replay button over this. Anyone complaining about vocals? (Wednesday 16 December 2015; 9:43)

Re: Mariah - Italy (58,456) (58,463) by Billy from Greece Thanks for the info Sarah. (Tuesday 15 December 2015; 17:42)

Re: Mariah - Italy (58,455) (58,458) by Billy from Greece So, unless I buy the Honey B.Fly live pass, I won't be able to buy a ticket during the presale period and will to wait until Friday, right? (Tuesday 15 December 2015; 15:38)

Mariah - Italy (58,455) by Billy from Greece Though she's not coming to Greece (not that I ever thought she would, but anyway), I'm beyond excited that Mariah is finally touring Europe. I'm considering going to Italy to catch the show there. Anyone else planning to go there? Also, can we book the tickets now from, say, ticketmaster or only from Marah's website? I'm a little confused due to the rush. Wish I could buy the VIP meet and greet package but 500 euro/dollars is way too expensive. 160 euro is for front seats? Ugh, I'm confused. (Tuesday 15 December 2015; 15:08)

Def Jam (58,430) by Billy from Greece Apparently, Def Jam has screwed up quite a few of their artists's plans, as indicated here. (Monday 14 December 2015; 23:04)

Comping (58,326) by Billy from Greece For anyone who doesn't know what comping is, which I mentioned in my previous post, here's Elton giving some wisdom. (Thursday 10 December 2015; 10:47)

Glitter interview (58,325) by Billy from Greece Mariah at her most unguarded and humane. (Thursday 10 December 2015; 10:15)

Re: Randy (58,318) (58,324) by Billy from Greece Randy, you say that "there are hardly any trustworthy receipts outside of the studio after 1997". I find this to be a huge exaggeration. First of all, I don't think that Mariah has the obligation to address anything that may have happened pertaining to her voice or any other fact that may have affected her voice, not to the fans, not to anyone. Not right now anyway. Secondly, I really can't understand how a person who is a fan either of Mariah or of vocalists in general cannot appreciate Mariah's vocals after her so-called prime. I'm in no way neglecting her shortcomings as a live performer, not so much vocally, but in terms of taking chances or being more experimental musically. Personally, I see a continual evolution in terms of vocals, studio or live. The woman is a vocal prodigy, and still a powerhouse. Just listen to any "Thank God I Found You" performances this year. Also, you wouldn't have Miss Powerhouse herself Patti Labelle saying that "Mariah can sing her face off" if she really couldn't do it. Whitney also said that "Mariah, I tell, she can go... she's a hell of a vocalist." Did you ever see her throw shade to MC in terms of vocals? Hell no, because as a singer she got it. The real problem for me, the real issue, which again I can't understand why Mariah does it, is her insistence on duplicating the recordings to the T, hence her "need" to lip specific vocals. Take the 2013 live in Central Park for example. She did "My All" perfectly, without lipping the usual opening line. She could just slow down the pace of certain songs and that would be it. Some songs are just not realistically performed the way they are recorded. That's why although I adore the second Christmas album, it's downside is the instances of bad comping (stitching good parts together). Vocalists need time for breathing. As long as Mariah performs within the idiom of contemporary "popular" music that might be a problem. The moment the setting changes and becomes more improvisatory (see Carlyle 2012), there is a drastic change in vocals. There you see the full, present gorgeousness of her instrument. And don't forget the 2012 Australian tour. Fantastic vocals. Mariah grows still as a vocalist. The main issue is industry techniques that she no doubt learned next to Tommy. It's the unrealistic standards that are put on pop performers, not musicians. Mariah falls in between. She still has the musicianship, but she also has to cover the industry (and public's) expectations. She could tomorrow rearrange her ballads or uptempos and blow you. Also, don't discount the crippling stage fright that apparently had, lost and reacquired. Say what you will, but don't say that Mariah has not offered moment of stunning vocals after 1997. And I'm not talking once a year. And trust me, as a person who adores legendary vocalists like Sarah Vaughan, Whitney, Ella, Aretha and so on, my standards are very high. (Thursday 10 December 2015; 10:04)

"My All" (Divas 1998) (58,281) by Billy from Greece Every move, every look, every note, every hair movement, every hair flip, everything in this performance is epic perfection. Just pure Mariah gloriousness. By virtue of this entrance and performance Mariah solidified her seat in the pantheon of divas. (Tuesday 8 December 2015; 21:53)

Re: I Know What You Want performance (58,249) (58,251) by Billy from Greece I sensed nothing like that. All I could see is that Mariah was enjoying it fully, she was into it and confident. She seemed comfortable next to Busta to just let her voice flourish. To my ears, she sounded wonderful and I loved how she changed some parts. She was gorgeous and generally totally into her element in the hip-hop setting. I thought it was a beautiful meeting. (Monday 7 December 2015; 10:24)

Those runs (58,233) by Billy from Greece Holy moly listen to them runs. (Sunday 6 December 2015; 15:16)

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