Has anyone heard what Rick James said about Ms. Alicia Keys at the Soul Train awards? They interviewed him and asked him what he thought of her and his reply was; "Don't come to me talking bout that girl!! Talk to me about real artists like Reachelle Ferelle and Lalah Hathaway. If they were on the same stage they would send her running off crying with her keyboard!!!"
[This message was edited Sun Mar 24 3:13:52 PST 2002 by RiccotheArtist]

well...until last week I would have agreed with him. Her album does not reflect the true artist hype that has been applied to her...so based on her cd alone he's right IMO...

BUT...last week I saw a recording of her performance on the 9/11 telethon...just her voice and her piano...doing a Donny Hatthaway cover no less. Then I saw her on the late night Carson Daily show...again just her sitting at the piano with her fingers and her voice...playing everything from Duke Ellington to Mavin Gaye to Dr Dre...

After that I ammended my initial opinion just a bit...the girl DOES have the skills and the soul for it when it's live and just her at the piano.

That fact makes her album even more of a waste in my opinion...
Her Album is a perfect example of how a poorly produced record can muffle and suffocate and obscure the true essence of an artist. I actually think she IS a genuine talent with a helluva lot of potential...but i did OT get that from her cd at all. I got it from her stipped down straight up honest performances.

THIS is why I'm always blabbing about how important paying attention to the production portion is for artists..(Prince included)...if you're not careful you can have a great moving soulful thing at the start...and a cookiecutter bland uninspiring thing at the finish...

as Starchild said...'Pay attention...!'

How can he say anything disrespectful about her? She is already a bigger artist than he ever was,plus I'm sure she plays better piano than he does.

yeah...I know Ricks got his own issues, but again, if he was basing his opinions on the ALBUM ALONE then he's not off base...maybe a bit rude but not off base.

The album does NOT live up to all of the 'true inspiring musical prodigy artist' hype that is swirling around her (SHE's doing the 'hyping' i might add...the record company does all that mess)

man... Ricks got Issues!

I may b late to this, but what about his remarks concerning Prince? I would think that the true essence of an artist would allow for a level of respect.

Maybe the bitterness of being imprisoned has blinded his ear as well as his judgement.

I hope he finds peace.

I think he still has a hard on for Prince and is taking it out on an "associated artist" like Keyes. Prince always has been able to outdo the "superfreak" when it comes to spotting female talent. MaryJane Girls anyone?