...
Track 7 Diary: My personal favourite on the album. This track is very relaxing and mellow causing the listener to relax also. I especially found the way she related the song to the album title most effective. In this song she is singing to a boy to assure him that his secrets will stay ... Read review
her life over the five years it took to complete, her follow up,The Diary Of, is the scribbled footnotes of the very busy two years since. She's certainly kept tab...
her life over the five years it took to complete, her follow up, The Diary Of, is the scribbled footnotes of the very busy two years since. She's certainly kept tabs on what's been going on--the old-skool R&B influences so evident on her debut have become overshadowed by the kind of people she previously stood apart from. Witness "Karma"; with its harsh beats, undulating background string section and funky, slightly dirty groove, it could easily be a Justin Timberlake song, as could the Timberland-produced "Heartburn". She plays it safe on "If I Ain't Got You" and "Diary" though, and there is still much to enjoy that can directly be attributed to her oft-mentioned classical training and childhood influences. It's also easy to forget what an amazing voice she has, best demonstrated here on "If I Was Your Woman". And for all her fancy ivory work, remember that it was the simplicity of "Falling's" descending piano line that sent her career into the ionosphere. There is nothing like that here, just the painful noise of Nas and Rankin contributing to "Streets Of New York". The Diary Of is neither one thing nor the other. A curious mix of slick modern R&B tinged with influences from the past (often sampled ones) and her own more traditionally arranged soul. If she'd put all her energy into completely modernising her sound then she could easily rival Beyoncé. Instead she's imitated the past and copied the present--if she'd looked to the future then perhaps her true talent could have been fully realised. --Cortman Virtue
A review by base453 on Diary Of Alicia Keys, The - Alicia Keys September 12th, 2004
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Not applicable
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
Value for Money
Advantages:
A Chance to hear Classical music work so well with Hip Hop and Jazz
Disadvantages:
None what so ever .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
The diary of Alicia Keys is a brilliant album which combines a wide variety of sounds in a unique way. Alicia Keys uses her raw talent effortlessly to create a vibrant hip hop and soulful classic sound which combined, creates the type of music you do not want leaving your CD player.
Track 1 Harlem’s Nocturne: In this track Alicia Keys has explored the use of semi-quavers in a free and expressive tempo. Such characteristics are usually found in classical pieces. Towards the end of the song the tempo changes to moderate and steady, therefore creating a perfect example of how well classical and hip hop sounds work. By showing this on the very first song she is keeping her audience intrigued and wanting more.
Track 2 Karma: is second on the album. This is a moderately slow song which creates a moody atmosphere. The lyrics also are moody as they involve her talking about someone who no longer wanted to be with her and then all of a sudden they change their mind begging for her to come back. Her response to this is ‘what goes around comes around’.
Track 3 Heartburn: This track is of a relatively fast tempo. This- like ‘Harlem’s Nocturne’-is also made up of many semi quavers emphasising the speed of the song. It’s an upbeat song which matches the lyrical content as she is singing about a boy who she likes so much that he makes her heart pound and gives her heartburn. It is not however a feeling that she does not like as she says ‘taste so good, I can’t resist’.
Track 4 If I was your woman/ walk on by: Is made up of a consistently basic bass line however, the melody has a very long range on the keyboard. It is an upbeat song and therefore has an upbeat tempo. The lyrical content of this song is of a pleading and maybe even jealous nature. She is constantly comparing herself to the girlfriend of the man she likes making remarks such as ‘she tears you down darlin’, says you’re nothing at all, but I’ll pick you up darlin’ when she lets you go’. This could also suggest that they is an element of possessiveness in there also.
Track 5 You don’t know my name: This track is a very audacious song which exploit’s the use of block chords and quavers. The glissandos during each chorus create a happy atmosphere for the listener also. This is because she is happy whilst singing about a man that she likes so she therefore wants us to empathise with what she is feeling.
Track 6 If I ain’t got you: Is a very beautiful song made up of quavered melody accompanied by a basic and easy-to-play bass. The lyrical content is very meaningful and touching as she talks about material things being nothing compared to the one/s you love.
Track 7 Diary: My personal favourite on the album. This track is very relaxing and mellow causing the listener to relax also. I especially found the way she related the song to the album title most effective. In this song she is singing to a boy to assure him that his secrets will stay with her so to think of her as the pages in his diary.
Track 8 Dragon Days: This song consists of a basic bass line, therefore making it an easy-listening song. However, this can also be seen as boring and repetitive. The tempo is quite moderate which adds to the boring vibe.
Track 9 Wake Up: This song’s lyrical content is very strong and one to listen to carefully. But not only is Alicia sending out a positive message to her audience, she has accompanied her words with a strong rhythm and melody therefore creating the perfect song.
Track 10 So Simple: This is also another one of my personal favourites from this album. The chorus includes a beautiful harmony which continues throughout the whole of it. This is the best bit of the song. The bass line is repetitive and therefore consist but in this case it is not boring.
Track 11 When you really love Someone: is another song with a great lyrical content. She is singing about how much men and women should not take each other for granted and what the perfect partner should be like. The piano accompaniment is especially significant to me because she uses a range of different techniques which are all very effective.
Track 12 Feeling u, feeling me: This track is an interlude . It -like ‘Diary’- is another easy-listening and relaxing song. It has a jazzy vibe which is the main aspect which I love. I like Alicia’s vocals on this because its almost like a lullaby sending me to sleep.
Track 13 Slow Down: Alicia’s vocals on this song are very low during the verses and then as the bridge and chorus approaches, she becomes higher. The melody changes frequently in this song which keeps the listener entertained.
Track 14 Samsonite Man: is the penultimate song on the album. It is a negative song lyrically but the tune is quite catchy and it also has a Wild West sound to it. The chorus is quite bold as it consists of many block chords. I think that this is to emphasise her anger.
Track 15 Nobody Not really: This is a sad song with a sad melody. However, the arpeggio sounding introduction and bass line has a very beautiful sound to it. Her vocals are also beautiful sounding as they have a very long range which complements the bass line nicely. To round it off, this song is short and sweet.
Overall, I would say that this album is one to definitely buy if you are into a classical/jazz/hip hop combination. If not then I strongly advise that you still do not hesitate to add this album to your collection. The entire album is very easy-listening and mellow and everyone needs at least one album like this to listen to.
Advantages: Some of the tracks are quite good Disadvantages: Lots of mediocrity, a few very bad tracks
...was how I heard "The Diary of Alicia Keys" being reviewed. Truth be told, it is a fairly patchy album. The worst parts of the album would be the starting point, as there are only really two. "Streets of New York" featuring Nas and Rakim is a brief, slightly bland hip-hop track that is saved only by it's protagonists voice. Unfortunately, the soul-artist-doing-hip-hop thing is played better by people like Angie Stone who did a fantastic rap bonus ... ...In comparison, Keys seems to fall kinda short here.
The other downfall is "So Simple" for it's abysmal chipmunk-through-a-vocoder sound that has been created when some sound engineer fiddled with Keys' otherwise superb voice. It sounds a bit like the work of a "dodgy DJ Dave" who spends his day fiddling with knobs and buttons for his enjoyment, and then does the same at night on a funfair in Ipswich. Whatever creative thought went in to that has ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: every track amazing, great step back to real Rnb Disadvantages: ?
...new version.
the track Diary is amazing, i first heard this when i was listening to radio one and broadcasted the live version of the song...and the live version is alot better that the album version!, illustrating her true talent. The track plays with the piano mainly, and also features JON B, who is also a well known Rnb singer. great track.
one of the songs she produced and wrote is If i aint got you baby (sorry started to sing along then!), ... ...Got You 7. Diary 8. Dragon Days 9. Wake Up 10. So Simple 11. When You Really Love Someone 12. Feeling U, Feeling Me (Interlude) 13. Slow Down 14. Samsonite Man 15. Nobody Not Really (Interlude) so what can i say, a truely brill album, that brings back the real blues in Rnb. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A good follow-up to a first album... Disadvantages: Some weak songs...
To be honest, when I knew Alicia's second album was coming out I was dubious. I certainly didnt rush to the shops to buy it. After the success of Songs in A minor, I was concerned that its successor would be a weak follow-up.
Overall I was proved wrong. Having heard 'U dont know my name' played endlessly on the radio I loved the track but was worried that the album would be selling on this song alone. However, a few listens proves that although ... ...its soulful success.
Strongest tracks on this album are those where Alicia concentrates on a more soul type vibe. Whether she uses the more old-skool sound of soul revival, as in 'If i were your woman' or a more updated soul vibe as evidenced in 'Diary' these songs are strong and cohesive. I would say they show off her voice fantastically whilst sustaining a fantastic emotional intensity. 'If i aint got you' is an amazing song as well as a great ...
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Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
Value for Money
helpful
26.06.2004
I love this album Review ofDiary Of Alicia Keys, The - Alicia Keysby
CSImojuntaineer
Advantages: Really calming, the girl can sing! Disadvantages: It won't play on my Mac, Whatever happened to including lyrics in albums?
I first got this album for Christmas. I had only heard 'you don't know my name' at that point.
I was pleasantly suprised to find that I enjoyed almost every track on the album, my immediate favourites being 'when you really love someone' and the fantastic (but so over-played) 'if i ain't got you'.
The tracks on the version are as follows:
*harlem's nocture - I think I made a concious descion to skip this track, as after hearing it once, I didn't ... ...heartburn - it's nice to have a variety of tempo on an album, and this adds a upbeat feel.
£if i was your woman - I enjoyed this song, and had it on replay for quite a while
£you don't know my name - still just as brilliant as ever - but I'm still in two minds about the talky bit!
£if i aint got you - the lyrics to this song are lovely, and I listened to this song for hours. It's a real shame that radio stations had to do the same!
%£diary - ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Originalty Disadvantages: there is nothing wrong with the album
...proved that she could. The diary of Alicia Keys, once again stretches Alicia's originality in songwriting, producing and her vocal ability. She presents to us an updated Motown feel that this century is lacking in the charts..
If you love your slow jams, then by all means you will just love this album. its one of those albums that you can leave in your cd player for months without skipping a track and play it every day until your hi-fi even gets ... ...is Diary' feat Toni! Toni! Tone! This is a heart felt track with jazz and blues influences. Other songs to look out for on the album are: 'if i was your woman', 'When You really Love someone' and 'If I Ain't Got You'. (Look out for the kanye west remix and the usher duet remix of this track, that unfortunately are not on the album)
Alicia keys more or less does this album alone with only a few featured artist; Nas and Rakim for the track, 'The Streets ...
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Label / Distributor: J / Sony Music/Arvato Services
Engineer: Tony Black; Walter Millsap III; Ann
Producer: Alicia Keys; Kanye West; Easy Mo Be
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Format: Performer
EAN: 828765862028
Catalogue Number: 82876586202
Additional notes
Album Notes: Personnel includes: Alicia Keys (vocals, piano, synthesizer); Tony Toni Tone (vocals); Rich Harrison, Andre Harris, Vidal Davis (various instruments); Sharif Hobley, Artie White, Ricky Quinones (guitar); Dwayne Wiggins (sitar, bass); Sanford Allen (violin); Richard Brice (viola); Eileen Folson (cello); Dave Watson (flute, saxophone); Joe Romano, Dave Watson (horns); Onree Gill (Fender Rhodes piano); Arckel Vickers (organ); Artie Reynolds, Steve Rodriguez (bass); Paul John, Steve Jordan (drums); Pablo Batista (percussion); Kerry "Crucial" Brothers, Easy Mo Bee (programming); Taneisha Smith, Erika Rose, L. Green, Cindy Mizelle, Katrese Barnes (background vocals). Producers include: Alicia Keys, Andre Harris, Vidal Davis, Rich Harrison, Kerry "Crucial" Brothers. On THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS, the classically trained vocalist/pianist follows up the success of her lauded debut by displaying an even more formidable knack for sophisticated soul. The elegant piano intro of "Harlem's Nocturne" quickly gives way to a driving beat and Keys' admission that "there are so many things that are on my mind." This sentiment proves true, as Keys proceeds to run through a wide range of musical styles, from string-laden R&B on "Karma" to Timbaland-produced funk on "Heartburn" to a potent soul-pop medley of "If I Was Your Woman/Walk On By." Keys' personal touch on DIARY extends to her role as producer on many of the album's tracks, including the sultry, show-stopping "If I Ain't Got You" and the haunting "Diary" (featuring Tony Toni Tone). As this confident sophomore album reveals, SONGS IN A MINOR was no fluke. In fact, DIARY shows Keys just starting to hit her musical stride.
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (12/25/03-1/8/04, p.124) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...An assured, adult statement, steeped in the complicated love life and musical dreams of an ambitious young woman who has absorbed enough Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin records to live up to [her] soul promise..." Entertainment Weekly (12/5/03, pp.94-5) - "...[The album features] some of Keys' liveliest music..." - Rating: B Q (1/04, p.111) - 4 stars out of 5 - "It's a proper soul album which hooks you with the first pneumatic beat and draws you deeper with every heady atmosphere and vivid emotion."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Harlem's Nocturne
2.: Karma
3.: Heartburn
4.: If I Was Your Woman/Walk On By
5.: You Don't Know My Name
6.: If I Ain't Got You
7.: Diary - Keys, Alicia & Tony Toni Tone
8.: Dragon Days
9.: Wake Up
10.: So Simple
11.: When You Really Love Someone
12.: Feeling U Feeling Me (interlude)
13.: Slow Down
14.: Samsonite Man
15.: Nobody Not Really (interlude)
16.: Streets Of New York - Keys, Alicia & Nas/Rakim
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Listed on Ciao since : 18/01/2004
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