As untrusting and stubborn as I may seem at times - well, ALL the time - I must admit that even I, Mr. Skeptic, can be swayed by tall tales and falsehoods.
That album achieved platinum status, all thanks to their mega-single "If You Love Me." It roared to No. 8 on the billboard charts, landed them a Billboard award and a Grammy nomination. They were far from one-hit wonders, though. I know y'all remember their robust vocals on "Graypevine" - they sounded like a pissed off church choir. And don't forget "Can't Tell Me Why."
Still Climbing didn't live up to its name and stalled, so the group disintegrated. Nicci Gilbert (no relation to Whitley Gilbert, sadly) released a solo album, Grown Folks Music, in 2003. It didn't make much noise but it's not half bad. Check out "My Side Of The Story."
The group has attempted to reunite a few times with new members, but it never worked out.
No, I'm not talking about Chris Brown blubbering at the BET Awards.
For years, I thought that Mimi Doby, a prominent member of the '90s R&B trio Brownstone, left the group due to medical problems. But no, I learned recently that she left for the same reason that nearly all female groups break up - bickering.
Sigh, add them to the gigantic list of groups that burned out just when they shined brightest. Ladies, get it together.
Anyway, let's look at the highs and lows of Brownstone.
Nichole 'Nicci' Glibert, Monica 'Mimi' Doby, and Charmayne 'Maxee' Maxwell were signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ record label in the mid-90s, and their debut, From the Bottom Up, was released soon after in 1995.
That album achieved platinum status, all thanks to their mega-single "If You Love Me." It roared to No. 8 on the billboard charts, landed them a Billboard award and a Grammy nomination. They were far from one-hit wonders, though. I know y'all remember their robust vocals on "Graypevine" - they sounded like a pissed off church choir. And don't forget "Can't Tell Me Why."
In 1997 Brownstone returned with Still Climbing and around this time Mimi "went home sick" and was replaced with Kina Cosper, who didn't last too long. Still, the group was churning out quality tracks, including my favorite Brownstone song, "5 Miles to Empty." Whoo, those notes still give me chills. I wasn't as big of a fan of "Kiss and Tell" though. They're too old to be running around a high school harrassing young boys, looking like deranged, middle-aged Twilight fans.
Still Climbing didn't live up to its name and stalled, so the group disintegrated. Nicci Gilbert (no relation to Whitley Gilbert, sadly) released a solo album, Grown Folks Music, in 2003. It didn't make much noise but it's not half bad. Check out "My Side Of The Story."
The group has attempted to reunite a few times with new members, but it never worked out.
Should They Come Back?: Hard to say. If they still have their 1995-era voices I'd love to hear them. But I seriously doubt they could return to their glory days. They'd probably just wind up fighting again away.
I miss them but you can best believe those other two are alpha females, that's why no one else lasted long cause its like this...you do what we say because we know what to do, or else...mmm hmmm them jokers ain't foolin' me...
ReplyDeleteJust discovered this site after seeing a blurb about Christion on another site and I like it alot plus I'm checking out the new site too. I just wanted to give a slight heads up about Brownstone because if you looked at the TVOne show "R&B Divas" then you will know why Brownstone broke up-one word NICCI.She means well but she is one of those "girlfriends that always has to something, anything even when it isn't her business she makes it all about her". Nicci admitted on the show that the record company made her get a tummy tuck at the age of 24 and actually she is a full-figured woman who use to be on a constant diet (she came out with a full-figured fashion line called "Curvato" that is featured on the show). She still has the pipes but admitted that she isn't passionate about singing anymore. I read years ago that Kina Cosper stated that she is more of a rock n roll singer and on the album cover the record company made her wear a wig because she actually had s blonde tweeny weeny afro. I do miss the group because those girls could really sing.....
ReplyDeleteNosey, this blog was written awhile back but best believe I watch R&B Divas weekly. And you're right, Nicci means well but she ALWAYS has an opinion, even when it's not warranted. Not sure if that was a turnoff to the other girls but it could be irritating (just ask Syleena Johnson). Ah well, we'll always have our Brownstone memories.
ReplyDeleteIF u ask me, Nicci don't mean well by anyone but herself. I already knew she was the Diana-Ross type reason Brownstone broke up
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