Mary
Studio album by
Mary J. Blige
ReleasedAugust 17, 1999 (1999-08-17)
Recorded1998–1999
GenreR&B
Length73:08
LabelMCA
Producer
Mary J. Blige chronology
The Tour
(1998)		 Mary
(1999)		 No More Drama
(2001)
Singles from Mary
  1. "As"
    Released: January 10, 1999
  2. "All That I Can Say"
    Released: July 9, 1999
  3. "Deep Inside"
    Released: September 28, 1999
  4. "Give Me You"
    Released: March 23, 2000
  5. "Your Child"
    Released: May 29, 2000

Mary is the fourth studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige, released August 17, 1999, on MCA Records. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 239,000 copies in its first week. It spent 57 weeks on the chart and produced five charting singles. Upon its release, Mary received acclaim from music critics. It has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of two million units in the United States.

Background

According to critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the album showcases a creative move by Blige from urban contemporary to adult contemporary,[1] eschewing her previous work's overt hip hop elements and raunchy persona for classicist soul music and more mature songwriting.[2] Highlighted by sleek and polished production reminiscent of 1970s soul, Mary came as a surprise to many of her fans and critics. Similar to Blige's previous release Share My World, the singer served as executive producer. Blige worked with various artists on the album including Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Jadakiss, Eric Clapton, Elton John, K-Ci, and George Michael. "I'm in Love", "As" and "Let No Man Put Asunder" are cover versions of songs originally performed by The Gap Band, Stevie Wonder, and First Choice respectively.

Release and promotion

The album was released in the United States on August 17, 1999,[3] and in the United Kingdom on October 1, 1999.[4]

"All That I Can Say," "Deep Inside," "Your Child," and "Give Me You" were the album's commercial singles in the United States. "As"—Blige's collaboration with George Michael—was released as the lead single everywhere else worldwide. Three singles from the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100: "All That I Can Say" at number 44, "Deep Inside" at number 51, and "Give Me You" at number 68.[5] All four United States singles charted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: "All That I Can Say" at number six, "Deep Inside" at number nine, "Your Child" at number 23, and "Give Me You" at number 21.[6]

Reception

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 239,000 copies in the United States.[7] It also entered at number one on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Blige's fourth album to top the chart.[7] Mary spent 57 weeks on the Billboard 200 and 69 weeks on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[8][9] In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart.[10]

On October 18, 2000, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of two million copies in the United States.[11] As of December 2009, Mary has sold 2,100,000 copies in the United States.[12] It has also been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry, for shipments of 60,000 copies in the United Kingdom,[13] and certified gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association, for shipments of 40,000 copies in Canada.[14]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[15]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[16]
Los Angeles Times[17]
NME6/10[18]
Q[19]
Rolling Stone[20]
Spin9/10[21]
USA Today[22]
The Village VoiceA−[23]

Mary was met with universal acclaim from critics. Q wrote, "Blige can turn from sassy to agonized to vulnerable in the space of a single phrase [...] The Queen Of Hip Hop Soul remains classy and invincible".[19] Craig Seymour of Spin praised its classicist influences and called Mary "emotionally gripping and stylistically diverse", writing that "[Blige's] assured blues moans, gospel shouts, and jazzy inflections graph the history of African-American music".[21] Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot noted "a more organic feel" in its production, which he viewed as less "uninspired" than on Blige's previous albums.[24] Entertainment Weekly's Anthony DeCurtis complimented Blige's vocal embellishments and the album's "lush and spare" arrangements, stating "Musically, Mary is essentially a long, soulful, ballad-tempo vamp over which Blige alternately — and sometimes simultaneously — tells tales of faithless love, preaches the gospel of female strength, and determinedly clings to hope".[16] The Source complimented Blige's "pure emotion" and stated "she dares to break the hip-hop soul template she helped create, and do something different. Something our loop-weary souls need".[25] Steve Jones of USA Today commended Blige for "making you feel rather than merely hear what she's singing about", adding that she "continues to separate herself from her peers, conveying a wide range of emotions without becoming whiny, petty or overwrought".[22]

Despite viewing its strength as "more in how Blige sings the songs than the songs themselves", Los Angeles Times writer Soren Baker commented that "the lively, supple instrumentation only adds to the force of her already dominating delivery" and noted "a more soul-stirring, straightforward R&B attitude than the hip-hop/R&B hybrid of her earlier collections".[17] Rolling Stone writer Touré said "Blige seems to have moved away from the Terry McMillan once-again-he's-breaking-my-heart mantra to, perhaps, an Oprah love-your-spirit ethos".[20] Christopher John Farley of Time wrote that "Mary is somewhat inconsistent in song quality, but Blige's soul-singed vocals save the weaker material".[26] Ann Powers of The New York Times viewed that the album exemplifies a "new conscience" of feminine themes in contemporary R&B at the time, adding that "if Mary gestures toward an older, non-hip-hop audience, it also makes the claim for Ms. Blige's canonization within the rhythm-and-blues hall of fame".[27] In his consumer guide for The Village Voice, critic Robert Christgau wrote, "Rather than hating playas, she's bored with them [...] all that she can say is that she's ready to love someone serious and walk away from anyone who isn't".[23]

In a retrospective review for The Rolling Stone Album Guide, Tom Moon deemed Mary an improvement over Blige's previous album, commenting that it "more fully realizes Blige's vision for Share My World".[28] AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised its "sheer classiness", writing that "There's still grit in the music, but it's been glossed over with a polished production".[2] Erlewine described it as "a rewarding, engaging way to mature" and wrote that "Blige's voice is richer and her skills have deepened, and her new songs, while not as streetwise, are worthy of her talents".[2]

Accolades

Spin ranked the album number 15 in its year-end list of best albums.[29] Blige won and was nominated for many awards for this album.

  • She was nominated for 2 MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Video and Best Song ("As" with George Michael).
  • In 2000 Blige was nominated for a Brit Award for Best International Female Solo Artist.
  • 3 Grammy Awards nominations for Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female ("All That I Can Say"), Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ("Don't Waste Your Time" with Aretha Franklin), and Best R&B Album (Mary).
  • In 2001 Blige was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Female R&B/Soul Single for "Your Child".
  • Blige won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album, Female (Mary) and was also nominated for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Album.
  • Blige also won 2 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards for Solo R&B/Soul Album of the Year for Mary and R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year for "All That I Can Say". She was also nominated for Best Solo R&B/Soul Single for "All That I Can Say".
  • Blige also won the first ever BET award for Best Female Artist in 2001 for Deep Inside.

Track listing

Information based on the Album's Liner Notes[30]

North American track listing[31]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."All That I Can Say"Lauryn HillLauryn Hill5:30
2."Sexy" (featuring Jadakiss)Mary J. Blige, Jason Phillips, Stevie Wonder, Susaye GreeneFloyd Howard, Kiyamma Griffin4:47
3."Deep Inside"Mary J. Blige, Tara Geter, Kevin Deane, Elton John, Bernie TaupinKevin Deane5:26
4."Beautiful Ones"Cecil Ward, Rich Harrison, Burt Bacharach, Hal DavidRich Harrison, Chucky Thompson5:59
5."I'm in Love"Ronnie Wilson, Lonnie WilsonMary J. Blige4:50
6."Time"Mary J. Blige, Chucky Thompson, Stevie WonderChucky Thompson, Mary J. Blige5:06
7."Memories"Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin, Chanette Higgens, Channoah Higgens, Mary J. BligeSoulshock and Karlin4:38
8."Don't Waste Your Time" (duet with Aretha Franklin)Gen Rubin, Denise RichBabyface4:12
9."Not Lookin'" (duet with K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci)Mary J. Blige, Jean Morris, Dean Hostler, Ike LeeIke Lee, Dean Hostler5:27
10."Your Child"Gerald IsaacGerald Isaac5:36
11."No Happy Holidays"Mary J. Blige, Kiyamma Griffin, Tara GeterKiyamma Griffin5:16
12."The Love I Never Had"James Harris III, Terry Lewis, James Wright, Mary J. BligeJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis6:48
13."Give Me You"Diane Warren, Mary J. BligeManuel Seal, Nate-Love Clemons5:03
14."Let No Man Put Asunder"Bruce Gray, Bruce HawesMalik Pendleton, Bryant Crockett, Moise LaPorte4:23
United States limited edition enhanced bonus CD[31]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sincerity" (featuring Nas and DMX)Kenny Kornegay, Mary J. Blige, Earl Simmons, Nasir JonesKenny “Smoove” Kornegay5:16
2."Confrontation"Aston Taylor, Mary J. Blige, Joseph Brim, James Heard, Lorenzo Grooms, Anthony Prendatt, Alphonse Constant, Patrick Harvey 4:15
3."All That I Can Say" (music video)   
4."Deep Inside" (music video)   
International track listing[32]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."All That I Can Say (Edit)"Lauryn HillLauryn Hill3:57
2."Sexy" (featuring Jadakiss)Mary J. Blige, Jadakiss, Aaron Philips, Kiyamma GriffinFloyd Howard, Kiyamma Griffin4:47
3."Deep Inside (Edit)"Mary J. Blige, Tara Geter, Kevin Deane, Elton John, Bernie TaupinKevin Deane4:20
4."Beautiful Ones (Edit)"Cecil Ward, Rich Harrison, Burt Bacharach, Hal DavidRich Harrison, Chucky Thompson M. Bolden4:44
5."I'm in Love"Ronnie Wilson, Lonnie WilsonMary J. Blige4:50
6."As" (duet with George Michael)Stevie WonderBabyface4:41
7."Time"Mary J. Blige, Chucky Thompson, Stevie WonderChucky Thompson, Mary J. Blige5:07
8."Memories"Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin, Chanette Higgens, Channoah Higgens, Mary J. BligeSoulshock and Karlin4:38
9."Don't Waste Your Time" (duet with Aretha Franklin)Gen Rubin, Denise RichBabyface4:10
10."Not Lookin' (Edit)" (duet with K-Ci Hailey)Mary J. Blige, Jean Morris, Dean Hostler, Ike LeeIke Lee, Dean Hostler4:49
11."Your Child (Edit)"Gerald IsaacGerald Isaac4:40
12."No Happy Holidays (Edit)"Mary J. Blige, Kiyamma Griffin, Tara GeterKiyamma Griffin4:45
13."The Love I Never Had (Edit)"James Harris III, Terry Lewis, James Wright, Mary J. BligeJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis5:45
14."Give Me You"Diane Warren, Mary J. BligeManuel Seal, Nate-Love Clemons5:03
15."Let No Man Put Asunder"Bruce Gray, Bruce HawesMalik Pendleton, Bryant Crockett, Moise LaPorte4:28
European reissue bonus track[33]
No.TitleLength
16."Give Me You (Niño Radio Mix)"3:34
Japanese track listing[34]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."All That I Can Say"Lauryn HillLauryn Hill3:57
2."Sexy" (featuring Jadakiss)Mary J. Blige, Aaron Philips, Kiyamma Griffin, JadakissFloyd Howard, Kiyamma Griffin4:47
3."Deep Inside" (featuring Elton John)Mary J. Blige, Tara Geter, Kevin Deane, Elton John, Bernie TaupinKevin Deane4:20
4."Beautiful Ones"Cecil Ward, Rich Harrison, Burt Bacharach, Hal DavidRich Harrison, Chucky Thompson4:44
5."I'm in Love"Ronnie Wilson, Lonnie WilsonMary J. Blige4:50
6."As" (duet with George Michael)Stevie WonderBabyface4:41
7."Time"Mary J. Blige, Chucky Thompson, Stevie WonderChucky Thompson, Mary J. Blige5:07
8."Memories"Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin, Chanette Higgens, Channoah Higgens, Mary J. BligeSoulshock, Karlin4:38
9."Almost Gone"Lalah HathawayLalah Hathaway4:09
10."Don't Waste Your Time" (featuring Aretha Franklin)Gen Rubin, Denise RichBabyface4:10
11."Not Lookin'" (featuring K-Ci Hailey)Mary J. Blige, Jean Morris, Dean Hostler, Ike LeeIke Lee, Dean Hostler4:49
12."Your Child"Gerald IsaacGerald Isaac4:40
13."No Happy Holidays"Mary J. Blige, Kiyamma Griffin, Tara GeterKiyamma Griffin4:45
14."The Love I Never Had"James Harris III, Terry Lewis, James Wright, Mary J. BligeJimmy Jam, Terry Lewis5:45
15."Give Me You"Diane WarrenManuel Seal, Nate-Love Clemons5:03
16."Let No Man Put Asunder"Bruce Gray, Bruce HawesMalik Pendleton, Bryant Crockett, Moise LaPorte4:28
Notes
  • The international editions contains "As" as an extra track, with several tracks were edited so that this song could fit onto the CD
  • The Japanese edition contains another bonus track, titled "Almost Gone".
Sample credits

Personnel

Unless otherwise indicated, Track numbers of musical, production and other appearances are based on Liner Notes of the album's North American Edition[30]

  • Mary J. Blige - Executive Producer, Lead Vocals (All Tracks), Background Vocals (3, 8, 10, 12–13)
  • Kirk Burrowes - Executive Producer
  • LaTonya Blige-DaCosta - Associate Executive Producer
  • Hank Shocklee - Associate Executive Producer
  • Ivy Skoff - Project Coordinator

Musicians

Vocals
Instruments

Production

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (August 20, 2001). Mary J. Blige: No More Drama | Music Review | Slant Magazine. Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Mary – Mary J. Blige". AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  3. ↑ Amazon.com: Mary: Mary J Blige: Music. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  4. ↑ Mary: Mary J. Blige: Amazon.co.uk: Music. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  5. ↑ Mary J. Blige Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100 | Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  6. ↑ Mary J. Blige Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  7. 1 2 Faison, Datu (September 4, 1999). "Datu Faison's Rhythm Section". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 36. Nielsen Business Media. p. 30. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  8. ↑ Mary J. Blige Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200 | Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  9. ↑ Mary J. Blige Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  10. ↑ Archive Chart. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  11. ↑ RIAA - Gold & Platinum: Mary J. Blige. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  12. 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (December 12, 2009). "Strength of Character". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 49. p. 19. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved July 26, 2023 – via Google Books.
  13. ↑ Certified Awards Search Archived 2011-05-11 at the Wayback Machine. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  14. ↑ Database search Archived 2009-04-12 at the Wayback Machine. Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2011-04-18.
  15. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Blige, Mary J.". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0857125958.
  16. 1 2 DeCurtis, Anthony (August 20, 1999). "Mary". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  17. 1 2 Baker, Soren (August 15, 1999). "Singing With a Powerful Edge". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  18. ↑ Chick, Stevie (August 23, 1999). "Mary J. Blige – Mary". NME. Archived from the original on June 11, 2000. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Mary J. Blige: Mary". Q (156): 101. September 1999.
  20. 1 2 Touré (September 2, 1999). "Queen Mary". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  21. 1 2 Seymour, Craig (October 1999). "Mary J. Blige: Mary". Spin. 15 (10): 164. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  22. 1 2 Jones, Steve (August 17, 1999). "Mary J. Blige, Mary". USA Today. p. 6.D.
  23. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (October 19, 1999). "Easy Money". The Village Voice. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  24. ↑ Kot, Greg (October 5, 1999). "Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 11.
  25. ↑ "Mary J. Blige: Mary". The Source (121): 240. October 1999.
  26. ↑ Farley, Christopher John (August 16, 1999). "Queen Mary". Time. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  27. ↑ Powers, Ann (September 19, 1999). "The New Conscience of Pop Music". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  28. ↑ Moon, Tom (2004). "Mary J. Blige". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. pp. 83–4. ISBN 0743201698.
  29. ↑ "The Top 20 Albums of the Year". Spin. Vol. 16, no. 1. January 2000. p. 76. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  30. 1 2 Blige, Mary J. “Mary”. MCA Records. 1999.
  31. 1 2 "Mary North American Limited Edition". Itunes.apple.com. January 1999. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
  32. ↑ "Mary European Edition". Discogs.com. 1999. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
  33. ↑ "Mary European Reissue Edition". Discogs.com. 1999. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
  34. ↑ "Mary Japanese Edition". Discogs.com. 9 August 1999. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
  35. ↑ Blige, Mary J. “Sexy” (Song Review by Ed Hogan). Allmusic. https://www.allmusic.com/song/sexy-mt0001596360
  36. ↑ Shane, Ken. “Soul Serenade...”. Pop Dose. 19 September 2013. http://popdose.com/soul-serenade-the-gap-band-early-in-the-morning/
  37. ↑ Blige, Mary J. “Let No Man Put Asunder” (Song Review by Ed Hogan). Allmusic. https://www.allmusic.com/song/let-no-man-put-asunder-mt0003033904
  38. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 33.
  39. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8470". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  40. ↑ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. October 4, 1999. Archived from the original on October 7, 1999. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mary J Blige – Mary" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Mary J Blige – Mary". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Mary J Blige – Mary" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  44. ↑ "メアリー" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Mary J Blige – Mary". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  47. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Mary J Blige – Mary". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  48. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Mary J Blige – Mary". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Mary J. Blige | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  50. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  51. ↑ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  53. ↑ "Najlepiej sprzedające się albumy w W.Brytanii w 1999r" (in Polish). Z archiwum...rocka. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Mary J. Blige – Mary". Music Canada.
  59. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Mary J. Blige – Mary" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 26, 2020. Select 1999年9月 on the drop-down menu
  60. ↑ "British album certifications – Mary J. Blige – Mary". British Phonographic Industry.
  61. ↑ "American album certifications – Mary J. Blige – Mary". Recording Industry Association of America.
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