The Dreamer (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Tamyra Gray (background vocals); Eg (guitar, strings, keyboards, programming); Luke Brighty (guitar, Fender Rhodes piano); Chris Camozzi, Michael Biancaniello, Derrick Joshua, Mark Jaimes (guitar); John Wittenberg, Bob Peterson, Joel Derouin, Sid Page, Peter Kent, Armen Garabedian, Josephina Vergara, Susan Chatman, Berj Garabedian, Mario Diaz de Leon (violin); Matt Funes, Darrin McCann, Denyse Buffum (viola); Joseph Stone (oboe); Guy Baker, Guy Barker (trumpet); The Postmaker (horns); Derrick Martin, James McMillan (keyboards, programming); E.G. (keyboards); Derek Martin (drums); Tamra Gray, Sam Watters, Edward Eason, Kecia Sanders, Roseland Holmes, Sterlena Hithe, Traneen Young, Jimmy Fisher & Contagious Praise, Felicia McNair, J & S Singers, Ron DeShay, Nicole LaBeach, Sonya Byous, Yvette Mitchell, Cheryl Brown, Bonita Brisco, Tyree Mills, Di Reed, Jessica Jones, Keith Allen , Cammie Knight, Demeka Jackson (background vocals); Priscilla Jones Campbell (vocals); Dameon Aranda, Mark James, Vernon "Ice" Black (guitar); Louis Biancaniello (keyboards, programming).

Audio Mixers: Louis Biancaniello; Brad Gilderman.

Recording information: Angelic Studios, London, England; Bams Green, West Sussex, England; Brittania Row, London, England; Homesite 13, Novato, CA; NRG Studio, Hollywood, CA; Quietmoney Studios; Silver Sun Studio, Flint, MI; Supasound, London, England; The EGbox, London, England; The Little Big Room, Burbank, CA.

Photographer: Tony Duran.

Arrangers: Sam Watters; Louis Biancaniello; David Campbell ; Derrick Martin; Derrick Joshua.

When Tamyra Gray was voted off AMERICAN IDOL early in its initial season (just as the phenomenon of the TV talent show was just beginning to take shape), it sparked the first of many controversies for the series. Gray's talent was evident from early on in the contest, but fate can be fickle and unpredictable, particularly when controlled by television viewers. She was excised from the show, way too early, many felt. AMERICAN IDOL has spawned a number of instant superstars and chart-topping albums, but Gray's debut offering, THE DREAMER, arriving two years after her AI stint, hints that she could outlast them all.

THE DREAMER is a spirited mix of beautifully dirty funk and deep-fried soul jams. Gray offers testimonial from the outset with the 1970s-Motown-infused "Star," but swiftly slows it down with the lush, horn-laden "Legend" and the Aretha Franklin-channeling ballad, "Raindrops Will Fall." Gray writes or co-writes almost all of the songs on her debut, and it's impressive that the record rarely missteps while rolling tempos back and forth. minimize