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Taking care of herself (103,463) by Tevin from USA I just saw her homage to Dreamlover post. Mariah looks stunning. I love the laid back natural look. Mariah if you're reading this board, please keep this look. (Wednesday 13 September 2023; 00:55) this is a reply to message 103,443

Taking care of herself (103,443) by Jamie from UK Wow Mariah is looking in great shape, from her recent Instagram post. She really seems in a good place right now and taking care of herself. Let’s hope that with the added confidence of looking her best she starts to focus on giving us some new music and working on those vocals. Maybe reliving the [Music Box] era has given her the push she needed to remember how great she was. (Monday 11 September 2023; 23:05)

Crybaby (103,462) by Bobby A from United States Andrew, I just want Mimi to sing and write again like she did when she took out that Casio keyboard and wrote the biggest song of her career. I know she is capable of it. I just wish Kuk Harrell would get the contract to help MC get her voice. (Wednesday 13 September 2023; 00:35) this is a reply to message 103,460

Crybaby (103,460) by Andrew from the UK Bobby A: I will agree with you to any degree, on any subject, for a whole ten minutes, if you stop pretending Mariah can climb a building like Batgirl. And give her her bloody head back. She's pretty good looking, y'know. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 22:14)

Ben Margulies (103,461) by Bobby A from United States The Music Box 30th anniversary has stirred up in me a lot reminiscing about MC's remarkable career. I am wondering how a 2023 Ben Margulies collaboration would sound today. I am hoping there are some more Ben collaborations in the vault. He is in the same class of producers and songwriters that MC never worked with again after her debut - Ric Wake, Rhett Lawrence and Narada Michael Walden. (Wednesday 13 September 2023; 00:26)

Crybaby (103,460) by Andrew from the UK Bobby A: I will agree with you to any degree, on any subject, for a whole ten minutes, if you stop pretending Mariah can climb a building like Batgirl. And give her her bloody head back. She's pretty good looking, y'know. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 22:14) this is a reply to message 103,450

Crybaby (103,450) by Bobby A from United States Crybaby was genius Mariah at her best. It has elements of hip hop, R&B, New Jack, and jazz all in one song. What other contemporary female artist has done that multiple times over. She doesn't receive enough credit for being a damn good songwriter. Her vocal acrobats and diva persona cause her songwriting skills to take a back seat sometimes. Timmy Gatling's creative differences with Aaron Hall of Guy brought me here because MC had the same creative differences.with Sony over Crybaby's release. It's ironic that one of the songwriters had creative differences over Piece Of Love that Crybaby samples. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 05:31)

MB30 (103,459) by Andrew from the UK Something I will offer then that I think almost every disagrees with: Mariah genuinely needs to lose weight. Her confidence levels and her behaviour seems directly linked to her size, if not completely then, definitely, in part. Mariah on The Friday Night Project was fiercely hot, funny, articulate, interesting, fun. And the vocals of that era were pretty good as was the music. (I absolutely love the E=MC2 album and era in general.) I think if Mariah committed to working on her fitness, working on her voice preservation, and letting go of trying to look perfectly positioned everywhere every second of the day, she would reconnect with her greatness. Jamie, FYI: The Friday Night Project was a TV show Mariah hosted. You should check it out. It's really good. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 22:09) this is a reply to message 103,446

MB30 (103,446) by Jamie from UK Well said Andrew I totally agree, she loved those times otherwise she wouldn't be paying them any attention. She was there present at the time and without any effort she looked comfortable and enjoying herself. Nothing is perfect and there were times she wasn't happy but on the whole I'm certain she misses those times. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 01:48)

MB30 (103,458) by Andrew from the UK I could talk endlessly about Mariah Carey eras. This is why fan meets ups would've been fun. The best thing about reliving Music Box and living a new Music Box is that we know where the music went, what came next. I liked Emotions which I went to after Music Box but it felt very much like going backwards musically: becoming more old-fashioned. Listening to the Eponymous album after those was just a step to far in the Eighties and to a musical style that now seems very Kindergarten compared to how sophisticated the writing and production became. I just can't with the Mariah Carey album. And the less said about the cover the better. In saying that: does anyone look at the new zoomed-out cover for the 30th Anniversary Music Box and get the feeling that those facial features have been interposed onto a different photo? It doesn't look like thats where they should be on... her head. Maybe it's just me. It beats the shite out of the Rainbow cover. That belongs in the vault, sealed in concrete. I will offer original Music Box a lifeline: Just To Hold You Once Again, whilst not the most exciting of songs gives me chills from "To something so far gone, oh where did I go wrong? Even though..." It is a brilliant vocal. I'm honestly surprised more people are not as ecstatically pleased with this Music Box 30 era as I feel I am. It's normally the other way around. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 22:02) this is a reply to message 103,454

MB30 (103,454) by MusicfanJ from Germany I completely agree with you Jamie and Andrew. That time was so special, and that she did write and produce the songs on Music Box was the best thing to do. Andrew wrote Music Box is like a blockbuster, I love the comparison. It's true, it's her blockbuster. The album that changed everything. Mariah knows it and hasn't forget it. She was simply genius, the whole production and team on point. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 10:30)

MB30 (103,457) by Nick G from Germany All albums after MB were just an echo that became quieter with each album. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 14:41) this is a reply to message 103,454

MB30 (103,454) by MusicfanJ from Germany I completely agree with you Jamie and Andrew. That time was so special, and that she did write and produce the songs on Music Box was the best thing to do. Andrew wrote Music Box is like a blockbuster, I love the comparison. It's true, it's her blockbuster. The album that changed everything. Mariah knows it and hasn't forget it. She was simply genius, the whole production and team on point. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 10:30)

MB30 just for the nostalgia (103,456) by T from USA This anniversary is kind of bittersweet. It's a great time for the fans but it's also so sad. It harkens back to time and place in many of our lives where Mariah was at the top of the mountain, where her voice sounded like a literal angel and her beauty was natural and unmatched. Her latest Instagram post as an homage to Dreamlover was the hardest pill to swallow yet as it showed us a glimpse of what could've been with Mariah all these years. The absolute natural beauty. If only she was comfortable in her own skin, if only she didn't deal with mental health issues, if only her first husband wasn't such a control freak, if only she could've lived happily ever after. Maybe this picture would be what Mariah would've actually been like all these years instead of just a brief moment of dress up. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 14:10)

Louise McNally (103,455) by T from USA I wonder what ever happened to Mariah's manager who managed her after her split with Tommy, so basically from the Butterfly album on. It was reported that Mariah threw her out of a car before The Emancipation era. And there was no mention of her in her book either. Maybe she wasn't the most prolific manager but she did get her through Butterfly, Rainbow both successful. She stuck by her through Glitter and helped her rebound during Charmbracelet. I always am curious about the story there. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 13:57)

MB30 (103,454) by MusicfanJ from Germany I completely agree with you Jamie and Andrew. That time was so special, and that she did write and produce the songs on Music Box was the best thing to do. Andrew wrote Music Box is like a blockbuster, I love the comparison. It's true, it's her blockbuster. The album that changed everything. Mariah knows it and hasn't forget it. She was simply genius, the whole production and team on point. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 10:30) this is a reply to message 103,446

MB30 (103,446) by Jamie from UK Well said Andrew I totally agree, she loved those times otherwise she wouldn't be paying them any attention. She was there present at the time and without any effort she looked comfortable and enjoying herself. Nothing is perfect and there were times she wasn't happy but on the whole I'm certain she misses those times. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 01:48)

Taking care of herself (103,453) by MusicfanJ from Germany "Maybe reliving the [Music Box] era has given her the push she needed to remember how great she was." Yes, I think she was surprised too. Deep in her heart, she knows, but to hear and see it while working on MB30 must be an big moment. I'm completely overwhelmed again. You're right, she looks fantastic and healthy. I love her black and white shirt as an hommage to "Dreamlover". She looks very natural, relaxed and it suits her so well. That is all I ever wanted. A happy and healthy Mariah. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 10:08) this is a reply to message 103,443

Taking care of herself (103,443) by Jamie from UK Wow Mariah is looking in great shape, from her recent Instagram post. She really seems in a good place right now and taking care of herself. Let’s hope that with the added confidence of looking her best she starts to focus on giving us some new music and working on those vocals. Maybe reliving the [Music Box] era has given her the push she needed to remember how great she was. (Monday 11 September 2023; 23:05)

My Prayer (103,452) by Bill from the UK I'll you all something for free. My Prayer hits differently in the wee small hours of the morning, three glasses of wine deep, when you're scrolling your ex's Instagram feed. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 08:13)

MB30 (103,451) by whisperingmisunderstandings from USA "All I Live For (Extended Version)" is interesting because it's much more vocally in-line with the rest of Music Box (I thought the vocals were a bit subdued on the "Rarities" version, although I like that one as well). If this song and the outtake snippet we heard from "All in Your Mind" are any indication, Mariah may have a vault full of alternate takes of various songs that would be worth releasing, (This is more common in the jazz genre, like John Coltrane releasing an album of alternate takes in the 70s. I think Mariah's instrument is strong enough to warrant that kind of treatment.) The drum intro to "Workin Hard" immediately brought to mind BBD's "Poison", and while it's vocally impressive, I can see why it was left off the final track list (Poison was already three years old by the time MB was released, maybe this track was an early one in the recording process and deemed too dated for it's New Jack Swing elements?). "My Prayer" definitely had a similar vibe to "So Blessed" and "Forever", though more jazzy. The instrumentation reminded me a bit of Amy Winehouse, and again I see why it didn't make the cut (would have been more suited for Emotions, or even Daydream considering the doo-wop vibe of Forever). One omission I noticed was the uptempo remix to "Never Forget You" that I've heard on YouTube... does anyone know if that one is legit or just a fan-edit? I actually prefer it to the original, and always assumed it was a foreign-released b-side of some sort, but if so it seems odd that it wouldn't be included on this "definitive" version of MB. Overall I'm happy with the release, and find it exciting that there are still MC songs (particularly from her prime) that we've never heard. Here's hoping that Daydream30 gives us some more unheard gems. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 06:43)

Crybaby (103,450) by Bobby A from United States Crybaby was genius Mariah at her best. It has elements of hip hop, R&B, New Jack, and jazz all in one song. What other contemporary female artist has done that multiple times over. She doesn't receive enough credit for being a damn good songwriter. Her vocal acrobats and diva persona cause her songwriting skills to take a back seat sometimes. Timmy Gatling's creative differences with Aaron Hall of Guy brought me here because MC had the same creative differences.with Sony over Crybaby's release. It's ironic that one of the songwriters had creative differences over Piece Of Love that Crybaby samples. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 05:31)

Taking care of herself (103,449) by Bobby A from United States I am predicting that MC is planning a new album in 2024. She is taking this time get her voice back to at least E=MC2 or Memoirs eras. I would be happy if she can. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 04:38) this is a reply to message 103,443

Taking care of herself (103,443) by Jamie from UK Wow Mariah is looking in great shape, from her recent Instagram post. She really seems in a good place right now and taking care of herself. Let’s hope that with the added confidence of looking her best she starts to focus on giving us some new music and working on those vocals. Maybe reliving the [Music Box] era has given her the push she needed to remember how great she was. (Monday 11 September 2023; 23:05)

MB30 (103,448) by Stacey from USA Shoot I think she's giving Music Box the better anniversary treatment than she did Butterfly. If she hated the Music Box era, she has a funny way of showing it. As always Andrew, you are on point. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 03:36) this is a reply to message 103,444

MB30 (103,444) by Andrew from the UK Mariah was artistically "stifled" on Music Box? How interesting. She did, did she not, write the songs? She did, did she not, produce the songs? She did, did she not, create the vocal arrangements? She did, did she not, commission the remixes on which she...? Oh, you get me. The pretention of you. Mariah does, does she not, sing Hero in every concert? Mariah does, does she not, sing Dreamlover in every concert? Mariah's breakthrough hit, was it not, Without You? The audacity of you. Music Box is one of the best selling records of all time. Do you see Mariah denying or lessening her involvement in it? Do you hear her, for example, wishing it had been different to the extent she was forced into this in slave labour? The stupidity of you. The lambs do bleat foul under the impression that pre-97 Mariah was chained to a piano leg with Walter Afanasieff sucking the creative blood out of her. What absolute nonsense you have willingly been fed. Do not regurgitate it in my presence. (That's a posh way of saying STFU and GTFO.) (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 00:20)

MB30 (103,447) by BFF from United States I think Mariah was more in touch with her inner child on "Music Box" than on any other album. There is a sweetness, wholesomeness, and innocence to the writing, production, and vocals that really recalls a lot of Minnie Riperton and Stevie Wonder's outputs in the 1970s. I wouldn't call it "creatively stifled", but I understand why people have that perception. Tommy and Sony overruled Mariah on some things - sometimes it was the right call (adding Walter's input on "Dreamlover"), sometimes it wasn't (leaving "Everything Fades Away" off the final track listing). (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 02:36) this is a reply to message 103,440

MB30 (103,440) by JC from USA Original Hero takes the cake, always. But MB30 has me feeling unfulfilled. While MB is vocally a "prime" era, she's artistically stifled and the album feels forced, likely a result of surmounting pressure resulting from Emotion's underperformance commercially (though incredible album). These new from-the-vault songs sound horrifically dated and while her vocals are amazing on My Prayer, it's a complete skip for me. If we are going to be celebrating anniversaries of albums every dang year, I wish we'd only celebrate and spend time more with those where she is liberated as an artist. (Monday 11 September 2023; 15:30)

MB30 (103,446) by Jamie from UK Well said Andrew I totally agree, she loved those times otherwise she wouldn't be paying them any attention. She was there present at the time and without any effort she looked comfortable and enjoying herself. Nothing is perfect and there were times she wasn't happy but on the whole I'm certain she misses those times. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 01:48) this is a reply to message 103,444

MB30 (103,444) by Andrew from the UK Mariah was artistically "stifled" on Music Box? How interesting. She did, did she not, write the songs? She did, did she not, produce the songs? She did, did she not, create the vocal arrangements? She did, did she not, commission the remixes on which she...? Oh, you get me. The pretention of you. Mariah does, does she not, sing Hero in every concert? Mariah does, does she not, sing Dreamlover in every concert? Mariah's breakthrough hit, was it not, Without You? The audacity of you. Music Box is one of the best selling records of all time. Do you see Mariah denying or lessening her involvement in it? Do you hear her, for example, wishing it had been different to the extent she was forced into this in slave labour? The stupidity of you. The lambs do bleat foul under the impression that pre-97 Mariah was chained to a piano leg with Walter Afanasieff sucking the creative blood out of her. What absolute nonsense you have willingly been fed. Do not regurgitate it in my presence. (That's a posh way of saying STFU and GTFO.) (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 00:20)

9/11 and "Glitter" (103,445) by Andrew from the UK To all those who lost someone on that fateful day 22 years ago: it is only life that ends... not love. Love is a thread woven into the fabric of time. It is without beginning and it is without end. If we never meet - or if we never meet again - I wish every one of you a long and happy life. (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 00:36) this is a reply to message 103,438

9/11 and "Glitter" (103,438) by BFF from United States Today marks 22 years since the release of "Glitter" and since the World Trade Center tragedy. I always think of the song "Never Too Far" on this day because it's one of Mariah's most underrated ballads and its theme of loss is really appropriate for remembering what happened on 9/11. It's also impossible for me to forget how difficult the year 2001 was for Mariah and the humiliation she experienced in a moment that was supposed to be a moment of triumph. Sorry to interrupt the MB30 celebration, but I really hope that one day we truly get "Justice for Glitter" - a 25th or 30th anniversary edition with unreleased tracks and more insight into what could have been. (Monday 11 September 2023; 13:18)

MB30 (103,444) by Andrew from the UK Mariah was artistically "stifled" on Music Box? How interesting. She did, did she not, write the songs? She did, did she not, produce the songs? She did, did she not, create the vocal arrangements? She did, did she not, commission the remixes on which she...? Oh, you get me. The pretention of you. Mariah does, does she not, sing Hero in every concert? Mariah does, does she not, sing Dreamlover in every concert? Mariah's breakthrough hit, was it not, Without You? The audacity of you. Music Box is one of the best selling records of all time. Do you see Mariah denying or lessening her involvement in it? Do you hear her, for example, wishing it had been different to the extent she was forced into this in slave labour? The stupidity of you. The lambs do bleat foul under the impression that pre-97 Mariah was chained to a piano leg with Walter Afanasieff sucking the creative blood out of her. What absolute nonsense you have willingly been fed. Do not regurgitate it in my presence. (That's a posh way of saying STFU and GTFO.) (Tuesday 12 September 2023; 00:20) this is a reply to message 103,440

MB30 (103,440) by JC from USA Original Hero takes the cake, always. But MB30 has me feeling unfulfilled. While MB is vocally a "prime" era, she's artistically stifled and the album feels forced, likely a result of surmounting pressure resulting from Emotion's underperformance commercially (though incredible album). These new from-the-vault songs sound horrifically dated and while her vocals are amazing on My Prayer, it's a complete skip for me. If we are going to be celebrating anniversaries of albums every dang year, I wish we'd only celebrate and spend time more with those where she is liberated as an artist. (Monday 11 September 2023; 15:30)

Taking care of herself (103,443) by Jamie from UK Wow Mariah is looking in great shape, from her recent Instagram post. She really seems in a good place right now and taking care of herself. Let’s hope that with the added confidence of looking her best she starts to focus on giving us some new music and working on those vocals. Maybe reliving the [Music Box] era has given her the push she needed to remember how great she was. (Monday 11 September 2023; 23:05)

AYNAF Extended Version (103,442) by Bobby A from United States Wow. What extended version was I listening to on YouTube last night? I am going to listen to the CD version later. (Monday 11 September 2023; 19:39) this is a reply to message 103,439

AYNAF Extended Version (103,439) by Edward from USA Robert-Anthony, it's just the same song on the album but a little longer. It's not a different take. (Monday 11 September 2023; 15:08)

MB30 (103,441) by Bill from the UK "These new from-the-vault songs sound horrifically dated." They're 30 years old, were you expecting 2023 production standards? (Monday 11 September 2023; 18:39) this is a reply to message 103,440

MB30 (103,440) by JC from USA Original Hero takes the cake, always. But MB30 has me feeling unfulfilled. While MB is vocally a "prime" era, she's artistically stifled and the album feels forced, likely a result of surmounting pressure resulting from Emotion's underperformance commercially (though incredible album). These new from-the-vault songs sound horrifically dated and while her vocals are amazing on My Prayer, it's a complete skip for me. If we are going to be celebrating anniversaries of albums every dang year, I wish we'd only celebrate and spend time more with those where she is liberated as an artist. (Monday 11 September 2023; 15:30)

MB30 (103,440) by JC from USA Original Hero takes the cake, always. But MB30 has me feeling unfulfilled. While MB is vocally a "prime" era, she's artistically stifled and the album feels forced, likely a result of surmounting pressure resulting from Emotion's underperformance commercially (though incredible album). These new from-the-vault songs sound horrifically dated and while her vocals are amazing on My Prayer, it's a complete skip for me. If we are going to be celebrating anniversaries of albums every dang year, I wish we'd only celebrate and spend time more with those where she is liberated as an artist. (Monday 11 September 2023; 15:30) this is a reply to message 103,403

MB30 (103,403) by Randy from USA Hey fam. I've been busy since I have a new teaching assignment this year. So I finally listened to the new music. I have to say. I am excited you all are excited. But I don't like My Prayer or Workin Hard. Mariah sounds incredible but what would you expect for '93? I just don't like the songs and understand why they were left on the cutting room floor. Hero 2009 had my attention on the first verse and chorus. She sounds absolutely breathtaking. Pun intended. I didn't like the 2nd verse at all. Ima stick with the Never Too Far/Hero Medley as my definitive version. I am not being a negative Nancy, I was summoned by Robert. And to a lesser extent Edward. It's good to see a flurry of activity on the board. Pun intended. P.S. I wonder what a Right to Dream remix would sound like? I have a DJ friend. Hmmmm. (Saturday 9 September 2023; 22:49)

AYNAF Extended Version (103,439) by Edward from USA Robert-Anthony, it's just the same song on the album but a little longer. It's not a different take. (Monday 11 September 2023; 15:08) this is a reply to message 103,432

AYNAF Extended Version (103,432) by Bobby A from United States This is the gospel version that never made it on the album. This version was probably recorded first. Then one day in the studio she realized it was too gospel for the album. Tommy probably helped her decide too. Music Box the album is a very orchestrated piece of art. The mixes and song choices were carefully thought about to make a cohesive album. This is really why every song flowed into each other like a woven piece of cloth. It's not by coincidence that Music Box is her biggest selling album. Tommy was not going to let MC's third album be subjected to the criticism and low sales like Emotions. (Monday 11 September 2023; 04:39)

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