Description
Anita Baker – The Songstress / Elektra Audio CD 1991 / 7559-61116-2
UPC 07559-61116-21
Baker's deservedly obscure 1983 debut was reissued in 1991, long after her 1986 Rapture CD had garnered a Grammy and established her as a sophisticated, sensuous balladeer. Baker's smoky alto is recognizable enough, but it lacks the emotional immediacy and dramatic phrasing of her later work. The best track here is obviously "Angel," which sounds like a less polished version of Baker's breakthrough hit, "Sweet Love." Otherwise, Baker fans will wince at the turgid arrangement of "Feel the Need," and chuckle over the kitsch horror of Baker trying to negotiate her way through the swirling clutter of the postdisco dance track "Squeeze Me." For completists only. --Britt Robson
The Songstress is the debut solo album by the American R&B/soul singer Anita Baker. It was originally released in 1983 by Beverly Glen Music, and was Baker's only album for that label prior to signing with Elektra Records with whom she had a string of hit albums. The Songstress was not a commercial success upon its initial release, though the album met with moderate success on the R&B charts. Notorious drug trafficker "Freeway" Rick Ross helped provide the money for the album.
Baker became a major international success after signing with Elektra Records (a division of Warner Music Group) in 1986, and Elektra acquired the rights to The Songstress and re-released it with a new cover in 1991. Between 1992-2007, the album sold 307,000 copies in the US according to SoundScan figures.
Tracklist:
- "Angel" (Patrick Moten, Sandra Sully) - 4:57
- "You're the Best Thing Yet" (Moten, Geronne C. Turner) - 5:36
- "Feel The Need" (Moten) - 5:35
- "Squeeze Me" (Moten) - 4:40
- "No More Tears" (Michael J. Powell) - 5:38
- "Sometimes" (Moten, Sully) - 5:53
- "Will You Be Mine" (Moten, Carlos Turrentine) - 5:24
- "Do You Believe Me" (Moten) - 3:55
| 1 | Angel
Written-By – Anita Baker, Patrick Moten, Sandra Sully |
4:57 |
| 2 | You're The Best Thing Yet
Written-By – Geronne C. Turner, Patrick Moten |
5:36 |
| 3 | Feel The Need
Written-By – Patrick Moten |
5:35 |
| 4 | Squeeze Me
Written-By – Patrick Moten |
4:40 |
| 5 | No More Tears
Written-By – Michael Powell |
5:38 |
| 6 | Sometimes
Written-By – Patrick Moten, Sandra Sully |
5:53 |
| 7 | Will You Be Mine
Written-By – Carlos Turrentine, Patrick Moten |
5:24 |
| 8 |
Do You Believe Me
Written-By – Patrick Moten |
3:55 |
- Anita Baker – lead vocals
- Patrick Moten – keyboards, rhythm section arrangements, BGV arrangements
- David T. Walker – guitar
- Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar
- James Macon – guitar
- Craig Cooper – guitar
- Nathan East – bass
- Raymond Calhoun – drums
- James Gadson – drums
- Otis Smith – BGV arrangements
- Gene Page – string arrangements
- Anthony T. Coleman – string contractor
- Billy Page – string contractor
- "The Waters": Maxine Waters, Julia Waters, Luther Waters and Oren Waters – backing vocals
- Carmen Twillie – backing vocals
- Phil Perry – backing vocals
- Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals
- Clydene Jackson – backing vocals
- Bunny Hull – backing vocals
Production
- Executive Producer – Otis Smith
- Producers – Patrick Moten and Otis Smith
- Engineer – Barney Perkins
- Assistant Engineer – Tom Cummings
- Recorded at Kendun Recorders (Burbank, CA).
- Mastered by John Matousek at Hitsville Studios (Hollywood, CA).
- Digital Remastered and Edited by John Matousek and Gerard Smerek at Soundworks West (Hollywood, CA).
- Art Direction and Design – John Coulter Design
- Artwork – Ginny Livingston
- Original Photography – Richard Arrindell
- Front Cover and Inside Photo – Kevin Winter
- Back Cover Photo – Adrian Buckmaster
- Arranged By [Backing Vocals] – Otis Smith, Patrick Moten
- Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey
- Arranged By [Rhythm Section] – Patrick Moten
- Arranged By [Strings] – Gene Page
- Art Direction, Design – John Coulter Design
- Backing Vocals – Bunny Hull, Carmen Twillie, Clydene Jackson, James Gilstrap, Julia Waters, Luther Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Phil Perry (2), The Waters
- Bass – Nathan East
- Drums – James Godson, Raymond Calhoun
- Edited By – Gerard Smerek
- Engineer – Barney Perkins
- Engineer [Assistant] – Tom Cummings
- Executive-Producer – Otis Smith
- Guitar – Craig Cooper, David T. Walker, James Macon, Paul M. Jackson Jr.
- Keyboards – Patrick Moten
- Liner Notes – David Nathan (2)
- Photography By [Back Cover] – Adrian Buckmaster
- Photography By [Cover & Inside] – Kevin Winter (3)
- Producer – Otis Smith, Patrick Moten
- Remastered By – Gerard Smerek, John Matousek
- Vocals – Anita Baker
