You're on an island.
She already is close to Aretha (if anyone can be), whether you personally like it or not.
If Aretha is # 1, when it's over is Mary a close second ???
- Thread starter Mr. Met
- Start date
You're on an island.
She already is close to Aretha (if anyone can be), whether you personally like it or not.
Even her "status" as being the greatest is a matter of opinion. It all depends on what criteria one uses to determine greatness. Vocally, there are a number of gospel singers who could give Aretha a run for her money...then again there are some old schoolers who dig Chaka above Aretha. All any of us, you or I included, are doing is giving our various perspectives.
Not a bad argument at all, actually. I maintain that great P.R., an overall decline in quality songwriting and artistry combined with a changing music industry in which radio D.J.'s and listeners have less say in what gets played has a hand in the recent success of a number of popular artists...over actual superiority of skill or great songwriting.
I would argue that my personal view is relevant.
Consensus view is an amalgam of all the individual views. It's just that in terms of numbers, mine is obviously in a minority.
I also interpreted the OP's question in terms of the art of music and personal preference as opposed to popularity, because popularity of an artist can be quantified in terms of units sold and therefore is not something that can be debated per se!!
Well put. C/S
I know that, genius. I've posted that before and corrected *you*.
The part about Bobby Brown and K-Ci was a joke because it's not about selling albums anymore when you're at Mary's level - it's about making classics. Say it with me "cat-a-logue". Classics on top of classics from "Real Love" up till now.
C/S
Mary never was and never will be close to Aretha. That's like trying to compare a thoroughbred race horse to a mule.
I like Mary's music but Mary has no range whatsoever. She sings in her one little octave and that's all she's got, hence the cracks in her voice. Right now no one is even close to filling Aretha's spot.
By whom?? CD buyers and black radio DJs/listeners?
She only had the longest-running #1 hit single in R&B Chart history.
Whitney and Mariah are POP singers. Blige is one of the few true R&B belters out there connecting with an audience. Amazing success for someone who doesn't try to be COMMERCIAL (i.e., "white").
didn't beyonce call tine the Queen?
DUDE WAKE UP.
Mary has heart
she connects with the audience
but her vocal range has always been suspect.
She has improved over time as she sobered up
but you cannot put her name in the same sentence with Aretha let alone compare the two.
The mistake may be that you are thinking of Aretha now. Aretha isn't as disciplined as she used to be, she just gets up on stage and wails. Classic Aretha would stick with the vocal arrangement and just amaze you.
she connects with the audience
but her vocal range has always been suspect.
She has improved over time as she sobered up
but you cannot put her name in the same sentence with Aretha let alone compare the two.
The mistake may be that you are thinking of Aretha now. Aretha isn't as disciplined as she used to be, she just gets up on stage and wails. Classic Aretha would stick with the vocal arrangement and just amaze you.
Both Whitney and Mariah are cross over vocalists that cross over back and forth. Whitney went for the loot when she made all that pop shit like, I wanna dance with somebody who loves me but made a concious decision to cross back over with I'm your baby tonight. Mary has never crossed over and made a niche where no one has ever done it. She didn't follow a trail blazed by anybody she made her own.
I don't think that you can compare Mary to anyone because what she does is so different. If you are talking about popularity then she is popular in urban areas but not as much in the general populous where Aretha, Whitney and Mariah are. It's like comparing Michael Jordan with Tiger Woods.
that chic has never moved me....
except maybe to put my hands over my ears
except maybe to put my hands over my ears
Mary is behind Chaka Kahn, Anita Baker and a host of others.
has anyone ever heard Anita Baker live? Saw her twice at Radio City and Westbury Music Arena and both times her live performace was as good as her CD in clarity and quality. MJB doesn't even come close.
has anyone ever heard Anita Baker live? Saw her twice at Radio City and Westbury Music Arena and both times her live performace was as good as her CD in clarity and quality. MJB doesn't even come close.
I will say this...Mary J. Blige may not be the best singer from a technical standpoint, but there are few singers that put more emotion into their songs than her...I can understand why she is popular, especially among Black females...they can relate to her emotional struggles because she puts them in her music...that's not a diss, it's actually a powerful trait...if you can connect to your audience, you will have staying power...
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I can't believe this is even a debate. 
I was thinking the same thing.....her voice is a freak of nature....come on. 6 Octives!!!
Mary J makes a lot of good music and lends herself to be in that position. But so does Beyonce' and Beyonce' is excellent Technically. Mary J is more popular than great....but i won't deny she is good and she is long lasting but not great.
Martha Wash has better pipes than Mary
Mary can sell records I'm not gonna knock her on that I commend her for it
but when it comes time to rank her ability, she is not at the front of the line
Mary can sell records I'm not gonna knock her on that I commend her for it
but when it comes time to rank her ability, she is not at the front of the line
I was thinking the same thing.....her voice is a freak of nature....come on. 6 Octives!!!
Mary J makes a lot of good music and lends herself to be in that position. But so does Beyonce' and Beyonce' is excellent Technically. Mary J is more popular than great....but i won't deny she is good and she is long lasting but not great.
7 1/2 octives.
My bad....I was just Quoating Quincy Jones on Q's Juke joint
Makes you curious about what kinda sounds she makes when she busting a nut.
If I Were To Put Mary In A Category It Would Consist Of Ashanti, Beyounce, Mya, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Janet Jackson,lotoya Jackson, Macy Gray And Etc...
Shouldn't Even Be On The Same Stage As A Aretha, Rachelle Ferrell, Whitney, Mariah, Anita, Chaka, Gladys Knight, Minnie Riperton, Patti Labelle, Natilie Cole, Mahilia Jackson And Etc...
Shouldn't Even Be On The Same Stage As A Aretha, Rachelle Ferrell, Whitney, Mariah, Anita, Chaka, Gladys Knight, Minnie Riperton, Patti Labelle, Natilie Cole, Mahilia Jackson And Etc...
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Co-sign
Seriously, she ain't in the same class as an Chaka Khan, Angie Bofill or Phyllis Hyman. Don't even mention Aretha, Minnie Riperton & Gladys.
Throw in Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, Patti Labelle, Cece Winans, Lisa Fischer, even Jill Scott, etc and she ain't top 50.Similar threads
