“The Diary of Alicia Keys”

An eloquent page with old soul and new life

By Elizabeth Schuyler

February 2004 – In the world of music, there are artists — and there are entertainers. Artists hope to create music that will touch their listeners’ souls, and they care about evoking emotions in other people through their lyrics. Entertainers follow the trends of what’s hot, hoping to make lots of money. By welding old school soul with a great hybrid of hip-hop and R&B, Alicia Keys does both with her new release, “The Diary of Alicia Keys.”

This album, two years in the making, showcases Keys’ more developed voice and delivers deeper subject matter than her debut CD, “Songs in A Minor.” What she achieves this time around is consistency. Her original ballads and the remake of “If I were your woman/Walk on by,” give the album a classic sound. Her collaboration with producer Kanye West on her first hit single “You don’t know my name” is a soulful masterpiece.

The album shines on the Timbaland-produced track, “Heartburn.” This combination of energetic horn blasts, drum kicks, and succinct sound embodies a young woman’s infatuation for her lover. Another highlight is the more personal track “Diary.” Sung in a deep, soothing alto over a bed of instrumentation lead by the piano, Keys eloquently communicates a desire for trust. “I will keep your secrets, just think of me as the pages in your diary… I’ll be the loyalty you need, you can trust me.” Her passionate delivery gives a sense of urgency – she sings as if her very life depended on each note and every riff.

Her lyrics throughout the album speak to young and old alike, crossing color lines in the process. The imagery she projects on tracks like “Dragon Days” and “Wake up” is the product of heartfelt and honest personal experiences. The ideas behind these tracks are fresh, yet classic, songs about love and its effect on life. Decorated with powerful vocals, “When you really love someone” will send chills up your spine, as Keys’ voice swells and recedes over a smooth composition of rhythm and blues.

“Diary” also shares tough lessons learned from the game of love. On “Samsonite man,” Keys sings about falling for the wrong man. On the next track “Nobody not really,” Keys sings “I would like someone to heal me with some empathy.” She bares her own soul through the music, touching her listeners.

“Songs in A Minor” established Keys as an artist. “Diary” will build her legacy as a musician. It has old soul and new life. In her short music career, she has delighted audiences with her extraordinary talent and comforted listeners with her down to earth demeanor. As a woman, Keys steps on stages and does her own thing, free from restraints of what the media expect — liberating her listeners from hearing that same old music. She entertains and touches us with her talent and her artistic passion.