New Album From Vanessa Williams ‘SURVIVOR’

New music for your playlist – I am loving the new album from actor/singer/dancer Vanessa Williams titled Survivor, her first new collection in 15 years – which she’s self-produced. Not one to wait on a record label to sign off or approve material she was looking at, she took matters into her own hands. Quoting her own 90s hit, she’s always got ‘work to do.’ “Before COVID, I went into the studio and said, ‘You know what? I’m going to pay for it myself and just start recording. I want to do songs that matter to me for my life.’” In the lead-up to the release of SURVIVOR, I’ve previously shared the three advance singles – the dance floor ready “Legs (Keep Dancing!)” and “BOP!,” as well as the sensual Latin-guitar lead “iLike Moonlight.” Included in the new album are covers of jazz classics Williams has performed live for years like “Zaz Zuh Zaz,” Natalie Cole’s “La Costa,” and an original high-energy track “Here’s To You.” Plus – and this is a particular treat for me – she reinvents some theater songs she performed back when we were both music theater majors at Syracuse University including  “Come Dance With Me,” “On the Other Side of the Tracks,” “Junk Man,” and “Being Good (Isn’t Good Enough).”

 

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At Syracuse U., every sophomore music theater student has to study/perform the same two songs in what’s known as “Intro to Auditioning.” Everyone in class has to tackle “On The Other Side Of The Tracks” (an uptempo from the musical Little Me) and “All The Things You Are” (a ballad from the 1939 musical Very Warm For May). It was an excellent introduction in how to breakdown a song for performance. Both are difficult in their own ways, and both may not suit every student. But I can assure you, Vanessa broke out of the pack with her take on “Tracks.” Side note: I held onto the song myself and can attest that “Tracks” got me every Broadway show I was ever cast in. Vanessa reinvents the Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh classic with the perfect touch of smooth jazz definitely making it her own. Also white at Syracuse U., Vanessa took on “Being Good Isn’t Good Enough” for performance finals that same sophomore year. The song, from Hallelujah, Baby! won Leslie Uggams a Tony Award. I’m certain Vanessa could score her own trophy with this performance. #gorgeous In advance of the album release, Vanessa shared on Instagram: “SURVIVOR is a never ending journey of self discovery. To survive is to never stop putting in the work, even when the going gets tough. After decades in the business, I’m back with my first album in 15 years and damn, it feels good.”

 

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And remember – Vanessa is scheduled to return to the West End musical stage this fall for the UK premiere of The Devil Wears Prada. On a personal note – a few years ago, I was on an Atlantis Cruise in the Mediterranean when Vanessa was announced as a surprise guest star on the voyage! What a fab surprise to get to spend a few days together exploring Spain.

The day of her concert on the ship, hubby Michael and I went to hang out during the sound check, and out of the blue Vanessa asked if she could call me up on stage to dance. She was singing “Come Dance With Me” which we’d performed together back in Syracuse days. Now I was a little stumped. I had no choreography and no time to come up with any, plus I’d been day drinking by the pool, so I was a little chill if you know what I mean. But I never say ‘no’ to Vanessa. So I recorded her sound check of the song on my phone, and over dinner I just listened to it over and over. No space to try out any steps except in my head. Well, it all happened (in front of 2,000 gay men) and Michael captured the moment on his phone. Keep your eye on Vanessa, though, because – pro that she is – she checks out my steps and joins in even as I’m making it up in the moment. After that performance, Vanessa asked if I’d dance again at her second concert that same night. BUT – she was going to do a different song in that slot – “Zaz Zuh Zaz.” So this happened about an hour later. And yes, I’m making it up as I go. Great memories being back on stage with her. What I really want to convey in sharing these two clips is how terrific she is on stage. #masterful I highly recommend you check out the fab new album from Vanessa – SURVIVOR – available now on all major music platforms.