Mary J. Blige

Studio album number eight from Mary J Blige is beautiful, a little bit sad, a little bit happy, immaculately played and exquisitely sung in that gorgeous voice: a warm and charming collection of songs in the styles with which Blige has become associated - blues, jazz, hip hop, soul.
Sporting a white shift with her strong features in proud profile, Mary J Blige is dressed as the high priestess of self-help for the cover of her latest CD.
Although the Queen of Hip Hop Soul has long since quit drugs, got married and found God, the motivational message she began spreading with 2005's triple-platinum-selling The Breakthrough will still be delivered in ghetto-fabulous style.
"Growing Pains" doesn't break much musical ground, but it is inspiring to hear 38-year-old Blige maturing with such energy and honesty.
The CD is also just a little bit dull.
Some of the ballads drag, but the fiery upbeat anthems designed to empower the "grown woman" will certainly inspire a few smiles and starjumps between laundry loads.
The album, which includes Mary's Top 10 single "Just Fine" features guest appearances from Ludacris and Usher, and production by The Neptunes, Johnta Austin, Ne-yo, Stargate, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre and Vidal, Tricky, The Dream and Sean Garrett.
Her previous masterpieces that was the becoming of Mary will always come into question because Mary established herself in the Hip Hop/R&B/Soul genre as an artist who had to take the rough with the smooth.
She was an artist that fought a tough and hard winding battle, opened up to her darkest moments and fought with her demons, which made for good music.
Compelling music in fact. And music that can even be deemed 'classic'.
Now Mary has finally found a happy place, an inner pace, her comfort zone.
It's good that her self-empowered confidence is reflected in the music.
"Growing Pains" leaves the listener no uncertainty as to how she feels today.
"You know I love music," she says during the opening bars of "Just Fine". "It makes me move, it makes me wanna have fun!" It's a funky, determined track and the fact that it samples Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" gives it a hugely triumphant feel.
Plus, its upbeat message is given an inspirational twist because of the long, arduous journey that lies behind its protagonist's getting to feeling "Just Fine".
The album definitely has an updated feel complete with good ole contemporary (but mature) R&B with the oldskool sound here and there especially in superb gems like "Hurt Again" (signature Mary), "Feel Like A Woman", "Stay Down", "Work In Progress" (Growing Pains) and "If You Love Me".
Apart from those, the album pretty much hit a couple of blunt corners. Mary has nothing to prove with this album though because everything has already been proved.
Still the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul without a remarkable doubt, Mary is doing 'just fine'.
There's plenty to admire here, not least the musicianship.
But mostly there's that voice - strikingly powerful and unique, utterly flawless.
My highlights : "Work In Progress"(Growing Pains), "Grown Woman" and "Work That".
Have a very pleasant listening experience!

Work That
Just Fine

Goosebumps and chills every time "Work That" came on the air, no matter where I was. An anthem, pep rally kind of song that immediately linked me back to the empowering feminist anthem "I am Woman (Hear me roar)". I can't recall a song as immediately so emotionally powerful as "Work That" in eons. It was as if, every time I heard the song, and looked around at the other women around me, there was a renewed sisterhood of goodwill. Somebody was talking to us, cheering us on. Wishing us well. Cheering us on. Somebody cares to share some good vibes. Not only the message, the messenger but the kindness and caring to reach out to strangers using a worldwide platform for goodwill? chills. So often, what's on the TV or the radio isn't about the audience so much as the sales. And rarely on a personal level of meaning.

For some people, there's not always, or ever been, someone around to tell you that you can make it, that you are somebody, somebody good and worthy. For some people, the negative that they hear is what they become, because that's all they principally hear. You can rise above or fall below expectations. Sometimes you can follow the lead of others, growing through the pains. "Follow me."

Back in the heydays of the 60s and 70s, there was a sisterhood of goodwill. No cat fights and such. Women were not the enemy as you progressed forward as a woman. Progress for any woman was progress for women as a group. Nowadays, competition and tearing women down are all over the air--TV, radio, news.

Women not calling each other names, the hateful "B" word. Women joining men in degrading women. It's so few and far between hearing anybody wish women well, pep you up, and cheer you on, that it's a relief and an immediate booster shot antidote from the other side of the coin every time I hear "Work That". This would be a background song when Michelle Obama hits the air as First Lady. "Follow me."

"Just Fine" got many of my days started, ended, and always was right on time.

Both songs would be just right for anyone or group working with women or girls in community development, leadership. "Work That" and "Just Fine" are cathartic, prayer like anthems that can lead the current and next generation of women to new heights of goodwill towards themselves and others.

I give it three stars only because of the hits "Just Fine" and "Work That". I also like "Fade Away". I had higher expectations for fresher material to permeate the entire disc. The three aforementioned songs were just that...but the majority of songs are very typical modern R&B. Not very catchy. Wordy and I don't really care to find out what they're about. Avid Mary fans will likely appreciate this album more than I. I appreciate her and her contributions to the industry no matter what.

I love "If you Love Me." I love that song. That song talks about all the things a man need to do to retain the relationship.
I knew before I bought this album that it was not going to be her best but I bought it anyway because I'm a fan forever.
Just fine is a good song too if you really listen to the words. I listen to this song when I'm going to work and working out at the gym. Other than that, those are the only 2 songs I listen too. she is still the "Queen" and nobody can wear that crown the way she does!

Very good CD. A good variety of music, some fast to dance to, some slow to mellow out with and some duets.

As a collective whole, Mary J Blige's "My Life" is incomplete. Why then give this album 5 stars? Because the good overweighs the bad. There are enough songs on this cd to satisfy your Mary J Blige fix. Even though Mary herself claims she was in her "addiction" at the time of this recording, it still showcases brilliance in the r and b music world. In a perfect world, Mary J Blige's "My Life" would be:

1. Mary Jane
2. U Bring Me Joy
3. I"m The Only Woman
4. My Life
5. I Never Wanna Live Without u
6. I'm Goin' Down
7. Be Happy
(M' faves!)
Forget the rest. I'm sorry to say that, but for the anal r and b fan, the rest of the songs on this cd sound dated and just don't do the trick for me. "Be With U" is beyond repetative, it sounds like Mary just did voice over arrangements and improvised over a weak beat with pre-recorded back up vocals. Not only that, it sounds like she had a few too many (wink wink), if you really listen closely to the song. That's all good, but if you hear Mary's new music, you see the glaring differences in the music. Music in general has evolved and Mary has ridden the wave to superstardom. She remained in her artistry and never gave up on herself. She stayed in the music and let God take her on her journey, using every experience as a helping hand and carry her up the ladder and onto enlightenment. Mary could have easily faded in the background, but she took what she had and the cards that were dealt and played a winning hand. "My Life" is a part of Mary J Blige history, and she left behind a beautiful majestry of recorded music that still lives on. I still romanticize when I hear "I Never Wanna Live Without U" on a magical rainy night when you watch your fantasy lover walk away, knowing one day he will greet you will a wet loving kiss. Or when Mary gives glory to God on "My Life", when she testifies about Jesus, and how He can give u all the hapiness u need. These are some of the feelings an artist like Mary J Blige can bring you and that is what makes her a special artist.

there's not much that i can say about this album. i had it on cassette, broke 2 of them from playing all the time, bought on cd twice. i'm with one of other reviews, even though mary's newer stuff is good, this i believe is her best. i think every woman can relate to every song on this album.

I received the product in a timely manner. I didn't expect to receive it so soon and was able to enjoy my cd.

Don't get me wrong, the newer stuff by Mary is ok, BUT, this album is what Mary a champion in my eyes. I know she's happy now, and she literally begged for on this album. I grew up to this one. So it doesn't matter albums she continues to make, there will never be another MY Life album.


Peace

I'm a Mary J fan 4 life so I pretty much enjoy everything she puts out. Yet I gotta say of all her work this is my favorite.

After this CD, what more do you need. I was impressed and I can honestly call her the reigning "Queen" of hip-hop soul. Mary showed her maturity, progression, hurt, love and pain. After you show all of yourself the way Mary did there is nothing left to do but receive your breakthrough and move forward. This CD is a classic and I wish that I would have bought it a lot sonner than I did!

this is a really good album. Mary is happy but not corny like on "Love and Life" by far one of her worst albums ever besides share my world. This album shows Mary being very motherly, friendly and shes doing alot of soul bearing in these songs. I can really feel her on this album like I could on the Mary album and we all felt No more drama.

THIS CD IS HOT!!! I GOT THE GROWIN PAINS ALONG W/THIS ONE...I WAS LATE ON GETTING MY MARY STUFF. THIS IS A MUST BUY AS IS THE GROWING PAINS CD! EVERY SINGLE SONG IS HOT EVERY ONE! MARY IS MY GIRL AND THESE LAST 2 (THIS & GROWING PAINS) ARE THE BOMB!

Beautiful cd cover that promises sophistication, quality and a certain regality. Some of the tracks deliver, most don't. Now, I am a big MJB fan. In fact, I have just about every cd she has done since "What's the 411?" days. But, this cd, like so many others fools me with one or two songs I just can't get enough of put on a cd that I consider largely forgettable.

The track "I Found My Everything" is a haunting, soulful, masterpiece of a song that is reminscent of the days of Aretha Franklin in the late 60s and 70s. NO one will be unmoved listening to this song. It is a superb in its souring vocals, short and focused background singing, and amazingly expansive instrumentation. If only it were one of many.

Unfortunately, none of the other songs appeal as much. It is not a disappointment to die hard MJB fans, but it is doubtful this cd will bring new fans. It is not truly a Breakthrough.

MJB is just so inspiring and soulful. I listen to her all the time. So emotional hearing her voice and listening to the words. MJB is a class act for sure.

Mary J. Blige has the 4-1-1 on how to create a CD that will become an all-time classic. Yes, Mary has a soulful way of connecting to every woman's suffering and moves you to shout "you go girl!"

The first and the best. I've probably listened to this album a million times from beginning to end, and never get tired of it. This is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Mary's first album "What's the 411?" is, in my opinion, her best album. Her vocals are impeccable here and the songs are all good. I don't see any fillers.
-Reminisce: 5/5
-Real Love: 5/5 One of my favorites on the album...I love the remix as well
-You Remind Me: 5/5 Also one of my favorites
-Sweet Thing: 5/5 A good remake of Chaka Khan's Sweet Thing. I find both versions good and Mary did a great job on it.
-Love No Limit: 4.5/5...I personally prefer the remix of Love No Limit on her "What's the 411? Remix" CD.
-I Don't Want To Do Anything: 5/5 Another favorite
-Slow Down 4.5/5 A good song, but not the best on the album
-My Love 4.5/5
-Changes I've Been Going Through 5/5 Another favorite
-What's the 411? 4.5/5

This album definitely shows Mary J's vocals at her best. Although I love "My Life" as well, I feel that album as a few fillers. I think "What's the 411?" and also "What's the 411? Remix" shows Mary J Blige at her finest.

This is Mary's very first CD and it is off the hook (in a good way). If you are a Mary J Blige fan, then you will love this CD and keep it as a classic. This is my second one because the first one was a cassette tape (I upgraded)

Mary does it again. It is smooth and soulful from the beginning to the end. Cuts 2, 4 and 6 are phenomenal. A MUST HAVE. Don't think about it. Just get it, live it, that's Mary!!!!!!

I bought this CD for the Tracy Chapman/Eric Clapton "Give Me One Reason" rendition. This is a great CD!

Tracy Chapman's "O Holy Night" is beautiful, non traditional but sung like a loving lullaby, just lovely, one of the nicest renditions I've ever heard, and I really like this song. Jon Bon Jovi plays both "Please come home for Christmas" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" really nicely, like he was made to play these songs. Everything Clapton and Tracy Chapman offer is wonderful and John Popper, well of course.
I don't have a lot of exposure to some of these musicians because I don't listen to a lot of radio or to the genres they usually represent. I personally don't like a couple of songs, I've never liked "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" so, even though Mary Blige and Sheryl Crow do a nice version, I just can't appreciate it. Vanessa Williams' "What Child is This" I turned off after the first line. I don't think I will ever like Run DMC (hate most rap) and this CD doesn't change that, but it is nice to hear some of the others,and makes me curious to listen to more of what they've done.
This CD is really fun to listen to, it must have been a great concert.

Bon Jovi is instead called upon to lamely replicate Bono's vocal ....I dont think so....

This is absolutely my favorite Christmas CD. Whenever I need a pick-me-up I pop it in and I'm dancing away. My only regret is that it's not available on DVD. I'd love to see the artists performing and President and Hillary Clinton having a great time.
It's the best out of the collection.

I enjoyed every song on this 38 minute CD. I have a pretty good collection of various types of Christmas music and I consider this to be a great addition. I didn't realize this was part of a series and plan to purchase at least one more of this series. I'm not a rap fan but I enjoyed the Run DMC rendition of "Christmas in Hollis". "Christmas Tears" sung by Eric Clapton was spectacular. I see that Eric Clapton sings and/or plays guitar on 5 songs.

I see that they have no song listing, so here it is:
1) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (Mary J. Blige and Sheryl Crow)
2) Christmas In Hollis (Run DMC)
3) Please Come Home For Christmas (Jon Bon Jovi)
4) Christmas Blues (John Popper with Eric Clapton)
5) What Child Is This? (Vanessa Williams)
6) Christmas Tears (Eric Clapton)
7) O Holy Night (Tracy Chapman)
8) Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman and Eric Clapton)
9) Merry Christmas Baby (Sheryl Crow with Eric Clapton)
10) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (Jon Bon Jovi)
11) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (All artists listed above)

The best Christmas album of the season. Cool & rocking yet full of Christmas spirit. All your favorite musicians AND the proceeds go to help physically disabled children--a refreshing reminder of what Christmas is really all about. Everyone should buy a few...it is perfect for Christmas stockings or the office grab bag!

Item arrived in great condition. Great price. I purchased the CD for my sister she was very pleased to have received it so quickly!!!!!!!

I cannot see where others are getting the idea that this was to be a Greatest Hits album. It says it is Reflections. If you truly are listening to the album, it is a collection of songs that are Mary's reflections. And as such it is a very well composed album. I first listened to it through Napster after hearing one of the songs playing in Best Buy. I then listened while on the beach at vacation and loved it so I immediately purchased from Amazon CD while on vacation. This is a REFLECTIONS album and truly good! (I will add that on Napster at the time 4 songs were not downloadable and once I got the full CD I was not as impressed with those which were mostly duets with others.)

The younger generation's version of Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige burst upon the hip-hop/soul scene in 1992, remained on fire through the end of the decade, and continued to have a respectable and successful career into the 2000's. With her kind of success over the years (including more than 35 charting hits), she's the type of artist who should command a multi-disc anthology. What we have here instead is quite possibly the hastiest, most uninspired retrospective ever assembled for such a towering artist. The two biggest problems are that it concentrates mainly on her post-90s period, which, while decent, doesn't quite measure up to the 411/My Life/Share My World era. Another huge indiscretion is the curious omission of no fewer than 10 songs that should definitely NOT be absent from a true MJB Greatest Hits collection (i.e. Sweet Thing, Reminiscing, the original version of My Life, Seven Days, All That I Can Say, and a number of others).

I listened to this on my commute and I love it! Like someone else said, it is not a "Greatest Hits" but it is a sampling of some of Mary's best songs. I am happy with it!

I knew MJB could sing, but this album proves beyond any doubt that she's amazing. Each song was awesome and the overall feel is the best yet. Don't even think about passing this one up. It's a must have.

TO BE HONEST THIS IS MY FAVORITE MARY J BLIGE CD HANDS DOWN TO ME THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM MARY J BLIGE EVER MADE IN HER CAREER

I only wanted this album for one song and the rest of it wasn't bad but you really have to be a Mary J. Blige fan to appreciate all the songs. It's okay.

This Mary J. Blige album was great but wasn't flawless like "My Life", and "The Breakthrough". The album would've been better without " Searching" and " Can't get you off My Mind". The first half of the album was flawless but it ended on a good note with "Not Gon Cry and " Our Love". This album is definitely needed for the Mary fans and R&B fans.

I had lost all of my CD's and am now trying to rebuild my collection. I'm a big Mary fan, but forgot that this particular CD was on the mediocre side.

This could've been Mary J.'s best if she just cut off a few songs. The first ten or so tracks are absolutely flawless. The hits just keep on coming and you are just like... 'man, this one is a classic." Then as the album winds down, there are quite a few trite, extremely repetitive filler songs. This is proven with lyrics like "keep your head to the sky/ I don't need to tell you why." (That's the chorus). The Lox make an unappreciated appearance. Luckily, the album ends with the great "Not Gon' Cry." It's a shame that the executive producers of this album just couldn't have cut off a few tracks. Either way, I still highly recommend this album because it only has three or four filler songs and ten or more amazing ones.

This has to be probably my favorite Mary c.d. The Lauryn Hill penned "All that I can say" is simply gorgeous, and a great way to open the c.d. My favorties include "No happy holidays", "Beautiful Ones",and "Let No Man put asunder" (has a nice 70's groove to it). "The love I never had" is phenomenal, and the groove session feel of the song, just make you feel good. "I'm in love" is another stand-out track, and "Give me you" is very inspirational. This is around the time Mary started getting herself on the right track, and it shows. Also duets with K-Ci and Aretha Franklin are both dynamic, definitely worth checking out.

"Mary," the fourth studio album by the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige is propbaly the most soul driven CD in her catalogue. Sure there are some Hip Hop moments like the booming "Sexy" featuring Jadakiss, the hard Elton John sampling second single, "Deep Inside," which samples his classic, "Bennie & the Jets," and the cool groove of "Time," but the rest is pure 70s inspired soul gems. The first single, "All That I Can Say," written and produced by Lauryn Hill sounds like something Stevie Wonder could have composed during the "Songs In the Key of Life" sessions. "No Happy Holidays" sounds like something Chaka Khan would have recorded with Rufus, and the grand, "The Love I Never Had" features Mary at her most heartfelt vocally. The nearly 7 minute opus, produced by legends Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, sounds more like a confessional than an actual song. Mary takes on two remakes with "I'm In Love," and "Let No Man Put Asunder," which she more than makes her own. Mary also duets with her Ex, K-Ci Hailey on the firery "Not Lookin'" and the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, on "Don't Waste Your Time," where Aunt Ri schools MJB on how to deal with an unfaithful lover. Eric Clapton plays guitar on the bluesy, Diane Warren penned ballad, "Give Me You." The other tracks like the heartfelt "Beautiful Ones," the sentimental "Memories," and explosive "Your Child," where Mary confronts her lover about his lovechild, are pure gold. If you missed this collection of songs, please add it to your collection. It ranks up there with Mary's best. I still listen to it like it's new and it's been almost a decade since it's been released!

this album is the bomb she did a very good job on this one u should get it and i am a huge mary j blige fan

it's refreshing when an artists challenges themselves especially if they are mary j. blige. in her forth lp, mary throws away the " ghetto fab" approach and recycles the essence of rhythm and blues. her voice might have a couple of cracks on tracks but compared to previous albums, mary's overall vocals are better. they're stronger. her lyrics have the "wow" appeal that take you to the mood she's in and paints a picture. with this album, it's obvious she's a woman with adult issues not asking "why" instead stating "this is how its going to be". mary j. blige has opened up her mind which has lead to her evolution in her music. all hail the queen has done it again!

I know I'm probably gonna get blasted for saying this but I just don't get all the hype about Mary J. Blige. I'm sorry, but being "street" and "ghetto-fabulous" don't equal talent. Her vocal range is limited and on the majority of her songs she sings in one pitch. I put her in the category of a talk-singer. She's not really singing in the true sense of the word. I don't think her voice is horrible but its definitely not great either. I think people like her more for her lyrical content than her actual talent. She's very relateable if you're into that kind of stuff and I have nothing against Miss Blige as a person. I get the feeling she's a wonderful human being. I bought her debut album - 411, which to be fair to Miss Blige was a descent album. But since then I haven't heard anything to make me wanna rush out and buy any of her material. Sorry folks, we're just gonna have to agree to disagree on her. Mary J Blige is a wonderful person but an average singer.

RAIN DAYZ IS MY ONLY FAVORITE SONG ON THE ALBUM OTHER THEN THAT ITS GARBAGE

Got some good joints on here, but not a great album overall.

Top Joints:
Family Affair (Dr Dre smash)
No More Drama
Rainy Dayz (w/ Ja Rule)
Beautiful Day
Dance For Me (Remix w/ Common)
No More Drama (Remix w/ P. Diddy)
Flying Away (My Personal Favorite)
Never Been (A Missy Banger)

This is a great album! It's like Mary's "My Life" album where you can relate to the songs.

I hadn't listened to this CD for a while for some reason. Boy was I missing out! This is one of, if not my absolute, favorite Mary J. albums. It is truly beatiful. Her vocals on here are wonderful, the production is great. Every single song is great!

I actually like the original version a little bit better. I would recommend finding the original and buying it along with this one. This re-release is still great and the new songs keep the quality and integrity of the album. (That is very rare with re-issues.)

I definitely recommend this, along with the original if you can find it. This is one of my all time favorite albums.

I have several albums by Mary J Blije and have to say that this is by far one of her best. I am completely satisfied and happy with my purchase and would reccomend it to anyone, whether they are already a fan of hers or not. Even my father loves it.

This album is really wack. There are too many samples and the lyrics are happy but get corny after a while. "Don't Go" was okay. Willing and waiting was good, Friends is good, Love @ 1st sight was really good, Makin love has a good opening riff, Special part of me was touching and Press on was good the rest of the album was terrible.

I almost thought this was released in another country, this is not one of her best albums. Kind of forgetable, nothing like 411,Share My World, or even My life.

Totally agree. This CD was g-a-r-b-a-g-e. I think Mary was trying to mend fences with Puffy. A testament that she is not the out of control diva people have always tried to claim. However, after this she'll probably be a bit more business savvy. Giving Puffy the reigns was a major mistake.

Don't get me wrong. Puffy's strong suit is remixes. Should Mary ever decide to do a remix anthology of all her solo joints and featured appearances over the past 15 years - CALL DIDDY GIRL! He'll give those tracks the hookups they need. Otherwise, he should never be allowed in any studio during the creative process with real musicians. He's best adding a dash of flavor afterwards; usually biting a slamming 80's sample.

Anyways all the great singers - except Chaka Khan - have had a few bad albums that were commercial failures and/or lacked any serious material worthy of radio airplay.

Love and life. Live and learn.

This was a decent album but in no way could there ever be another My Life let alone Puffy is wack nowadays. This was a good album standout tracks "Love @First Sight", "Willing &Waiting", "It's a Wrap",and "Feel Like Making Love". It didn't sell as good as some of her previous works but the Mary fans shouldn't be disappointed, but "The Breakthrough" is another classic under Mary's belt.

Since they made 2 classic albums together, Mary and Diddy decide to do it one mo gin. The results are a good album but far from classic.

Top Joints:
Don't Go
When We
Ooh!
Willing & Waiting (Top Song on the album)
Feel Like Makin Love
It's a Wrap
All My Love (Flips that Grand Puba beat)
Ultimate Relationship (A.M.) (Get ya Bone on!)