- News & Reviews FeedMarilyn Ashford Brown - Still Standing (2009)
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Imagine encountering a sleek, luxury automobile; classic in appearance, versatile enough to navigate multiple terrains and loaded with fuel and firepower. You jump in the driver's seat, eager to take off....and there's no steering wheel. Agonizing scenario, huh? Well, that's what listening to Marilyn Asford Brown's Still Standing is like: all of the potential of a hitmaker, but without the guidance in place to properly showcase her talents.
Ms. Brown has been, according to her liner notes, honing her craft for decades, garnering professional credits by working with soul titans like the late Lou Rawls and opening for the great, late Phyllis Hyman. "Number One," one of the ten songs that she composed on ...Standing, actually placed at #76 on the Billboard chart. Her stage presence is also nothing to sneeze at, considering that she was selected to perform by the Congressional Black Caucus in 2008 and witnessed then-Presidential candidate Barack Obama earn the evening's highest honor, the Phoenix Award. So, given those qualifications, listeners have the right to expect more from the what ...Standing actually delivers.
To give credit where credit is due, Ms. Brown has a warm, supple soprano and isn't afraid to flex her pen game on a variety of different styles and subjects: she veers with ease from confessing her love for the saviour ("Jesus In Me"), a love gone wrong ("It Took Too Long To Learn"), yearning ("Don't Wanna Be Lonely Tonight") and even the wicked ways of the world (the societal statement "Maybe" and the 'ladies first' anthem "Respect Me"). As executive producer, she is obviously at ease with her long-time band and they do create some sublime moments together ("What I Feel," "I've Been Waiting"), but what's missing is continuity. First of all, Ms. Brown jumps from one vocal style to the next, often in the same lyric and verse, so it sounds like she can't decide if she wants to be Patti LaBelle or Diana Ross. What might be an attempt to showcase the depth of her range comes across, in the end, as annoying and amateurish. And while all true soul music lovers appreciate real music over recycled, the perfunctorally-performed tracks, which seem devoid of any modern edges, leave a canned aftertaste.
Still Standing, while not the Lexus that it could be, certainly isn't worthy of the scrap heap either: all Ms. Brown needs is to do is add power steering, and for a woman of her talents, it should be straight cruising all the way.
By Melody Charles
[Editor's Note: Marilyn's second album is slated for release Sept. 9, 2009]
Comments
Marilyn Ashford Brown__While
myrtgoodie - March 3rd, 2009
Marilyn Ashford Brown__While everyone has an opinion, Writer, Melody Charles clearly doesn't recognize real music. As a result, she has done both an unfair assessment and injustice to Recording Artist, Marilyn Ashford Brown.
Perhaps, Ms. Charles should ask the views of the many loyal fans who attended the debut of Marilyn's CD, and witnessed the long lines of people waiting to see her perform. Needless to say, she sold hundreds of the "Still Standing" CD following her performance that evening. I was one of the many standing in line to buy one.
Marilyn has an amazing stage presence and the delivery of every song performed was absolutely magnificant. When she performed, "Number One" I noticed several people crying. And, there wasn't a dry eye during her tribute and rendition of "Somewhere in My Lifetime" by the late Phyllis Hyman.
While it has taken Marilyn sometime to realize her dream, one has to admire her tenacity and perserverence. I personally am a die-hard fan, and attend most of her sold-out shows whenever she appears at Blues Alley, in Washington, D.C. It's no secret that her music appeals to even a much younger generation. A co-worker who attended the CD Release with me, purchased a second copy due to her 14 year old son borrowing hers and never returning it. He played it everyday when he got home from school. She later learned that he had burned several copies for his friends, and asked that he stop.
So, perhaps Melody Charles, like Simon Cowell of American Idol who to my knowledge can't sing a lick, but has ruthless opinions of those who can, should try doing what Marilyn has done for years and have someone rate her music. Jenifer Hudson is the perfect example of my point, and she's laughing all the way to the bank. One can't help but wonder whether or not Ms. Charles's opinion would have been as cruel had this CD been performed by a male artist. Women tend to be harder on other females....my point, A male writer more than likely would have viewed this CD with a more positive response.
I can't wait to hear Marilyn's next CD. Like Jenifer Hudson, Marilyn will no doubt soon be smiling all the way to the bank too.
Myrtgoodie.
A Loyal Fan
Number One Fan Obviously,
wgray - March 4th, 2009
Number One Fan
Obviously, Ms. Melody has no melody and her ears must be as deaf as Ray Charles is blind. Let's be real Ms. Charles, Marilyn brings real music. Isn't this what we've been missing...real music with a message in our culture.
Marilyn can undoubtably be compared to the styles of late Phyllis Hyman and Stephanie Mills. Her style is truly a style of her own and she doesn't have to duplicate what's already been done because she is original. Bottom line, Marilyn is a Songstress and yes, she can sing!!! I love her music and so do my children. Did Ms. Melody listened to "Number One", "It Took Too Long To Learn, and "I've Been Waiting"? I don't think so!!!! These are hits and tunes that stay with you.
Who really cares what Ms. Melody Charles thinks anyways. My entire family are fans of Marilyn Ashford Brown, and we will continue to support her music.
As for Ms. Melody's player hater review...she is absolutely right. Still Standing is not the Lexus, but it is the Mercedes...fully loaded and all decked out!!!
MrsWendyGray
L. Michael Gipson Editor We
L.MichaelGipson - March 9th, 2009
L. Michael Gipson
Editor
We at SoulTracks respect your opinions, even when they dramatically differ from our own. We do, however, ask that readers refrain from attacking the personhood of a writer whose review they disagree with. Our ideas and critiques are completely open to attack. Indeed, we welcome challenges and public discourse of our opinions, especially when they are civil and thoughtful. We do not however believe attacks on individuals (their lives, histories, families, physical abilities, etc.) are ever warranted or credible. If the aim is to make the writer look bad, the strategy is limited in its effectiveness. These emotionally-satisfying, but ultimately empty efforts tend to speak more about the capacities of those passionate critics who choose name-calling as their path for engagement and recourse. Respectfully, we expect better of you, as you do of us. Please remember, we are all fans and supporters of soul, and we are all entitled to our perspective. We ask you to respect our right to host and express a subjective ear, and we'll continue to do the same.
Thank you,
L. Michael Gipson
Editor
www.SoulTracks.com
Thank you, Mr. Gipson!
Mel C - March 10th, 2009
Thank you, Mr. Gipson!
I have to admit I was taken aback by the vitrol and the visciousness of the responses to my review; while I felt that I included just as many positives as I did negatives, it appeared that her fans could tolerate nothing less than a gushing recommendation, which I was unable to truthfully provide.
In my years as a professional music citic, I have encountered less-than-stellar product from both male and female, as well as seasoned and amateur performers. I welcome differing opinions, no matter how diverse they are from my own, but like Mr. Gipson stated, I was disappointed that Ms. Brown's listeners chose such childish and vindictive tactics to get their points across. I have nothing but high hopes for Ms. Brown's future endeavors and eagerly await her fall follow-up release. Maybe, by then, her loyal fans will have learned tolerance for viewpoints other than their own, or at least how to disagree without being disagreeable.
I don’t know about all of
ouknow1 - April 9th, 2009
I don’t know about all of the rest but:
In the past, I have had the pleasure of catching Marilyn Ashford Brown live, twice at Blues ally, D.C.
It was a wonderful night out, with the high energy soulful/R&b sounds. Ms. Brown dazzled on stage and her band were tight. Everyone there enjoyed the performance. Her Music was not just sound filling a room, but insightful and meaningful to todays world. If you haven’t seen her I would highly recommend checking her out. That night, I also picked up her latest CD, Still Standing. I enjoyed it, the sound is fresh and unique.
I feel Marilyn Ashford-Brown
ladybug2 - April 10th, 2009
I feel Marilyn Ashford-Brown has a lot to offer the music industry. I have heard her in person and believe me her voice is radiant!! She may not be Beyonce' or Mary J Beige BUT she is definitely in the running with Anita Baker and Gladys Knight. She has a old skool spirit, which I LOVE. Everyone has an opinion and I do respect Ms. Charles. I have a 14 year old son that cannot get enough of Ms. Brown's music. He love old skool music, he perfers back in the day than the music of today. I wish Ms. Brown all the luck and success, she deserves a chance to shine. If she makes it into the music industry GOOD for her, if not the music industry will miss out on a GREAT SONGSTRESS. Keep you head up Ms. Brown and DO NOT LET ANYONE OR ANYTHING TEAR YOUR SPIRIT DOWN. You will get a lot of criticism, but remember who you are and where you want to go and I guarantee you will make it. Your voice is powerful and with the right lyrics you will move ahead.
An Apology is Certainly In
marilynashfordbrown - April 10th, 2009
An Apology is Certainly In Order!
Dear Ms. Charles:
First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to review my Still Standing Cd. Secondly, I would like to offer my sincere apology for the manner inwhich some of my fans have chosen to convey their comments. It was my choice to post your review, but I had no idea that it would generate such a buzz. Though both humbled and flattered to know how much fans appreciate my music, hardwork and career, it does not justify personal attacks on you and I regret that it has happened.
Your review has actually inspired me to reach higher, by becoming a better, Singer, Songwriter, Recording Artist and Performer. For the past year, I have dedicated my time to writing,creating and co-producing the best music possible for my upcoming CD along with my Producer, Derek Wille. I believe that both yourself and my fans will be quite amazed at the difference incomparison to the Still Standing Cd, and I truly look forward to your next review...I am very excited about the prospects for the future.
In closing, I would like to extend a personal invitation for you to attend my upcoming CD Release scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at the historical Blues Alley located in Georgetown, just blocks of the White House here in Washington, D. C. I would love to have you in the audience and to meet you. If you think you would be interested in atteding and doing a review of my performance, please email me so that we can try and make it happen.
Again, thank you.
Most sincerely,
Marilyn Ashford-Brown
kind Words of
marilynashfordbrown - April 10th, 2009
kind Words of Acknowledgement
Dear Mr. Gipson:
I would like to thank you for taking the time to address the madness that Ms. Charles review of my CD has generated.
As indicated to Ms. Charles, I truly regret the manner for which my fans views were expressed. Unfortunately, we have no control over what people choose to write. For this reason, I felt that the right thing for me to do was to address the situation with a sincere apology.
SoulTracks is a great platform for both National, International and Independent Recording Artists like myself to recieve exposure. I am very grateful that you thought enough of my music to do a review. I am new to the SoulTrack Family, and feel honored to have been accepted.
I'm not sure whether or not you sometimes send writer's on assignments to do personal reviews of performances, but I have extended and invitation to Ms. Charles to attend my next CD Release scheduled for September 9, 2009 here in Washington, D. C. I hope that she will accept and that we can make it happen.
Again, thanks so much.
Sincere regards,
Marilyn Ashford-Brown
