Maps of Music

Anyone Can See (1982)

Where the lyrics of Anyone Can See take you, and where it was really made.

Irene Cara's adult debut was produced by Ron Dante of The Archies, and its standout tracks include a remake of a Motown classic.

Key places

Recording at The Power Station (1982)

Recording site Power Station Studio — The album was recorded at Mediasound, A&R Recording and The Power Station in New York City, according to the back-cover credits. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Anyone Can See is Irene Cara's debut album as an adult artist, released in 1982
• Follows her hits "Out Here on My Own" and "Fame"
• Solid R&B record; standout tracks include "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Slow Down" and the power ballad title track
• Title track peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100
• Produced by Ron Dante of The Archies
• Ten tracks in the standard listing; "Fame" was added as track 6 on the UK edition

Background

• "Out Here on My Own" and "Fame" came from the musical Fame, in which Cara also acted
• After those hits she signed with Network Records
• The album holds eight new songs and two covers
• Covers: "Reach Out I'll Be There" (Holland–Dozier–Holland) and "Thunder in My Heart" (Leo Sayer, Tom Snow)

Recording

• Recorded at Mediasound, A&R Recording and The Power Station in New York City
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios in Hollywood, California
• Luther Vandross was among the backing vocalists

Cover

• Photography by Harry Langdon
• Art direction by Ron Coro; design by Stan Evenson

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com · it.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Irene Cruz Escalera (1959–2022), known professionally as Irene Cara, was an American singer and actress from the Bronx, New York City.
• She gained fame for playing Coco Hernandez in the 1980 musical film Fame and recording its title song "Fame", which reached No. 1 in several countries.
• She co-wrote and sang "Flashdance... What a Feeling" (1983) and shared the Academy Award for Best Original Song for it.
• She won the 1984 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
• Before Fame, she played the title character in the 1976 film Sparkle.
• She released three studio albums: Anyone Can See (1982), What a Feelin' (1983), and Carasmatic (1987).
• She died on November 25, 2022, at age 63, from hypertensive heart disease.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Billboard praised Cara's vocal versatility on uptempo tracks and the poignancy of the title track
• Billboard called the album an impressive new chapter in her young career, citing the top players she assembled
• Cash Box found her voice more heartfelt on ballads than on uptempo numbers
• Cash Box credited producer Ron Dante with directing lush ballads and synth/dance tracks
• Cash Box named the remake of "Reach Out, I'll Be There" a searing highlight and called the album an excellent debut for Network

Reappraisal

• AllMusic rated the album three stars
• AllMusic praised the strong R&B repertoire, reputable backing musicians and solid production
• AllMusic compared her voice to a cross between Bonnie Tyler and Deniece Williams
• AllMusic called it a solid listen throughout and Cara in her prime

Records

• Billboard 200: No. 76
• R&B chart: No. 39
• Title track "Anyone Can See" peaked at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100
• "My Baby (He's Something Else)"/"Slow Down" single had no chart impact
• Canadian-only CD reissue in 2001

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Luther Vandross was among the backing vocalists, when he was still a young performer
• "Fame" appeared as track 6 only on the UK edition
• The title track was released as a single with "Why" in November 1981, before the album
• A CD reissue for the Canadian market alone came out in 2001

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

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