Wikipedia

King of Stage

King of Stage is the debut solo album by American R&B singer Bobby Brown.[1][2] Following his exit from New Edition, and at 16, Brown signed a solo deal with the group's label MCA Records, which had earlier promised Brown a solo deal if he decided to leave New Edition. His first solo album was released in 1986.

King of Stage
Studio album by
Bobby Brown
ReleasedNovember 10, 1986
Genre
Length42:29
LabelMCA
ProducerLarry Blackmon
John Luongo
Bobby Brown chronology
King of Stage
(1986) 		Don't Be Cruel
(1988)
Singles from King of Stage
  1. "Girlfriend"
    Released: October 27, 1986
  2. "Girl Next Door"
    Released: February 09, 1987
  3. "Seventeen"
    Released: July 06, 1987

The album spawned the singles "Girlfriend", "Seventeen", and "Girl Next Door". None of the singles were major US Hot 100 hits, however, Brown had a number-one R&B hit with the first single, the ballad, "Girlfriend".[3][4]

Production edit

The album was produced by Larry Blackmon and John Luongo; Brown and Luongo produced the title track.[5][6] Brown was unhappy with the production, and elected to go with proven producers for his next album.[1]

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [7]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [5]

AllMusic wrote that "as enjoyable as the Blackmon-produced tracks are, top honors must go to 'Seventeen' -- a riveting account of a teenage mother who turns to drugs and prostitution -- and the unapologetically sentimental, '70s-like soul ballad 'Girlfriend'."[7] The Los Angeles Times called the album "an ill-conceived mess" marked by a "lack of focus, inconsistent production and mostly inferior material."[9] The Boston Globe deemed it "a versatile blend of street funk, rap and ballads."[10]

Track listing edit

  1. "Girlfriend" – 6:16 (Kirk Crumpler, Lee Peters, Larry White)
  2. "Girl Next Door" – 4:08 (Melvin Wells)
  3. "Baby, I Wanna Tell You Something" – 3:47 (Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, Nathan Leftenant)
  4. "You Ain't Been Loved Right" – 5:07 (Michael Lovesmith)
  5. "King of Stage" – 5:07 (John Luongo, Khris Kellow, Doctor Ice)
  6. "Love Obsession" – 4:43 (Steve Lindley, Richard Nuttal, Ian Legall)
  7. "Spending Time" – 3:58 (Allen N. Jones)
  8. "Seventeen" – 4:17 (Robert Brookins, Tony Haynes)
  9. "Your Tender Romance" – (Paul Jackson Jr., Tony Haynes) 5:10

Personnel edit

  • Bobby Brown: Main vocals
  • Lee Peters, Olie Bowlds, Richard Aquon, Allyson Williams, Tomi Jenkins, Marlena Jeter, Marva King, Angel Eve, Lance "Romance" Matthews, Scopin Scott, Smooth Bee, Victor Lee-Love, Debbie Kole, Jilliann, Willie Morris, Lena Seinday, Sue Ann, Mont Seward: Backing vocals
  • Paul Jackson Jr.: Guitars, keyboards, bass
  • Melvin Wells: Guitars, keyboards
  • Larry White: Guitars, keyboards, bass, percussion, backing vocals
  • Kevin Choken, Emilio Conesa: Guitars
  • Robert Brookins, Khris Kellow, Michael Lovesmith, Grady Wilkins: Keyboards, backing vocals
  • Roland Ramos: Percussion
  • Maurice Bailey: Scratching
  • Melicio "The Cat" Magdaluyo: Saxophone

Charts edit

Chart performance for King of Stage
Chart (1986) Peak
position
US Billboard Top Pop Albums[11] 88
US Billboard Top R&B Albums[12] 12

Singles edit

Chart performance for singles from King of Stage
Year Single Chart positions
US
Pop 		US
Soul
1986 "Girlfriend" 57 1
1987 "Girl Next Door" — 31
"Seventeen" — —

References edit

  1. ^ a b "How Cruel Can Fame Be, Bobby Brown? : R&B; singer says his marriage to Whitney Houston has stabilized his life and enabled him to better handle the pressures that accompany star status". Los Angeles Times. September 27, 1992.
  2. ^ "Bobby Brown | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Heim, Chris. "Bobby Brown, Elvis 'Stylists' and Pop Terminology". chicagotribune.com.
  4. ^ "You Say It's Your Birthday: Bobby Brown". MTV News.
  5. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 83.
  6. ^ Burn, Robyn (6 Feb 1987). "Singer Looks to Grow with His Advance". Sun-Sentinel: 42.
  7. ^ a b Henderson, Alex. Bobby Brown: King Of Stage > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  8. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 873.
  9. ^ Hunt, Dennis (20 Nov 1988). "Bobby Brown-Life After New Edition More Mature and Happy Being Himself". Los Angeles Times: 81.
  10. ^ Morse, Steve (25 Nov 1986). "ROXBURY TO TOP 20: BOBBY BROWN SOARS". The Boston Globe: 33.
  11. ^ "Bobby Brown". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Bobby Brown". Billboard.

External links edit

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