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Title track 'Affirmation' follows. This is a dark moody track. It makes a good change and shows Beverleys ability to change style and be a very versatile artist. Another thought provoking track about human preconception.
From dark and broody to kitsch cowgirl with 'Supasonic'. This is ... Read review
Beverley Knight's fourth album Affirmation is worthy of her reputation as Britain's ... more
premier soul and R&B performer. A progression from her last album, Who I Am, here there is a great selection of songs with lively, dynamic arrangements. The instant hig...
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Beverley Knight's fourth albumAffirmationis worthy of her reputation as Britain's premier ... more
soul and R&B performer. A progression from her last album,Who I Am, here there is a great selection of songs with lively, dynamic arrangements. The instant highli...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Beverley Knight's fourth albumAffirmationis worthy of her reputation as Britain's premier ... more
soul and R&B performer. A progression from her last album,Who I Am, here there is a great selection of songs with lively, dynamic arrangements. The instant highlight is opening track and lead single "Come as You Are" cowritten with Robbie Williams' ex-partner Guy Chambers, and is a rocky power-soul number à la Tina Turner. It begins with a catchy melody that builds into a crescendo of drums, guitars and swirling organs backing Knight's impassioned, world-class vocals.The rest ofAffirmationis a little more subdued but no less accomplished. "Supasonic" is a fresh-sounding homage to the purple Prince--funky, catchy with a great melody and guitar hook that sucks you in. On the gentler side, "No One ever Loves in Vain", another song with Chambers, is soulful, stripped-down and slinky with a lush piano complimenting Knight perfectly. A few songs such as "Keep the Fire Burning" and the title track are more contemporary R&B-influenced but not overtly poppy as to cheapen the rest of the of the album. It's this diversity with taste that makesAffirmationanother great album from the UK's soul queen. --Georgina Collins
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Advantages: Even the ballads are good! Disadvantages: Too many ballads in one go but they are all excellent!
After her song 'Get Up!' was played insessently by a former housemate of mine, I started tgetting really into Beverley.
First I got her 'Who I Am' album and after loving that I got 'Prodigal Sister'. Both albums were excellent a good mix of uptempo and ballads. Good blends of pop, r&b and soul.
When 'Come As You Are' came out I was interested in the fact that she seemed to have changed her image and her sound. So was ... ...The album was listened to a couple of time but didnt instantly grab me... until now! I'm off (with AndyMc1976) to see her live on the 14th of April and so i dug her out an popped her on my Zen... I was really shocked I hadnt listened to this album alot more cos its superb!
'Come As You Are' starts the album off in full rock romp style! Full of heavy bass and guitars with dirty lyrics and a soaring chorus, a real feel good track. 'Not ... more
After her song 'Get Up!' was played insessently by a former housemate of mine, I started tgetting really into Beverley.
First I got her 'Who I Am' album and after loving that I got 'Prodigal Sister'. Both albums were excellent a good mix of uptempo and ballads. Good blends of pop, r&b and soul.
When 'Come As You Are' came out I was interested in the fact that she seemed to have changed her image and her sound. So was intrigued to get her latest album 'Affirnation'.
The album was listened to a couple of time but didnt instantly grab me... until now! I'm off (with AndyMc1976) to see her live on the 14th of April and so i dug her out an popped her on my Zen... I was really shocked I hadnt listened to this album alot more cos its superb!
'Come As You Are' starts the album off in full rock romp style! Full of heavy bass and guitars with dirty lyrics and a soaring chorus, a real feel good track. 'Not Too Late For Love' starts the ballad theme. This song is an upbeat affair and has more of a message than the latter track. It didnt do well in the charts which surprised me as its by no means bland.
Next is the Chris Martin (of Coldplay) co-written track 'First Time'. This is possibly the weakest most lack-lustre track. Its nice, but nice isnt my favourite word. It doesnt seem to go anywhere and considering Chris co-wrote Jamelia's 'See It In A Boy's Eye's' (superb) and you feel Beverely didnt make the most of this oppourtunity.
Then it gets upbeat again with 'Straight Jacket'. This song is one of the albums highlights. Its a real storyteller song about being confined and judged. The lyrics vocals and instruments make a haunting uptempo track (a rare feat) this if released could be her anthem track.
'Keep This Fire Burning' follows in full R&B Diva force. This song has a brandy-esque feel about it with full on R&B beats and would be a good America breakthrough track. Its possibly the most commercial track on the album, and has a real dancey quality. Is a good upbeat break between ballads.
'No One Ever Loves In Vain' is a touchy sod your heart out affair. Singing of the loss of her best friend who passed away. You cannot help be touched by this simple melodic number that will also get stuck in your head. Its simplicity and honesty is its charm. I like it when you can feel what an artist feels.
Title track 'Affirmation' follows. This is a dark moody track. It makes a good change and shows Beverleys ability to change style and be a very versatile artist. Another thought provoking track about human preconception.
From dark and broody to kitsch cowgirl with 'Supasonic'. This is a wicked track but isnt really supasonic. I'd expect electro beats and a thumping dancey-ness. Reminds me of Imanni Copalla if anyone remebers her. A catchy bit of fun.
Another song am not sure got its full potential is 'Tea & Sympathy' a mix of moody and ballad it kinda doesnt know what it is. Its not awful, but its no stand out track sadly.
I love the simplicity of 'Below My Radar'. The lyrics 'you can only tune in so far, before life freezes you as you are'. With violins and acoustics and a 'radar beep' in the back this is quite haunting. A beautiful mellow track, that I have on repeat (right now lol).
'Under The Same Sun' sounds like a Will Young song. Its really chilled soul and jazz effects and simple vocals. With stunning notes thrown in for good measure before the simple chorus which is full of harmonies. This is about everyones daily life and strife. Would be a good Briget Jones track.
Upbeat once more for the excellent 'Til I See Ya' which I'm shocked I never Zen'd lol! Starts quietly and simply before becoming a summery violin and string filled stormer. Now sits happily on my Zen in 'favourites'. This is a summer tune as is its follower 'Salvador'.
'Salvador' is a spanish/mexican midtempo ballad pop song. It almost falls into mediocre but yet has a certain endearing quality that stops you from skipping. Another chilled lounge like track!
'Remember Me' is the final track (there is a hidden one - more of that later) this is still in demo form as Beverley didnt think she culd sing it as well again. She was doing herself a dis-service but it is extremely raw in vocal and emotional terms. This is about love gone wrong and though a sad ending its not a depressing song. Simple and stunning.
There is a hidden track thats very 'Made It Back' sounding and shouldnt have been hidden as its really good. Lots of trumpets and sax...we like. I would have shoved this between some ballads, but I'm not the producer lol!
Overall, this is a superb album full of funk of all flavours! I dunno why i didnt listen to it more! I'm ashamed! Am now sooooo excited about seeing her live! I'm sure myself and Andy will give you a review in full of the evenings events on the 15th of April!
Advantages: Great quality vocals and production; contrasting styles and moods. Disadvantages: None worth mentioning
The first time I saw Beverley Knight was on the one and only occasion I was a guest in the directors lounge of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on a cold dark evening two years ago. I’d never heard of her. The second time was performing the now classic, explosive ‘Come As You Are’ in the Olympic torch show in the Mall, with a backdrop of Buckingham Palace. Such a contrast in venues, but no more than is the varied influences and styles she shows on this ... ...Houston and Arethra Franklin if you need to categorise her, but that would be to restrict the definition if this album is the judge. No sooner you define her, she breaches the boundary. It’s rare for me to play an album immediately a second time but let that be the measure of how much I like this, despite not having too many soul albums in my collection. The influences range from David Nicholson’s Spanish guitar weaved seamlessly into ‘Salvador’ ...
PeterWolf 20.07.2004
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...to her soul roots, Knight’s Affirmation embraces pop-rock, funk, and blues. Highlights on the album include the soul-wrenching No One Ever Loves in Vain and Remember Me - both spine-tingling ballads and tributes to Knight’s closest friend who lost his battle with AIDS.
The soul diva-ish Supersonic and Come As You Are recognisably co-written by Chambers, boasts hints of rock and go down as perfect upbeat summer tunes, both being strong single contenders. ... ...struggle to match. Affirmation is an album where every you will find something you love in every song. Carry on listening past remember me for a plesant suprise! If this doesn’t win Bev a Brit next year, nothing will! You go girl!
Full track listings:
1. Come As You Are 2. Not Too Late For Love 3. First Time 4. Straight Jacket 5. Keep This Fire Burning 6. No One Ever Loves In Vain 7. Affirmation 8. Supasonic 9. Tea & Sympathy 10. Below My Radar ...
funphobic2 17.08.2004
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...only 3.30 secs long
Affirmation (Guy Chambers) - better, more original than previous songs. Just as you're getting into it it ends!!!
Supasonic - tempo moves up a gear for the 1st time. Reminds me of Prince - must have been influenced from working with him on the last album. Funky track which makes u want to persevere.
Tea & Sympathy - back to mellow, chill out, background music
Tracks 10-14 - much of the same (although Till I C Ya has a catchy ... ...poppy little number As a ballad album this is great, but I prefer a CD that has more influences and variety (other than the first song). Do not drive to this CD (liable to doze off), this is for quiet, relaxing winter nights in with wine and chocolate or would suit a long soak in the bath with candles flickering.
Reading this back I've made it sound quite dull and samey, but afterall it is only my opinion and others will disagree I'm sure.
Hard ...
catsbennett 18.07.2004 (03.10.2004)
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