"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.
Recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota.
Personnel: Janet Jackson (vocals, background vocals); James "Big Jim" Wright (vocals, organ, keyboards); Alexander Richbourg (vocals, drum programming); Debbie Morrison, Alyssa Hanson, Shawnette Heard, Tina Landon, Kelly Konno, Miko Salone, Prof. T. (vocals); Q-Tip (rap vocals); Nicholas Raths, David Barry , Mike Scott (guitar); Daria Tedeschi, Liz Sobieski, Hanley Daws, Leslie Shank, Brenda Mickens, Jan Chong, Mike Sobieski, Carolyn Daws, Vanessa-Mae (violin); Glen Donnellen, Myrna Rain, Alice Preves, Charles Gray (viola); Dale Newton, Joshua Koestenbaum, Camilla Heller, Daryl Skobba (cello); Ken Holmen (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Lynne Erickson (trumpet).
Audio Mixer: Steve Hodge.
Recording information: Flyte Tyme studios, Edina, MN; Hit Factory Studios, N.Y., NY; Record Plant Studios, L.A., CA.
Photographers: Mario Testino; Ellen Von Unwerth.
Unknown Contributor Role: Miko Salone.
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, Carolyn 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.
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.
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? YesNo 2 of 2 found this helpful.
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? YesNo 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? YesNo
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? YesNo
LOVE IT it the best my fav song is what about Submitted by josee (Pontiac Mi Usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
pretty sweet
One of the greatest R&B records
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