Survivor (Vanessa Williams album) explained
Survivor is the ninth studio album by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams. It was released under her own record label Mellian Music on August 23, 2024.[1] It is her first studio album since The Real Thing (2009). The album was preceded by the singles, "Legs (Keep Dancing)", "Bop!" (featuring Trixie Mattel and Lion Babe), and "iLike Moonlight".[2] [3] [4] The photo for the album cover was shot by Mike Ruiz.
Background
Speaking to Deborah Evans Price of Woman's World William's opened up about the decision to release "Survivor" independently going on to say: “I had been in talks with a few labels on the record side and a lot of labels have disappeared, disintegrated. Everyone is consolidating, not very many people are getting signed...before COVID, I went into the studio and said, ‘You know what? I’m going to pay for it myself and just start recording. I want to do songs that matter to me for my life.’”[5]
Critical reception
Peter Piatkowski of PopMatters rated the album a 7 out of 10, noting that "despite the long absence from music, Williams has returned without missing a step." while also declaring "Williams thrives on being an old-school Entertainer with a capital E."[6]
Personnel
Musicians
- Vanessa Williams – vocals
- Tanya Riley – vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4)
- Loris Holland – keyboards, vocals (tracks 1, 4)
- DeValle Hayes – programming (tracks 1, 4)
- Dana Harding – guitar (track 1)
- Kipper Jones – vocals (tracks 2, 3, 11, 12), programming (12)
- Chandry Johnson – keyboards, programming (track 2)
- Mel Holder – programming (tracks 3, 11); bass, keyboards, saxophone (3); all instruments (11)
- Lucas Goodman – keyboards, programming, vocals (track 3)
- John Henry Smith – guitar (track 3)
- Jillian Hervey – vocals (track 3)
- Sherie Murphy – vocals (track 3)
- Trixie Mattel – vocals (track 3)
- Cindy Mizzelle – vocals (track 4)
- J.T. Lewis – drums (tracks 5, 8–10, 13, 14), guitar (7), vocals (8), shaker (10)
- Keith Robinson – guitar (tracks 5, 8–10, 13, 14), vocals (8)
- Romero Lubambo – guitar (tracks 5, 6)
- Roger Squitero – percussion (tracks 5, 6)
- Henry Hey – piano (tracks 5, 7–10, 13, 14); Hammond organ, organ (7); vocals (8)
- Carl Carter – electric bass (track 5)
- Grégoire Maret – harmonica (track 5)
- Isaac Raz – programming (track 5)
- Darius de Haas – vocals (track 5)
- Missael Manon – programming, vocals (track 6)
- Charles Pillow – saxophone (track 6)
- John Wheeler – trombone (track 6)
- John Owens – trumpet (track 6)
- Tony Kadleck – trumpet (track 6)
- Marissa Licata – violin (track 6)
- Al Caldwell – bass (tracks 7–10, 13, 14), vocals (8)
- Wynton Marsalis – trumpet, vocals (track 8)
- The Black Bettys – vocals (tracks 11, 12)
- Johnnie Ray Kornegay III – vocals (track 11)
- Mary Lee Joshua – vocals (track 11)
- André Cymone – programming (track 12)
- Mic Murphy – programming, vocals (track 12)
- Genesis Amaris – vocals (track 12)
- Carter Brey – cello (track 13)
- Bill Coleman – remixing, programming (track 14)
- John "J-C" Carr – remixing, programming (track 14)
Technical
- Tatsuya Sato – mastering, engineering
- Tony Prendatt – mixing, engineering (tracks 1, 3–6, 12); arrangement (5, 6)
- Dave Darlington – mixing, engineering (tracks 5, 7–10, 13, 14)
- DeValle Hayes – engineering (tracks 1, 4), arrangement (1)
- Loris Holland – engineering (tracks 1, 4), arrangement (1)
- Chantry Johnson – engineering (track 2)
- Hank Kalleen – engineering (track 3)
- Lucas Goodman – engineering (track 3)
- Henry Hey – engineering (track 5), arrangement (5, 7–10)
- Kipper Jones – engineering (track 12), arrangement (3, 12)
- André Cymone – engineering, arrangement (track 12)
- Mic Murphy – engineering, arrangement (track 12)
- John "J-C" Carr – engineering (track 14)
- Vanessa Williams – arrangement (tracks 3, 6)
- Jillian Hervey – arrangement (track 3)
- Trixie Mattel – arrangement (track 3)
- John Kiehl – arrangement (track 6)
- Missael Manon – arrangement (track 6)
Notes and References
- Web site: Vanessa Williams To Release First Album In 15 Years Under Her Own Record Label. Abraham. Mya. April 17, 2024. Vibe. April 18, 2024.
- Web site: VW – Vanessa Williams. Vanessawilliams.com. July 17, 2024.
- Web site: Bop! – Vanessa Williams, Trixie Mattel & Lion Babe Single & Remix Bundle Available July 2024. Vanessawilliams.com. April 17, 2024 . July 17, 2024.
- Web site: McIntyre . Hugh . Vanessa Williams' Comeback Single Brings Her To A Billboard Chart For The First Time . 2024-06-27 . Forbes . en.
- Web site: Price . Deborah Evans . 2024-08-23 . Vanessa Williams Talks New Album 'Survivor' and Chasing Your Dreams at Any Age (EXCLUSIVE) . 2024-09-13 . Woman's World . en-US.
- Web site: 2024-08-27 . Vanessa Williams Returns with the Excellent 'Survivor' . 2024-09-13 . www.popmatters.com . en-US.
