My Melody (Deniece Williams album) explained

My Melody is the fifth studio album by American singer Deniece Williams, released in March 1981 by ARC/Columbia Records. The album reached No. 13 on the Billboard Top Soul LPs chart.^[1] My Melody was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.^[2]

Overview

"Silly" and "What Two Can Do" were released as singles with each peaking at No. 11 and No. 17, respectively, on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

Critical reception

Andrew Hamilton of AllMusic declared: "Deniece's heavenly soprano is as impressive as ever under the guidance of producer Thom Bell. The sweet Philly sound architect keeps Williams' expressive, high-range vocals under wraps, transforming her into a bel canto singer on eight delightful selections." The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that "although her roots are R&B, Miss Williams transcends easy categorisation with this collection of material and her versatile presentation." Stephen Holden of The New York Times found that "My Melody, Miss Williams's fourth solo album, is an inspired collaboration with Thom Bell, the Philadelphia songwriter and producer whose hits with the Stylistics and the Spinners in the early 70's epitomized pop-soul elegance."^[3] Phyl Garland of Stereo Review wrote that "several of the songs have a comfortable, nestling down quality that makes the album, if not one of her best, at least easy to enjoy."^[4]

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1981)	Position
US Billboard 200[5]	86
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6]	16

Singles – Billboard

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1981	"It's Your Conscience"	Soul Singles	45	US
1981	"Silly"	Hot 100	53	US
1981	"Silly"	Soul Singles	11	US
1981	"What Two Can Do"	Soul Singles	17	US

Personnel

Musicians

• Deniece Williams – lead vocals
• Thom Bell – keyboards, backing vocals, arrangements and conductor
• George Merrill – keyboards, backing vocals
• Bobby Eli – guitars
• Bill Neale – guitars
• Bob Babbitt – bass
• Charles Collins – drums
• Ed Shea – percussion
• Larry Washington – percussion
• Don Renaldo – strings, horns
• Carl Helm – backing vocals

Production

• Producers – Thom Bell and Deniece Williams
• Production Coordination – JoDee Omar and Bo Ryan
• Rhythm Tracks and Vocals engineered by Jim Gallagher and Don Murray.
• Strings and Horns engineered by Jim Gallagher and Arthur Stoppe.
• Mixed by Don Murray at Monterey Sound Studios (Glendale, CA).
• Mastered by Mike Reese at The Mastering Lab (Los Angeles, CA).
• Art Direction – Desmond Strobel
• Photography – Charles William Bush
• Fashions – Ann Taylor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Deniece Williams: My Melody (Top Soul Albums). Billboard. billboard.com.
2. Web site: Deniece Williams: My Melody. RIAA. riaa.com.
3. Web site: TWO TASTEFULLY OPULENT RELEASES. Holden, Stephen. April 26, 1981. The New York Times.
4. Garland. Phyl. August 1981. 46. 8. 83. Denice Williams: My Melody. July 17, 2023. Stereo Review.
5. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1981. Billboard. April 12, 2021.
6. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1981. Billboard. April 12, 2021.