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Personnel includes: Janet Jackson (vocals); Q-Tip (rap vocals); Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis (various instruments); Mike Scott, Dave Barry, O. Nicholas Raths (guitar); Vanessa Mae, Hanley Daws, Brenda Mickens, Michael Sobieski, Elizabeth Sobieski, ... Full DescriptionCarolyn Daws, Leslie Shank, Daria Tedeschi, Jan Chong (violin); Alice Preves, Myrna Rain, Glen Donnellen, Charles Gray (viola); Josh Koestenbaum, Daryl Skobba, Dale Newton, Camilla Heller (cello); Ken Holmen (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Lynne Erickson (trumpet); James "Big Jim" Wright (organ, keyboards, background vocals); Gary Raynor (bass); Alex Richbourg (drum programming, background vocals); Xavier Smith (drum programming); The United Children's Choir (background vocals); Joni Mitchell.
Producers: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson.
Recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota.
"I Get Lonely" was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
In her most personal and emotionally revealing album to date, Janet Jackson tackles subjects close to her heart, including homophobia, abusive relationships, AIDS, and sexuality. THE VELVET ROPE is deftly produced by longtime Jackson collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who have a knack for injecting heavy, emotionally charged themes into musically flawless, stylistically innovative settings. The understated "Got 'Til It's Gone" features A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip and a sample of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi." "What About," an edgy narrative from the perspective of an abused woman, contrasts a romantic, moonlit beach scene with memories of abuse. "Free Xone," highlights Jackson's open-minded perspective on sexuality: "Free to be/Who you really are/One rule/No rules." It is this expansiveness that marks THE VELVET ROPE as more than just another mainstream pop record.Rolling Stone (10/30/97, p.67) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...there's plenty of emotional navel gazing here, but there are also moments of unsullied pop bliss....it's a testimonial to the record's merits that it's ultimately stronger than Jackson's sense of self-importance."
Spin (1/98, p.87) - Ranked #15 on Spin's list of the "Top 20 Albums Of The Year."
Entertainment Weekly (10/10/97, pp.89-90) - "...In the end, the most daring thing about THE VELVET ROPE isn't its sex talk but its honesty. Tempting as it may be to compare the album to similarly sultry stuff like Madonna's EROTICA, it's much closer in spirit to the unabashed emotionalism of Joni Mitchell's BLUE..." - Rating: A
Village Voice (2/24/98) - Ranked #24 in the Village Voice's 1997 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll. Hide Description Janet Jackson Velvet Rope Songs Purchase Velvet Rope CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart
Velvet Rope Music Review Average Rating: (4.6 out of 5 stars)    List All Reviews pretty sweet
i love janets earlier work. i thought this would lose alot of its edginess and style that janet delivers, but when i heard these songs, i was hooked. Clearly, The Velvet Rope is janets most personal and emotional album she will ever release. its shows her happy, angry and sad side to her feelings. My favorite songs are I Get Lonely, Got til Its gone, Go Deep (my mom is hooked to this one) You, What About, My Need and Together Again.
Submitted by a reviewer (Columbus, Ohio)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
It's good
I think this is one of Janet's best albums. I love the song "Together Again". Please buy this album!
Submitted by a reviewer (Magnolia , AR 71753) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  One of the greatest R&B records
Sexy and provocative. That's just what "The Velvet Rope", Janet Jackson's 1997 album is like. "The Velvet Rope" ranks among Janet's greatest musical achievements. It's really surprising, that it never won her Grammy Award. Even without Grammy under her belt, Janet proves here, that she's great talent. Her songs are memorable not just because of beats and sing along chours, but for the most part for their explicite lyrics. Best moments on album include: "Rope Burn", "Tonight's The Night" (even better than Rod Stewart's original), "I Get Lonely" and title track (with outstanding violin solo by Vanessa Mae). Although there are 22 tracks, there's no filler here and that I think says something about quality of the whole project.
Submitted by Piotr (Bielawa, Poland)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Breaks the barriers personally
The secret breakup with Rene Elizondo Jr. was no relationship to hide when this album pops up. It's got its pleasantries to add up especially Go Deep. Oh baby! Really, this adds up.
Submitted by Yvette (Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No The Velvet Rope
Janet's latest album, The Velvet Rope, is a deeply reflective and emotional work. It combines fabulous dance hits (Together Again, I Get Lonely) with beautiful ballads (Everytime) and just about every song has a very important message. The messages range from AIDS to self-esteeem to sexuality.
I remember this album when I was 10 and purchased it when I was 11. This CD shows Janet's maturity and musical skills. I love this album. This CD will never let go out of my mind.This album has been certified 3X Platinum.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis did an impressive job on this CD.
Submitted by davidogletree (Glenwood, IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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