|
PRESS
choose an article:
The 50 Greatest Duets Of All Time
. . . (VIBE, January 2007)
. . . interview with Rashmi Shastri
. . . (January 2007)
. . . interview with MariahDaily.com
. . . (September 2006)
. . . press release for "Mr. Mista"
. . . (X-Ray Records, September 2006)
. . . biography distributed by Trey's label
. . . (X-Ray Records, September 2006)
. . . press commentaries for Mariah Carey's "The Adventures of Mimi"
. . . tour (various, Aug - Sep 2006)
. . . extract from "Q&A Canvas" interview with Mariah Carey
. . . (AOL BlackVoices, Apr 2005)
. . . press commentaries for Mariah Carey's "Charmbracelet" tour
. . . (various, Aug - Sep 2003)
. . . "Music to my ears - Trey Lorenz: the vision behind the voice"
. . . (unknown / 1992)
. . . "Mariah's Work Is Quite A Production Lends Hand To Lorenz While
. . . Prepping New Set" (unknown / 1992)
THE 50 GREATEST DUETS OF ALL TIME
VIBE, January 2007
#30 - "I'LL BE THERE", MARIAH CAREY AND TREY LORENZ, MTV UNPLUGGED EP
(Columbia, 1992) The Players: Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz
The Backstory: A number one hit on the pop single chart for the Jackson 5 in 1970, it was a vocal showcase for
a then 12-year-old Michael. Carey ambitiously updated the song, sharing duties with backup singer Lorenz.
Key Moment: Mariah's got five octaves, but when Lorenz dives into his verse with exultant "Oh"s and the backing
choir follows his lead, it sets the song in motion.
view the full list at
www.vibe.com/music/50duets
. . . back to top
INTERVIEW WITH RASHMI SHASTRI
January 2007
released in "All Mariah" magazine, issue 4 / scans by Rashmi
(b-phat.com)
. . . back to top
INTERVIEW WITH MARIAHDAILY.COM
September 2006
A SOUTHERN BOY
Trey was born to parents Lloyd and Bernice in Florence, South Carolina, a small southern
town "twelve hours from New York and twelve hours from Miami." With dreams of becoming
involved in the music industry, Trey moved north to attend college. "I said to myself,
I've got to get out of South Carolina." However, even after years of living in New York,
he still finds time to embrace his roots. Mariah fans laughed when during one of his live
performances of "I'll Be There" he raved to Mariah about "Florence, SC....home of the fish
sandwich!" Trey spoke candidly about the meals on tour, and how the rest of the crew would
tease him for his constant comments about how the food couldn't compare to the fish from
Florence. "We put Florence on the map!" He laughed.
THE EARLY YEARS
"I've always been able to sing along with the radio," he says of his early singing years.
His parents would play their old college records, mostly Motown and Soul, and he developed
a distinct taste for music at a very young age. "The only thing that would keep me still
when I was little was the Jackson Five's third album, which has 'I'll Be There.'" By the
time he was in college, his passion for music lead him to play in various bands. One day
a friend brought him to a recording session for a young girl he described as "a white girl
that sings like Whitney Houston." Trey's interest was piqued and he went to check it out.
"I honestly didn't go to the session as a singer, I was going as a spectator. I was humming
along -- just my nature, singing along with the nice tune -- and she heard me and was
like 'That's a stone winner!'" The two hit it off immediately and Mariah asked Trey to
join her on her summer promotional tour. But Trey was in college over the summer and his
parents refused to let him miss class for the then unknown Mariah Carey. However, fate
caught up with him and Mariah talked Trey into joining her on her promo tour in the fall.
He became part of her band and the rest is history. Now for the present
MR. MISTA
Trey's fans have been asking him for a new record since his 1992 debut album. After years
of recording the odd song here and there, Mr. Mista is finally here! Fans are responding
with enthusiasm and excitement to the three-song sneak peek posted on his MySpace
music page.
"Honestly, it's been so long since I've had a record out, I didn't think people
would really remember!" The CD is closer to his heart, he says, because it represents the
"old-school" music he loves. Songs like "Pisces" were recorded several years ago but still
remain a favorite of Trey's. "It's not the sales that I'm really going for with this," he
explained. "I just want to put a release out there for the dedicated fans and to share my
love for soulful R&B."
Also for the fans, Trey plans to do a small tour of clubs and local venues when he gets
home from "The Adventures of Mimi" tour. He wants to keep them intimate because he enjoys
connecting with the audience on a personal level. "I'm totally not the celebrity type.
After seeing what Mariah goes through, I don't want to not be able to go the grocery
store."
The first single from Mr. Mista will most likely be "My Everything," a favorite of Trey's
and other members on tour with him. He notes that the song is especially close to his
heart because of its positive message. "One of the reasons I like it so much is not
because of the beat or anything, but because of what I'm talking about." Making a positive
impact is especially important to Trey. "I don't want anything that I make to affect
anyone in a negative way."
"All it took it was to believe / So now I bless your name / I only stand to gain / Truly
you're my everything" he croons.
A JOKESTER
As evident from their onstage quips and frequent giggles during "I'll Be There," Trey and
Mariah share a lot of inside jokes. "It's just honestly [about] being silly," he says of
their good-natured ribbing. He often tells Mariah that they need to explain their jokes to
people, or else "they're gonna think we're crazy!" Laughing, he explains two of the jokes
that Mariah fans remember from the Charmbracelet Tour.
"The 'we met as teenagers' line comes from Aretha Franklin's gospel CD One Lord, One Faith,
One Baptism," he says. He stops the interview for a moment and plays the Aretha track where
she tells the audience "Mavis and I grew up as teenagers.... and we met on a Mississippi road!"
Trey bursts into laughter "If [Mariah] busts that one out backstage, I just can't keep it
together!"
Trey also brings to the stage his smooth talking alter ego, "Big Nasty," which comes from an
incident at the gym. He and his friend Trina Broussard (a singer and fellow friend of Mariah's
who is helping her develop a southern accent for "Tennessee") were constantly having run-ins
with a grumpy receptionist at their gym. According to Trey, the woman was "just being difficult."
One day the receptionist wouldn't let Trina into the gym and, despite the fact that he always
had a smile for her; she looked Trey up and down and said "Oh it's YOU. Big Nasty," before
rolling her eyes.
The nickname stuck. "When I call up Mariah on the phone just being stupid, and I go 'What's
happening baby?' (he lowers his voice into a throaty whisper) and she's like 'You know, I'm
in a meeting right now, I'll call you back' and I'm like 'Yeah baby, call me back' So we had
to figure out a name for that character!"
ON TOUR WITH MARIAH
Going on tour with Mariah tends to be a grueling experience. There is a lot of downtime, but
even backup singers need to rest their voices. Mariah spends most evenings sleeping and resting
her voice, but last week Mariah joined Trey and the other backup singers and dancers on the tour
bus to watch a video from the Madison Square Garden show. Trey explains that they have been recording
Mariah's show almost every night of the tour but they hadn't had a chance to see the footage from
a spectator's point of view. "I'm almost positive they're gonna put out a DVD for her," he says,
"and of course it's gonna be really nice, Mariah doesn't half-step when it comes to that kind of
stuff!'
Despite their hectic schedule, Trey says he still loves touring and connecting with the fans. "I
think I can speak for [Mariah] as well, the best part of being on tour is when you're actually with
the audience, and you kind of make a connection."
On the subject of Mariah, he comes to her defense concerning negativity and haters. As her friend,
he wishes people could see her offstage because he feels they would "love her just that much more."
But some people are just grumpy. "At the end of the day, I think some people just want to be mad at
the world. No matter what you do, you're not going to be able to please them."
ONE LAST WORD
Trey Lorenz has come a long way from the shy singer on his 1992 debut. Mr. Mista shows a mature,
soulful Trey with an underlying good-natured spirit that shines in everything he does. He is already
working on his next release, writing songs while on tour. "Mariah and I have plans to do another duet,"
he says, which will appear on his next CD. Besides Mariah, "I would love to do a song with Beyonce!"
he laughs.
taken from Mariah Daily.com
. . . back to top
INTERVIEW WITH RASHMI SHASTRI
September 2006
Trey was born in Florence, South Carolina on January 19th, 1969. His father is Lloyd Lorenz, the director of a local
job-training program and his mother Bernice, a history teacher at local Wilson High. Both parents and Trey sang in
church. Trey learned to read music through a brief stretch of piano lessons. When Trey met Mariah, he was in his junior
year at Farleigh Dickinson University, majoring in advertising. Since then Trey has been touring with Mariah Carey as
her backup singer, since her first promotional tour in 1990, for her debut album, 'Mariah Carey.' Not only touring, Trey
has written songs with Mariah and they have become very close friends.
Trey has continued to sing with Mariah Carey. He has co-written songs for Mariah's album and continued to do background
vocals. Trey toured with Mariah in 1998, singing "Let's Make This A Night To Remember," with Mariah's other backup singer
Melanie Daniels. Trey also toured with Mariah on her "Rainbow Tour," in 1999 and then again in 2003 on the "Charmbraclet
Tour," singing "I'll Be There," and leading the background singers in a song called "Friend of Mine."
Trey Lorenz sings backup vocals on Mariah Carey's latest album 'The Emancipation of Mimi.' Trey vocals are featured on
four songs: 'Get Your Number,' 'I Wish You Knew,' 'Joy Ride,' & 'Fly Like A Bird.' Trey has been present on the promotional
tour for the album.
Rashmi Shastri: Hi Trey, how are you? We finally got connected! I hear youre performing in Texas tonight.
Trey Lorenz: Yeah we are! Its really hot out here and a friend of mine lives here so shes coming to the show. At this point weve
got the show down and everyones comfortable with each other so its going well.
RS: So youre just in the hotel room relaxing before the show right now?
TL: I usually take an afternoon nap before having to go to the venue but this is a pleasant distraction having you call me.
RS: How do you feel having completed a record by yourself after so long?
TL: Its been a long time since Ive done a project by myself, I think its been fourteen years that I had my solo album out.
I better do it now while Im still sexy!
RS: Tell me about Mariahs involvement in this project.
TL: Mariah and I always joke that we were two years old when we started. We decided to call the CD Mimi Presents
because
shes helped on a song or two but for the most part these are songs that Ive done over the past four or five years. Every
time we go on tour I dont have any new material of my own to perform. Mariahs fans are great, they are constantly asking
her if Im doing anything and its weird for me because Im totally not the celebrity type. Eventually I just thought it
was time to go ahead and do it. Mariah was gracious enough to lend her name to it.
RS: I heard the track Pisces a few days ago, whats the story behind that?
TL: Its rare that I write songs that are too personal because I want people to be able to relate. Its about a friend of mine
whos a Pisces and I hadnt seen her for a long time but when I did see her she was really cold which wasnt her personality.
Honestly, I just like the way Pisces rhymes with icy! Mariahs singing the background vocals on that song.
RS: Are there any other songs that we should know about?
TL: One of my favourite songs on the album is It All Comes Back Around. As Ive become older Ive become more interested in the
world. Ive been blessed to be able to travel around the world and meet a lot of different people, the world almost seems
smaller. Im against war and all that nonsense; I guess I shouldnt say that with the war going on right now. Ive been to
so many places and I must add that I love London
RS: Now that brings me to a very important question, when are you and Mariah coming over here to tour? Tell me the truth!
TL: You know what there hasnt been any talk of a European tour which I was really disappointed about because we always go to
Europe. Theyre adding dates to the tour but I dont exactly know how it works, maybe the Europe promoters have to request
it or something. I know were going to Japan for two weeks and theyve added a show in Hong Kong but thats the last Ive
heard personally. I dont think there will be a UK tour with Mariah but everything changes around here so keep your fingers
crossed, they might try and do something at the top of the year. She might just release a new CD then come over with that.
RS: Is Mariah around you at the moment by any chance?
TL: Shes on vocal rest at the moment which I probably should be doing myself! Its where she doesnt talk a day before the
show and everything she needs to say she writes on cards.
RS: What are the plans for your album?
TL: I dont even know if were releasing the record or have any agreement for distribution for my album. That would be my goal
but for me I love to sing and I love music but I dont want to be a celebrity. Ive seen what Mariah goes through and I
dont want that type of life. This album is a gift to the fans. We need to change the tracks on MySpace to my favourite
ones! You need to add me. I might try and do a video shout out to put on there as well. I havent had a record out in God
knows when so it surprises me when people come up to me and ask where my new material is, its always flattering.
RS: Things around you have been pretty hectic, how do you come back to earth?
TL: For me its always been about the music. I went through a stage of drinking and drugging is what we call it. I shouldnt
even joke about that but you know like smoking weed and being unproductive, going out with friends and enjoying life
excessively. When I started going back to church everything started to turn around and Im grateful to God for that, thats
what my favourite song My Everything is about. We come from a very spiritual clique over here. Mariah performs Fly Like
A Bird from the Mimi album and the lyrics really speak to me. Thats what its all about to me.
RS: Youre going to be on tour with Mariah for a while, do you ever get stressed out?
TL: What I really want to do is go around the world with Mariah on her down time. Im getting tired of the travelling thing but
if I was doing it on my own terms it might be different. I would like to give more people some of this soul explosion
thats in me!
RS: What do you like about touring?
TL: The audiences and the performances. I do like to travel sometimes but being away from home months at a time can be difficult.
Sometimes its just like I wanna drive my own car! At the end of the day seeing peoples reactions is the coolest and
overrides everything even if youre missing home and family. I also like it when people wait for us outside and take
pictures, I make them send me them. I like it that everyones so cool and still remembers me from all that time ago.
RS: Of course they remember you! They wont forget when its artists like yourself or Mariah. Im still listening to old
Whitney Houston.
TL: Right, exactly. I actually heard that Whitney and Bobby are getting a divorce. I love Whitney to the point where one of
the reasons Mariah and I clicked on a personal level was because we were the same age and liked the same type of music. I
went to the Mariah session, not to sing, but just to go and someone said this girl sings better than Whitney Houston and
I was thinking nobody can sing better than Whitney, then when I heard Mariah sing I felt totally different.
RS: What do you all get up to when youre backstage?
TL: Sleeping! Mariah doesnt even come in until 30 minutes before she goes on stage; she comes in made up and is ready to go.
Sometimes we have a sound check and then eat something. We then have three hours to wait before going on stage so I have
a nice blanket and pillow close by!
RS: Do you have any special requests before going on stage?
TL: Tea with lots of lemon and chicken wings!
RS: What about the journeys to and from different venues?
TL: After the show is when we really get the party started and get on the tour bus. We took a 20 hour drive to get here
[Houston, Texas] which was pretty brutal. You should give me a call on the next long drive when were going to Canada there
are always lots of people on the bus. Its cool because we have a big TV and fun people on board. People I know in
different cities are always asking me when Im arriving but I really dont know, the only thing I know is when its over!
Everyone thinks that when you go on tour you party all the time but being the type of artist Mariah is we have to really
sing so partying is a real no no. Were only halfway through and dont finish until November!
RS: Do you have any favourite parts of the show?
TL: I was so proud of Gnarls Barkley and their success that I perform Crazy in Mariahs show which always gets a good reaction.
I love the stuff that my parents listened to like Motown. They never had a problem with what I listened to because it was
always one of their records that I wanted to play. LA Reid gave us the idea to do a tribute to Luther Vandross and as you
know, Mariah sung Endless Love with Luther
RS: Thats so strange; Im listening to Endless Love right now!
TL: Get out of here!
RS: Seriously!
TL: Wait, listen
RS: Oh my goodness! Look at that, weve got a connection here.
TL: Thanks for that, Trey. Ill give you a call on your long drive.
RS: Definitely, speak to you soon. Have a great day and thanks for the interview.
The new album from Trey Mimi Presents
Trey Lorenz Mr. Mista comes out on September 19th 2006.
www.myspace.com/treylorenzmusic
by Rashmi Shastri
. . . back to top
PRESS RELEASE FOR "MR. MISTA"
X-Ray Records, September 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIMI PRESENTS TREY LORENZ - MR. MISTA
X-RAY RECORDS PROUDLY PRESENTS THE LONG AWAITED SOPHOMORE ALBUM BY ONE OF THE WORLD'S FOREMOST MALE
R&B VOCALISTS TREY LORENZ OUT SEPTEMBER 21ST
THIS LUSH SOULFUL COLLECTION FEATURES THE HOT SINGLE "PISCES" WITH A SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY MARIAH
CAREY.
Los Angeles, CA - - TREY LORENZ, perhaps best known for his backup vocals with super star MARIAH CAREY,
shows off his own singing and songwriting skills with his latest release MR. MISTA out September 19, 2006
on X-RAY RECORDS.
Having performed on blockbuster albums by such artists as USHER, VANESSA WILLIAMS and WILL SMITH just to
name a few, this impeccable vocalist steps out from behind the shadows with this solid, 11-track R&B
collection showing the world what an exceptional artist he truly is.
Born in Florence, South Carolina, Trey began singing in church and learned to read music through a brief
stint of piano lessons. While in college, he performed with various bands lending his vocal and keyboard
talents. In February, 1990, a friend of his was singing backup in the recording studio with a new artist
who was working on her debut record. That artist was Mariah Carey.
"I met Trey in February 1990," says Carey, "when I was working on my first album. I was recording a song
called 'There's Got To Be A Way,' and one of the backup singers was friends with Trey and had brought him
down to the studio for the session. I heard someone singing all the high, top notes with me and I'm like,
'Who is that?' I turned around and it was Trey. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
And that friendship continues. Trey has been working with Mariah Carey ever since, sharing vocal duties as
well as having written songs with her. In 1992, Lorenz catapulted to fame with his MTV unplugged duet of
"I'll Be There." On it, Trey displayed his incredible falsetto soaring to one of the highest notes a male
can sing. The "Unplugged" concert was turned into a home video as well as a CD. Soon after, Trey found
himself signed to Mariah Carey's then husband Tommy Matola under the EPIC label. His self-titled debut
effort was released to critical acclaim spawning the Top 20 hit single, "Someone To Hold."
. . . back to top
TREY LORENZ BIOGRAPHY
X-Ray Records, September 2006
Trey was born in Florence, South Carolina on January 19th, 1969. His father is Lloyd Lorenz, the director
of a local job-training program and his mother Bernice, a history teacher at local Wilson High. Both
parents and Trey sang in church. Trey learned to read music through a brief stretch of piano lessons.
During his freshman and sophomore years lending vocals and keyboards to the Players, a Top 40 band whose
set list rambled from the Romantics to the Ramones.
When Trey met Mariah, he was in his junior year at Farleigh Dickinson University, majoring in advertising,
and he had been in a group called "Squeak & the Deep," but only lasted a short time; Trey says "we were
only together for a minute!"
"I met Trey in February 1990," says Carey, "when I was working on my first album. I was recording a song
called "There's Got To Be A Way," and one of the backup singers was friends with Trey and had brought him
down to the studio for the session. I heard someone singing all the high, top notes with me and I'm like,
'Who is that?' I turned around and it was Trey. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Since then Trey has been touring with Mariah Carey as her backup singer, since her first promotional tour
in 1990, for her debut album, 'Mariah Carey.'
Not only touring, Trey has written songs with Mariah and they have become very close friends.
Trey shot to fame in 1992 when sang with Mariah on 'MTV Unplugged.' Trey did his normal back-up singing for
Mariah, but on he stepped up to do a duet with Mariah Carey on the song "I'll Be There." Trey displayed his
incredible falsetto, soaring to one of the highest notes a male can sing (to see more about this go to the
"High Notes, section). The show was turned into a home video and a CD and helped him rise so success.
Soon after Trey signed a record deal with Mariah Carey's then husband, Tommy Matola, under the EPIC Label.
He recorded his self-titled debut album 'Trey Lorenz,' and released the CD to critically acclaim.
Unfortunately, the album never had good sales and Trey was dropped from EPIC. At one time he recorded
another album, but it was never released.
Trey has continued to sing with Mariah Carey. He has co-written songs for Mariah's album and continued to
do background vocals. Trey toured with Mariah in 1998, singing "Let's Make This A Night To Remember," with
Mariah's other backup singer Melanie Daniels. Trey also toured with Mariah on her "Rainbow Tour," in 1999
and then again in 2003 on the "Charmbraclet Tour," singing "I'll Be There," and leading the background
singers in a song called "Friend of Mine."
Trey Lorenz sings backup vocals on Mariah Carey's latest album 'The Emancipation of Mimi.' Trey vocals are
featured on four songs: 'Get Your Number,' 'I Wish You Knew,' 'Joy Ride,' & 'Fly Like A Bird.' Trey has
been present on the promotional tour for the album. He has appeared singing background vocals at Mariah's
concert on Good Morning America. Trey was also featured on the VH1's Save The Music special where he closed
out the show singing I'll Be There with Mariah Carey.
In April of 2005, AOL's BlackVoices interviewed Mariah Carey was asked "Will Trey Lorenz or any of your
other old friends be signed to your label?" "You know what? Trey is on a lot of songs on the new album.
He's like family to me at this point. He's really doing his own thing right now; a lot of writing, and an
inspirational project he's working on. So I'm all about supporting him in whatever thing he's working.
The new album from Trey Mimi Presents Trey Lorenz Mr. Mista comes out on September 19th, 2006.
. . . back to top
PRESS COMMENTARIES FOR MARIAH CAREY'S "THE ADVENTURES OF MIMI TOUR"
August - September 2006
"Especially satisfying were the duets Carey shared with backing vocalist Trey Lorenz; when these
longtime singing partners traded high notes on the ballads "I'll Be There" and "One Sweet Day,"
Carey really eased into her performance."
Ann Powers for
Los Angeles Times, Aug. 07, 2006
"The show's biggest surprise was an appearance by r&b singer Trey Lorenz, Carey's original duet partner
on a 1992 cover of the Jackson 5's I'll Be There. That hit recording came from a seven-song EP, MTV
Unplugged, one of the brights spots in Carey's thin concert history. Carey and Lorenz sang it again on
Saturday, not quite as vibrantly as they had 14 years ago, but still with a likeable warmth. Lorenz
joined the back-up singers for one of the concert's best moments, a soaring version of the Mimi album's
jazz- and gospel-tinged closer, Fly Like a Bird."
Sun-Sentinel
"Other highlights from the singer, songwriter and record producer included performances with longtime
duet partner Trey Lorenz of the romantic ballads "I'll Be There" - which lifted them atop the U.S. and
Canadian charts in 1992 - and "One Sweet Day.""
Bob Bellone for Tampa Tribune,
Aug. 08, 2006
"I'll Be There, a duet with Trey Lorenz (who then took the stage solo while Mariah went off to do her
third costume in 45 minutes) was deliciously sweet."
Steve Tilley for
Toronto Sun, Aug. 14, 2006
"She hit every high note during a rousing version of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," and brought out
Trey Lorenz, the vocalist who originally performed the song with her back in 1992 on MTV Unplugged.
The show then ground to a halt as she disappeared backstage to change outfits, leaving Lorenz to perform
a filler song from his forthcoming album. He naturally gravitated towards an over-eager group of girls
conveniently seated in the front row who had red and white pompoms and a placard that read, "I love
Trey!""
Kevin Ritchie for Chart
Magazine, Aug. 14, 2006
"Thankfully everyone knew the words to the Jackson 5 classic, "I'll Be There" featuring Careys protegé
Trey Lorenz, who hung around to perform a tribute to the late Luther Vandross during one of Careys four
wardrobe changes.
Those wardrobe changes, along with backup dancers, a live backing band, and a winding staircase onstage,
certainly didnt hurt the ambiance Monday night."
Lauren Carter for
Sun Chronicle
"Like a true hip-hopper, Carey called in more than a few favors for this show, bringing out Da Brat,
Trey Lorenz and Diddy to assist her on songs."
Rafer Guzmàn for
Newsday, Aug. 23, 2006
"Trey Lorenz, who sang with Mariah on her 1992 cover of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" and is in Carey's
current band as a backing vocalist, stepped out front to help her with this song. He also accompanied her
later in the show, on a medley of hits, and performed his own medley during one of her costume changes.
Lorenz, who announced that his next album will be called "Mimi Presents Trey Lorenz," pointed out that
Carey's '95 hit "One Sweet Day" still holds the record for most weeks at No. 1, while Carey herself,
earlier in the show, had identified "Don't Forget About Us" as her 17th No. 1 hit."
Jay Lustig for
Star-Ledger, Aug. 24, 2006
"Mariah went on to then sing the classic song, "I'll Be There," with the singer Trey Lorenz. After the
duet, Mariah went to change and Trey did a few songs such as, "A House is not a Home," and the Gnarls
Barkley song, "Crazy." He did a decent job singing and was good way to pass time while Mariah changed."
Nigel Degraff for
Associated Content, Aug. 25, 2006
"But she didn't exactly ignore the ballads and, in fact, the highlight
of the show was a fiery cover of "I'll Be There," the Jackson 5 tune
that Carey originally recorded 14 years ago during a live MTV special.
The song was performed as a duet with one of Carey's backup singers,
Trey Lorenz, who spent most of the show seated on a stool at the back
of the split-level stage. He couldn't sit still for the entire show,
however: Lorenz disappeared backstage before the song, precisely so
that he might make a dramatic entrance moments later. Mariah's kind of
move, without the high heels."
J. Freedom du Lac for
Washington Postt, Sep. 09, 2006
new! . . .
"She brought out Trey Lorenz for their early 90s remake of "I'll Be There," by the Jackson 5. "Even
the old folks know this one," Mariah said. Lorenz said he wasn't in his usual voice, after a night of
poker and drinks, so as a duo they invited the crowd to sing most of the song.
As Mariah changed clothes, Trey Lorenz did a tribute to Luther Vandross, with "Never Too Much," "A House
is Not a Home" and then broke into an unexpected version of pop-group Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy.""
Alexis Brown for The Rebell Yell,
Oct. 02, 2006
new! . . .
"The lights dimmed and Carey appeared on stage in a black bikini and cape [
] and sang "It's Like That"
before busting into a series of hits such as "Heartbreaker, "Dream Lover," 1998's "My All," 2005's "Shake
it Off" and a great version of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," a duet with long-time supporter, singer
Trey Lorenz."
Chris Hansen Orf for East Valley Tribune,
Oct. 11, 2006
. . . back to top
"Q&A CANVAS" INTERVIEW WITH MARIAH CAREY
AOL BlackVoices, April 06, 2005
AOL: Will Trey Lorenz or any of your other old friends be signed to your label?
MC: You know what? Trey is on a lot of songs on the new album. He's like family to me at this point.
He's really doing his own thing right now; a lot of writing, and an inspirational project he's working
on. So I'm all about supporting him in whatever thing he's working on.
by Jimi Izrael
. . . back to top
PRESS COMMENTARIES FOR MARIAH CAREY'S
"CHARMBRACELET" TOUR
August - September 2003
"During a terrific duet with Trey Lorenz on the old Jackson 5 hit, "Ill Be There," one of this group
a young Asian man from San Francisco named Sam took Careys offer to sing along too seriously and
jumped on stage. The surprise of it didnt faze her Mariah played along with amazing aplomb although
Lorenz looked a little shocked. He said into the open mike, "I dont know about this, fans coming on
stage." Luckily Sam was harmless but something tells me this wont be happening again anytime soon."
Roger Friedman for
Fox News, Jul. 28, 2003
"A duet with backup singer Trey Lorenz on I'll Be There was another shining moment with the crowd singing
along."
Jason MacNeil for Toronto Sun, August 2003
"Mariahs four back up singers were phenomenal, especially the charismatic and uber-talented Trey Lorenz.
Just as he did 11 years before on MTV Unplugged, Lorenz joined Carey during a stunning rendition of
Ill Be There.'"
Theresa Cano for
Arizona Central, Aug. 24, 2003
"In contrast to any suggestion of haughty diva-ness, the 33-yearold Carey was giving and appreciative of
her singers, allowing them to shine on a song of their own and in "I'll Be There," her Jackson 5 cover
that featured singer Trey Lorenz.
The crowd of 2,261 (with a capacity of about 2,500) responded accordingly, giving the singer an
enthusiastic reaction that was earned and deserved."
Bill Dean for The Ledger, September 2003
"Another highlight: Carey and singer Trey Lorenz dueting on her soulful rendition of I'll Be There by the
Jackson 5."
Gina Vivinetto for
St. Petersburg Times, Sep. 04, 2003
. . . back to top
"MUSIC TO MY EARS - TREY LORENZ:
THE VISION BEHIND THE VOICE"
(unknown / 1992)
He was a find at first sight, a star at first falsetto flight, and, while the world recognized the
former backup singer's exceptional gifts the instant his pipes penetrated the troposphere on MTV's
"Unplugged" last March, still nobody really knows Trey Lorenz. So Mariah Carey figures it's time
we were all properly introduced.
"Everybody kept asking, "Who's the guy singing?" says Carey, swiveling giddily on a stool in the
control room at Manhattan's Right Track Studios. She is describing the since oft-retelecast moment
during the live "Unplugged" taping at Kaufman Astoria Studios when Lorenz cut loose on the "Jermaine
part" of her cover of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There." Fact is, Lorenz's aerial larynx acrobatics at
the bridge of the vintage R&B classic proved the most crowd-pleasing eruption of vocal yearning since
Carey's own high-pitched exploits on her May 1990 "Vision of Love" debut.
"I really didn't want all the fun and interest behind him with the "I'll Be There" record to go to
waste," Carey continues, nodding to the gangly, grinning Lorenz, who's seated opposite her, "so we
just went at it for about three months, worked really hard and made this." She flicks the mixing
console faders forward to near-maximum volume level, while the tape begins to roll for "Someone To
Hold," the kickoff single (written by Carey, Lorenz, and Walter Afanasieff) from the forthcoming
self-titled Epic album, "Trey Lorenz."
What spills from the mixing-room monitors is a supple soul soprano, feathery but vibrantly flexible,
that's been framed in a buoyant vocal arrangement by Carey. Sailing across a glistening tide-pool of
descants from Mariah, Will Downing, Audrey Wheeler, and Cindy Mizelle, Lorenz's dusky-to-dulcet vocal
lead is a decisive devotional oath, seemingly capable of any sort of coloration, yet never flaunting
its myriad strengths. On a ballad this straight forward, the danger would have been to descend into
the labored yelps and modulations that veteran R&B helmsman Jerry Wexler has described as "over-souling."
Happily, as with album's other top tracks ("Always In Love," "Photograph Of Mary," "Run Back To Me,"
"It Only Hurts When Its Love," and a swirly rendition of the Commodores' "Just to Be Close to You",
principal producers Afanasieff and Carey kept Lorenz" arsenal of agilities in check, reserving the
gymnastics for points of legitimate storytelling impact. Guest producer Keith Thomas, known for his
work with Amy Grant ("Baby Baby") and Vanessa Williams ("Save The Best For Last"), followed a similar,
tightly controlled course with "Run Back To Me," harnessing Lorenz's lung power as if shaping a series
of horn solos. Consequently, "Trey Lorenz" has the same blend of proficiency and providence that brought
him to the attention of both Carey and MTV's viewership in the first place.
"I met Trey in February 1990," says Carey, "when I was working on my first album. I was recording a song
called "There's Got To Be A Way," and one of the backup singers was friends with Trey and had brought
him down to the studio for the session. I heard someone singing all the high, top notes with me and I'm
like, "Who is that?" I turned around and it was Trey.
"So he kept singing backup for me, working on my "Emotions" album, and then we went to Europe for a
ppearances. Then last summer I was doing a rehearsal for a showcase show at the Club Tatou (in New York)
and I had him sing for a couple of people at the label, a cappella, just riffing and ad-libbing -- and
that was it.
"But we also were involved in the preparation for "Unplugged," and people kept saying to do an oldie.
Two nights before the actual show I decided on "I'll Be There" and said, "Trey, why don't you sing the
male part?" We had no plans to release the show on record when we originally did it, so the decision to
put the song out as a single was a total fluke. Eventually, we decided we should get going on his album,
and we wrote two songs, the second being 'Always In Love.'"
"It all happened just like she said!" exclaims the genial Lorenz, whose hectic discourse can rival the
vivacity of his best serenades. "I just happened to be in the room when Mariah was doing "There's Got To
Be A Way," and, you know, when you're in the studio so long, you get bored. I was singing along with the
guys, just going along with the song, and that's when she heard me. At that point, I was in my junior year
at Farleigh Dickinson University, majoring in advertising, and I had been in a group that had quickly
disbanded called" -- he whimpers -- "Squeak & the Deep -- but we were only together for a minute!"
Lorenz's sheepishness concerning the outfit that immediately preceded his association with Carey is mild
compared to his embarrassment with his initial reaction to the news that "I'll Be There" would be released
as a single. Problem was, he couldn't honestly recall how he'd sounded on the performance -- which he
hadn't heard since the "Unplugged" session -- and he feared the worst. "I was like, "Whoa! Let me hear
it again!" I mean, great goodness, I think we were singing really good that day, but I wasn't so sure
about me." He smirks. "I was really relieved when I listened.
"When the song actually debuted at 13 in Billboard," he adds, "that's when I really lost it -- especially
after growing up in a small town where you don't have anything else to do but watch the charts, check the
record stores, and dream."
Most of Lorenz's professional reveries occurred in and around the old railroad town of Florence, S.C.,
where Trey grew up a proud "pine-bred" son of Lloyd Lorenz, the director of a local job-training program,
and wife Bernice, a history teacher at local Wilson High. Both parents sang in church, as did Trey, and
he learned to read music through a brief stretch of piano lessons. But by pure coincidence, the first song
he can ever recall singing was the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." By eighth grade, he was winning talent
shows with renditions of country pop like Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle's "You And I." He passed his
freshman and sophomore years lending vocals and keyboards to the Players, a Top 40 band whose set list
rambled from the Romantics to the Ramones.
The emergence of Trey Lorenz matches the equation of precocious talent rewarded with enthusiastic discovery
that lifted Carey to international prominence. The two artists also share a fondness for a certain brand
of material: "I really wanted to stick to melody," says Lorenz, "and not put out a track-oriented album
so much as group songs that could hopefully stand the test of time."
Much of the warmth contained on "Trey Lorenz" may be derived from the undisguised glee Carey found in
bestowing belief and support in the same measure it was once extended to her. Six tracks into her listening
preview at Right Track Studios, Lorenz's mentor can hardly contain her pride with the fruits of her
protege's labors."I'm trying not to talk too much and let the music speak for itself," she exults shyly,
"but I think people are ready to hear him."
by Timothy White
thanks to The Voice of Trey Lorenz
. . . back to top
"MARIAH'S WORK IS QUITE A PRODUCTION
LENDS HAND TO LORENZ WHILE PREPPING NEW SET"
(unknown / 1992)
NEW YORK Mariah Carey has worked nonstop since recording her multiplatinum debut in 1989. However, when
it came time to produce the Epic bow by her backup singer and protege Trey Lorenz, it was an offer she
could not refuse.
"Trey is a really good friend of mine and he's one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life. He's
so much fun to be around and he's really talented, so I was really into the project," Carey says.
Because of time constraints, she opted to produce or co-produce six of the tracks rather than the whole
self-titled album, which is due in stores Sept. 29. Working with her on five of the cuts was Walter
Afanasieff, with whom she shared a Grammy nomination for best producer last year for her Columbia album
"Emotions." Producers on the other tracks were Keith Thomas, Mark C. Rooney, Mark Morales, Glen Ballard,
and BeBe Winans.
Carey went into the project high on the success of her "Unplugged" EP and video. Taken from a taping of
the MTV acoustic performance program of the same name, "Unplugged" showcases Carey in a stripped-down
setting and introduced the world to backup singer Lorenz, with whom she duets on "I'll Be There."
Carey and Afanasieff were in the midst of writing material for her new album when "Unplugged" bulleted up
the charts. "Trey came over and it became a Trey writing session instead," Carey says. "We just made the
time to go in and do it. So many people had noticed Trey from "I'll Be There" and we wanted people to
remember him from that and have that excitement."
Knowledge gained from the "Unplugged" experience made her a better producer, she says. She also learned a
lot while in the studio."'Unplugged' taught me a lot about myself because I tend to nit pick everything I
do and make it a little too perfect because I'm a perfectionist. I also learned a lot from working with
Trey because when you're working with another singer and the singer's going, 'Oh, I hate that, that sounds
horrible' and you're going, 'No it's great,' that's what everyone always does to me. I'll always go over
the real raw stuff and now I've gotten to the point where I understand that the raw stuff is usually
better."
That understanding shows on the six-pack of songs Carey produced. The tunes are polished and radio-friendly
without being too slick or formulaic. The arrangements, which Carey also oversaw in most cases, range from
lean and restrained on "How Can I Say Goodbye" to lush and layered on a remake of the Commodores' "Just
To Be Close To You."
There is a cohesion to the tracks that belies the fact that Carey and Afanasieff were often producing 3,000
miles apart. "Walter would start the tracks out in San Francisco and he would the send the rough skeleton
of the track out to me," Carey says"in N.Y. "I would put on all the backgrounds and leads with Trey.
Walter came in at the end and we did more overdubs and things together."
Surprisingly, the toughest tracks for Carey to produce were the two she had co-written. "It's almost harder
to do the ones I wrote because I'm sort of writing them as we go along. When you don't have a demo to
refer to and you're doing the track, it's like, 'What am I going to sing on this line and how should the
background go on this one?,' as opposed to when someone else has already written it and you just do it."
Because both Carey and Lorenz are singers, Carey says they could communicate on more levels than just
producer and artist. "When you're a singer and someone is producing you who's not, they don't (always)
understand when you want to do things a few times or when you want to try things out a different way.
The producer should really make sure they are creating a great vibe and environment for the artist. You
just have to reassure them and let them know that you understand how it feels. So I think if anything
qualifies me to produce, it's that. I'm coming from that singing point of view."
For Carey, vocal arranging and singing background were the best parts of producing. "I love singing
background vocals; that's my favorite thing," she says. "I love doing them by myself, but it's also fun
singing with a group. Both Trey and I love R&B singing and gospel vocal arrangements. It was basically
an unspoken thing where we just made the vocal arrangements a really dominant part of the music."
This project was so enjoyable, Carey says she is considering some other production plans, though she's
keeping names close to the vest. "I have some things in mind that I really don't want to get into only
because they're totally premature, but I have plans to do some other artists that I've encountered,
possibly a contemporary gospel (artist). There are so many amazing songs that I would love to do over
with someone else singing."
But for now, it's time to work on her third studio album. She goes back into the studio later this month
with Afanasieff with lessons learned from her latest experiences. "Sometimes when I tend to do things by
myself, I tend to double (my vocals) a little too exact and make it a little too slick sounding. But with
this and 'Unplugged,' it did help me realize that you can make something tight without it being too tight
and that's OK."
by Nda Newman
|
|
