Storyteller (Crystal Waters album)
Storyteller is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Crystal Waters, released on May 17, 1994, by Mercury Records. The album peaked at number 199 on the US Billboard 200, number 73 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 8 on the Top Heatseekers chart. Four singles were released from the album: "What I Need", "Relax", "Ghetto Day", and the hit, "100% Pure Love". "Ghetto Day" samples The 5th Dimension's 1968 hit "Stoned Soul Picnic".
Storyteller | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 17, 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1993–1994 | |||
Studio | Basement Boys Studios (Baltimore, Maryland) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 48:44 | |||
Label | Mercury | |||
Producer |
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Crystal Waters chronology | ||||
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Singles from Storyteller | ||||
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Storyteller sold 1 million copies and was certified gold in the United States.[1]
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
The Advocate | (favorable)[2] |
AllMusic | [3] |
Billboard | (favorable)[4] |
Cash Box | (favorable)[5] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+[6] |
Knoxville News Sentinel | [7] |
Los Angeles Times | [8] |
Robert Christgau | [9] |
Rolling Stone | [10] |
Spin | (favorable)[11] |
The album debuted at 199 on the US Billboard 200. Since its release, it has gone gold, and sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. It won Vibe's 1994 Music Poll for Best Club/Dance Album.[12] It was the no. 12 Best Album of 1994 in Spin.[13]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "100% Pure Love" |
| The Basement Boys | 4:38 |
2. | "Ghetto Day" |
| The Basement Boys | 3:32 |
3. | "Regardless" |
| Smith | 3:37 |
4. | "I Believe I Love You" |
| Smith | 3:42 |
5. | "Relax" |
| Anthony | 3:29 |
6. | "What I Need" |
| The Basement Boys | 4:44 |
7. | "Storyteller" |
| The Basement Boys | 4:41 |
8. | "Is It for Me" |
| The Basement Boys | 4:22 |
9. | "Listen for My Beep" |
|
| 3:59 |
10. | "Daddy Do" |
| The Basement Boys | 6:12 |
11. | "Lover Lay Low" |
| The Basement Boys | 5:48 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
12. | "Piece of Lonely" |
|
| 2:49 |
Personnel
- Drums, percussion – Teddy Douglass, Maurice Fulton, Richard Payton, Doug Smith, Sean Spencer, Jay Steinhour
- Drum programming – Maurice Fulton, Sean Spencer
- Guitars – Wayne Cooper
- Keyboards and programming – David Anthony, Hoza Clowney, Neal Conway, Charles Dockins, Maurice Fulton, Mark Harris, Richard Payton, Fruity Roberts, Doug Smith
- Vibraphone – David Bach
- Saxophone – Greg Thomas (also scatting)
- Horns – Greg Boyer, Benny Cowan
- Multi-instruments – Eric Kupper
- Backing vocals – Katreese Barnes, Kenny Hicks, Adrianne McDonald, Antionette Robertson, Novelair Thomas, Audrey Wheeler
Charts
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] | 55 |
US Billboard 200[15] | 199 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[16] | 73 |
References
- Paoletta, Michael (May 1, 2004) "Where Have All The Divas Gone?" Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) Retrieved March 16, 2011.
- "The Advocate". The Advocate: The National Gay & Lesbian Newsmagazine. Here Publishing: 81. May 3, 1994. ISSN 0001-8996. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- Wynn, Ron. "Storyteller – Crystal Waters : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
- Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 5, 1994. p. 29. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- Martinez, M.R. (June 11, 1994). "Urban — Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- "Storyteller Review | News Reviews and News". EW.com. May 2, 1994. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
- Campbell, Chuck (June 10, 1994). "David Byrne': Talking Head Repeats Himself". Knoxville News Sentinel.
- Ernest Hardy (May 2, 1994). "CRYSTAL WATERS, "Storyteller"; Mercury". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
- "Crystal Waters". Robert Christgau. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
- Wilson, Michael (August 25, 1994). "Recordings". Rolling Stone Issue 689.
- SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. April 2005. p. 99. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- "Vibe". Vibe Vixen. Vibe Media Group: 44. March 1995. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- "20 Best Albums of 1994". SPIN Media LLC. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
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(help) - Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 297.
- "Crystal Waters Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- "Crystal Waters Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2022.