 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Alicia Keys Unplugged
- By Alicia Keys
- Genre: R&B
Common Sense Media says
Favorite songs with new acoustic arrangements.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Alicia Keys keeps it light and family-safe on this made-for-TV live album.
What's the story?
Alicia Keys' third album, ALICIA KEYS UNPLUGGED, recorded live at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, isn't really unplugged (unless you want to call a 16-piece backup band "unplugged"), but it's lovely, personal, and intimate. The producers at MTV couldn't have chosen a better artist to revive their "unplugged" series than Keys. Her talents, both vocally and on keyboard, are allowed to shine with less glossy production. One highlight is a duet with Maroon 5's Adam Levine on the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses"; another is "You Don't Know My Name." Both songs offer a change in atmosphere from the versions we've all got stuck in our head, and both work beautifully.
Is it any good?
If arrangements seem loose and a little unstructured, Keys' excellent band keeps the groove strong and steady, the background vocals are exquisitely arranged, and the songs well-chosen. Her Brooklyn-accented speaking voice is charming and real as she introduces the songs and makes a genuine effort to connect with her audience. At its best, the unplugged Alicia Keys offers a personal glimpse inside the heart of a beloved and extremely talented young artist, and fans will adore this glimpse behind the curtain. The rest of us can sit back and enjoy the music.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether they like "unplugged" versions of songs. They can compare the musical arrangements here with the same songs on the artist's studio CDs. How are the moods and meanings different here? Does plugging in give a song more power? Why or why not? What artists seem to translate well in an acoustic performance?
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| Artist: | Alicia Keys |
| Release date: | October 11, 2005 |
| Label: | J Records |
| Genre: | R&B |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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