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"Do Something" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
"I Try" won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
The song was nominated for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
It was no mean feat for an R&B singer debuting in 1999 to embody the aesthetics of vintage soul without resorting to retro '70s stylings. On her first album, Macy Gray manages to bring old-school values to a very contemporary sound. One is immediately struck by Gray's unique, sandpapery voice-something of a cross between Erykah Badu and Eartha Kitt. A powerhouse rhythm section ensures that the all-important groove remains the focal point of the arrangements, while production techniques borrowed from '90s DJ culture pop up throughout. Lyrically, Gray moves from the lustiness of the unambiguously titled "Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak" to the film noir scenario of "I've Committed Murder," all the while singing with enough verve and soul to ensure that her unique voice insinuates itself into the listener's heart.
Recorded at Paramount Studios, Sunset Sound and A&M Studios, Hollywood California.
Personnel: Macy Gray (background vocals); Jon Brion (guitar, piano, chamberlin, synthesizer, marimba); Gabriel Moses, Jay Joyce, Benny Williams, Miles Om Tackett (guitar); Michael Harris, Steve Baxter, Charlie Green (horns); Jeremy Ruzumna (piano, electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, organ, Farfisa, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); Patrick Warren (chamberlin, synthesizer, vibraphone); Rami Jaffee (synthesizer); Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion); Lenny Castro (percussion); Kilu Beckwith (programming); Dawn Beckman, Sye Smith, David Wilder (background vocals).
Personnel includes: Macy Gray (vocals); Jon Brion (guitar, piano, Chamberlain, synthesizer, vibraphone, bells); Darryl Swann (guitar, programming, background vocals); Jinsoo Lim, Arrik Marshall, Bendrix Williams, Blackbird McKnight, Gabriel Moses, Miles Tackett (guitar); Ngozi "Guz" Inyama (saxophone); Jeremy Ruzumna (piano, organ, Clavinet, Farfisa organ, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); Patrick Warren (Chamberlain, synthesizer, vibraphone); David Wilder (bass, background vocals); Dion Derek Murdock (bass); Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion); Lenny Castro (percussion); Kiilu Beckwith (programming); DJ Kiilu (turntable); Dawn Beckman, Musiic Galloway, Sye Smith (background vocals).
Rolling Stone (8/19/99, p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...shadowy, classic and shimmering with contemporary nostalgia....Gray glides through the aural cinema like a destined star..." Entertainment Weekly (8/6/99, p.64) - "...bounding from gritty urban funk to polished R&B and tumescent Princely come-ons...[MACY] shows how to use her versatile voice to project the albums ever-changing moods..." - Rating: B Q (5/00, p.135) - Included in Q Magazine's "Best Soul Albums Of All Time" Q (1/00, p.85) - Included in Q Magazine's "50 Best Albums of 1999." Q (8/99, p.105) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...her influences [are] Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye....[MACY GRAY] bears the marks of all three, but with a decidedly modern feel....all 10 tracks are viable, both musically and lyrically..." Muzik (1/00, p.69) - Ranked #11 in Muzik's "Albums Of The Year '99" Muzik (8/99, p.82) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...accessible modern ...soul ....free-spirited productions with warmth and timeless appeal in abundance." Mojo (Publisher) (1/00, p.30) - Ranked #4 in Mojo Magazine's "Best of 1999"
If you like "I Try"... After hearing Macy Gray on SNL for the first time I ordered this CD on the strength of "I Try" and believe me, if you like that one song you will love the whole CD. Besides her voice, which I love, she has a vast array of stories in her songs. You can't go wrong with this CD. Submitted by a reviewer (bethel, oh) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
the very best!!! I really like Macy Grays cd!!!It is very good.My favorite song is ''I Try''.I really like the music video to it!!!You go girl!!! Submitted by unica (embudo,nm) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
MACY GRAY IS AWESOME Macy Gray is an awesome artist! Her cd is great, so I would adivse you to buy her album!
Submitted by a reviewer (coral springs, fl) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
this is great- go buy it! macy has a great voice- the underlying feel of the tracks hint of blues, R&B, but unmistakenly, her voice and the beat gives you an idea that you aint gonna just be sitting on your couch, falling asleep.
its a cool blend of R&B & trip-hop.
it will keep you wanting more.
if your into the new-age black music, go out and get this CD now! Submitted by a reviewer (singapore) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The Third Wish If I had to use my last wish for a CD,I wouldn"t be disapointed if Macy Gray"s "ON How Life Is" was the answer. Will alive album follow? Three Wishes Submitted by a reviewer (New York, N.Y.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
If you like "I Try"...
the very best!!!
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