Released 25 November 2005 Length 64:23 | Recorded 2004–05 Producer Oja Tunes Release date 25 November 2005 | |
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Label Universal Music Domestic Division People also search for Now ... Us!, Elle'ments, STiLL, Si Purey | ||
Mama Lilla Would is the debut album by German singer–songwriter Vanessa Petruo. The album differs from her previous efforts, changing her indie pop sound with a mixture of soul, funk, alternative rock and baroque pop. The album was released on 25 November 2005 through the Universal Island. Primarily produced by the Oja Tunes, the album failed to enter the top 100 of the German Albums Chart, debuting at number 135. Its lead single "Hot Blooded Woman" peaked at number 59 at the Media Control Charts. Petruo's previous single "Drama Queen", which peaked at number 11, was not included on the album.
Contents
Background and recording
In 2001, Vanessa Petruo became the member of popular German girl group No Angels, which disbanded in 2003. Petruo was the first member of No Angels to launch a solo career. In 2004, she released her debut single "Drama Queen", which reached number 11 Germany, number 35 in Austria and number 88 Switzerland. Another single, "Pop That Melody", produced by Mousse T, was planned. The music video was shot, but, like "Drama Queen", it pulled back due to differences in style with Mama Lilla Would.
In 2004, Petruo wanted to release a pop album, 2004, which had a working title Faces of Drama. Besides "Drama Queen" and "Pop That Melody", eight more songs were planned for the album: "Army of Me", "Time Has Changed", "Don't Mess With This Latina", "Dear Man in the Moon", "Warrior of Light", "What the Hell Is This?", "Call Dr. Music" and "Wind Me Up". Almost all these songs were later uploaded on Petruo's official MySpace page. "What the Hell Is This?" was eventually re–written in more soul style and became "Hot Blooded Woman", while "What the Hell Is This?" eventually became one of the lines of the new song. "Call Dr. Music" was also included on the album. Originally written as a pop song, it was re–written and arranged as a soul song.
Fifteen songs were recorded for Mama Lilla Would, including the song "Miss Celie's Blues", written by Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones. More four songs were recorded, but were not included on the album — "What God Likes on Me", "Enemy", "I Wish Your Love" and "End of the Road", the cover version of Boyz II Men's song. "End of the Road" was included exclusively on the BRAVO: Come Together compilation album. Most of the songs are available on Petruo's MySpace page. Petruo wrote and composed most of the songs for Mama Lilla Would, helped by several songwriters. Thorsten Brötzmann and Alex Geringas, who wrote "Drama Queen", wrote one song, "Call Dr. Music".
Critical reception
Though the album was commercially unsuccessful, it was well–received by music critics. German edition of Amazon.com awarded it with 4.5 stars out of five. Laut.de gave it three out of five stars, stating that the album "had the potential" and naming the song as "original". Mama Lilla Would also received six out of ten stars at the CDStars.de.
Singles
Songs
1Superbad3:22
2I Don't Need a Gun4:03
3Ha Ha - Don't Waste Your Time4:07