Epic publish Macy Gray’s debut album : ‘On How Life Is’ featuring ‘I Try’ (1999)
Macy Gray‘s ‘On How Life Is’ feat. ‘I Try’ is her debut studio album produced by Andrew Slater and released on July 27, 1999 by Epic.
Track Listing : 1.Why Didn’T You Call Me (Macy Gray, Jeremy Ruzumna) – 03:14 . 2.Do Something (Macy Gray, Darryl Swann, Jeremy Ruzumna, Dion Murdock, Patrick Brown, Raymon Murray, Rico Wade, Cameron Gipp, Robert Barnettandré Benjamin, Antwan Patton, Thomas Burton, Greg Mays, Daryl Barnes, George Clinton, Jr., Garry Shider, Bernard Worrell) – 04:57 . 3.Caligula (Macy Gray, Darryl Swann, Jeremy Ruzumna) – 04:38 . 4.I Try (Macy Gray, Jeremy Ruzumna, Jinsoo Lim, David Wilder) – 03:59 . 5.Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak (Macy Gray, Jeremy Ruzumna, Dion Murdock) – 03:57 . 6.I Can’T Wait To Meetchu (Macy Gray, Darryl Swann, Jeremy Ruzumna, Miles Tackett) – 05:18 . 7.Still (Macy Gray, Jeremy Ruzumna, Bill Esses, Jeff Blue) – 04:15 . 8.I’Ve Committed Murder (Macy Gray, Darryl Swann, Jeremy Ruzumna, Kiilu Beckwith, Eddie Harris, Francis Lai, Carl Sigman) – 04:59 . 9.A Moment To Myself (Macy Gray, Jeremy Ruzumna, Miles Tackett, Mark Morales, Damon Wimbley) – 04:00 . 10.The Letter (Macy Gray, Jamie Houston, Matt Sherrod) – 05:38
Musicians : Macy Gray – Lead Vocals; Backing Vocals On (1 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 10) . Jon Brion – Chamberlin On (2 – 3 – 8 – 10), Guitar On (3 – 5 – 6 – 8 – 9 – 10), Synthesizer On (3 – 8), Orchestra Bells On (4), Piano On (4 – 10), Vibraphone On (7 – 8), Marimba On (8), Optigan On (10) . Jeremy Ruzumna – Backing Vocals On (1), Organ On (1 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 8), Piano On (1 – 7 – 10), Electric Piano, Moog Synthesizer On (2), Clavinet, Farfisa Synthesizer On (3), Rhodes Piano On (5 – 6), Chamberlin, Optigan On (10) . Darryl Swann – Drum Programming On (1), Backing Vocals, Guitar On (3), Programming On (2 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 8 – 9 – 10) . Patrick Warren – Vibraphone On (2), Chamberlin On (2–4 – 7 – 8), Synthesizer On (3), Rhodes Piano, Wurlitzer Organ On (9) . David Wilder – Backing Vocals On (1), Bass On (1 – 4) . Jay Joyce – Guitar On (7) . Jinsoo Lim – Guitar On (1 – 2) . Bendrix Williams – Guitar On (4) . Miles Tackett – Guitar On (6) . Arik Marshall – Guitar On (1 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10) . Blackbyrd Mcknight – Guitar On (5) . Gabriel Moses – Guitar On (5) . Dion Murdock – Bass On (2 – 6) . Lenny Castro – Percussion On (1 – 2 – 7 – 8 – 9) . Matt Chamberlain – Drums, Percussion On (1 – 3 – 9 – 10) . Dj Kiilu – Programming On (2 – 8 – 9), Turntables On (8) . Charles Green – Horn On (6) . Michael Harris – Horn On (6) . Steve Baxter – Horn On (6) . Ngozi Guz Inyama – Saxophone On (8) . Rami Jaffee – Synthesizer On (5), Chamberlin, Optigan, Piano On (10) . Greg Richling – Bass On (6–10) . Sy Smith – Backing Vocals On (3 – 5 – 7) . Dawn Beckman – Backing Vocals On (1 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9) . Musiic Galloway – Backing Vocals On (1 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 8 – 9 – 10)
Production : Produced By Andrew Slater . Kevin Dean – Assistant Engineer . Dave Reed – Assistant Engineer . Jeff Walch – Assistant Engineer . Dave Way – Engineer, Mixing . Howard Willing – Assistant Engineer . Michelle Forbes – Assistant Engineer
Package : Frank Harkins – Art Direction . Hooshik – Art Direction . Stephane Sednaoui – Photography
Video Director(s) : Mark Romanek for “Do Something” and “I Try”
Recorded 1997 – 1999 At A&M Studios, Paramount Studios, Sunset Sound Recorders (Hollywood, Los Angeles, California).
Released On July 27, 1999 By Epic.

READ
The Guardian
Macy Gray on her first album, On How Life Is Back when we made it, I didn’t really get why people were so into it – I was pleased by its success, but I didn’t really understand the reasons. Now, I understand – it sounds like nothing else that was around at that time. […]
music critic
As with any freshman effort, however, On How Life Is is not perfect. While some songs, such as the heartfelt “I Try” and the comical “I’ve Committed Murder” feature lyrics that reveal an intriguing perspective and great sense of humor, many other tracks feature lyrics that are overly simple, sappy and repetitive […]
Financial Revew
Then there’s the voice: Billie Holiday channelled by Minnie Mouse on record; in person more like Isaac Hayes on helium. […]
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