Wild Orchid is the debut album by the American girl group Wild Orchid, released on March 25, 1997. It is their most successful album, selling nearly a million units worldwide. The album was nominated for two Lady of Soul Awards. It spawned the singles "Talk to Me", "At Night I Pray" and "Supernatural".
Contents
Production
After signing a recording contract with RCA Records, the trio wrote and recorded songs throughout 1995 with the help of Renee's songwriter brother Bobby Sandstrom. The album took approximately nine months to complete.
Release and promotion
They released their debut single "At Night I Pray" on September 3, 1996, with the album due for an October 29, 1996, release. However, it was postponed twice, first to February 11, 1997. It was eventually released on March 25, 1997.
The album debuted with its highest chart position in Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart at #153.
The album also received two Billboard Music Award nominations for "Talk to Me" and two Soul Train Lady of Soul Award nominations - one for Album of the Year By a Group, Band or Duo and one for Best Music Video for "Talk to Me". The group also received an American Music Award for Favorite R&B/Soul Artist.
Promotion
Wild Orchid spent 1996 and 1997 promoting their debut album. They made appearances on Soul Train, Ricki Lake, Access Hollywood, MTV, Wild On!, The RuPaul Show,
Hard Copy, The HitList with Tarzan Dan, Vibe, Mad TV, The Pat Bullard Show, Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends, Terry Bradshaw, Crook and Chase, The Jenny Jones Show, Electric Circus and Goode Behavior. The group also toured with 98 Degrees and 'N Sync across the U.S., Canada and Asia.
The singles "At Night I Pray", "Talk to Me" and "Supernatural", were modest hits, each appearing on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.
Promotional remixes of "Follow Me" and "I Won't Play the Fool" were released in May 1998; "I Won't Play the Fool" charted within the top ten on the Billboard magazine Dance/Club songs chart.
Track listing
"At Night I Pray" (Duran, Bobby Sandstrom, Wild Orchid) – 4:16
"Supernatural" (Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Wild Orchid) – 4:38
"I Won't Play the Fool" (Sylvia Bennett-Smith) – 4:26
"Talk to Me" (Antonina Armato, Junior Vasquez) – 4:48
"The River" (Bennett-Smith) – 4:28
"You Don't Own Me" (Ron Fair, Wild Orchid, Matthew Wilder)– 4:23
"My Tambourine" (Sandstrom, Wild Orchid) – 4:30
"Follow Me" (Bennett-Smith, Wild Orchid) – 4:15
"He's Alright" (Fabian Cook, Fair, Sandstrom, Wild Orchid) – 5:15
"Love Will Wait" (Clif Magness, Wild Orchid) – 4:05
"Life" (Fair, Stefanie Ridel) – 4:35
Charts
Album - Billboard (United States)
Singles - Billboard (United States)
Accolades
1997 Billboard Video Music Award Nomination : Best Dance/Club Clip Of The Year: Talk To Me
1997 Billboard Video Music Award Nomination : Best Dance/Club Clip (New Artist) : Talk To Me
1997 Lady Of Soul Award Nomination : Best R&B/Soul or Rap Album by Group Band Or Duo : Wild Orchid
1997 Lady Of Soul Award Nomination : Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video : Talk To Me