MTV Unplugged - Alicia Keys

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Brilliant performance
Disadvantages:	1 weak link

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

After Alicia Keys recent album success, I have become somewhat of a fan and started to delve into her back catalogue. One of the albums in there that I had really enjoyed is this MTV Unplugged session from 2005. Recorded on her home turf a Brooklyn Academy of Music, this is a showcase for a true vocal talent and talented pianist.

The applause for her opening "Intro Alicia's Prayer" soon dies down and you can almost hear a pin drop until her smooth soul voice takes over. She barely sings 5 lines and the audience are clearly die hard fans as they appreciation of her is plain to hear.

Personally, I like Alicia Keys when she has a bit of attitude in her voice, so I welcomed the early inclusion in the set of "Karma" & "Heatburn", which are brilliant examples of that attitude, and performances like this put other wannabee R&B singers such as Beyonce to shame.

"A Woman's Work" is a triumph normally, but I have to say stripped right back like it is on this live version it loses a little of it's magic as I feel that the backing vocalists are too much in the forefront. It just feels like something is missing, and at first I thought that about "Unbreakable", but after a mellow opening, her vocals save the say.

"How Come You Don't Call" was written by Prince, but it sounds like it was written for her voice and this performane in particular. The breathy choruses which build up to stretch her vocals are really impressive, and very easy to become engrossed in, and it does not stop there. The beautiful, mesmorising "If I Was Your Woman" sounds perfect stripped bare for this unplugged version. To me, this just shows a great artist, when a stripped back song can get you like this one does. The reason this songs succeeds where other have not is because it is full of emotion and she could outsing anyone on this track.

My all time favourite song by Alicia Keys is "If I Ain't Got You". This song is the perfect compilation for me. Her vocals are bursting with emotion. Her musicianship and love for her art comes through on every note of this track, it is beyond beautiful. I can imagine it being spine tingling in such an intimate setting as this performance. There were only 900 people invited to this performance.

"Every Little Bit Hurts" is a fusion of old school soul with a more up to date R&B sound, and further evidence that original songs can be messed with and come out the other end sounding as good as when you first heard them. Whilst she sings about love and love lost, this is woman who will stand up and say "you hurt me and you will regret it". No bleeding hearts on show here. "Streets Of New York" oozes passion, and further cements my belief why Alicia Keys should be regarded as more of a star than she is. Anyone can sing a song, but to sing and be a storyteller are rare talents.

At this point in the show, Keys starts to introduce special guests. Her first is Adam Levine from Maroon 5, who joins her for their version of The Rolling Stones "Wild Horses". Her husky voice is the match for his sharper voice, and the combination works well, as he brings out a slight vunerability in her, and they create a really intimate vibe to the song which draws in the listener. "Diary" does not get the stripped down treatment many other of the tracks did, and it is better for it. It is slightly melacholy and the increased presence of the band really make this song a highlight of the set.

"You Don't Know My Name" is another classic and further demonstrates her undeniable talent. Take away the gloss and shine of a music studio and you still have an outstanding performer with brilliantly written songs that she sings with ease. "Stolen" just proves if you thought she had reached her most fabulous then you were mistaken, and I can imagine the audience being almost orgasmic on hearing the opening bars of her smash hit and signature song "Fallin". I have seen the DVD of this performance and I was absolutely captivated, but even without the visuals this song is amazing.

For traditionalists, this is probably not Unplugged enough as it is a pretty in your face affair. It is live rather than unplugged. For me, this works well, and apart from the one song which was just a little bit too stripped back, the whole performance is a triumph,and one I listen to repeatedly.