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A look back at 2023 (104,383)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 22:08) | | |
No, dear. Age before beauty. You go right ahead  |
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This is a reply to message 104,382 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 21:20) | | |
Dahling, don't take me so seriously on here. I am just having a little bit of fun. It was Heather Locklear's billing status on Melrose Place that I am referencing. There is room for you before me anytime. Lol.  |
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Rockin' Around (104,381)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 20:45) | | |
Yuh-huh. "Rockin Around the Christmes Tree" I might call a "cute little ditty". I know it from Home Alone and wasn't exactly enthralled by it then. It's no "I Love Sausage Rolls". Doesn't even come close to that masterpiece.
Thought it might be fun for non-Brits to watch the video for "Stay Another Day" by East 17: this is the song that, 29 years ago, kept Mariah from being the UK Christmas No.1 (I cried). Check out the masterpiece music video. Considering it's a song about suicide, again "I Love Sausage Rolls" it isn't. Which ought to feature a warning that it might make you want to commit suicide.
MusicFanJ is given a free pass for the (shocking) oversight of never having seen Mariah sing "If It's Over" at the Grammys, for, I believe, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" also reached Number 2 at Christmas in 1994 in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Y'know, back when charts were quite simple and meant something and not full of ridiculous calculations that you'd need a doctorate to understand win an entire album of tracks from one artist comprising an entire top 10.
I'd feel old saying that. But I still look young and beautiful. |
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This is a reply to message 104,375 by
Edward from USA
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 19:49) | | |
| To be honest, I don't even know how RATCT is even competing with AIWFCIY. The latter is way more festive, the former would be like something to play on Christmas Eve. Maybe Mariah and Brenda agree to defrost together next Christmas seaon. |
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A look back at 2023 (104,379)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 20:24) | | |
What is "special guest star status" (I ask with a due sense of exhaustion and dread)? I've posted on this board hundreds, if not thousands, of times.
Chill out. You get a tad cringe, now and then. But mostly now. And always then. |
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This is a reply to message 104,367 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 16:07) | | |
Hello Eric. Thank you for all that you do to keep the board going strong all of these years. I noticed that you were still posting until 9pm Eastern time last night. Usually the last post is 6pm Eastern. Thank you for keeping the hot topic of "We lost #1" going way into the night. It was a fun way to end the night.
And what a year it has been for topics on the board. Can you think about posting on New Year's Eve the top 15 topics of 2023 with the most replies and likes? Just this November and December alone, I know Mariah vs. Brenda, We lost #1, and Emotions formula will make the list. Also, can you post the top posters for 2023? Andrew returned back in August (or was it September?) and tried to take my special guest star status. Lol. |
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Emotions formula (104,346)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 22:17) | | |
| Let's remind ourselves what weak certainly does not look like. |
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This is a reply to message 104,340 by
Jamie from UK
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 20:49) | | |
| [If it's over] weak. I think not. |
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Emotions formula (104,345)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 22:08) | | |
| Sure, I'll sit down. Put a cushion under your head though so you're comfortable. |
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This is a reply to message 104,334 by
Terna from Nigeria
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 19:25) | | |
"E=MC2 is definitely a better record than The Emancipation of Mimi."  I didn't bother reading the rest.  Sit down Andrew. |
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Mariah vs Brenda (104,324)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 11:33) | | |
| Rockin Around The Christmas Tree is bloody awful. Why it is so popular in the United States is beyond comprehension. But, then, we are talking about a country that sprays cheese out of a can. I'll add it to the list of American Unforgivables. |
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This is a reply to message 104,315 by
Edward from USA
(Friday 1 December 2023; 18:28) | | |
| According to Talk of the Charts predictions, AIWFCIY will be number one next week, but judging by the numbers, RATCT might top it the week after. As I said, it's going to be an interesting journey for both songs. Maybe they'll alternate at the top, but Brenda would set a record almost impossible to break. Should she hit numbe one, RATCT would be the song with the longest time to get to the top spot, 65. She can have it though. Other than that, Brenda didn't write her song, so she doesn't make money from it really. We definitely need Mariah to dethrone Lil Nas. |
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Emotions formula (104,323)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 11:29) | | |
"The numbers never lie"? Do you mean sales equate quality? That's a dangerous path to walk when talking Mariah Carey albums. Is every album that sold more than Butterfly better than it? Many will agree, but a great many will disagree. I will say this, an as example: E=MC2 is definitely a better record than The Emancipation of Mimi, despite selling far less.
What, then, if you had to select three post-1997 ballads to be sung to Mariah in tribute at an awards show would you and others select? They need to be well-known and within the capability of the artists selected to sing them. |
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This is a reply to message 104,316 by
Terna from Nigeria
(Friday 1 December 2023; 21:00) | | |
I'll just say this, between those two records, one is on the cusp of being certified Diamond - her third if I might add, while the other still has a long way to go (the numbers never lie). There's a reason why "Vision of Love" and "Love Takes Time" were the songs chosen for the tribute - they are instantly recognizable classics (even in that time), that have stood the test of time, the kind of songs seasoned songwriters would kill to have to their credit, written by a then 19 year old  a testament in itself and can only be found on the most stellar debut ever by an artist - Mariah Carey. |
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Mariah vs Brenda (104,321)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 02:34) | | |
| So who is the victim of who now? |
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This is a reply to message 104,318 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 00:13) | | |
Thanks for the update, Edward. Seems like there is a considerable effort this year to keep MC from getting to number one or staying number one for multiple weeks this year. UMG is Brenda Lee's record label. They are really going all out this year with this huge promotional push to celebrate RATCT's 65th anniversary. But why now after 4 years of AIWFCIY being the number one Christmas song?
Well I think I know why. Some people in the music and television industry are tired of hearing MC being called the queen of Christmas. It started when MC wanted to trademark the Queen Of Christmas last year. She angered Darlene Love and Elizabeth Chan. Many in the music and television industry were angered by MC's trademark move as well. So, I feel this is their payback for MC attempting to take the queen of Christmas all for herself and from sweet Darlene Love. Everyone already feels sorrow for her how Phil Spector used her voice and she never was publicly credited on a lot the songs she did for him. Phil Spector controlled her early career and was content to leave her uncredited on the songs he did for him.
Do you think that I have hit on something? |
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Emotions formula (104,314)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Friday 1 December 2023; 17:17) | | |
""Emotions" was also a near sophomore slump that just wasn't as strong as the first record, neither were the tunes even as memorable like the debut."
I must differ, also. But go with me here, you may be surprised how this ends. "Emotions", the album, is superior to "Mariah Carey", its predecessor. The former has 80's-hangover style production, far less sophisticated lyrics, and basic tunes on half the record. The latter has the title track, Can't Let Go, Make It Happen, So Blessed and the majestic Till The End of Time - it is, in every aspect, superior. "Mariah Carey" had to have a great ballad shoe-horned onto the end of it to make it better. It is thus far the only MC album I have never owned.
However, everything else in your post is *cough* spot on. The singing style, too-clever melodies and over-production is old hat. It makes it very difficult for songs to be sung in karaoke or in tribute.
It is slightly frustrating that in tribute to Mariah she - and we - had to listen to Vision of Love and Love Takes Time. She has written over one hundred songs since then. But what successful ones can be reproduced? I think we all need and want to move past the pre-No.1's catalogue, right?
Chest voice not head voice. Semi-tone keychange not octave keychange. Simple structure chord progression not complicated altered second verse with no middle eight chord progression. Meaningful Universal lyrics not Fritos kitchen window lyrics. On trend producers not, well, Jermaine Dupri. |
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This is a reply to message 104,297 by
Terna from Nigeria
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 11:11) | | |
| I beg to differ, I don't need her trying to revisit an old formula, "Emotions" was also a near sophomore slump that just wasn't as strong as the first record, neither were the tunes even as memorable like the debut. Mariah is talented enough and creative enough to come up with something fresh, music genres out her comfort zone and especially working with newer producers who have their fingers on the current pulse of music and where it's going, for a fresh sound. Secondly her singing style is dated, too decorated she needs to tone down the girlie "curliecues" and sing straight, mainly with her chest voice, for balance and contrast, so that when she does falsett, it is a breath of fresh air (she did this with great pleasant effect in the late 90's), it just got over bearing from the Charmbracelet era, was too much and very off putting. Her vocal delivery has to be spot on for this new album. I do agree that she needs a return to adult contemporary ballads but sung in her range - "Through the Rain" suffered from this - a beautiful ballad, a very memorable melody but sung too high that the audience cannot sing along. (This is why Adele works so well.) Finally, a change of hair colour or return to her brunette curls - the former would be preferred. Get that tired blonde color retired at least for an era, it ages you 15 minutes. |
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Would you rather (104,306)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 18:47) | | |
That's very kind of you. She's doing well. It's not her time. I've told her she will know when her time comes because she will see me standing over her with a pillow. She's driving me bloody crazy.
Perhaps pm the subject matter and to loop back around to Mariah: Shane MacGowan of The Pogues has died. "Fairytale of New York" is a supermassive Christmas (especially Christmas Eve) song in the UK and Ireland. I think it's a given now that this will be the Christmas No.1 here with Mariah at No.2, hopefully.
Is "Fairytale of New York" a popular Christmas song in the United States? Does it pose a threat to Mariah there? It's truly brilliant (despite its use of the word "faggot" which should really be taken in context along with a chill pill or two).
I do hope The Pogues get the UK Christmas No.1. And that Shane MacGowan rests in peace. |
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This is a reply to message 104,303 by
Edward from USA
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 17:08) | | |
| So sorry to hear that about your Mom, Andrew. I hope she's getting better. |
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Would you rather (104,305)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 17:25) | | |
Crikey.
Justin Timberlake was arguably the biggest artist in the world, at the time. Not wanting to match him with an artist who was "past her prime", so to speak, was an obvious and wise business decision by whoever in his label made it (disappointing for us, though it was). But you win some and lose some. And she did win again. Big time. Turns out Mariah didn't need him, after all.
What is it the Americans say? "No harm - no foul"? I would be very surprised if she called him a "lowlife". Whilst well-thought-out your comments have always been, that was not one of them. |
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This is a reply to message 104,294 by
Mimi L. from Empower Your Highlighter
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 02:39) | | |
| I would also like to add Mariah to that list. His team allegedly didn't let his feature on "Yours" not to be released due to the fact that Mariah was going through a bad time in her career. He then tried to hit her up when she came back like a Phoenix with Mimi. So I'm on the boat of not caring about his version to be released simply because we don't need a fair weather friend. (Side note he was recently caught getting handsy with his co-actor and had to publicly apologise to his wife. That guy is through and through a low life.) |
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Would you rather (104,302)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 16:42) | | |
I agree with your sentiments: Immortality is a masterpiece and so dear to me. I left it on my mother's pillow when I left for University. She recently had a stroke and I played it on repeat between receiving the news and reaching her. The melody itself and the words "we don't say goodbye" are comforting in those terrifying moments when you think you might finally have to.
Unfortunately the album Immortality was on had a lot of filler and was way too heavy on the schmaltz. Without "My Heart Will Go On" I don't think it would have sold half as well as it did. |
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This is a reply to message 104,288 by
Edward from USA
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 00:35) | | |
| What a coincidence, streamed a couple of documentaries on The Bee Gees last week. I didn't know Celine's Immortality, a very special song to me, had originally been written and sung by them. Andy stated they thought Immortality was the best song they had ever written. Sadly, Mariah lost confidence in her solo pen game a long time ago. |
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Would you rather (104,301)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 16:24) | | |
| So Mariah should not record a song with Justin Timberlake because of two actions two decades ago? The outcry over the breast exposure at the SuperBowl was an overreaction from a very conservative section of what was at the time (and possibly still is) a very conservative country. That Justin Timberlake didn't want his career to die on that particular hill is hardly surprising, nor unforgivable. Further, the lows of his consensual private relationships are not in the public interest. "Someone-in-their-twenties-twenty-years-ago-dumped-someone-for-someone-else Shocker" is hardly cause for cancellation. Or at least it ought not to be. But the lunatics appear to have taken over the asylum. |
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This is a reply to message 104,289 by
Edward from USA
(Thursday 30 November 2023; 00:40) | | |
| I think she's talking about Janet's nipple exposure at the Super Bowl and now Britney's revelation about her having an abortion when they were dating. I would like to hear the song though. |
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Would you rather (104,286)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 22:54) | | |
| What's Justin Timberlake done that is "shady"? And only to women? To which women? |
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This is a reply to message 104,282 by
Libra Lamb from USA
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 22:29) | | |
| I agree with most of these tracks except I don't care to hear Justin Timberlake or want Mariah associating with him. He's a snake and has done some shady ish towards women. I can't stand people like him, a true culture vulture. There For Me has always been one of my favorites and I include it in my Glitter soundtrack playlist. |
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Would you rather (104,285)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 22:41) | | |
I recently streamed a documentary on the Bee Gees and Andy Gibb. If you haven't seen it, I do recommended it - it's quite extraordinary.
One notable thing from it was the retelling of Barry Gibb's move into composing for other artists once the group's career had begun to wind down. He has surprisingly written many very well known and recognisable songs for other world famous artists. Mariah ought to have done this a long time ago. She may still yet have time.
In terms of her own releases, a duets album is preferential to a standard studio album that will chart one week only to disappear the next.
I don't know about you, but I am already over All I Want For Christmas Is You.
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This is a reply to message 104,279 by
Stacey from USA
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 20:51) | | |
| Rarities 2. No question. |
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Quality non-album tracks (104,283)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 22:30) | | |
| Almost Home, Triumphant, The Art of Letting Go, #Beautiful, You Don’t Know What To Do. That was a magical time. |
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This is a reply to message 104,278 by
Edward from USA
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 19:58) | | |
| Randy's Theme, Help Me Make It and Almost Home are three quality singles that should definitely be on The Rarities 2. |
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Andrew (104,281)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 22:27) | | |
He said pompously in a condescending manner.
I shall say to you what I said to my father: thanks, but it's too late for your love. |
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This is a reply to message 104,270 by
Bradley from South Africa
(Wednesday 29 November 2023; 00:53) | | |
| That's literally all he does, and he's proud of it too. It's the only way anyone engages him, there's no other way he gets attention. I've been here since 2005, and I can assure you that if Andrew was any other way, everyone would just scroll past him. If he were to just give his opinion without being condescending, he'd be a pompous bore with little reason to exist. It was cute at first, but now he's a grown man and it's kind of sad. Bless those who still tolerate him, they keep him feeling worthy. |
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Andrew (104,258)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Tuesday 28 November 2023; 10:53) | | |
| Do please stop discussing me. You know I can't abide attention. |
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This is a reply to message 104,257 by
Lady B from USA
(Tuesday 28 November 2023; 07:44) | | |
| Original post has 17 likes. Sorry, I just made it 18. |
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Andrew (104,248)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Monday 27 November 2023; 16:57) | | |
| I love you, too. Keep readin', sweetheart. |
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This is a reply to message 104,244 by
David from USA
(Monday 27 November 2023; 03:12) | | |
| Does Andrew do anything on this board besides spread negativity and bad vibes? Genuinely interested. |
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Grio performances (104,236)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Sunday 26 November 2023; 19:24) | | |
All three performances were absolutely awful. Jennifer Hudson and Patti Labelle plodded through songs - which are supposed to build in momentum - only for them both to climax in the most awful screeching. It's very easy to see why Mariah sold records in the way she did. And the less said about the lady singing with Boyz II Men the better.
Mariah's speech endearing. She was unassuming, funny, concise and beautiful. Her speaking voice is noticeably a lot deeper than before. I think she is now going through a lot more vocally than previously realised. Despite that, it was a good showing from her. |
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This is a reply to message 104,231 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Sunday 26 November 2023; 10:31) | | |
| What a welcome surprise for Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones and Boyz II Men, and the legendary Miss Patti Labelle to sing for MC. I loved all of their renditions especially Miss Patti's beautiful performance of Love Takes Time. I loved how JHud sang VOL in her own way and making MC smile. Coco Jones seemed nervous and kind of messed up the first verse to me with the wrong lyrics and some humming of the words. Maybe I'm wrong about her performance. No one will ever be able to sing MC's One Sweet Day like her. |
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New music? (104,229)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Sunday 26 November 2023; 10:10) | | |
Hey, could you post a link to a URL that shows Mariah has a 2024 Grammys nomination?
Webmaster: Here is the list. Terry Hunter is nominated in the Best Remixed Recording category (number 82 in the list) voor the Terry Hunter Remix of Workin' Hard. |
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This is a reply to message 104,223 by
Xavier mariohmix from Spain
(Sunday 26 November 2023; 01:56) | | |
| Yeah, sorry. I realized shortly after sending the message. But it's true I haven't listened to that song very much. And it got a Grammy nomination, like someone said. |
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Our love will never die (104,221)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Sunday 26 November 2023; 00:01) | | |
| I really like the way Mariah sings this line now. I first heard it this way during the ICON performance, I believe, and just heard it in during the medley in the Kansas City show: "Our love will never dye-ee-aye". I love it so much I wish it was sung like this on the record. It's how I sing along with it, now. I don't where she pulls these melodies and vocal arrangements from. It's pure musical genius. |
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New music? (104,220)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 25 November 2023; 23:50) | | |
| From where are you getting this information? I can't find it anywhere. |
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This is a reply to message 104,216 by
MC1989 from Spain
(Saturday 25 November 2023; 10:49) | | |
| Which has been nominated [for] a Grammy by the way. |
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The sound of MC16 (104,212)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 25 November 2023; 01:37) | | |
| What Mariah Carey albums where not "cohesive bodies of work"? Once again, genuinely interested. |
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This is a reply to message 104,210 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Saturday 25 November 2023; 00:20) | | |
| What do you want MC16 to sound like? What producers do you want MC to work with? It has to be another cohesive body of work like Caution. I would love for her to work with Babyface, Bizness Boi, Darhyl Camper, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, Pop and Oak, Wrabel, Akeel Henry, Deputy, Nova Wav and Ryan Tedder. |
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Billboard performance (104,211)
by Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 25 November 2023; 01:36) | | |
So it was Mariah Carey's best performance of 2023 because of her singing, you say. Cool. But could I ask you to specify which lines, out of the ones she sang live, you liked? I know the song very well so could you just tell me the specific lines, perhaps. Out of the ones she sang live, I mean. Genuinely interested.
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This is a reply to message 104,207 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Friday 24 November 2023; 17:14) | | |
| I am only going to be positive about the Billboard performance. The Lovers and Friends and Global concerts were not good vocally when she didn't lip sync to pre-corded tracks. Overall, she sounds better than she did 6 months ago. Either she had sought vocal training or her weight loss has improved her vocal abilities. I feel hopeful for MC to get her new album completed in 2024. |
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