Stéphanie
Studio album by
Stéphanie
Released30 July 1991
Recorded1987–1991
GenrePop, pop rock, electronic
Length43:58
LabelWTG, Epic
ProducerMichael Verdick, Ron Bloom
Stéphanie chronology
Besoin
(1986)		 Stéphanie
(1991)		 Collection Référence 80
(2011)
Singles from Stéphanie
  1. "Winds of Chance"
    Released: 1991
  2. "You Don't Die from Love"
    Released: 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Calgary HeraldB[1]
Music & Media(favorable)[2]

Stéphanie is the second and final studio album released by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. The album was released on 30 July 1991 through the WTG Records in the United States, and the Epic Records in Europe.[3] It was released five years after her successful debut album Besoin. Stéphanie met with disappointing sales — it sold only 3,500 copies in the United States — and negative reviews. In 1992, Stéphanie ended her music career.

Album information

In 1987, after the release of her successful debut album Besoin, Stéphanie moved to Los Angeles, California due to a further development of her music career. She signed a record contract with the Sony Music, and released Stéphanie through their label WTG Records. Epic Records released the album in Europe. While her previous album featured Europop and eurodance songs, Stéphanie experimented with pop rock and electronic music on Stéphanie.[3] Stéphanie and her producer Ron Bloom wrote all the songs, all in English language. Michael Verdick and Bloom produced most of the songs.

Singles and promotion

The album's lead single "Winds of Chance" was released in 1991, with the accompanying music video shot in the Canary Islands.[4] However, the single was not commercially successful, failing to mirror singles from Stéphanie's previous album Besoin. In summer 1991, Stéphanie launched her first world tour, throughout Europe and South America, in order to promote Stéphanie. Despite the tour being rather successful, the album did not achieve commercial success. the second single was "You Don't Die from Love".

Reception

Stéphanie received mixed reviews from music critics. Dave Obee from Calgary Herald felt that her first North American single, "Winds of Chance" is the "weakest song" on the album, adding, "But give the princess a chance, and you'll discover she delivers top-notch pop with a strong, personal lyrical punch. You'll find yourself checking the label - and discovering that Stephanie co-wrote nine of the 10 songs. It would be easy to dismiss Stephanie as a spoiled royal brat indulging herself, but that's not fair. She may not be the queen of pop, but she's a serious contender."[1] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Even princesses embark on careers in show business. No problem for Stephanie, it runs in the royal family of Monaco. This highly commercial pop/disco debut album will definitely put the crown on her work."[2] David Hiltbrand of People wrote, "This isn't a humiliating outing. But it sure is embarrassing. Oh, Steph hits all the notes but, unfortunately, without any conviction or depth".[5]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Winds of Chance"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick4:23
2."You Don't Die from Love"D. Weiss, D. WhiteMichael Verdick4:20
3."Love Once"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick4:57
4."Born Blue"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick3:57
5."Words Upon the Wind"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick4:36
6."Sky Fall Down"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick4:08
7."Unchained"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick4:03
8."Hunger Rise"Stéphanie, R. BloomRon Bloom4:50
9."I Escape"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick4:23
10."Good Dreams"Stéphanie, R. BloomMichael Verdick4:21
Total length:43:58

Personnel

  • Princess Stéphanie of Monaco – vocals
  • Ron Bloom – keyboards, Fairlight CMI, guitars, percussion, BGV arrangements
  • Claude Gaudette – additional keyboards (2)
  • Tony Smith – additional programming (2)
  • C.J. Vanston – additional keyboards (3)
  • Brad Buxer – additional keyboards (8)
  • Michael Landau – guitars (2)
  • Bruce Gaitsch – guitar solo (2)
  • Neil Stubenhaus – bass (2)
  • Randy Jackson – additional bass (8)
  • Mike Baird – drums (2)
  • Rafael Padilla – additional percussion (3)
  • Linda Harmon – backing vocals (1-4)
  • Mary Hylan – backing vocals (1-4, 6, 7, 9, 10)
  • Linda Mallah – backing vocals (1-4, 6, 7, 9, 10)
  • Andraé Crouch – vocal director (5)
  • The Andraé Crouch Singers – backing vocals (5)
  • Charlene Anderson – additional vocals (5), backing vocals (8)
  • Jhelisa Anderson – additional vocals (5), backing vocals (8)
  • Kenny Cetera – additional vocals (5)
  • Wayne O. Holmes – Anderson – additional vocals (5)
  • Roslynn Keel – additional vocals (5)
  • James E. Morrison – Anderson – additional vocals (5)
  • Olivia McClurkin – ending vocal solo (5)

Production

  • Michael Verdick – recording, mixing
  • Ron Bloom – mixing, additional recording (1-7, 9, 10)
  • Humberto Gatica – remixing (2)
  • Ricky Delena – additional recording (8)
  • Kristen Connolly – second engineer
  • Brian McHugh – second engineer
  • Guy Snider – second engineer
  • David Mitson – mastering at Sony Music Studios (Los Angeles, California)
  • David Coleman – art direction
  • Michael Miller – photography

Charts

Chart Peak
position
France (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique) 48[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Obee, Dave (18 August 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
  2. 1 2 "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. 6 April 1991. p. 14. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Stéphanie". Discogs.com. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Stéphanie – Winds of Chance". YouTube. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Stephanie". People. David Hiltbrand. 9 September 1991. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Les Charts.com". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). Retrieved 4 July 2011.
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