In this episode we discuss the events leading up to the release and promotion of Toni Braxton's "More Than A Woman" and "Libra" albums as well highlight many of her career high points. This episode also expands beyond Toni Braxton and revisits what was happening in the music industry with other artists during the respective time periods highlighted.
Also please remember that music opinions are subjective and not the law of the land. This is just my synopsis and perspective. Everyone is going to have their own taste and interests musically.
Also shout out to Jay from the Bay for the shirt.
PART 1
0:00- Opening, Introducing the Braxtons
3:17- The Solo Kick Off of Toni Braxton and the Debut
7:43- A Conversation About Calculating Album Sales and Certifications...
10:40- "SECRETS" & "Unbreak My Heart"
15:14- Toni Had a Grip on THREE Markets; R&B, Pop, & Adult Contemporary
15:54- How Much Weight The Adult Contemporary Audience Had in the 1970s-1990s
20:43- The Secrets Tour Foolery, REALLY Kenny G??, Bankruptcy, Lawsuit, and
39:17- Contracts, Industry Woes, Other Acts & Veteran Shenanigans, Lessons Learned
44:20- "The Heat" Kicks into Gear & The Importance of "He Wasn't Man Enough" for R&B
50:18- The Second Half of "The Heat" Era & How the Ball Was Dropped Many Times
58:57- Lack of Support from The Music Networks, Shifts in Radio Roll Reception
PART 2
1:05- Toni Braxton Gets Married
1:06:35- Early Stages of "More Than A Woman", Leaks & Single Choices
1:09- Guess Who's Expecting? "Hit The Freeway" and The Label is Trippin???
1:12:39- Promotional Tour and Schedule Cancelled.
1:13:45- "03 Bonnie & Clyde" VS. "Me & My Boyfriend"... A Mix Up
1:16:57 "Hit The Freeway" Stalls, More Than A Woman Is Released
1:19:35- A New Baby, Label Switch, Ageism, & The Gamble With Switching Labels
1:22:58- How The Expansion of early 2000s Pop into R&B & Hip Hop Spaces Affected R&B
1:26:34- The Walmart Model
1:30:32- Other R&B Peers That Saw a Decline, A Slow Down of Adult Contemporary
1:32:35- A Hit Formula
1:35:37- New Faces & The Backlash Crossover R&B Acts Receive for being TOO R&B
1:41:21- Personal Track By Track Review of "More Than A Woman"
1:45:28- Aida, Something in the Water with Barry, Early Stages of Libra
1:47:30- Tyler Perry Smoke?
1:49:05- Studio Time with Libra, "Please", and Radio Markets
1:52:44- Trippin (That's The Way Love Works) & The Release of Libra
1:55:22- How the Album Was Received By The Public, Promotion, & Lack of Radio Support
1:57:45- "Take This Ring", The Libra Tour, & Album Critic Reviews
2:01:36- Track By Track Review of Libra
2:09:35- Later Success, Accolades, and Legacy
"We STILL want a Phyllis Hyman biopic!" (Or at least a REALLY good documentary)
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New Album "The Hardcover." available now on all digital music outlets.
Follow me on Spotify "Calvin Michaels" Follow me on Facebook http://facebook.com/calvinbmichaels
Be sure to check out my podcast "Comedically Hardheaded" on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and SoundCloud
"Calvin's R&B Gems" Playlist Over 2000 songs
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6LyduDzQmSH37gqwEPWaFK?si=Vm4t7mbdRrWufcQ4PcvGGA
"Calvin's R&B Wind Down"
A collection of slow jams from the 70s-Present..
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1MDClOhPwIjrvnrtJUe9up?si=ok4XAoSITO-eB5pboBzvfg
"Calvin's R&B Funk Party (1970s-1980s)"
Revisiting some funky tracks from those Saturday afternoon clean up sessions.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hYpw7k7toSmfPo5BXwDiE?si=5305eXh5Rge9ezcVCrg-0g
Calvin's "The Cool Down Party"
A collection of R&B, Jazz, Pop, & Inspirational music.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fuey3WrqPcMN5XZB7wHQY?si=oZLA46udSmuijAZjS-NbFQ
"Calvin's New Jack Swing & House Music"
Throwback New Jack Swing, Party, & Popular House Tracks from the Late 80s-Mid 90s.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nrJViSfdRzcRxnq94kvXX?si=35c0a9bc869541dd
How I made my album:
https://youtu.be/gJ392OkHjWc
List of the Books Behind Me... (2 Separate Links)
List 1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/7jyoddhihspnjk7/1.%20List%20of%20Books%20%28Just%20Scroll%29.pdf?dl=0
List 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fj92bg71bhn8ft3/2.%20List%20of%20Books%20%28Just%20Scroll%29.pdf?dl=0
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