Customer Reviews

Next (+1 Bonus Track)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Vanessa Williams has got to be the most underrated singer on the pop/R&B scene today. She may not have all of the vocal acrobatics that other singers have today, but her voice is so technically refined and smooth. It's a shame that her last two albums have been virtually ignored and left to collect dust on the racks. "Next" targets a more mature audience and contains several really good songs. She keeps the pace mid to down tempo on most of the album. "Who Were You Thinking About?", "And My Heart Goes" and "First Thing On Your Mind" are strong midtempo cuts. Also, "Happiness" borrows a familiar sample from 80s pop group Nu Shooz's hit "I Can't Wait" which really works to nice effect. "Someone Like You" and "And If I Ever" stand out as ballads, while "Oh How The Years Go By" is a sequel to her #1 smash "Save The Best For Last" and probably had the best chance at radio if the label would have backed it up. This album is great for a relaxful evening at home or driving to work. Hopefully its lack of sales won't hurt Vanessa's singing career, because she is a true talent.

Vanessa Williams has remained as one of the most distinctive women in R&B music. Each song that she has made still continues to tell a sonnet of love to any audience, at any time.

Her 1997 album, Next, reflects upon the rocky roads of love and marriage. That album remained true to Vanessa at the time, when she and her first husband, Ramon Harvey divorced. The songs still are as tough and as strong as they were released at the time. Songs like Happiness, Lost Without You and Oh How The Years Go By, range from Hip-Hop to comtemporary, and heavy to hard listening very smoothly.

Although many people still think of her as a one hit wonder with Save The Best For Last, the songs on Next still prove that Vanessa Williams still has some staying power in the wings. All the way to the next level.

THis record reconfirms Vanessa WIlliams as one of America's most exciting entertainers. From the dramatic "who were you thinking about" to the funky "happiness", she proves that she is a queen of dance. the epic "oh how the years go by" is amongst her finest songs, and "first thing on my mind" is a welcome revelation". "crazy 'bout you" is destined to be a radio hit, and the soulful" and my heart goes" should keep r&b fans at bay for a while. A must have for any intelligent music buyer!!!

Vanessa L. Williams once again out does herself by choosing songs that carry the sentiment and vulnerability in her smooth honey coated voice. She's come a long way since her dance diva songs like "Right Stuff" and " Running back To You " but still shows she can get down and funky on the stellar track " Happiness" - a celebration of her life with all it's ups ( Miss America, 10 Grammy Nominations, A Tony nomination for Kiss Of The Spider Woman and her success as an actress a la Soul Food and Eraser) and downs ( disgrace from losing the Miss America crown and her recent divorce) . "Happiness " is my favorite track not just because everyone can relate a life story to it but because she carries the song off easily unlike many wanna be R&B divas who unconvincingly huff and puff through their songs.

Vanessa also captures the raw emotion of her early hit " Dreamin" on the songs " First Thing On Your Mind " and " Oh How the Years Go By " .

Vanessa is truly a singer who knows what material brings out her best qualities. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with NEXT !!

I was not writing reviews on this site when this cd first came on the scene. But since I still play this cd constantly I thought I would do the honors now. What can I say about this woman who has defied the odds. When peeps said her career was over this lady said "be dammed, I am just starting". Vanessa has that talent that is unstoppable since she has not tied herself to one thing in the industry. What can't this gal do? I have all her cds because I adore her as an artist and as a black woman. But this is my favorite cd. From the very beginning with "Who were you thinking about" Ms V has me. The songs are smooth and tantalizing to the ear. Her voice is just pure gold. I love all these songs. It is great for relaxation and adult conversation. It is truely a great piece of work. I look forward to her "Next" cd and I will be right there on release day. Stay up girlfriend - we got cha.

I love this CD!!! It is definitely her best piece of work. Every song is well written, beautifully song, and impecably produced. These songs were built for radio. Personal favourites: "Who were you thinkin' bout," "Someone like you," "First thing on your mind" and "Start Again." Way to go Vanessa!!! I can't wait for the next one!

Last week I went to my Sister's house to get some of her CD's.3 of them were from Vanessa Williams,"The Comfort Zone,The Sweatest Days," and "Next."I always enjoyed hearing this artist songs played on the radio,I even bought her first single,"Dreamin'."Next" is my favorite out of the 3.The CD starts out with the baddies,funkiest cut ever from this singer,"Who were you thinkin 'bout?," then right into the sampling of NuShooz"single,"I can't wait,"with the hit cut,"Happiness." This album starts out hard,then slowly brings you back down the Earth.The song I love the most is "First thing on your mind." Vanessa's vocals are perfect,Hard,soft,mean.This women has the style and vocal ability of Barbra Streisand,Ella Fitzgerald,and Janet Jackson ,all in 1.My other favorite's,"Crazy'Bout You,Lost Without You," and "Oh How the years go by."The "Next" CD from this Artist will not come from my Sisters collection,but my own.

I own practically all of Vanessa's albums and I find this to be my favorite, although "Sweetest Days" runs a close second. The songs range from upbeat to heart stopping. I love this type of music and bought my first Vanessa album about two years ago as a lark since I enjoy her movies so much such as "Erasure" and "Let's Dance". I was absolutely amazed at the singing talent she has. She can sing wonderful dancing songs, rousing gospel music, and love songs that ooze romance. She is no Whitney Houston, but who is? It's just nice to see someone with so much talent, in so many areas, be such a role model after having to overcome the adversity she faced after being crowned Miss America. She appears to be a great wife and very nice person. If you want an album where you just want to be entertained and relaxed, then I highly recommend this purchase. I just wish she would release more music and not let the producers try to change her style.

Vanessa Williams is one of the most underrated singers, she has a beautiful voice that expresses so many sentiments and once, its comforting and exciting at the same time. Next is an album geared towards Adult Contemporary, but rest assured it is excellent. The album starts out strong with two upbeat songs, some of her best, "Who Were You Thinkin' About" and "Happiness". The album stays strong throughout, and the ballads "And If I Ever", "Start Again", "Lost Without You", "Oh How The Years Go By" to name the best, make this an enchanting album to own and listen to. The songs are so beautiful and simplistic in nature, its the perfect album to listen to.

You can get what's worth of this CD, believe me. The lyrics are beautiful and meaningful. Especially "Oh How The Years Go By" (that's my favorite), it is soothing and it really lifts your spirits! "Happiness" is another great hit! Though it's a bit cheeky at the beginning, but it fully depicts what real happiness is. If you haven't been able to get your hands on a good CD for a long time, this is the one for you!