Mama Said | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 2, 1991 | |||
Recorded | 1990 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 52:38 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Producer | Lenny Kravitz | |||
Lenny Kravitz chronology | ||||
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Singles from Mama Said | ||||
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Mama Said is the second studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in April 1991 by Virgin Records. Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash co-wrote and played on the song "Always on the Run". He also played on the song "Fields of Joy". The song "All I Ever Wanted" was co-written by Sean Lennon.
Although the album has sold enough copies to be certified double platinum, the RIAA still has it listed as platinum. In the UK, the album reached number 8 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2012, Virgin Records released an expanded, double-disc version of the album with a number of remixes and bonus tracks.[14]
Greg Kot of Chicago Tribune commented "Rather than building on the '60s influences that permeated his 1989 debut, Let Love Rule, Kravitz practically wallows in them on Mama Said... Kravitz`s taste is commendable, and Mama Said sounds admirably gritty and sexy, without big '90s production touches. But until Kravitz begins transforming his influences instead of just copying them, he'll remain a promising but minor artist."[5] Terry Staunton of Record Collector stated "The blanket praise that greeted Kravitz’s 1989 debut Let Love Rule might have made him a prime candidate for difficult second album syndrome, but if anything Mama Said, released two years later, was an even more accomplished set. Rarely had traditional guitar rock and sweet soul merged so confidently, so effortlessly: further proof that we were in the midst of a major talent."[10] Elysa Gardner of Rolling Stone wrote "Rather than synthesizing his influences in a way that allows him some personal expression, Kravitz seemingly aims to acknowledge as many of them as he can in the course of an hour; the result is a rather disjointed album that lacks freshness and distinction. Kravitz continues to demonstrate a talent for crafting and arranging engaging songs; unfortunately, up to this point it has proven less a creative talent than a recreative one."[11]
All songs were written by Lenny Kravitz, except where noted.
Disc one
The Studio B-Sides[15]
The Unreleased 12"
Disc two
The Demos: Mama in Progress
Live in Rotterdam Nov. 15, 1991
The Live in Japan B-Sides
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Argentina (CAPIF)[33] | Gold | 30,000^ |
Australia (ARIA)[34] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[35] | Gold | 25,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[36] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
Germany (BVMI)[37] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[38] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[39] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[40] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[43] | Platinum | 1,880,000[42] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |