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Live Review
by SashaS
4-11-2003
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| Alicia Keys; 'Delicia' during a showcase |
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Live: Alicia Keys
Criterion Theatre, London
Monday, November 3, 2003
Alicia Keys: stage of a spirited kind
It’s been silent for a while but the new album is ready and Alicia Keys is in town to preview it. The Piccadilly Circus situated Criterion Theatre is the place for the first hearing of new material from December-due album, ‘The Diary of Alicia Keys’. Another journey into something and somewhere else, somewhat…
Starting with a classical-like intro, the song soon evolves into ‘Rock Wit You’ from previous ’Songs In A Minor’ disc, a sizeable funky-workout in the best tradition of James Brown/Sly Stone/Prince lineage. A true homage to some old values that sets the eve‘s mood and, on little evidence presented tonight, ‘The Diary’ appears to be stepping back to some more soulful times and more spirited music.
But that is not to say that there is no progress: musically, it is cooking harder [the bass is tuned into the spinal chord], it is bigger, louder and more confident. We witness progress, in all departments, be it presentation, vocal that has increased in strength, range and coloratura, and songwriting.
Sounding very mature she occasionally reminds us, with some idealistic lyrics, that her true age is 22. Ms Keys knows to be very girlie and mythologizes men by considering, upon a first eye-meet, what’s his name/job/status and, ultimately, home-making potential? Well, men are more basic, direct and instantly ponder the more biological need upon their minds, such as - how does she look naked and possibility of a quick spell of procreation… Something like shoot’n’shove off, as the cupboard-sized privacy of Boris Becker proved for male kind.
‘Diary’, “the title track” Alicia announced it, offers some new introspection but it is ‘Streets of New York‘ that brings an incredible fusion that is American music history in about five minutes: starting with musical-like intro, it traversed soul, rap (Rakim and Nas guest on the recorded version), even pop [its ‘New York State of mind’ refrain in particular] to end like a gospel. Perhaps not a ‘West Side Story’ for XXI century but a sketch for a ‘Two-Coast Story’? An astonishing song and performance!
The track closes with a nod to an obvious influence - with the chorus from Stevie Wonder’s ‘Livin’ For The City‘. Earlier on ‘If I Were Your Woman’ segued into ‘A Woman’s Worth’ providing Alicia with few opportunities for vocal acrobatics. ‘Fallin’’ has grown into this monster of her signature tune that gets all the fans and guests singin/mouthing along. Alas, it is only too near to the premature ending, this being a mere showcase.
Still, 50 minutes full of vivacious, passionate, talented, sexy artist: her voice is rich, full-bodied and as tasty as vintage vino. In soul veritas! Alicia ‘Delicia’ is one kind of a lady and a diva. [We mean it as a compliment, in the time-honoured way of respect and acknowledgement of female excellence.] Yo-up!
Full setlist:
Rock Wit You
How Come You Don’t Call Me
If I Were Your Woman/A Woman’s Worth
If I Ain’t Got You
Diary
Streets Of New York
Fallin’
You Don’t Know My Name
SashaS
4-11-2003
Alicia Keys’ album ’The Diary Of …’ is released 01 December 2003 by J-Records
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