#ALICIA KEYS UNPLUGGED FULL#

Songs like 'If I Ain't Got You,' 'You Don't Know My Name' and 'How Come You Don't Call Me' are delivered with the same striking voice that has graced Keys' albums, 'Songs In A Minor' (2001) and 'The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003).'įrom the first few tracks, Keys establishes the flow of the album, with each song leading right into the next. She might be unplugged – but she's still electrifying.'Unplugged' is a collection of Keys' top tracks and a sampling of what's to come. The passion she pours into this album shows why she should be a lasting star. Unplugged is the perfect balance between old-school soul and

Her songs, editing and stretching arrangements to deepen grooves and give her So maybe these reworked cuts from her two studio albumsĮxactly the introspective, bare-bones versions you might expect from an Unplugged disc.īut they are somewhat stripped-down, as Keys reshapes On A Prayer on acoustic guitars, 'unplugged' has become more of a metaphorical Live performances) and her stint on MTV's once-again resurrected Unplugged.įaithful to its namesake is even sillier considering that, in the daysīon Jovi and Richie Sambora sat on stools and played Livin' Keys' studio creations (as well as her other Like live instrumentation and old-fashioned crooning. Perfect balance between old-school soul and contemporary R&Bīy definition, is generally 'unplugged,' eschewing programmed beats, synths,Īnd samples and relying instead on old-school R&B qualities Others joining her for a unique rendition of his outstanding conscious reggae The thoroughly entertaining finale features Bob New music, including her playful hit Unbreakable (whichĪl Green. It Or Leave It Alone with guest rappers Common and Mos Performed some amazing, and some unlikely, duets including a cover of the Rolling How many good songs her two albums to date contain. PerformancesĬome You Don't Call are truly mesmerizing while perfectly remind you just

It seems like that is what it's really all about for her and this is probablyĬlose to how most of the songs would have sounded in their early stages. Her band is spot-on, her arrangements soar, and her guests complement the proceedings without even momentarily carrying them.Īll hits are here, as well as some amazing coversĬlearly comfortable sitting at the piano or standing behind the microphone performing.

#ALICIA KEYS UNPLUGGED FULL#

For this 72-minute live album, neo-soul piano diva is backed by a full band including a drummer and percussionist, an electric bassist, horns, strings and backup vocalists. Yowling, piano pounding, hip-hop tics (the ubiquitous, emphatic 'unh'), and even a spot of theatrical poetry all have their places here, but Keys manages them with a master's sense of what's song-appropriate. Throughout this consistent set, marked by warmth, sincerity and a powerful lack of inhibition, Keys convincesįranklin, she's a force of equal might and measure. It is a perfect venue for the singer/pianist, who is unafraid to play with the arrangements of her hits or to reimagine cover songs.

MTV's Unplugged returns with the excellent soul/R&B star in a performance, which took place at New York's Brooklyn Academy of Music Harvey Theater on July 14. Keys has won Grammys, sold millions of albums and staged major tours, but her musicianship and personal warmth are best appreciated in an intimate setting. MTV resurrects Unplugged with piano diva Alicia Keys

Alicia keys unplugged