Survivor (Vanessa Williams album)
Survivor | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 23, 2024 | |||
Genre | R&B[1] | |||
Length | 47:50 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Vanessa Williams chronology | ||||
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Singles from Survivor | ||||
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Survivor is the ninth studio album by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams. It was released under her own record label Mellian Music on August 23, 2024.[2] It is her first studio album since The Real Thing (2009). The album was preceded by the singles, "Legs (Keep Dancing)", "Bop!" (featuring Trixie Mattel and Lion Babe), and "iLike Moonlight".[3][4][5] The photo for the album cover was shot by Mike Ruiz.
Background
[edit]Speaking to Deborah Evans Price of Woman's World William's opened up about the decision to release "Survivor" independently going on to say: “I had been in talks with a few labels on the record side and a lot of labels have disappeared, disintegrated. Everyone is consolidating, not very many people are getting signed...before COVID, I went into the studio and said, ‘You know what? I’m going to pay for it myself and just start recording. I want to do songs that matter to me for my life.’”[6]
Critical reception
[edit]Peter Piatkowski of PopMatters rated the album a 7 out of 10, noting that "despite the long absence from music, Williams has returned without missing a step." while also declaring "Williams thrives on being an old-school Entertainer with a capital E."[1]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "iLike Moonlight" |
|
| 4:17 |
2. | "Legs (Keep Dancing)" |
|
| 3:07 |
3. | "Bop!" (featuring Trixie Mattel and Lion Babe) |
|
| 3:26 |
4. | "Survivor" |
|
| 3:28 |
5. | "La Costa" |
|
| 3:58 |
6. | "Vuelve" (featuring Missael Manon) |
|
| 4:14 |
7. | "Junk Man" |
| 4:09 | |
8. | "Zaz Zuh Zaz" (featuring Wynton Marsalis) |
| 3:40 | |
9. | "Come Dance with Me" |
| 3:04 | |
10. | "On the Other Side of the Tracks" |
| 2:24 | |
11. | "Here's to You" |
|
| 3:10 |
12. | "I See You" |
|
| 2:40 |
13. | "Being Good Isn't Good Enough" |
| 3:52 | |
14. | "Come Dance with Me" (John "J-C" Carr & Bill Coleman 808 Beach Jukebox Remix) |
|
| 2:21 |
Total length: | 47:50 |
Personnel
[edit]Musicians
- Vanessa Williams – vocals
- Tanya Riley – vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4)
- Loris Holland – keyboards, vocals (tracks 1, 4)
- DeValle Hayes – programming (tracks 1, 4)
- Dana Harding – guitar (track 1)
- Kipper Jones – vocals (tracks 2, 3, 11, 12), programming (12)
- Chandry Johnson – keyboards, programming (track 2)
- Mel Holder – programming (tracks 3, 11); bass, keyboards, saxophone (3); all instruments (11)
- Lucas Goodman – keyboards, programming, vocals (track 3)
- John Henry Smith – guitar (track 3)
- Jillian Hervey – vocals (track 3)
- Sherie Murphy – vocals (track 3)
- Trixie Mattel – vocals (track 3)
- Cindy Mizzelle – vocals (track 4)
- J.T. Lewis – drums (tracks 5, 8–10, 13, 14), guitar (7), vocals (8), shaker (10)
- Keith Robinson – guitar (tracks 5, 8–10, 13, 14), vocals (8)
- Romero Lubambo – guitar (tracks 5, 6)
- Roger Squitero – percussion (tracks 5, 6)
- Henry Hey – piano (tracks 5, 7–10, 13, 14); Hammond organ, organ (7); vocals (8)
- Carl Carter – electric bass (track 5)
- Grégoire Maret – harmonica (track 5)
- Isaac Raz – programming (track 5)
- Darius de Haas – vocals (track 5)
- Missael Manon – programming, vocals (track 6)
- Charles Pillow – saxophone (track 6)
- John Wheeler – trombone (track 6)
- John Owens – trumpet (track 6)
- Tony Kadleck – trumpet (track 6)
- Marissa Licata – violin (track 6)
- Al Caldwell – bass (tracks 7–10, 13, 14), vocals (8)
- Wynton Marsalis – trumpet, vocals (track 8)
- The Black Bettys – vocals (tracks 11, 12)
- Johnnie Ray Kornegay III – vocals (track 11)
- Mary Lee Joshua – vocals (track 11)
- André Cymone – programming (track 12)
- Mic Murphy – programming, vocals (track 12)
- Genesis Amaris – vocals (track 12)
- Carter Brey – cello (track 13)
- Bill Coleman – remixing, programming (track 14)
- John "J-C" Carr – remixing, programming (track 14)
Technical
- Tatsuya Sato – mastering , engineering
- Tony Prendatt – mixing, engineering (tracks 1, 3–6, 12); arrangement (5, 6)
- Dave Darlington – mixing, engineering (tracks 5, 7–10, 13, 14)
- DeValle Hayes – engineering (tracks 1, 4), arrangement (1)
- Loris Holland – engineering (tracks 1, 4), arrangement (1)
- Chantry Johnson – engineering (track 2)
- Hank Kalleen – engineering (track 3)
- Lucas Goodman – engineering (track 3)
- Henry Hey – engineering (track 5), arrangement (5, 7–10)
- Kipper Jones – engineering (track 12), arrangement (3, 12)
- André Cymone – engineering, arrangement (track 12)
- Mic Murphy – engineering, arrangement (track 12)
- John "J-C" Carr – engineering (track 14)
- Vanessa Williams – arrangement (tracks 3, 6)
- Jillian Hervey – arrangement (track 3)
- Trixie Mattel – arrangement (track 3)
- John Kiehl – arrangement (track 6)
- Missael Manon – arrangement (track 6)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Vanessa Williams Returns with the Excellent 'Survivor'". www.popmatters.com. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ^ Abraham, Mya (April 17, 2024). "Vanessa Williams To Release First Album In 15 Years Under Her Own Record Label". Vibe. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "VW – Vanessa Williams". Vanessawilliams.com. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Bop! – Vanessa Williams, Trixie Mattel & Lion Babe Single & Remix Bundle Available July 2024". Vanessawilliams.com. April 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ McIntyre, Hugh. "Vanessa Williams' Comeback Single Brings Her To A Billboard Chart For The First Time". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ Price, Deborah Evans (2024-08-23). "Vanessa Williams Talks New Album 'Survivor' and Chasing Your Dreams at Any Age (EXCLUSIVE)". Woman's World. Retrieved 2024-09-13.