Mama Said (album)

Mama Said
Studio album by
Lenny Kravitz
ReleasedApril 2, 1991
Recorded1990
Genre
Length52:38
LabelVirgin
ProducerLenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz chronology
Let Love Rule
(1989) 		Mama Said
(1991) 		Are You Gonna Go My Way
(1993)
Singles from Mama Said
  1. "Always on the Run"
    Released: March 18, 1991[3]
  2. "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over"
    Released: June 3, 1991[4]
  3. "Fields of Joy"
    Released: July 16, 1991
  4. "Stand by My Woman"
    Released: September 2, 1991
  5. "What the Fuck Are We Saying?"
    Released: September 1991
  6. "What Goes Around Comes Around"
    Released: January 1992
  7. "Stop Draggin' Around"
    Released: April 1992 (AUS & NZ)

Mama Said is the second studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in April 1991 by Virgin Records. Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash co-wrote and played on the song "Always on the Run". He also played on the song "Fields of Joy". The song "All I Ever Wanted" was co-written by Sean Lennon.

Although the album has sold enough copies to be certified double platinum, the RIAA still has it listed as platinum. In the UK, the album reached number 8 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2012, Virgin Records released an expanded, double-disc version of the album with a number of remixes and bonus tracks.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Chicago Tribune[6]
Christgau's Consumer Guide(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[7]
Entertainment WeeklyC−[8]
NME5/10[9]
Q[10]
Record Collector[11]
Rolling Stone[12]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[13]
Select4/5[14]

"Rather than synthesizing his influences in a way that allows him some personal expression," wrote Elysa Gardner of Rolling Stone, "Kravitz seemingly aims to acknowledge as many of them as he can in the course of an hour; the result is a rather disjointed album that lacks freshness and distinction. Kravitz continues to demonstrate a talent for crafting and arranging engaging songs; unfortunately, up to this point it has proven less a creative talent than a recreative one."[12] Similarly, Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot opined that "until Kravitz begins transforming his influences instead of just copying them, he'll remain a promising but minor artist."[6] Phil Sutcliffe was more positive in Q, finding that Kravitz, while "not so much influenced as tie-dyed to the bone by the late '60s", sounds "truly inspired".[10] The Village Voice's Robert Christgau commented, "don't think Hendrix–Beatles, think Prince–George Michael",[15] later giving the album a "two-star honorable mention" grade.[7]

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that Kravitz had downplayed "some of the joy that informed Let Love Rule" in favor of a "more polished and studied" sound on Mama Said, which he deemed "another thoroughly enjoyable guilty pleasure ... it doesn't really matter that it's talking loud and saying nothing, because it sounds good while it's talking."[2] Writing for Record Collector, Terry Staunton found it "even more accomplished" than its predecessor: "Rarely had traditional guitar rock and sweet soul merged so confidently, so effortlessly: further proof that we were in the midst of a major talent."[11]

Track listing

All songs were written by Lenny Kravitz, except where noted.

Original edition

  1. "Fields of Joy" (Michael Kamen, Hal Fredricks) – 3:57
  2. "Always on the Run" (Kravitz, Slash) – 3:53
    • Featuring Slash
  3. "Stand by My Woman" (Kravitz, Henry Hirsch, Stephen Mark Pasch, Anthony Krizan) – 4:19
  4. "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" – 3:55
  5. "More Than Anything in This World" – 3:43
  6. "What Goes Around Comes Around" – 4:40
  7. "The Difference Is Why" – 4:48
  8. "Stop Draggin' Around" – 2:37
  9. "Flowers for Zoë" – 2:45
  10. "Fields of Joy (Reprise)" (Kamen, Fredricks) – 3:59
    • Arranged by Kravitz
  11. "All I Ever Wanted" (Kravitz, Sean Ono Lennon) – 4:04
  12. "When the Morning Turns to Night" – 2:58
  13. "What the Fuck Are We Saying?" – 5:13
  14. "Butterfly" – 1:50

21st anniversary edition bonus tracks

Disc one
The Studio B-Sides[16]

  2. "Light Skin Girl from London" – 2:42
  3. "I'll Be Around" – 2:55
  4. "Always on the Run" (instrumental) (Kravitz, Slash) – 3:54

The Unreleased 12"

  2. "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" (12" remix instrumental) – 4:37
  3. "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" (12" extended/dub version) – 8:08

Disc two
The Demos: Mama in Progress

  1. "Riding on the Wings of My Lord" (rough demo) – 3:02
  2. "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" (home demo) – 2:05
  3. "What the Fuck Are We Saying?" (home demo) – 3:35
  4. "The Difference Is Why" (home demo) – 3:55
  5. "Riding on the Wings of My Lord" (funky vocal) – 3:41
  6. "Riding on the Wings of My Lord" (instrumental) – 3:03
  7. "Framed, Lying Crying" (instrumental segue) – 0:23
  8. "Stand by My Woman" (instrumental) (Kravitz, Hirsch, Pasch, Krizan) – 4:20

Live in Rotterdam Nov. 15, 1991

  2. "Stop Draggin' Around" – 3:06
  3. "Always on the Run" (Kravitz, Slash) – 5:26
  4. "Fields of Joy" (Kamen, Fredricks) – 4:19
  5. "Stand by My Woman" (Kravitz, Hirsch, Pasch, Krizan) – 4:59
  6. "More Than Anything in This World" – 8:16

The Live in Japan B-Sides

  2. "Always on the Run" (Kravitz, Slash) – 5:20
  3. "Stop Draggin' Around" – 3:06
  4. "What the Fuck Are We Saying?" – 5:20

Personnel

  • Lenny Kravitz – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, electric sitar
  • Slash – guitar solos on tracks 1 and 2
  • Henry Hirsch – keyboards, bass
  • Karl Denson – saxophone on tracks 2, 3, 6 and 13
  • Butch Thomas – saxophone on track 2
  • Mike Hunter – trumpet on track 2
  • Phenix Horns – horns on track 4
  • Zoro – drums on track 6
  • Lebron Scott – bass on track 6
  • Adam Widoff – guitar on track 6
  • David Domanich – drums on track 8
  • Nancy Ives – cello on track 9
  • Sean Ono Lennon – piano on track 11

Production and design

  • Engineering by David Domanich and Henry Hirsch
  • Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound Studios
  • 21st Anniversary Edition mastered by Evren Göknar at Capitol Mastering
  • Mixed by Henry Hirsch at Waterfront Studios
  • Art direction by Melanie Nissen
  • Artwork design by Tom Bouman
  • Photography by James Colderaro

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Mama Said
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[34] Gold 30,000^
Australia (ARIA)[35] Gold 35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[36] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[37] Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[38] Platinum 300,000*
Germany (BVMI)[39] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[40] Platinum 100,000^
Sweden (GLF)[41] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[42] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[43] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[45] Platinum 1,880,000[44]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Deggans, Eric (1998). "Lenny Kravitz". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 650–651.
  2. ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Mama Said – Lenny Kravitz". AllMusic. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  3. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 16, 1991. p. 19.
  4. ^ "Lenny Kravitz singles".
  5. ^ "Official Lenny Kravitz page for the expanded version". Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Kot, Greg (April 4, 1991). "Lenny Kravitz: Mama Said (Virgin)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (2000). "Lenny Kravitz: Mama Said". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 166. ISBN 0-312-24560-2. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  8. ^ Farber, Jim (April 12, 1991). "Mama Said". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  9. ^ Martin, Gavin (March 30, 1991). "Don't Worry, Be Hippy". NME. p. 36.
  10. ^ a b Sutcliffe, Phil (May 1991). "Sanguine". Q. No. 56. p. 75.
  11. ^ a b Staunton, Terry (August 2012). "Mama Said: 21st Anniversary Deluxe Edition | Lenny Kravitz". Record Collector. No. 404. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Gardner, Elysa (April 18, 1991). "Lenny Kravitz: Mama Said". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  13. ^ Appleford, Steve (2004). "Lenny Kravitz". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 470. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  14. ^ Kirsch, Michele (May 1991). "No Hippy Schtick". Select. No. 11. p. 74.
  15. ^ Christgau, Robert (June 4, 1991). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Mama Said (21st Anniversary Deluxe Edition) (booklet). Virgin. 2012.
  17. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  18. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  19. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  20. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  21. ^ "Charts.nz – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  22. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  23. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  24. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  25. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  26. ^ "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  27. ^ "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  28. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1991". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1991". austriancharts.at. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  30. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1991". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  31. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  32. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  33. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991". hitparade.ch. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  34. ^ "Discos de oro y platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1991 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  36. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Mama said" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  37. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Mama said". Music Canada.
  38. ^ "French album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Mama said" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved May 1, 2024. Select LENNY KRAVITZ and click OK. 
  39. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lenny kravitz; 'Mama said')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  40. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Lenny kravitz – Mama said" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Mama said in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1991 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  41. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
  42. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Mama said')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  43. ^ "British album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Mama said". British Phonographic Industry.
  44. ^ Basham, David (August 27, 2001). "Calling All Chart Freaks: Michael, Lenny, Bush Under The Microscope". Mtv. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  45. ^ "American album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Mama said". Recording Industry Association of America.