Maps of Music

The Real Thing (2009)

Where the lyrics of The Real Thing take you, and where it was really made.

Pitched as a Brazilian-style record, the album turned toward R&B once Babyface came on board for production.

Key places

NRG Studios, a recording location (2009)

Recording site NRG Recording Studios (Hollywood) — Discogs lists NRG Studios among the places where the album was recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Brandon's Way Recording, a recording location (2009)

Recording site Brandon's Way — Discogs lists Brandon's Way Recording among the places where the album was recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Capitol Studios, a recording location (2009)

Recording site Capitol Studios — Discogs lists Capitol Studios among the places where the album was recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

G Studio Digital, a recording location (2009)

Recording site TRS Studios — Discogs lists G Studio Digital as a recording location; the point marks the Studio City city center. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

KAR Studios, a recording location (2009)

Recording site Record One — Discogs lists KAR Studios as a recording location; the point marks the Sherman Oaks city center. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Willowbrooke Studios, a recording location (2009)

Recording site Sound Kitchen — Discogs lists Willowbrooke Studios in Franklin as a recording location; the point marks the Franklin city center. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Legacy Recording Studios, a recording location (2009)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — Discogs lists Legacy Recording Studios as a recording location; the point marks the New York City city center. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Peaceful Waters Music, a recording location (2009)

Recording site Peaceful Waters Music — Discogs lists Peaceful Waters Music as a recording location; the point marks the Pound Ridge city center. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Real Thing: eighth studio album by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams
• Released by Concord Records on May 27, 2009
• Producers: Keith Thomas, Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, Rob Mathes, Rex Rideout
• Peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200
• Number one on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, number two on the Top Jazz Albums chart, number 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart

Background

• Originally intended as a Brazilian-type record
• When Williams contacted Babyface for production, the album shifted toward a more R&B sound
• Williams saw the album as a mix of classical, jazz, and Latin influences
• Songs written by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, Phil Galdston, and Babyface
• Williams is an actor who also sings, and she approaches studio work the way an actor approaches a role

Recording

• Recording credits list KAR Studios, NRG Studios, G Studio Digital, Capitol Studios, Willowbrooke Studios, Brandon's Way Recording, Legacy Recording Studios, and Peaceful Waters Music
• Mixed at Barking Doctor Recording in Mount Kisco, New York, by Mick Guzauski
• Mastered at Telarc International in Cleveland, Ohio, by Robert Friedrich
• Strings credited to concertmaster Bruce Dukov

Cover

• Photography by Gilles Toucas
• Art direction by Abbey Anna; package design by Michael Gassel

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

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

• Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe described The Real Thing as 'unfashionable, irrelevant material.'
• Keefe wrote that the moment for pop-standards albums by veterans such as Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, and Cyndi Lauper had passed
• Keefe also noted that crooners such as Michael Bublé and Norah Jones were no longer selling as well as before
• AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found that the album carries a relaxed, serene feel, even at its most active and spirited
• Kellman said the highlights tend to come with the Latin material
• Kellman said the album is unlikely to raise anyone's body temperature, but is too welcoming to ignore

Records

• Debuted and peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200
• By May 2010, the album had sold 62,000 copies in the United States
• The second single, Just Friends, reached number 10 on the Billboard Jazz Songs chart

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Breathless was the lead single, released on February 24, 2009; it failed to chart, but Williams has said it is one of her favorite songs on the album.
• Close to You was released as the third worldwide single on August 11, 2009, and it also failed to chart.
• The title track, written by Stevie Wonder, was released as the fourth single on September 28, 2009, with a Soul Seekerz dance remix.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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