The Real Thing (Vanessa Williams album)

The Real Thing is the eighth studio album by American singer Vanessa Williams. It was released by Concord Records on May 27, 2009. The album features productions by Keith Thomas, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Rob Mathes, and Rex Rideout. The Real Thing peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200. It also reached number one on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, number two on the Top Jazz Albums chart, and number 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

The Real Thing
Studio album by
Vanessa Williams
ReleasedMay 27, 2009 (2009-05-27)
Length48:15
LabelConcord
Producer
Vanessa Williams chronology
Everlasting Love
(2005)		 The Real Thing
(2009)
Singles from The Real Thing
  1. "Breathless"
    Released: February 24, 2009
  2. "Just Friends"
    Released: May 19, 2009
  3. "Close to You"
    Released: August 11, 2009
  4. "The Real Thing"
    Released: September 28, 2009

Background and composition

The Real Thing was originally intended to be a "Brazilian-type" record. However, when Williams contacted Babyface for the album production, it was revealed the album would have a more R&B sound. She considered the album a combination of different influences, such as classical, jazz, and Latin music.[1] The Real Thing was also produced by Keith Thomas, Rob Mathes and Rex Rideout, and features songs written by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, Phil Galdston, and Babyface.[2] When asked about the album style, Williams said:

"Yes, for me this is kind of a reflective record. [...] You know, I'm in my mid-forties; I've been divorced twice; I've raised four children; I'm a career woman... So it is a kind of look at love from all those different female perspectives. [...] 'The Real Thing' represents the promise of being back with a lover; 'October Sky' is a break-up song… Plus, with me being an actor who's also a singer, my favourite songs to sing are always those that tell a story. Because, when I go into the studio, I do kind of approach everything as an actor. [...] So, in that way, I do think all the songs on 'The Real Thing' either have some deep storyline, or can give an effect of a character at a particular time in a particular place."[1]

Singles
  • "Breathless" was released as the lead single from the album on February 24, 2009. It failed to chart, but Williams has stated that it is one of her favorite songs on the album.
  • "Just Friends" was released as the second single on May 19, 2009. It reached #10[3] on the Billboard Jazz Songs chart.
  • "Close to You" was released as the third worldwide single on August 11, 2009. The single also failed to chart.
  • "The Real Thing" was released as the fourth single on September 28, 2009. It was written by Stevie Wonder and was released with a Soul Seekerz dance remix.[1]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Slant Magazine[5]

AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found that the album "carries a relaxed, serene feel, even when it is at its most active and spirited. The highlights tend to come with the Latin material [...] which Williams pulls off with natural ease. It's not likely to raise anyone's body temperature, but it's too welcoming to ignore."[4] Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe described The Real Thing as "unfashionable, irrelevant material. With the moment for albums of pop standards from veteran artists like Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, and Cyndi Lauper having passed, and with crooners like Michael Bublé and Norah Jones no longer selling as well as they once did, it's impossible to imagine that there’s a market for Real Thing."[5]

Chart performance

The Real Thing debuted and peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200.[6] By May 2010, the album had sold 62,000 copies in United States.[7]

Track listing
The Real Thing track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Breathless"
Rideout4:50
2."Hello Like Before"
Keith Thomas4:28
3."Loving You"
Babyface3:33
4."Just Friends"EdmondsBabyface3:27
5."The Real Thing"Stevie Wonder
5:12
6."Lazy Afternoon"
  • John Latouche
  • Jerome Moross
Rideout4:56
7."Close to You"
  • Mathes
  • Gonzalez[a]
4:36
8."I Fell In"
Thomas4:47
9."October Sky" (featuring Javier Colon)
Thomas4:28
10."Come On Strong"
Thomas2:39
11."If There Were No Song"
  • Mathes
  • Gonzalez[a]
4:29

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies associate producer(s)

Charts

Release history
Release history for The Real Thing
Region Date Label Ref.
Japan May 27, 2009 Universal [13]
Canada June 2, 2009 [14]
United States Concord [15]
Germany June 12, 2009 Universal [16]

References
  1. Lewis, Peter (October 2009). "Vanessa Williams: In Vogue". Blues & Soul. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  2. "The Real Thing CRE 30816 02 : Vanessa Williams". Concord Music Group. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  3. "Billboard.com - Vanessa Williams Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
  4. "The Real Thing – Vanessa Williams – Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  5. Keefe, Jonathan (June 2009). "Slant review". Slantmagazine.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  6. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  7. Donahue, Ann (February 9, 2023). "Standard Bearer". Billboard.
  8. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Top Contemporary Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  9. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Top Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  11. "Contemporary Jazz Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  12. "Jazz Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  13. https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/ヴァネッサ・ウィリアムス/dp/B001V7DJOK
  14. https://www.amazon.ca/Real-Thing-Vanessa-Williams/dp/B0025X4P24
  15. https://www.amazon.com/Real-Thing-Vanessa-Williams/dp/B0025X4P24
  16. https://www.amazon.de/Real-Thing-Vanessa-Williams/dp/B0025X4P24
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