EAN

5099751081029

Writer

Macy Gray

Country

USA

Studio/Live

Studio

Guest Artist

Pharoahe Monch

Dimensions

12.5 x 14.2 x 1 centimeters (0.15 kg)

Tracks

1. When I See You

2. It Ain't The Money

3. She Ain't Right For You

4. Things That Made Me Change

5. Come Together

6. She Don't Write Songs About You

7. Jesus For A Day

8. My Fondest Childhood Memories

9. Happiness

10. Speechless

11. Screamin

12. Every Now And Then

Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Macy Gray (vocals); Marsha "Songstress" Ambrosius (vocals); Pharoahe Monch (rap vocals); Lukas Haas (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Victor Indrizzo (guitar, drums); Mark Ronson, Dallas Austin (guitar, programming); Arik Marshall, Jinsoo Lim, Beck (guitar); Tracy Wannomae (bass clarinet); Printz Board (trumpet, flugelhorn); Tom Rawls (trombone); Jeremy Ruzumna (piano, Wurlitzer piano, Chamberlain, Farfisa organ, synthesizer, programming); Zach Rae, Adam McDougal (synthesizer); Justin Medal-Johnsen (bass); Scott Breadman (percussion); DJ. Kilu Grand (programming, turntables); Rick Shepherd (programming); Traci Nelson, Bobby Ross Avila, Audra Cunningham-Nishita, Fanny Franklin, Sy Smith, Chino Smith (background vocals).
Producers: Macy Gray, Dallas Austin, Darryl Swan, Killu Beckwith, Dave Way.
Recorded at Paramount Recording Studios, Royaltone Studios, and Ameraycan Recording Studios, Hollywood, California; O'Henry Sound Studios, Burbank, California.
Lyricist: Macy Gray.
Personnel: Macy Gray (vocals, background vocals); Beck (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Marsha Ambrosius (vocals, background vocals); Dallas Austin (guitar, ARP synthesizer, programming, background vocals); Victor Indrizzo (guitar, drums); Mark Ronson (guitar, programming, turntables); Daryle Swann (guitar, programming); Jinsoo Lim, Arik Marshall (guitar); Lukas Haas (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Tracy Wannomae (bass clarinet, saxophone); Dave Rolicke (saxophone, trombone); Charles Green (saxophone, background vocals); Printz Board (trumpet, flugelhorn); Michael Harris (trumpet); Tom Rawls, Steve Baxter (trombone); Zac Rae (piano, tack piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, organ, Farfisa, Wurlitzer organ, chamberlin, synthesizer); Jeremy Ruzumna (piano, Clavinet, organ, Wurlitzer organ, chamberlin, synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, programming, turntables); Adam MacDougall (piano, Moog synthesizer); Bobby Ross Avila (piano, background vocals); Herb Graham, Jr. (drums); Marina Bambino (percussion, background vocals); Scott Breadman (percussion); DJ Kiilu Grand (programming, turntables); Rick Sheperd, Israel Avila, Ricky Shepherd, Richard Shepherd (programming); Chinna Smith, Natalie Stewart, Daniel Thomas, Ericka Yancey, Kam Talbert, Dawn Beckman, Audra Cunningham, Audra Cunningham Nishita, Pharoahe Monch, Rama Duke, Sy Smith, Traci Nelson, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Fanny Franklin (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Dave Way; Thom Russo.
Recording information: Ameraycan Recording Studios, North Hollywood, CA; O'Henry Studios, Burbank, CA; Paramount Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Royaltone Studios, North Hollywood, CA.
Photographer: David LaChapelle.
With her third album THE TROUBLE WITH BEING MYSELF, Macy Gray continues down a path whose stylistic roots spring from both the Parliament-Funkadelic and Hi Records camps. As much a storyteller as she is a singer, Gray tucks into tales of unrequited love (the lush "She Ain't Right For You"), quests for higher fulfillment (a Gamble & Huff-flavored "Jesus For a Day"), and darkly tinged reminisces of growing up (the Farfisa-pumped "My Fondest Childhood Memories.")
The unconventional singer also shines when she eases into a mellower groove, be it the tranquil aura of "Happiness" with its neat mix of acoustic guitar, children's chorus, and unobtrusive beats, or "Speechless," the kind of mid-tempo soul number sure to register favor with fans of producer Willie Mitchell's work. Other songs fitting in more with the Ohio native's quirks include an off-kilter "Every Now and Then," with its odd, Phish-like time changes, and the loping "It Ain't the Money," featuring co-writers and guest rappers/vocalists Pharoahe Monch and Beck.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (07/24/03, p.84) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...It's Macy working in her sweet spot..."

Spin (7/03, p.108) - "...As a current-events commentator, Gray's got better beats than 'The New York Times' and funnier lyrics than Fox News..." - Grade: B+

Entertainment Weekly (07/18/03, p.72) - "...Gray's third collection is crammed with easy-going rhythm-section grooves, topped with chicken-scratch guitar riffs, plonking piano chords, and nimble horn charts that span '60s soul and the jauntier aspects of present-day hip-hop..." - Rating: A-

Uncut (6/03, p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...She's one of the few industry-saviours with soul, and is indeed being herself, no trouble..."

Album: The Trouble With Being Myself
#	Song Title	Time
1)	When I See You
2)	It Ain't the Money
3)	She Ain't Right for You
4)	Things That Made Me Change
5)	Come Together
6)	She Don't Write Songs About You
7)	Jesus for a Day
8)	My Fondest Childhood Memories
9)	Happiness
10)	Speechless
11)	Screamin'
12)	Every Now and Then

Album: The Trouble With Being Myself
#	Song Title	Time
1)	When I See You
2)	It Ain't the Money
3)	She Ain't Right for You
4)	Things That Made Me Change
5)	Come Together
6)	She Don't Write Songs About You
7)	Jesus for a Day
8)	My Fondest Childhood Memories
9)	Happiness
10)	Speechless
11)	Screamin'
12)	Every Now and Then