Alyson Williams

Alyson Williams (born May 11, 1962) is an R&B singer who had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Some notable tracks include "Sleep Talk", "My Love Is So Raw" and "I Need Your Lovin".

Alyson Williams
Born (1962-05-11) May 11, 1962
New York City, New York
OriginNew York City
GenresR&B
House
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1980–1992, 2004–present
LabelsProfile Records
Def Jam
Columbia
Associated actsHigh Fashion

Career

The daughter of bandleader / trumpeter Bobby Booker, she began her career by singing background vocals for various artists including, Curtis Hairston, Melba Moore (“Love’s Coming At Ya”), B. B. & Q. Band, Cashflow, Unlimited Touch, Bobby Brown and Barbara Mitchell before joining the group High Fashion, which also featured Meli’sa Morgan. After they disbanded, Alyson sang with the group The Affair before moving onto a solo career.

Her first single, “Yes We Can Can”, was first released on Profile Records in 1986; a release on the Def Jam label followed in 1987. At the label, she established herself as an in demand vocalist, duetting with many of her label mates including Chuck Stanley (“Make You Mine Tonight”) and Oran "Juice" Jones (“How To Love Again”).

Her first album release and the first R&B female singer signed to Def Jam, she released the album Raw in 1989. The album produced the singles “My Love is So Raw”, featuring rapper Nikki D,and “Sleep Talk”. In addition, the single “Just Call My Name” was a hit on the Billboard R&B charts reaching number #4. The song, picked up by many “Quiet storm” formats, is now considered a cult classic and is still played. The album included a duet with the Blue Magic vocalist Ted Mills on “We’re Gonna Make It”. Her single “I Need Your Lovin'” was also a #8 success in the UK, as well as another R&B hit for her.

Alyson also recorded with Tashan on the track “Do You Wanna Know”, taken from his On The Horizon outing. She additionally toured with him in the United Kingdom. In 1991, Alyson recorded “She’s Not Your Fool” for the soundtrack to the movie Livin’ Large. The track was included upon her 1991 self-titled album.

Alyson also ventured into acting. She portrayed her friend Phyllis Hyman in a play called "Thank God, The Beat Goes On." She also played the role of Marvin Gaye's mother, Alberta, in a play called "My Brother, Marvin" that was produced by Marvin's sister, Zeola.

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
US
R&B
[1]		 UK
[2]
1989 Raw 25 29 Def Jam/Columbia
1992 Alyson Williams 31 — OBR/Columbia
2004 It's About Time — — Three Keys Music
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays
  • Cooked: The Remix Album (1990, Def Jam)

Singles
Year Single Peak chart Positions Album
US
R&B
[1]		 US
Dan
[1]		 IRE
[4]		 NL
[5]		 NZ
[6]		 UK
[2]
1986 "Yes We Can Can" — — — — — — N/A
1987 "Make You Mine Tonight" (with Chuck Stanley) 66 — — — — — Raw
1989 "Sleep Talk" 3 3 24 31 35 17
"My Love Is So Raw" (featuring Nikki D) 12 28 — 39 — 34
"I Need Your Lovin'" 5 — — — — 8
"Just Call My Name" 4 — — — — —
"I Second That Emotion" — — — — — 44 Cooked: The Remix Album
1990 "Not on the Outside" 35 — — — — — Raw
1991 "She's Not Your Fool" — — — — — — Alyson Williams
1992 "Can't Have My Man" 7 — — — — —
"Just My Luck" 6 — — — — —
"Everybody Knew But Me" 63 — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References
  1. "US Charts > Alyson Williams". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  2. "UK Charts > Alyson Williams". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  3. "Alyson Williams: Raw". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  4. "IRE Charts Search > Alyson Williams". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  5. "NL Charts > Alyson Williams". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  6. "NZ Charts > Alyson Williams". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
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