Mary J. Blige - The Tour

It's almost impossible to breathe the name "Mary J. Blige" without coupling it with loaded phrases like "difficult diva" and "queen of hip-hop soul." But if you get past the prickly facade Blige often presents to the press--who can forget her infamous interview turned potential catfight with Veronica Webb?--it's the tag of royalty that counts. This collection of 23 tracks culled from various stops on her Share My World tour is the perfect sample of her highness's indisputable talent and a reminder that unlike many in her field, she is a powerhouse performer, not merely a studio puppet. The hits span her three studio albums, and while some cuts barely reach the two- minute mark, her renderings of favorites like "Real Love," "I'm Goin' Down," and "Mary Jane" more than make up for them. True to form, she also revives a couple of other classics--Aretha Franklin's "Daydreaming" and Dorothy Moore's "Misty Blue." The Tour is both a great introduction for the uninitiated and an essential addition to the canon. --Rebecca Wallwork Amazon.com

The tour Mary J Blige

That CD is the bomb loved it. It took me back and i love her old music. Cant wait to see if she does a whole complilation of all her music she will definitely be around November 25, 2008

Awesome Live Mary J

I need to buy another CD b/c this one is worn out from so much play! May 15, 2008

Mad Mary - Live

This is a live recording. It was released after 1997's "Share My World" and before 1999's "Mary".

THE TOUR consists of 24 tracks recorded live at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, comprised of an intro, 15 songs, 4 min-renditions (under 2 minutes) of songs, 3 intermissions (tracks 8, 14, 18), and one interlude (track 16). Vocals on track 14 are performed by Dustin Adams. Sound quality is good.

"Real Love", "You Remind Me", "Slow Down", and "Mary's Joint" are sung as parts of medleys. "Reminisce" is performed with the remix track and "Seven Days" transitions from the album version to the radio remix version. This album includes Mary's renditions of "Misty Blue" and Aretha Franklin's "Day Dreaming".

While nothing like the frankness of Millie Jackson, Mary does use some "strong" language during the concert, especially when expressing her frustration with the fictional (?) man in "Not Gon' Cry". The voice of the announcer/hypeman is very close to invasive.

This album is only for the greatest of MJB fans.
February 9, 2007

Mary Rocks!

This CD is amazing. Unfortunately the first 4 songs are really short. Just mini clips of her "What's the 411" CD. I'm loving it, a must buy if you are a huge Mary fan like me! January 16, 2007

Desite its Problems this is a Fantastic Live Concert CD

I can easily understand why reviewers here bash Mary J. Blige's THE TOUR. The sound is somewhat distorted and Mary's voice is not at its best. What's more, she sounds a bit tipsy during certain songs, particularly "Not Gon' Cry."

Despite all of that, THE TOUR is a highly recommended CD for both major Mary fans and those interested in getting to know the Aretha Franklin of our generation.

Produced in 1998 with 23 songs she performed at various venues during her Share My World tour, this CD features some of the best tracks from her first three albums, though not all are performed in their entirety. They include the "Real Love," "You Remind Me," "Mary Jane (All Night Long)," "My Life," "You Gotta Believe," "I Can Love You," and "Mary's Joint," to name a few favorites.

What makes this CD so highly recommended is that by offering listeners the chance to hear Blige perform these songs live and often in a medley format, THE TOUR gives music fans a way to hear some of her best songs with new ears and in the process, to discover those that may have been underappreciated on her first three studio-recorded CDs.

Plus, it also offers those new to Mary-mania the opportunity to hear the undying gratitude of her fans, who 14 years after the debut of her first album have remained passionately devoted to her music, her message and her struggle.

-- Regina McMenamin July 30, 2006

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