The Real Thing (Vanessa Williams album)

Last updated
The Real Thing
Vanessa Williams - The Real Thing.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 27, 2009 (2009-05-27)
Length48:15
Label Concord
Producer
Vanessa Williams chronology
Everlasting Love
(2005)
The Real Thing
(2009)
Singles from The Real Thing
  1. "Breathless"
    Released: February 24, 2009
  2. "Just Friends"
    Released: May 19, 2009
  3. "Close to You"
    Released: August 11, 2009
  4. "The Real Thing"
    Released: September 28, 2009

The Real Thing is the eighth studio album by American singer Vanessa Williams. It was released by Concord Records on May 27, 2009. The album features productions by Keith Thomas, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Rob Mathes, and Rex Rideout. The Real Thing peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200. It also reached number one on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, number two on the Top Jazz Albums chart, and number 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Contents

Background and composition

The Real Thing was originally intended to be a "Brazilian-type" record. However, when Williams contacted Babyface for the album production, it was revealed the album would have a more R&B sound. She considered the album a combination of different influences, such as classical, jazz, and Latin music. [1] The Real Thing was also produced by Keith Thomas, Rob Mathes and Rex Rideout, and features songs written by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, Phil Galdston, and Babyface. [2] When asked about the album style, Williams said:

"Yes, for me this is kind of a reflective record. [...] You know, I'm in my mid-forties; I've been divorced twice; I've raised four children; I'm a career woman... So it is a kind of look at love from all those different female perspectives. [...] 'The Real Thing' represents the promise of being back with a lover; 'October Sky' is a break-up song… Plus, with me being an actor who's also a singer, my favourite songs to sing are always those that tell a story. Because, when I go into the studio, I do kind of approach everything as an actor. [...] So, in that way, I do think all the songs on 'The Real Thing' either have some deep storyline, or can give an effect of a character at a particular time in a particular place." [1]

Singles

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]

AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found that the album "carries a relaxed, serene feel, even when it is at its most active and spirited. The highlights tend to come with the Latin material [...] which Williams pulls off with natural ease. It's not likely to raise anyone's body temperature, but it's too welcoming to ignore." [4] Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe described The Real Thing as "unfashionable, irrelevant material. With the moment for albums of pop standards from veteran artists like Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, and Cyndi Lauper having passed, and with crooners like Michael Bublé and Norah Jones no longer selling as well as they once did, it's impossible to imagine that there’s a market for Real Thing." [5]

Chart performance

The Real Thing debuted and peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200. [6] By May 2010, the album had sold 62,000 copies in United States. [7]

Track listing

The Real Thing track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Breathless"
Rideout4:50
2."Hello Like Before"
Keith Thomas 4:28
3."Loving You"Babyface3:33
4."Just Friends"EdmondsBabyface3:27
5."The Real Thing" Stevie Wonder
5:12
6."Lazy Afternoon"
  • John Latouche
  • Jerome Moross
Rideout4:56
7."Close to You"
  • Mathes
  • Gonzalez [a]
4:36
8."I Fell In"
Thomas4:47
9."October Sky" (featuring Javier Colon)Thomas4:28
10."Come On Strong"Thomas2:39
11."If There Were No Song"
  • Mathes
  • Gonzalez [a]
4:29

Notes

Charts

Release history

Release history for The Real Thing
RegionDateLabelRef.
JapanMay 27, 2009 Universal [13]
CanadaJune 2, 2009 [14]
United States Concord [15]
GermanyJune 12, 2009Universal [16]

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References

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  4. 1 2 "The Real Thing – Vanessa Williams – Album Review". AllMusic . Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Keefe, Jonathan (June 2009). "Slant review". Slantmagazine.com . Retrieved February 9, 2023.
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  7. Donahue, Ann (February 9, 2023). "Standard Bearer". Billboard.
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  12. "Jazz Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  13. https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/ヴァネッサ・ウィリアムス/dp/B001V7DJOK
  14. https://www.amazon.ca/Real-Thing-Vanessa-Williams/dp/B0025X4P24
  15. https://www.amazon.com/Real-Thing-Vanessa-Williams/dp/B0025X4P24
  16. https://www.amazon.de/Real-Thing-Vanessa-Williams/dp/B0025X4P24