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Name: Bill
Country: the UK
I love Mariah more than you do.

London Daydream Tour Attendee.
Music Box (103,556) by Bill from the UK
(Saturday 23 September 2023; 11:40)
Interestingly, the non-MB30 edition of Music Box, that was on streaming services at the US 10-track edition, has now added "Everything Fades Away" as the 11th track. I can only speak for UK streaming, would be interested to see what, if anything, has been done across the pond.
7 likes reply
MB30 - reflections (103,518) by Bill from the UK
(Sunday 17 September 2023; 02:22)
The pre-records for Without You actually began in 1994 for the Christmas TOTP performance. Then again at MSG in 1895, the Tokyo Dome dates of the Daydream tour in 1996, and then from Butterfly tour onwards.
3 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,513 by BFF from United States
(Saturday 16 September 2023; 16:30)
MB30 - reflections (103,478) by Bill from the UK
(Thursday 14 September 2023; 10:08)
Now some time has passed, here are my thoughts.

Disc 1:
I've always loved the album, and never understood the group of fans that dismissed it. It's beautifully sung, expertly recorded, it showed more nuances to her voice than before, and her "pen game" as you kids call it these days for some reason, was superb. A 23 year-old writing Anytime You Need a Friend, Never Forget You, Hero, Dreamlover, Everything Fades Away? Wow. Speaking of Everything Fades Away, it was pleasing Mariah included this on the 'original' album. I know over the years each side of the pond has stated their case for the better finish to the album. Perhaps we can agree that All I've Ever Wanted is a gorgeous finale and send off, whereas Everything Fades Away is the hauntingly beautiful epilogue? Looking at this site's discography, more versions of the album included it than didn't, and it seems like Mariah herself views it as the true ending to the album.

Disc 2:
Okay wow. It's strange how on The Rarities, All I Live For was just, there. It was a pleasant little bop, but I was like "yeah, I get why it was left off." How is the extended version like a thousand times better? Honestly it elevates the song to a whole new level, and her vocals are astonishing. Great to see Luther added, as I always viewed Endless Love as part of the Music Box era, and was surprised the album never got re-issued to include it after it did so well. Workin' Hard and My Prayer I can't keep away from. I adore them. I am so sad they were locked up in the vault for 30 years, but look at them now having their day in the sun. The TOTP performances and remixes I am happy with, especially as the two full-length 10-minute epic and iconic club mixes were included. The only small hang up I have is with Hero (2009 Version). Firstly, it was recorded in 2008, so let's get that out the way. Second, I think I would have preferred the Spanish version to be included as it was 'of the time', whereas this was a good stretch afterwards, so it feels somewhat out of place. Everything else is from the period (save the two new mixes). I detested the re-recording when it came out to promote The Ballads, but as I have mellowed I see it was what it was. It's fine now, I'm at peace with it, but yeh. It's the only point where I pause briefly.

Disc 3:
We all love Proctor's Theatre don't we. What a concert. For many of us, the first one we saw. I also had two worn out VHS in my time, and then switched to the DVD when that was issued. It is my go-to 'comfort' concert. Whenever I've had a bad day and I need lifting up, or I'm perturbed by the world and all what's going on, I watch it. It takes me back to childhood, the wonder that was early Mariah, the nostalgia I wallow in, the happy memories it invokes. Like a few of you, every move, hand gesture, giggle, is committed to memory. Having it on audio is so, so good.

General:
Again, I never had an issue with the original cover. It was a bit botched on the cassette version as she was half a head, but the CD always looked beautiful. It gave a Marilyn Monroe vibe, and had a certain simplicity to it. The uncropped version is equally as nice though. If anyone's gone into panic mode over the physical release having a big border around the original cover, this is a slip case that will reveal the uncropped cover beneath it.

But thank you Mariah, for everything. 10/10.
15 likes reply
Since we're wondering (103,476) by Bill from the UK
(Thursday 14 September 2023; 09:53)
Yes, the physical formats are not due until February 2024. I suppose they will take the pre-orders and then ascertain how many to manufacture. If anyone ordered through MC's store, you can cancel and re-order through Amazon where you get free shipping if you have Prime.
5 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,470 by Brad from USA
(Wednesday 13 September 2023; 22:54)
My Prayer (103,452) by Bill from the UK
(Tuesday 12 September 2023; 08:13)
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.
8 likes reply
MB30 (103,441) by Bill from the UK
(Monday 11 September 2023; 18:39)
"These new from-the-vault songs sound horrifically dated."

They're 30 years old, were you expecting 2023 production standards?
14 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,440 by JC from USA
(Monday 11 September 2023; 15:30)
My tracklist order for MC30 (103,434) by Bill from the UK
(Monday 11 September 2023; 08:47)
Switch the last two around and it's perfect.
4 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,426 by The Real Deal from USA
(Monday 11 September 2023; 00:04)
It's here (103,361) by Bill from the UK
(Friday 8 September 2023; 01:36)
Yes Eddie, it is a cover of the old 50s song and she sings it amazingly. Honestly her voice is exceptional. I've played it like 1000 times already.

All I Live For is a completely different take than the version on The Rarities and her voice is incredible. The whole package is just brilliant.
5 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,358 by Edward from USA
(Friday 8 September 2023; 01:19)
It's here (103,353) by Bill from the UK
(Friday 8 September 2023; 01:05)
Workin' Hard is phenomenal, and I have no words for My Prayer. I am crying, her voice is sensational. How, how has this stayed locked up for 30 years? Oh Mariah I love you so much.
19 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,352 by Jamie from UK
(Friday 8 September 2023; 00:43)
Release date (103,346) by Bill from the UK
(Thursday 7 September 2023; 23:56)
I'm praying for the tour footage/audio to be released too. Why oh why would you keep that in the vault?
3 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,345 by Jamie from UK
(Thursday 7 September 2023; 23:17)
Release date (103,343) by Bill from the UK
(Thursday 7 September 2023; 22:21)
Technically midnight tonight is tomorrow. She's posted a snippet of Workin' Hard on her insta. Wow. To think we'd have another Carey-Cole-Clivilles track in our collections all these years later. What a treat.
4 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,342 by Jamie from UK
(Thursday 7 September 2023; 21:57)
Disc two (103,326) by Bill from the UK
(Thursday 7 September 2023; 00:31)
I hope so, I'm definitely staying up until midnight tomorrow and hope to listen to it at 00:01.
4 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,320 by Jamie from UK
(Wednesday 6 September 2023; 23:55)
Disc two (103,319) by Bill from the UK
(Wednesday 6 September 2023; 23:31)
Full tracklisting for the bonus disc:

1. All I Live For (extended version)
2. Endless Love (duet with Luther Vandross)
3. Do You Think of Me
4. Workin' Hard
5. My Prayer
6. Hero (2009 version)
7. Anytime You Need a Friend (extended mix)
8. Music Box (a capella)
9. Dreamlover (live from Top of the Pops)
10. Without You (live from Top of the Pops)
11. Dreamlover (Def Club Mix)
12. Anytime You Need a Friend (C&C Club Version)
13. Anytime You Need a Friend (Soul Convention Remix)
14. I've Been Thinking About You (Terry Hunter Remix)
15. Workin' Hard (Terry Hunter Remix)

This indicates that Everything Fades Away may be placed as track 11 on the regular album (its rightful place). I cannot wait for Friday.
6 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,317 by Robert-Anthony from United States
(Wednesday 6 September 2023; 23:11)
Music Box vs. My Prayer (103,304) by Bill from the UK
(Monday 4 September 2023; 19:13)
I like this theory.
3 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,299 by Shezz from Pk
(Monday 4 September 2023; 04:46)
Re-recording Music Box 30 (103,297) by Bill from the UK
(Monday 4 September 2023; 00:17)
Please no. Why paint the peacock?
7 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,296 by Jamie from UK
(Sunday 3 September 2023; 19:50)
Music Box 30th anniversary revealed (103,291) by Bill from the UK
(Sunday 3 September 2023; 10:58)
I don't have that version my friend, but that's because it's a lot of snake oil. It won't sound any better than the CD. CD audio (16bit/44.1khz) is better than the top range of human hearing (but a substantial margin), so much like the gold "hi-res" stamp you see, it's marketing with no discernable difference. The fact the K2 CDs play on a regular CD player, which cannot encode any better than the Redbook standard, is testament to that.

The only true difference can be heard on the SACD/HDCD format, which you need to play on special decoders/systems. You will hear nuances in the music and perhaps elements deeper in the mix brought to life a bit more. To my knowledge only #1's and Divas Live has been released on that format from Mariah's catalogue.

Any difference you hear on the K2 version will likely be down to the mastering, and in most cases it's "louder" only. So, put in your regular Music Box CD and turn up the volume dial and you'll have the same outcome.

We are fortunate Mariah recorded her albums in top quality Sony studios (up until Rainbow), the CDs all sound fantastic and are the absolute best they can be.
10 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,290 by Robert-Anthony from United States
(Saturday 2 September 2023; 15:36)
Music Box 30th anniversary revealed (103,288) by Bill from the UK
(Saturday 2 September 2023; 14:00)
Me too. I just keep praying I don't die before Friday so I get to experience it.
3 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,287 by Jamie from UK
(Saturday 2 September 2023; 13:54)
Music Box 30th anniversary revealed (103,285) by Bill from the UK
(Saturday 2 September 2023; 13:01)
I'm not sure, but presumably through her website and, for an artist if her standing, I'd imagine it would be on Amazon and so on. The trailer does say there is an "expanded digital version" which I am assuming is the 3xCD version. It's next week, so I'm surprised it's not yet available to pre-order anywhere.
5 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,284 by Jamie from UK
(Saturday 2 September 2023; 09:38)
Music Box 30th anniversary revealed (103,278) by Bill from the UK
(Friday 1 September 2023; 15:00)
The 3CD edition is encouraging, as that indicates 1 disc for the album, another for the Thanksgiving audio, and the other for the bonus tracks. I'd imagine it'd include the three tracks from The Rarities, plus the four she's shown on her social media accounts. That leaves plenty of room for other surprises which I am pumped about. Also, the clip on Instagram had footage from the Music Box tour. Could it be, finally, we receive this gem? That is "my prayer".
12 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,273 by Shezz from Pk
(Friday 1 September 2023; 04:15)
Music Box 30th anniversary revealed (103,270) by Bill from the UK
(Thursday 31 August 2023; 23:58)
I am so excited for this news. And wow, a new song from the recording sessions, I can't wait to hear it. And finally, to have the Thanksgiving concert on audio at last. Music Box was my first Mariah album and still to this day remains one of my favourites. It is a beautiful album, thank you Mariah for this gift.
13 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,266 by Robert-Anthony from United States
(Thursday 31 August 2023; 16:45)
Discounted singles (103,225) by Bill from the UK
(Saturday 19 August 2023; 22:17)
Being the UK there weren't any tactics like this, other than the CD singles being released in "two parts" to sustain sales in the second week, and make rabid fans like me buy every version for different remixes or the alternative cover art (shout out to the UK exclusive Always Be My Baby artwork). I have been known to narrow my eyes in suspicion at the "one week only" #1s. I agree with what you say about My All and Thank God I Found You. I wouldn't say it applies to Heartbreaker and One Sweet Day though, because they had quite long stays at the top (especially OSD), plus Heartbreaker's great video would have helped as that whole thing was a hoot. This is why I roll my eyes when the (ducks) yaas queens lay down the "she's had two hundred thousand number ones" trump card. It's like, ask Joe Public to name 6 of them. Go on I'll wait. And yes, we all love Loverboy for all sorts of reasons (my affection for it is because it's such a mess), but there's no way that would have even cracked the top ten stateside were it not for it being sold for a penny or whatever it was. I always felt the UK's chart position of #12 was justified. It didn't warrant a top ten position, but deserved to knock at the door and be asked to the party, only to be sent away.

I've had too much wine.
7 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,224 by Randy from USA
(Saturday 19 August 2023; 19:08)
The Price Sisters and Melonie - underrated gems (103,219) by Bill from the UK
(Saturday 19 August 2023; 12:12)
Absolutely. It gives such a sombre end to the record and feels unfinished without it. Such an epic closer that gives the record more breadth definitely. Jamie I love the new picture, very Magnum PI (that's a compliment).
6 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,218 by Jamie from UK
(Saturday 19 August 2023; 09:22)
The Price Sisters and Melonie - underrated gems (103,209) by Bill from the UK
(Friday 18 August 2023; 11:53)
Yes, I remember Melonie not being on the backgrounds for Honey because she felt the lyrics were too suggestive. She's a devout Christian and as I understood it, Mariah kept her off any tracks that might have sailed a bit close to the wind with the lyrical content.
4 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,206 by Randy from USA
(Friday 18 August 2023; 00:42)
The Price Sisters and Melonie - underrated gems (103,203) by Bill from the UK
(Thursday 17 August 2023; 21:43)
I don't feel like The Price Sisters and Melonie get their dues. During the mid-90s they were astonishingly good. I was listening to Merry Christmas (I know, I know, it's August), and I honestly believe they make the album what it is. Their backgrounds on O Holy Night, Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child, Born On This Day, Joy to the World, Silent Night and of course AIWFCIY are phenomenal. Especially AIWFCIY. I'm sorry but that song would not be what it is without their stellar contribution. Then you have their vocals on Anytime You Need a Friend, Dreamlover, Everything Fades Away, Without You, the list goes on. Not to mention the remixes and how their vocal arrangements lift them to complete new heights. What a loss they were. We love Maryann but she's not a patch on those girls.
9 likes reply
Perfection (103,183) by Bill from the UK
(Monday 14 August 2023; 22:08)
Randy's Theme hahaha. I also wish There For Me got a spot on the record, as well as I Lose Control from the debut album. Narada Michael Walden has the master but won't release it until Mariah gives the green light. I'm like, please Mariah. Please. I need every note you ever uttered from 1990 in my life. Here We Go Around Again was a dream come true, I cried when I first heard it.
12 likes reply
This is a reply to message 103,181 by Edward from USA
(Monday 14 August 2023; 17:15)
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