Is "My Special Love" a poor album?

[Shellshock]

I noticed in La Toya's book, she said she really didn't like this album and wouldn't record anything like it again (apparently her dad had too much input in to it and wouldn't let her have much creative freedom)

It also seems fans never swap MP3's from this album, apart from Camp Kuchi Kaiai. I'd like to hear "Fill Me Up" and her duet with Randy Jackson if anyone could help! Or anything else that might be decent?

To those who've heard it, how is this album?

[latifaheaston]

Like the first album it's a mixture of disco tunes and ballads. The ballads are better on My Special Love. Toy's voice is a bit weak and 'one-take' on it. It seems a bit rushed and doesn't have the refinement and attention to detail that Heart Don't Lie & Imagination have. It just seems like they taped La Toya and mixed it all together and didn't really take time and care.

[Annie]

I think MSL is better than the first album, especially Stay The Night, Giving You Up, Special Love, Summertime With You and the ballad I Don't Want You To Go.
Camp Kuchi Kaiai is not one of the best songs IMHO, it's possible that it's popular only because Janet co-wrote it and the Janet fans are curious about it.

btw apparently Randy didn't have any problems with singing love songs with his sisters, he has a duet with Janet too...

[Shellshock]

Annie said:

btw apparently Randy didn't have any problems with singing love songs with his sisters, he has a duet with Janet too...

No wonder his name's Randy.

Thanks for the MP3's, both of you. I agree with Jamie about her vocals being rushed. They seem too quiet, too loud, too much echo... It just seems like they slapped them over the music with no care at all.

Which is a shame, because the musical production isn't bad at all! I think it's quite charming. Some of it makes me think of TV theme music on programs like Shaft and Quincy.

[Shellshock]

Speaking of duets, who is the male singer on If I Could Get To You?

[Annie]

He's called John Pagano but I don't know anything else about him.

[ublew]

I remember seeing a John Pagano album at a used CD shop here several years ago, but I didn't get it.. I was tempted to buy it because of the Toy connection, but his voice just doesn't affect me in the same way..

[blistex]

I think it's really a very good album... "Stay The Night" is exciting, "Fill You Up" is fun, and "Special Love" is really warm and fuzzy.. always makes me smile..

[James]

I've been listening to it for a lot & its really growing on me. Stay The Night is one of her best, but the other songs are all very similar though.

[ublew]

I think it was a good album, myself.. Funky and Soulful too.. I don't think it was released the way Toy had wanted it, but even still she doesn't disappoint.. I think her debut was to be her equivalent to Michael's "Off The Wall" and she probably wanted her sophomore album to break her through.. It's too bad it didin't reach her expectations, but it's still something for us fans to enjoy..

[KuchiKaiai]

Thanks to a great Toy fan named Jamie, I've listened to this entire album! It is just awesome. I especially love Camp Kuchi Kaiai, Stay The Night, Giving You Up and SPecial Love!

I need to listen to it more, it's really good.

[Annie]

Those are my favorite songs on MSL too Are you new here? Welcome to the board!

[KuchiKaiai]

Thanks Annie! I am I new poster. I had some trouble registering but the admin Andy helped me out.

[latifaheaston]

I was listening to it last night to see if there were any tracks that I wanted to leave out before I put it on my MP3 player. I think the ballads bring it down. The upbeat ones rule.