Maps of Music

Everlasting Love (2005)

Where the lyrics of Everlasting Love take you, and where it was really made.

Vanessa Williams' seventh studio album is made almost entirely of 1970s soul love songs covered by her, and only the final track is an original.

Key places

Sound On Sound, New York (2005)

Recording site MSR Studios — The source names Sound On Sound in New York as a recording location. The album was also mixed there by Ray Bardani. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Porcupine Studios, Phoenix (2005)

Recording site Chaton Studios — The source names Porcupine Studios in Phoenix as a recording location. The point is placed at city-centre level, not at the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Abbey Road Studios, London (2005)

Recording site Abbey Road Studios — The source names Abbey Road Studios in London as a recording location. The point is placed at the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: Jubilee line to St John's Wood station, then about a 5-minute walk.

Album story

Overview

• Seventh studio album (eighth overall) by Vanessa Williams
• Released in the United States on January 25, 2005 by Lava Records
• Produced entirely by Rob Mathes
• Cover versions of 1970s soul love songs; the final track is an original song
• Notable covers: "You Are Everything" (released as a single), "Show and Tell", and the title track "Everlasting Love"
• Italian Wikipedia describes it as a cover album

Background

• Vanessa Williams is an American singer and actress, according to Italian Wikipedia
• This is her seventh studio album, following earlier studio releases
• Discogs credits the 2005 copyright to Lava Records LLC for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the rest of the world

Recording

• Rob Mathes handled arrangements, orchestration and conducting
• The London Session Orchestra performed on the album
• Simon Rhodes recorded the orchestra on several tracks
• George Benson appears on two tracks, "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "With You I'm Born Again"
• Ray Bardani mixed the album at Sound On Sound, New York
• Greg Calbi mastered the album at Sterling Sound, New York

Cover

• Art direction by Christina Dittmar
• Design by Benjamin Niles
• Photography by Rod Spicer

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

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Vanessa Lynn Williams, born March 18, 1963, in Tarrytown, New York, a suburb of New York City.
• Raised in Millwood and Westchester County, New York, in a household of music teachers.
• Studied at Syracuse University's Department of Drama as a musical theater major from 1981.
• Became the first African-American Miss America when crowned Miss America 1984 on September 17, 1983.
• Resigned the title in July 1984 after nude photographs published by Penthouse magazine caused a media controversy.
• Released debut album The Right Stuff in 1988 under her own name.

Career

• Debut single "Dreamin'" peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
• Second album The Comfort Zone (1991) became her biggest commercial success.
• "Save the Best for Last" reached number 1 in the United States and was performed at the 1993 Grammy Awards.
• Sweetest Days (1994) was certified platinum in the U.S.
• Made Broadway debut in 1994 replacing Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
• Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for The Witch in the 2002 revival of Into the Woods.
• Played Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty (2006–2010), earning Primetime Emmy nominations.
• Released Survivor in August 2024, her ninth studio album.
• In 2024 to 2026 starred as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre, London.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• The album received rave reviews
• Sold 60,000 copies to date
• Peaked at number 159 on the Billboard 200
• Peaked at number 57 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
• "You Are Everything" became another hit for Williams, reaching number 16 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks, number 5 on the Hot Dance Club Play, and number 4 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales
• Disco club mixes of "You Are Everything" by Junior Vasquez made the song a major club hit that summer

Records

• Billboard 200: number 159
• Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: number 57
• Sales: 60,000 copies to date
• "You Are Everything": Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks number 16
• "You Are Everything": Hot Dance Club Play number 5
• "You Are Everything": Hot Dance Singles Sales number 4

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Junior Vasquez's disco club mixes turned "You Are Everything" into a major club hit that summer.
• George Benson appears on the album with permission from GRP/Verve Records, as noted on Discogs.
• The final track is the only original song; every other track on the album is a cover.
• Italian Wikipedia lists "Today and Everyday (Wedding Song)" credited to Rob Mathes as the last track.
• The album's copyright and distribution were handled by Lava Records in the United States and WEA International for other territories.

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

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