Unplugged (Alicia Keys album)
Unplugged | ||||
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Live album by | ||||
Released | October 7, 2005 | |||
Recorded | July 4, 2005 | |||
Venue | Brooklyn Academy of Music (New York City) | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 72:22 (standard) 76:01 (extended) | |||
Label | J | |||
Producer | Alex Coletti | |||
Alicia Keys chronology | ||||
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Singles from Unplugged | ||||
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Unplugged is the first live album by American singer Alicia Keys. It was released on October 7, 2005 by J Records. Recorded as part of the television program MTV Unplugged on July 4, 2005 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the album includes songs from her first two studio albums Songs in A Minor (2001) and The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003).
Upon its release, Unplugged received generally favorable reviews from critics. It debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 196,000 copies,[1] becoming the highest debut for an MTV Unplugged album since Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) and the first Unplugged by a female artist to debut at number one. The album has sold over one million copies in the United States and over 1.5 million copies worldwide. Additionally, it was nominated for various awards, including the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. It produced two singles–"Unbreakable", which peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and "Every Little Bit Hurts".
Singles
"Unbreakable" was released as the lead single from Unplugged on September 6, 2005.[2] It peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Keys' sixth Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs top-ten single, peaking at number four.[3][4] Two music videos were produced for the song–the Unplugged version from the album's DVD, and the BET version directed by Justin Francis. The song was nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song,[5] and a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Female,[6] winning NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Song and Outstanding Music Video,[7] and a BMI Urban Award.[8]
"Every Little Bit Hurts", the cover of Brenda Holloway's song of the same title, was released as the second and final single on January 17, 2006. Unlike "Unbreakable", it failed to enter any charts, both in the United States and internationally. Its accompanying music video, directed by Francis, premiered on January 17 on BET's 106 & Park.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
BBC Music | (positive)[10] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+[11] |
The Independent | (average)[12] |
Jam! | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
PopMatters | (5/10)[15] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Slant Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
USA Today | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 65/100 from Metacritic.[19] E! Online gave the album an A− and said of Alicia Keys: "She might be unplugged--but she's still electrifying."[19] Entertainment Weekly said the album "largely leaves Keys' runaway careerism in the dressing room, where it belongs."[11] Blender gave it four stars out of five and called it "a stellar set."[20] Q gave the album four stars out of five and said it "stands as an apt reminder that she is the finest soul talent of her generation."[19] Billboard gave it a favorable review and said, "This self-assured, illuminating 'MTV Unplugged' performance underscores Keys' boundless passion for her craft."[21] Los Angeles Times gave it three stars out of four and said, "The problems in this 72-minute package come chiefly when the exquisite singer-songwriter moves to what you'd think would be the creative heart of the album: material that isn't on her earlier CDs."[14] Stylus Magazine gave it a B− and stated, "I’m definitely recommending Unplugged--with reservations, but it’s still a recommendation--but damn, I just wish the fun Keys seems to have on stage would translate more clearly to record."[22]
Other critics were more ambivalent. Rolling Stone gave it three stars out of five and said the album "bursts with sweet soul that seems to feed off the adoring crowd."[16] Allmusic gave it two and a half stars out of five and stated, "Over these rhythmic vamps, Keys does have some impressive vocal runs where she departs from the original melody and glides by on the sheer sound of her voice, but when the songs are reduced to their bare essence, her vocalizing doesn't become a way of telling a story, it becomes the reason she's playing music in the first place."[9] Neumu gave it four stars out of ten and called it "just another bloated arena show."[23] Uncut gave it two stars out of five and said, "Keys hasn't the charisma to indulge in the inter-song banter here, which breaks up any soulful flow that might develop despite her sharp, hectoring vocals."[19]
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Grammy Award | Best R&B Album | Unplugged | Nominated | |
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance | "If I Was Your Woman" | Nominated | |||
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | "Unbreakable" | Nominated | |||
Best R&B Song | Nominated | ||||
2006 | NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Song | Won | ||
Outstanding Music Video | Won | ||||
Outstanding Album | Unplugged | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Female Artist | Alicia Keys | Won | |||
2006 | Soul Train Music Award | Best R&B/Soul Single – Female | "Unbreakable" | Nominated | |
2006 | Edison Award | DVD Internationaal | Unplugged | Nominated | |
2007 | BMI Urban Award | Award Winning Song | "Unbreakable" | Won |
Commercial performance
Unplugged debuted atop the US Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling 196,000 copies in its first week and becoming her third consecutive number-one debut on the chart.[1] In its second week, it registered a 58-percent sales drop to 83,000 copies, falling to number nine on the Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[25][26] The album left the top ten of the Billboard 200 in its third week, falling to number 12.[27] By February 2006, Unplugged had sold over one million copies in the United States.[28] Its CD was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on January 25, 2008 for shipping one million units,[29] while its DVD was certified gold on November 22, 2005 for shipping 50,000 units.[30]
Internationally, the CD reached the top ten in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and the top 20 in Belgium, France, Japan and Portugal, as well as peaking at number 17 on the European Top 100 Albums.[31] The DVD peaked at number one in Spain, reaching the top ten in Australia, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. By February 2006, Unplugged had sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.[32]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro: Alicia's Prayer" (A cappella) | Traditional | 1:11 |
2. | "Karma" |
| 2:10 |
3. | "Heartburn" |
| 3:03 |
4. | "A Woman's Worth" | 3:30 | |
5. | "Unbreakable" | 4:34 | |
6. | "How Come You Don't Call Me" | Prince | 5:23 |
7. | "If I Was Your Woman" |
| 4:04 |
8. | "If I Ain't Got You" (the special edition adds Goodbye and Butterflyz beforehand and extends its length to 8:19) | Keys | 4:06 |
9. | "Every Little Bit Hurts" | Ed Cobb | 4:01 |
10. | "Streets of New York (City Life)" |
| 7:35 |
11. | "Wild Horses" (featuring Adam Levine) | 6:04 | |
12. | "Diary" |
| 5:53 |
13. | "You Don't Know My Name" |
| 3:35 |
14. | "Stolen Moments" |
| 5:14 |
15. | "Fallin'" | Keys | 5:10 |
16. | "Love It or Leave It Alone"/"Welcome to Jamrock" (featuring Mos Def, Common, Damian Marley and friends) |
| 6:42 |
Total length: | 72:22 (standard) 76:01 (extended) |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
17. | "Unbreakable" (music video) | |
18. | "Behind the Scenes: Alicia Keys Unplugged" |
Sample credits
- "A Woman's Worth" contains a sample of "Footsteps in the Dark" by The Isley Brothers (Ernest Isley, Christopher Jasper, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley Jr.)
- "Unbreakable" contains a sample of Eddie Kendricks' "Intimate Friends" (Garry Glenn)
- "Streets of New York (City Life)" contains a sample of "N.Y. State of Mind" by Nas (Eric Barrier, Nasir Jones, Chris Martin, William Griffin)
- "You Don't Know My Name" contains a sample of "Let Me Prove My Love to You" by The Main Ingredient (J. R. Bailey, Mel Kent, Ken Williams)
- "Love It or Leave It Alone" contains a sample of "Love Me or Leave Me Alone" by Brand Nubian (Lorenzo DeChalus, Derek Murphy, Charles Davis) and "Latoya" by Just-Ice (Kirk Khaleel, Joseph Williams)
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Unplugged.[33]
- Alicia Keys – vocals, arranger, executive producer
- Alex Coletti – director, producer
- Peter Edge – executive producer
- Onree Gill – arranger
- John Harris – audio recording
- Many Marroquin – mixing
- Ann Mincieli – assistant engineer
- Herb Powers – mastering
- Jared Robbins – assistant engineer
- Jeff Robinson – executive producer
- Stewart White – assistant engineer
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Album
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[66] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Germany (BVMI)[67] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ)[68] | Gold | 100,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[69] | Gold | 40,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[70] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[29] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Video
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[71] | Gold | 7,500^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[72] | Platinum | 10,000^ |
France (SNEP)[73] | Gold | 10,000* |
United States (RIAA)[30] | Gold | 50,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Germany | October 7, 2005 | Sony BMG | ||
France | October 10, 2005 | |||
United Kingdom | RCA | |||
United States | October 11, 2005 | J | ||
Australia | October 17, 2005 | Sony BMG | ||
Japan | October 26, 2005 |
See also
- MTV Unplugged
- List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2005
- List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 2005
References
- ^ a b Whitmire, Margo (October 19, 2005). "Keys 'Unplugs' For 3rd Straight No. 1 Disc". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
- ^ "R&R's Going For Adds: Week Of 09/05/05" (PDF). Radio & Records. September 2, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "Keys Pleasantly Surprised By Grammy Nominations". billboard.com. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ a b Staff (February 2, 2006). "R. Kelly Leads Soul Train Award Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "'Crash,' Foxx, win NAACP Image awards". Today. February 26, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "2007 BMI Urban Awards: BMI Award Winning Songs". BMI.com. Broadcast Music Inc. September 8, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (October 11, 2005). "Unplugged - Alicia Keys". Allmusic. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Egere-Cooper, Matilda. "Music - Review of Alicia Keys - MTV Unplugged". BBC Music. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ a b David Browne (October 10, 2005). "Unplugged". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Gill, Andy (October 7, 2005). "Album: Alicia Keys (Unplugged, J Records)". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008.
- ^ Darryl Sterdan (October 21, 2005). "CANOE - JAM! Music - Artists - Album Review: UNPLUGGED". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b Hilburn, Robert (October 9, 2005). "Young Keys and her good old songs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ Cibula, Matt (October 27, 2005). "Alicia Keys: Unplugged". PopMatters. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ a b Hoard, Christian (October 20, 2005). "Unplugged". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ Cinquemani, Sal (October 13, 2005). "Alicia Keys: Unplugged". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Jones, Steve (October 10, 2005). "Even 'Unplugged,' Alicia Keys' talents are electric (Alicia Keys, Unplugged)". USA Today. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Critic Reviews for Unplugged". Metacritic. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Reviews: Alicia Keys - Unplugged". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. October 15, 2005. p. 47. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- ^ Inskeep, Thomas (October 18, 2005). "Alicia Keys - Unplugged - Review". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ Carew, Anthony. "Alicia Keys: Unplugged". Neumu.net. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ "Alicia Keys – Edison – Nominaties" (in Dutch). Edison. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ^ Whitmire, Margo (October 26, 2005). "Simpson Strikes Back: Ashlee Scores 2nd No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. November 5, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. November 12, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Keys Craves 'Strange As Hell' Collaborations". Billboard. January 24, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "American album certifications – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Recording Industry Association of America. January 25, 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ a b "American video certifications – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Recording Industry Association of America. November 22, 2005. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ a b "Austriancharts.at – Alicia Keys – Unplugged" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys' MTV Unplugged Album Relaunches the Franchise Becoming the Fastest Selling Unplugged Album in Over 10 Years, with Sales Over 1,500,000 Worldwide and Climbing!". Billboard. January 26, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ Unplugged (CD+DVD). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2005.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Australiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ a b "Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Top 40 DVD Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Austria Top 40 – Musik-DVD: 30-10-2005" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Unplugged" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys – Unplugged [DVD]" (in Dutch). Ultratop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Unplugged" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys – Unplugged [DVD]" (in French). Ultratop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. October 20, 2005. Archived from the original on November 1, 2005. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alicia Keys – Unplugged" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys – Unplugged [DVD"] (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "European Top 20 Charts – Week Commencing 31st October 2005" (PDF). Music & Media. Australian Web Archive. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 19, 2005. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys: Unplugged" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 42, 2005". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2005-11-07" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "アリシア・キーズ ありしあきーず" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Top 20 DVD Musical: Week 42, 2005" (in Spanish). Top 20 DVD Musical. PROMUSICAE. Select Year: 2005, Week as Semana: 42, Then click on "Search Charts". Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl - Jaaroverzichten 2005". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
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- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Music Canada. December 13, 2005. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alicia Keys; 'Unplugged')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Japanese album certifications – アリシア・キーズ – アンプラグド" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved October 22, 2015. Select 2006年2月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Alicia Keys – Unplugged" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved May 4, 2019. Enter Unplugged in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2005 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "British album certifications – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "Canadian video certifications – Alicia Keys – Unplugged". Music Canada. October 18, 2005. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "French video certifications – Alicia Keys – Unplugged" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. October 19, 2005. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "Mtv Unplugged: Alicia Keys" (in German). Germany: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "MTV unplugged – Alicia Keys" (in French). France: Fnac. October 10, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ United Kingdom release of Unplugged:
- "Mtv Unplugged – Alicia Keys". United Kingdom: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- "Alicia Keys: Unplugged [DVD] [2005]". United Kingdom: Amazon Music. October 7, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ United States release of Unplugged:
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (October 11, 2005). "Unplugged – Alicia Keys". AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (October 11, 2005). "Unplugged [CD & DVD] – Alicia Keys". AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (October 11, 2005). "Unplugged [Video] – Alicia Keys". AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Alicia Keys: Unplugged". Australia: Amazon Music. October 15, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Unplugged" (in Japanese). Japan: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
External links
- Official website Archived December 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine