For Mary J. Blige to appear on VH1’s Storytellers seems almost unnecessary. After all, isn’t every Mary J. Blige album an hour-long episode of Storytellers in itself — lots of catchy songs, packed with heart-baring confessions about Mary’s life and the circumstances under which they were written?
Snark aside, that didn’t make last night’s Storytellers taping any less fun. Joined by a full band and an enthusiastic audience at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom, Mary ran through a tight set of 10 of her big hits — from the new-jack-swing-isms of 1992’s "Real Love" to polished ‘08 anthems like "Fade Away" and "Hurt Again" — with frequent breaks for her to extol the importance of self-esteem and self-empowerment. (Total number of times Blige referred to herself in the third person as "Mary," "Mary J. Blige," or "MJB": eight, not counting two more mentions in song lyrics.) So what if we didn’t learn anything truly new about Mary J. Blige’s art, let alone details of her alleged role in this week’s bizarre music-biz doping scandal? Her triumph-over-adversity talk definitely moved me, and I heard a pretty similar spiel in person just last month.
Besides, she’s one hell of a live performer. Her opener, "Just Fine," was sadly lacking a cameo from NBC correspondent David Gregory, but it did include some extra high notes which she hit with ease. "No More Drama" was a downright out-of-body experience, with Mary flinging herself around the stage in rapture. "Mary J. Blige has never experienced a string section, except at the Grammys or something big," she said with a nod to the mini-orchestra behind her. "Those amazing violin players bring just the right amount of drama — the drama that you need!" For the house full of worshipful fans, at least, it sure was what we needed.
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I find it so pretentious when she speaks in the third person. She takes herself way too seriously. She needs to lighten up.
But did she perform “Come to Me (Peace)”? I HEART that song. It’s loverly.
http://moviemartin.blogspot.com
can someone let me know when this will air? thanks.
Love her voice, it’s fantastic, but Hate hate HATE the way she talks about herself in the 3rd person. Funniest moment: an interview I saw this week where she was *supposedly* expressing gratitude to her fans, but too narcissistic even for that — she said:
“I want to thank my fans for wanting good things for Mary J Blige, and I want to say that I want good things for… Mary J Blige.”
I am a huge Mary J fan; I will definitely watch this episode of Storytellers. Ahd hey, who knew that VH1 still made MUSIC programs in addition to that Scott Baio/Rock of Love/I love New York garbage they spew out? Just had to get that in.
get over yourselves people, a lot of celebrities talk about themselves in the third person, smh
I had the pleasure and rare opportunity to be in attendance at this event. Mary truly delivered an solid review of herself, her life, her songs and is TRUE PERSON not a Product nor a Piece of Marketing Material, I actually was recieved by Mary with the BIGGEST hug after she came down stage after her show, she spent a good 15 minutes mingling with US her true fans, the reason why she continues to and will always REIGN SUPREME.
Expect this program to Air on Vh1 Monday February 25th
I ALSO HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO ATTEND THE PERFORMANCE AND LET ME TELL YOU, IF NO ONE ELSE I WOULD SAY THAT MARY IF BY FAR ONE OF THE GREATEST PERFORMERS I HAVE EVER SEEN..THE SHOW WILL ONLY GAVE YOU A PIECE OF THE MAGIC MARY HAS ON STAGE LIVE IN CONCERT!
OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH Mary is the ultimate sexgoddess of the universe. OOOOHHHH just think about those lips they are soo sexy that i hardly can watch them ooooohhhhh Mary I want tho yur slave, kissing the groun dyou walk on. Just fall on my my knees and worship your divine sexiness and I know that millions and i know that countless of millions of men do the same.
how do people get tickets to a taping of storytellers?? I would really appreciate a response…thanx