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

Re: "I Still Believe (Stevie J. Remix)" (83,331) (83,334) by Billy from Greece I agree. The "I Still Believe" maxi single is thoroughly fulfilling, almost as a stand-alone piece of work. (Wednesday 8 August 2018; 21:37)

"I Still Believe (Stevie J. Remix)" (83,329) by Billy from Greece This has to be the most forgotten remix by MC, with re-recorded mind you. (Wednesday 8 August 2018; 10:06)

Re: My new article about "The Butterfly Returns" (83,320) (83,328) by Billy from Greece Really great article Richard. I enjoyed it profusely. (Wednesday 8 August 2018; 08:52)

Re: Mariah's voice (83,054) (83,057) by Billy from Greece Thank you for the very extensive reply. I also believe that to a major degree the vocal issues she may be facing are psychosomatic in their root, and I have also sensed a feeling of "burning out". I have also thought about what you've said concerning the eagerness in the early part of her career and the effect that that had on her performances. But as you said, life happens. By the way, cute pic. (Monday 9 July 2018; 21:22)

Criticizing Mariah / other divas and fans (83,043) by Billy from Greece Since the sensitive issue of the voice has come up again and some posters put the blame on Mariah and her lifestyle and bad decisions and bad behavior and irresponsibility and all that good stuff, I was thinking again about how the fanbases of, say, Aretha or Dionne have been treating their divas following the peak. The difference between them and Mariah's fans (or critics, or commentators) is that they support them hundred percent even when not in their best. Aretha and Dionne have been heavy smokers and that has shown in their singing as well. By the late 1980s, their voices had changed quite a lot and in Aretha's case, her raspiness and belting power had diminished a lot. Also, for almost twenty five years, Aretha's higher range is not necessarily the most attractive aspect of her singing. Does it matter to her fans or the public? No, because she had managed to establish herself as an undeniable legend with all the work she had done before. She was truly one of a kind. The difference between them and Mariah lies in that she does not get the same respect despite the legacy she has built. We could elaborate on the reasons on a different post, but the thing is it is as if Mariah is in a constant mode of proving herself for some reason. This had to do with the super high standards that were set in the early part of her career (just like with Whitney), not only because of the natural talent she possesses and the commercial success she achieved but also because of how she was promoted and marketed, which was indicative of its era. (Monday 9 July 2018; 12:37)

Re: Mariah's voice (83,034) (83,041) by Billy from Greece Hi Manuel. Great in-depth analysis. I'm curious about the following: Why would Mariah develop difficulty with proper breathing technique and/or placement of her voice if in the early part of her career (or later, for instance, Charmbracelet tour) she did not suffer from that? I understand that to an extent it has to do with the way she has chosen to approach her vocal delivery to cover the whole range of dynamics, from soft to belting. Apart from that, I won't go into greater analysis of Mariah's voice the way that it has come up again in this forum. It's pretty standard by this point: the first few shows of any new tour are usually not the best. It takes some time for her to adjust, vocally or performance-wise. To me, despite all the changes that have occurred following thirty (that's right, thirty) years of performing, her voice is still rare. Of course I can tell the differences compared to the so-called "prime", but she still has it, not necessarily for performing the songs in their original structure, but once she is allowed a more fluid style and a more relaxed conceptulaization, her instrument truly shines. Her expressivity based on vocal tone alone is still unmatched. (Monday 9 July 2018; 12:08)

"Can't Take That Away" (live) (83,032) by Billy from Greece The "I, I have learned" part that she has been doing differently from the studio version since the Divas Live is one of the best things I have ever heard in my life. It last two seconds, but, wow, I don't know, it always gets me. (Sunday 8 July 2018; 22:21)

Re: Studio singer subject (82,963) (82,966) by Billy from Greece Wow. So beautifully said. Preach. (Monday 2 July 2018; 07:43)

Re: New album (82,908) (82,909) by Billy from Greece I'm quite baffled by the information you bring as actual facts. You say "Mariah talked about her serious financial problems back in 2001" - when exactly? From my own "research", Mariah has never discussed "serious financial problems" publicly or used a phrasing that resembles that. The quote "the money ain't in my bank account" was said during a 1997 interview with Jamie Theakston when he asked her about a rumor that suggested that she's made 200 million dollars, which at that point was pretty logical since she was only 8 years in the business. Also, during a 2011 interview with Rosie O'Donnel she mentioned that because of the recession and everything that has has happened in recent years "nobody's safe no matter who you are" but that's as far as she gone in making a statement about finances. (Tuesday 26 June 2018; 11:55)

Re: Me. I Am Mariah (interview/special) (82,885) (82,886) by Billy from Greece Hi Edouard. I agree with everything you said regarding the tour. I was at the Amsterdam concert, my first Mariah tour ever. It was amazing hearing her voice live, which made me "understand" it better, its highs and lows, the "weight" that it carries, and the truly heavenly tone she has. Apart from that, the band sounded really great live, which I did not realize from the videos on YouTube. It was also clear that this was done by an artist who truly knows her job very well, despite the inconsistencies we have witnessed at times. (Saturday 23 June 2018; 17:40)

Me. I Am Mariah (interview/special) (82,884) by Billy from Greece This is the main interview/special that promoted the album back in 2014, done with the quite sleazy Matt Lauer. I remember how sad she looked during the entire thing, even during the performances. By that point she had already broken up with Nick yet it was not out yet, still quite obvious. Mind you that this was also the last Mariah era prior to the "nightmare era" that started in 2015 and culminated in 2017 (though 2015 was pretty decent, and we got the SSFT in 2016, yet you know what I'm referring to). (Saturday 23 June 2018; 09:23)

Re: Greatest Mariah performance ever (?) (82,852) (82,855) by Billy from Greece I agree. Definitely another quintessential Mariah performance for sure. In my top 5. (Monday 18 June 2018; 13:27)

Greatest Mariah performance ever (?) (82,830) by Billy from Greece I usually find it limiting when we try to name the "greatest this" or the "greatest that", but would you agree that "Joy to The World" at St. John the Divine may be Mariah's most awe-inspiring live performance, also thanks to that gospel "tantrum" in the end? Even Mr Sony himself wrote that it is one of the greatest vocal performances ever. (Saturday 16 June 2018; 11:49)

"Emotions" - Butterfly tour (Sydney) (82,820) by Billy from Greece Gorgeous, glamorous Mariah delivering sizzling soulful "Butterfly" vocals. (Friday 15 June 2018; 08:30)

Dreamlover - live 1993 (82,760) by Billy from Greece Here's a new upload of an old performance from an official channel on YouTube. (Tuesday 12 June 2018; 12:25)

Re: Concert in Europe (82,723) (82,726) by Billy from Greece Liz, I'm facing the exact same dilemma and have the same concerns. I want to go, but it's a working day, and I feel like I can't make plans that far ahead. But I fear that the tickets will be sold out soon. Ugh... dilemmas. (Saturday 9 June 2018; 20:02)

Re: Tickets (82,706) (82,717) by Billy from Greece Thanks for the reply MusicfanJ. I just found out about this site as well. I'll have a look. I'm considering going to the Berlin concert actually. (Saturday 9 June 2018; 08:42)

Tickets (82,702) by Billy from Greece Apart from Mariah's site and Live Nation, any other sites where you can buy a ticket from? I haven't found the European concerts neither on ticketmaster nor on twickets. (Friday 8 June 2018; 13:27)

Re: Mariah Christmas tickets (82,691) (82,694) by Billy from Greece The tickets are officially going for sale tomorrow, right? However, on certain sites (like the controversial Viagogo) they are already up for sale, which I find weird and the prices are indeed not the best. (Thursday 7 June 2018; 17:08)

That Blackwood guy (82,674) by Billy from Greece How tacky, cheap and cringe-worthy it is when you see someone using another person's name for their own benefit, let alone claim that Mariah "took a shine" to him, and how "yellow" of talk shows to use Mariah's name as a clickbait. Move on already. (Wednesday 6 June 2018; 11:42)

"A look back at Luis Miguel and Mariah Carey" (82,673) by Billy from Greece This feels like a gazillion years ago. I vividly remember then-current photos of them in various magazines, especially those where Mariah wears that white fringe bikini in early 2001. She seemed quite relaxed with him. It feels so weird to look back at that era and realize how long ago it was. (Wednesday 6 June 2018; 11:38)

"Mariah Carey on bossiness etc" article (82,663) by Billy from Greece I try to avoid overgeneralizations, but why is the British press so darn sarcastic and bitter-ish whenever there is a cover story or even interview with Mariah? I feel like outside the US, she is mostly misunderstood in the UK. The "bitchy diva" scenario is played to death there and there is a constant shallowness and "craziness" attached to her in several articles in the UK press over the years, not to mention a general mocking attitude that I have seen by several journalists on talk shows she has appeared. It feels like her sense of humor as well as her personality and even artistic identity do not translate well in a British setting. At the same time, I feel that she is "celebrated" there for her "fabulousness" and alleged over-the-topness, and MC is giving them what they want. Again, I don't want to lump people into one category. I mostly refer to the attitude that British journalists have expressed towards MC. (Tuesday 5 June 2018; 21:13)

Re: One song discussion with MC (82,603) (82,610) by Billy from Greece Great point, Chicago Lamb. (Saturday 2 June 2018; 14:37)

Re: One song discussion with MC (82,606) (82,609) by Billy from Greece "Subtle Invitation" for me, as well. (Saturday 2 June 2018; 14:36)

7 Mile - "After" (82,555) by Billy from Greece For anyone who is not aware of it, this is a song written by Mariah for the group's debut album. They were, along with Allure, signed on her short-lived Crave label. It's worth a listen or two. The Mariah sound is pretty strong here and it's lovely. You can easily "hear" her sing it. (Monday 28 May 2018; 21:08)

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