Customer Reviews

And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This single features dance versions of Jennifer Holliday's show-stopping Dreamgirls aria, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." This set was assembled, I'm sure, to counteract the many embarrassing dance remakes of this song that have proliferated overseas in recent months, featuring far inferior singers and largely generic production. This release attempts to remedy the deficiencies of the imports, and actually succeeds on a few counts.

Clearly, the best reason I can give for buying this CD is Jennifer Holliday's shattering performance. Holliday has recut the song, and her new vocal is faithful in spirit and execution to the original. At the song's devastating peak - the final "You're gonna love ... ME!" - Holliday still sends chills up your spine. As if the original version weren't definitive enough, Holliday's new vocals effectively slam the door on other, lesser performers who would ever aspire to sing this song.

A vocal performance of this magnitude requires equally exciting production, however, and that's where this set runs into some problems. Of the six remixes on the CD, the best by far are turned in by the team of Rosabel (Ralphi Rosario and Abel Aguilera). Their 9:43 Anthem Mix is just as punchy and upbeat as their other circuit exercises, while their 10:27 Attitude Mix is a bit darker but still quite accessible, reminiscent of Hex Hector's work. Rosario contributes two more mixes, apparently on his own: a 3:44 radio mix that's surprisingly flat, and a 7:24 Funky Underground Mix that features bouncy, stripped-down, Steve "Silk" Hurley style instrumentation that's totally incongruous with Holliday's vocal fireworks. Rounding out the collection is an amazingly lifeless trance radio version (3:50) by Tranceuro Express, and a rather limp, been-there, done-that Junior Vasquez Earth Club Anthem (9:23) that sounds ten years old.

This song may not stand the test of time to become a dance classic, and most fans of Jennifer Holliday will probably still prefer the original version. Still, this is far from sacrilege - like, for instance, that god-awful disco version of "Memory" from Cats was. And I think fans of Holliday's might actually enjoy hearing the way their favorite singer has reshaped her signature song. Just stick with the 20 minutes of high-quality dancefloor drama delivered by Rosabel, and you won't go wrong with this one.

As a pro Disc Jockey for 15+ years, it takes a really great song (much less a cover) to get me excited. Indeed, some songs do improve when covered, but this is not just a cover...it's a wonderful remake. As dance remixes go, this cut totally embodies within itself the true depth and emotion Ms. Holliday gave her original Broadway hit. Granted, you most likely won't hear this one on your favorite top 40 station, and unless you know who Jennifer Holliday is, you won't even care...but you will love it from the first beat to the last. Get this CD...(or 12" Wax...for the old skool)

A great song from Dreamgirls. A new dance version from the hit. Absolutelly fantastic.

"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is the theme (or a theme) from the musical Dreamgirls. Jennifer Holliday was one of the original cast members, and has made a name for herself thanks to her amazing performance(s) of this title. Here, Jennifer re-recorded her anthem with remix superstars Rosabel (Ralphi Rosario & Abel Aguilera) (Gloria Estefan, "Oye"; Funky Green Dogs, "Can't Help It") to create a remix package for her/their fans. There are 2 radio mixes/edits on here: Ralphi's Classic House Radio Edit & Tranceuro Express Radio Edit. Ralphi's Classic House Radio Edit is very similar to the original, backed up with a disco/dance beat. The Tranceuro Express Radio Edit is, you guessed it, a Euro-club Radio cut of the title (it sounds very similar to a Johnny Vicious Remix). After these 2 tracks, the single offers 4 full-length remixes/anthems. Track 3 is the Rosabel Anthem Mix, which is similar to track 1, just an extended version. This is a good one to play in the clubs if a DJ wants to play this song in a remix similar to the original version. Next is the Rosabel Attitude Mix, which is a total Anthem Remix. This is different from the previous Rosabel/Ralphi remixes, although part of the mix does sample the original melody. The beats and synths are more hard-hitting. (This mix was featured on Thunderpuss' full-length release, "Thunderpuss"). Track 5 is the Junior Vasquez (Beyonce, "Me, Myself & I"; Deborah Cox, "Easy As Life") Earth Club Anthem, remixed by the legendary Junior Vasquez, and programmed by long-time associate Joey Mosk. This mix is awesome!!! It is somewhat similar to the original, and has a light feel to it, yet it maintains its own identity. The last track is Ralphi's Funky Underground Vox. This remix sounds just as it is titled. If you are a fan of Jennifer Holliday and/or Rosabel, or if you love big divas, anthems, Junior Vasquez or trance music, then pick this up!!! It's out of print and hard to find, so if you see one, grab it. You won't be dissapointed. The track listing is:

1. Ralphi's Classic House Radio Edit 3:44
2. Tranceuro Express Radio Edit 3:50
3. Rosabel Anthem Mix 9:43
4. Rosabel Attitude Mix 10:27
5. Junior Vasquez Earth Club Anthem 9:23
6. Ralphi's Funky Underground Vox 7:24

And I Am Telling You that I'm glad I picked this one up and is now a part of my collection.

I am one of Jennifer Holliday's greatest fans, but I was not impressed with her 20th anniversary rendition of And I am Telling You. I feel like she took the one of the most important pieces of work she has ever recorded, and really bastardized it. I hate to say that. I just hope we will see a full length album of Jennfer singing from her R&B roots very soon.