Stay Free (album): Difference between revisions
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| genre = [[R&B]], [[disco]] |
| genre = [[R&B]], [[disco]] |
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| length = 39:10 |
| length = 39:10 |
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| label = [[Warner Bros. Records]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/ashford-simpson-the-warner-bros-years-2496168591.html|title=Ashford & Simpson: The Warner Bros. Years, PopMatters|first=Christian John|last=Wikane|date=April 3, 2008}}</ref> |
| label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/ashford-simpson-the-warner-bros-years-2496168591.html|title=Ashford & Simpson: The Warner Bros. Years, PopMatters|first=Christian John|last=Wikane|date=April 3, 2008}}</ref> |
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| producer = [[Nickolas Ashford]], [[Valerie Simpson]] |
| producer = [[Nickolas Ashford]], [[Valerie Simpson]] |
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| prev_title = [[Is It Still Good to Ya]] |
| prev_title = [[Is It Still Good to Ya]] |
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{{album ratings |
{{album ratings |
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|rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
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|rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/stay-free-mw0000072990|title=Stay Free |
|rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/stay-free-mw0000072990|title=Stay Free|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |
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|rev2 = [[Robert Christgau]] |
|rev2 = [[Robert Christgau]] |
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|rev2score = B+<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Ashford+&+Simpson|title= |
|rev2score = B+<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Ashford+&+Simpson|title=Ashford & Simpson|website=Robert Christgau}}</ref> |
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|rev3 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' |
|rev3 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' |
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|rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA2129|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|first=Colin|last=Larkin|date=May 27, 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|via=Google Books}}</ref> |
|rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA2129|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|first=Colin|last=Larkin|date=May 27, 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|via=Google Books}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Stay Free''''' is an album by the American [[R&B]] duo [[Ashford & Simpson]], released in 1979.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite |
'''''Stay Free''''' is an album by the American [[R&B]] duo [[Ashford & Simpson]], released in 1979.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Berry |first1=Bill |title=Ashford & Simpson |magazine=Jet |date=Nov 8, 1979 |volume=57 |issue=8 |page=23}}</ref> It peaked at No. 23 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ashford-simpson/|title=Ashford & Simpson|website=Billboard}}</ref> |
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"Found a Cure" peaked at No. 1 on ''Billboard'''s [[Dance Club Songs|Disco Top 100]] chart.<ref>{{cite |
"Found a Cure" peaked at No. 1 on ''Billboard'''s [[Dance Club Songs|Disco Top 100]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Disco Top 100 |magazine=Billboard |date=Sep 8, 1979 |volume=91 |issue=36 |page=48}}</ref> |
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==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
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[[Robert Christgau]] praised the "groove" of the songs, but noted that ''Stay Free'' didn't reach the same highs as previous albums.<ref name="auto"/> The ''[[Bay State Banner]]'' thought that the duo's "production adds tough, jumping instrumental accompaniment behind them, and keeps their torrid exchanges prominently in the middle of an aggressively mixed work."<ref>{{cite |
[[Robert Christgau]] praised the "groove" of the songs, but noted that ''Stay Free'' didn't reach the same highs as previous albums.<ref name="auto"/> The ''[[Bay State Banner]]'' thought that the duo's "production adds tough, jumping instrumental accompaniment behind them, and keeps their torrid exchanges prominently in the middle of an aggressively mixed work."<ref>{{cite newspaper |last1=Lane |first1=George |title=Shades of Blue |work=Bay State Banner |date=30 Aug 1979 |volume=14 |issue=47 |page=21}}</ref> |
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[[AllMusic]] wrote that "the title track was spectacular, and the rest of the album was expertly produced, performed, and arranged."<ref name="auto2"/> ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' stated that the pair "sang about marriage, commitment and difficult relationships with frankness and a sense of romance that was untainted by sentimentality."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Ken |title=4 |
[[AllMusic]] wrote that "the title track was spectacular, and the rest of the album was expertly produced, performed, and arranged."<ref name="auto2"/> ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' stated that the pair "sang about marriage, commitment and difficult relationships with frankness and a sense of romance that was untainted by sentimentality."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Ken |title=4 Concerts, One a Real Must-See |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=20 July 1984 |page=E22}}</ref> |
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==Track listing== |
==Track listing== |
Revision as of 15:47, 28 January 2024
Stay Free | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1979 | |||
Recorded | 1979 | |||
Studio | Sigma Sound, New York City | |||
Genre | R&B, disco | |||
Length | 39:10 | |||
Label | Warner Bros.[1] | |||
Producer | Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson | |||
Ashford & Simpson chronology | ||||
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Singles from Stay Free | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Robert Christgau | B+[3] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
Stay Free is an album by the American R&B duo Ashford & Simpson, released in 1979.[4][5] It peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200.[6]
"Found a Cure" peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Disco Top 100 chart.[7]
Critical reception
Robert Christgau praised the "groove" of the songs, but noted that Stay Free didn't reach the same highs as previous albums.[3] The Bay State Banner thought that the duo's "production adds tough, jumping instrumental accompaniment behind them, and keeps their torrid exchanges prominently in the middle of an aggressively mixed work."[8]
AllMusic wrote that "the title track was spectacular, and the rest of the album was expertly produced, performed, and arranged."[2] The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that the pair "sang about marriage, commitment and difficult relationships with frankness and a sense of romance that was untainted by sentimentality."[9]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
- "Found a Cure" – 7:01
- "Stay Free" – 5:28
- "Dance Forever" – 5:48
- "Nobody Knows" – 6:34
- "Crazy" – 3:40
- "Finally Got to Me" – 4:41
- "Follow Your Heart" – 4:46
Personnel
- Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson - lead vocals, backing vocals
- Eric Gale, Steve Khan - guitar
- Francisco Centeno, Anthony Jackson - bass
- Chris Parker, Steve Gadd, Jimmy Young - drums
- Ralph MacDonald - percussion, congas, Syndrums
- David Carey - timpani
- Ray Chew - Minimoog synthesizer, piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano
- Valerie Simpson - piano
- Ullanda McCullough, Chandra Armstead, Frank Floyd, Jo Armstead - backing vocals
- Eddie Daniels, George Young - flute
- Seldon Powell - horns
- Alfred Brown - strings
- John Davis, Paul Riser, Rob Mounsey - string and horn arrangements
References
- ^ Wikane, Christian John (April 3, 2008). "Ashford & Simpson: The Warner Bros. Years, PopMatters".
- ^ a b "Stay Free". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Ashford & Simpson". Robert Christgau.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). "The Encyclopedia of Popular Music". Omnibus Press – via Google Books.
- ^ Berry, Bill (Nov 8, 1979). "Ashford & Simpson". Jet. Vol. 57, no. 8. p. 23.
- ^ "Ashford & Simpson". Billboard.
- ^ "Disco Top 100". Billboard. Vol. 91, no. 36. Sep 8, 1979. p. 48.
- ^ Lane, George (30 Aug 1979). "Shades of Blue". Bay State Banner. Vol. 14, no. 47. p. 21.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (20 July 1984). "4 Concerts, One a Real Must-See". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E22.