Beverley Knight | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Neo-soul diva Beverley Knight channeled the sound and spirit of classic R&B; to emerge as one of Britains biggest new pop stars of the 90s. Born Beverley Anne Smith to Jamaican parents in Wolverhampton, England, on March 22, 1973, she grew up in a strict Pentecostal environment and sang in her church choir throughout adolescence. Raised on a steady diet of gospel music and forbidden to listen to its secular counterpart, she nevertheless discovered crossover legends Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin and began writing her own original songs at age 13. By 17, Knight was headlining local nightclubs and singing advertising jingles for a local radio station; the exposure earned her a recording contract offer, but she declined, instead studying religious theory and philosophy at the University of Wolverhampton. In late 1994, Knight signed to the independent label Dome, teaming with London production trio 2BE3 to cut her debut LP, The B-Funk. A critical smash that earned plaudits for its adherence to old-school soul production and sensibilities, the album won a number of media and industry awards but failed to translate its acclaim into commercial success. The single "Flavour of the Old School" nevertheless cracked the U.K. Top 40 following a 1996 re-release, but soon after, Knight split with Dome in the wake of creative tensions and signed with EMIs Parlophone subsidiary to release Prodigal Sista in the summer of 1998. The album generated five Top 40 smashes, chief among them "Greatest Day" and "Make It Back 99," a collaboration with U.S. rapper Redman, and was well on its way to winning Best Album honors at the annual MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards. The chart smashes "Get Up!" and "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" anticipated the spring 2002 release of Knights third LP, Who I Am, a Top Ten hit and Mercury Music Prize nominee celebrated as the singers most deeply personal effort up to that point. She next teamed with pop producers Guy Chambers and Peter-John Vettese for 2004s Affirmation, which boasted a polished, mainstream sound that alienated a significant segment of her urban audience. The record still became Knights biggest-selling release yet, buoyed by the hits "Not Too Late for Love" and "Keep This Fire Burning", while the singer also picked up a lifetime achievement award that year at the Urban Music Awards in London. Affirmation was profoundly inspired by her relationship with platonic soulmate Tyrone Jamison, host of the BBC program The Gay Show, who lost his battle with HIV in 2003. Knight would become an ambassador for charities including the Stop AIDS Campaign, Christian Aid, and the Terrence Higgins Trust, and in 2006 was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her creative and charitable contributions. That same year, Knight co-starred in the BBC1 music showcase Just the Two of Us and issued the retrospective Voice: The Best of Beverley Knight, enjoying a Top 20 hit with her cover of Erma Franklins soul classic "Piece of My Heart." Beverley Knights fifth album, Music City Soul, then appeared in 2007, peaking inside the top 10 of the UK Album Charts. Featuring the single "No Mans Land", the record once again won Knight critical acclaim. Two more albums -- 100% (2009) and Soul UK (2011) -- followed before Beverley Knight performed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony in London, which coincided with the release of The Collection 1995-2007. After a lengthy stint in the theater -- first playling the role of Rachel Marron in a stage adaptation of The Bodyguard, and then the starring role in the musical Memphis in the West End -- Knight returned to the studio for her 2016 album Soulsville. Recorded in the famous Royal Studios in Memphis, the album also featured appearances from Jamie Cullum, Jools Holland and Memphis own Sam Moore of Sam & Dave fame. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 9 Title: The B-Funk Released: 1995 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:35:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 The B-Funk (01:11) 2 Moving on Up (On the Right Side) (05:08) 3 Mutual Feeling (04:53) 4 Flavour of the Old School (04:46) 5 Remedy (04:07) 6 Down for the One (05:15) 7 Steppin on My Shoes (04:42) 8 Promise You Forever (05:52) 9 Its Your Time (04:25) 10 So Happy (04:33) 11 Cast All Your Cares (05:14) 12 Uve Got It (04:35) 13 In Time (04:58) 14 Goodbye Innocence (05:12) 1 Flavour of the Old School (club remix) (04:55) 2 Down for the One (2B3 Retro mix) (05:12) 3 Moving on Up (On the Right Side) (Ethnic Boyz remix) (05:09) 4 Moving on Up (On the Right Side) (Ee Bees Rap remix) (05:34) 5 Mutual Feeling (Monroe remix) (feat. Blak Twang) (05:08) 6 Mutual Feeling (D-Lux remix) (05:04) |
| The B-Funk : Allmusic album Review : Vocalist Knight works a soul vibe and writes issue songs about child abuse and other topics on her debut album. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 9 Title: Prodigal Sista Released: 1998-08-17 Tracks: 13 Duration: 54:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Wake Up Call (00:29) 2 Made It Back (04:08) 3 Rewind (Find a Way) (04:28) 4 Damn (04:52) 5 A.W.O.L. (04:31) 6 Sista, Sista (04:42) 7 Strong Hand (03:20) 8 Greatest Day (04:16) 9 Thats Alright (04:19) 10 Tomorrow (04:42) 11 Send Me, Move Me, Love Me (05:04) 12 The Need of You (03:45) 13 Good Morning World (05:42) |
 | Album: 3 of 9 Title: Who I Am Released: 2002-02-17 Tracks: 15 Duration: 59:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Get Up! (03:46) 2 Shoulda Woulda Coulda (03:32) 3 Shape of You (04:27) 4 Fallen Soldier (03:20) 5 Beautiful Contradiction (04:45) 6 Hurricane Jane (04:07) 7 Same (as I Ever Was) (03:36) 8 Whatever’s Clever (03:57) 9 Ambition (It All Comes 2 U) (03:20) 10 Bestseller Mystery (05:13) 11 Gold (04:49) 12 Who I Am (01:44) 13 Shoulda Woulda Coulda (Philly version) (04:55) 14 Gold (single mix) (03:52) 15 Shape of You (Reshaped) (feat. Hollywood) (03:48) |
| Who I Am : Allmusic album Review : British soul woman Beverley Knight has yet to be fully embraced by the record-buying public despite possessing perhaps one of the most phenomenal voices around. The disappointing chart performances of her first two albums, The B-Funk and Prodigal Sista, cemented the belief that while her talent is unquestionable, her material just isnt strong enough to propel her into the mainstream. This, however, should all change with Who I Am, a well-produced collection of contemporary R&B; songs that is just as confident and self-assured as her more celebrated U.S. contemporaries. The feisty first single, "Get Up," sets the tone immediately, allowing Knight to show off her astonishing vocals amidst some slinky dancehall rhythms. Elsewhere, the funky "Same" channels 80s Prince just as convincing as OutKast, while "Whatevers Clever" is the kind of powerhouse R&B; that En Vogue innovated in the early 90s. The ballads are just as strong. "Fallen Soldier," a tribute to murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, is a stripped-down acoustic number filled with raw emotion; "Bestseller Mystery," with its slide guitar, sounds like a lost blues classic; and "Beautiful Contradiction" is a soothing soulful duet with Stevie Wonder sound-alike Musiq (Soulchild). Occasionally, the album veers into the kind of bland MOR territory that has often blighted Britains more recent soul singers (Mica Paris, Shara Nelson). "Hurricane Jane" is rather monotonous, tune-free neo-soul, and "Gold"s dated-sounding production positions Knight as more of a lounge singer than an accomplished R&B; talent. But overall, Who I Am is still a colossal leap. After seven years of being an also-ran, Knight now has the material to back up her world-class vocals. The big time surely awaits. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 9 Title: Affirmation Released: 2004 Tracks: 14 Duration: 59:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Come as You Are (03:45) 2 Not Too Late for Love (04:22) 3 First Time (04:40) 4 Straight Jacket (03:27) 5 Keep This Fire Burning (03:53) 6 No One Ever Loves in Vain (03:34) 7 Affirmation (03:25) 8 Supasonic (03:50) 9 Tea & Sympathy (03:59) 10 Below My Radar (04:49) 11 Under the Same Sun (03:43) 12 Till I See Ya (03:29) 13 Salvador (04:36) 14 Remember Me (07:50) |
| Affirmation : Allmusic album Review : Hoping to build on the momentum gained by her Mercury Music Prize-nominated breakthrough album, Who I Am, Beverley Knights fourth effort abandons her soul credentials and goes straight for the commercial pop jugular. Working with an array of collaborators including Coldplays Chris Martin and Robbie Williams ex-songwriting partner Guy Chambers, Affirmation clearly has one eye on dominating the airwaves as much as her biggest hit, "Shoulda Woulda Coulda," did two years previously. Indeed, lead single "Come as You Are" should have no problems finding its way onto radio playlists, its swirling keyboards, psychedelic guitars, and almighty chorus creating a Lenny Kravitz-meets-Pink pop/rock stomper. The inclusion of a cover, "Keep This Fire Burning," originally a hit for Robyn in her native Sweden, also signifies Knights intentions -- its exuberant catchy pop is a million miles away from her urban roots but much more likely to score her a number one hit. Best of all is the Chris Martin-penned "The First Time," which shows that his dalliance with R&B; on Jamelias "See It in a Boys Eyes" was no fluke. A gorgeous, gospel-inspired ballad, its far removed from the epic stadium rock his day job is usually associated with. Lyrically, Knight is as daring as ever. "No One Ever Loves in Vain" is a subtle piano-driven confessional about the loss of a friend, while the melancholic "Salvador" addresses AIDS, showing that Knights commercial sensibilities havent hampered her ability to tackle big issues. Inevitably, with the attempt to cover several bases, Affirmation may alienate fans of her more soulful first two records. The over-produced likes of "Tea and Sympathy" and "Till I See Ya" dilute Knights impassioned vocals, while "Supasonic" is perhaps one Prince homage too far. But overall, there are enough gems on here to suggest that Affirmation may achieve the commercial success it so obviously craves. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 9 Title: Voice: The Best of Beverley Knight Released: 2006-03-20 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:01:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Shoulda Woulda Coulda (03:32) 2 Keep This Fire Burning (03:53) 3 Come as You Are (03:45) 4 Piece of My Heart (04:08) 5 Gold (04:49) 6 Made It Back (Good Times 7" mix) (03:20) 7 Get Up! (03:46) 8 Flavour of the Old School (04:46) 9 Sista, Sista (04:42) 10 Not Too Late for Love (03:54) 11 Greatest Day (Classic mix) (04:42) 12 Made It Back (original version) (feat. Redman) (04:09) 13 Sweet Thing (live) (03:53) 14 Angels (live) (04:41) 15 Whos Gonna Save Your Soul (03:26) |
| Voice: The Best of Beverley Knight : Allmusic album Review : Beverley Knight was responsible for some classy soulful singles throughout the late 90s and into the new century but she had never managed however to attain much in the way of album sales, her best effort to date being the number seven Who I Am from 2002. So the climate was ripe for a greatest-hits collection which EMI hoped would place her in a more adult-oriented market. Voice was very representative of her body of work, containing 15 tracks in total and three bonus tracks, including a version of Chaka Khans "Sweet Thing," and a live cover of Robbie Williams career-defining hit "Angels," recorded for Radio 2 with a simple piano background and a gospel-style vocal. Of the 12 remaining tracks, every one had been a hit single from her debut back in 1995: "Flavour of the Old School," complete with its formulaic rap break, through to her then-most recent hits "Keep This Fire Burning," and a brave attempt at an R&B; version of Janis Joplins "Piece of My Heart." Her music ranged from the ultra smooth ballads "Gold" and "Whos Gonna Save Your Soul" to the Chic-"Good Times" sampled "Made It Back," and the 70s disco influenced "Greatest Day." Although she had been hitting the charts quite regularly since 1995, albeit not that close to the top, it was with the dance track "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" in 2002 that she finally broke through to the Top Ten and the album opens with this hit. In fact, the first four tracks were her two biggest singles, including 2004s "Come as You Are," and the two most recent hits: the Joplin track and "Keep This Fire Burning." | ||
 | Album: 6 of 9 Title: Music City Soul Released: 2007-05-07 Tracks: 15 Duration: 53:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Every Time You See Me Smile (03:43) 2 Aint That a Lot of Love (02:41) 3 After You (04:11) 4 No Mans Land (03:26) 5 The Queen of Starting Over (03:46) 6 Black Butta (03:39) 7 Saviour (02:55) 8 Time Is on My Side (03:31) 9 Why Me, Why You, Why Now (04:03) 10 Tell Me Im Wrong (03:48) 11 Trade It Up (03:35) 12 Rock Steady (03:25) 13 Uptight (03:13) 14 Back to You (03:47) 15 After You (radio edit) (04:00) |
| Music City Soul : Allmusic album Review : Recorded in just five days in the deep south of Nashville, Tennessee, Music City Soul sees one of Britains most accomplished urban talents, Beverley Knight, return to her roots following the underperformance of 2004s highly commercial Affirmation. Despite its recording location, the Wolverhampton divas fifth studio album hasnt gone all country, but instead focuses on the Southern soul sounds of the 60s that influenced her early career. Whether its a knee-jerk response to the disappointing sales of her "all-bases-covered" predecessor, or a genuine affectionate homage to the likes of Al Green, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin, its 15 tracks are undeniably and authentically old-school, thanks to Mark Nevers organic production, Knights full-throttled soulful vocals, and an inspired choice of collaborators and song choices. The Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood lends his guitar skills to three tracks, including the bluesy feel-good opener "Every Time You See My Smile," and an impassioned gospel take on his own bands 1964 hit "Time on My Side," Robbie Williams former songwriting partner Guy Chambers offers his trademark melodic sensibilities to both "Black Butta," a rip-roaring slice of rock & roll which owes more than a nod to Ike & Tina Turners "Nutbush City Limits", and the Aerosmith-goes-funk of "Saviour," while the achingly gorgeous "No Mans Land," a languid but luscious ballad which showcases a rarely seen fragile side to Knights usual blistering vocal presence, is the albums stand-out track, co-written with Adele and Joss Stone cohort Eg White. But suffering the same fate as many of her releases, Music City Soul cant sustain the same standard throughout, as she fails to make her mark on pedestrian cover versions of Homer Banks "Aint That a Lot of Love" and Aretha Franklins "Rock Steady," while the likes of "Tell Me Im Wrong" and "Trade It Up" seem more concerned with replicating the periods vintage sound than providing any memorable hooks or melodies. Music City Soul may be one of the more credible Southern soul pastiches, but by looking to the past instead of focusing on the future, Knight is now in danger of surrendering her Queen of U.K. soul crown. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 9 Title: 100% Released: 2009-09-07 Tracks: 13 Duration: 50:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Beautiful Night (04:12) 2 Breakout (03:30) 3 In Your Shoes (03:07) 4 100% (04:04) 5 Every Step (04:14) 6 Soul Survivor (04:16) 7 Turned to Stone (04:22) 8 Bare (03:17) 9 Square Peg (04:42) 10 Gold Chain (03:21) 11 Moneyback (03:19) 12 Painted Pony (03:26) 13 Too Much Heaven (04:47) |
| 100% : Allmusic album Review : Despite possessing perhaps the U.K.s most authentic soulful voice, Wolverhamptons finest, Beverley Knight, has often struggled to find material as strong to accompany it. Since 2002s Mercury Music Prize-nominated Who I Am, shes flirted with genre-hopping pop on the commercial but unfocused Affirmation, and old-school Nashville R&B; on the mediocre pastiche of Music City Soul, but both have failed to live up to her reputation as the Queen of British Soul. With contributions from Janet Jacksons long-term collaborators Jam & Lewis, legendary soul diva Chaka Khan, and Kevin Bacon, bassist in new wave outfit the Comsat Angels, Knights sixth studio album, 100% appears to have jumped on the ubiquitous 80s revival bandwagon. But unlike the electro-pop of La Roux and Little Boots, her first release since leaving Parlophone to set up her own label, Hurricane Records, instead echoes the classy soul balladry of Anita Baker ("Bare"), the synth-heavy funk of Alexander ONeal ("Breakout"), and the acid-jazz leanings of early Brand New Heavies ("Turned to Stone"). Its a change in direction which, unlike her recent output, feels like a natural progression, its authentic groove-fueled production, thankfully free of Auto-Tune, allowing Knights effortlessly smooth and expressive vocals to shine. Elsewhere, "In Your Shoes" is a Sister Sledge-esque slice of nu-disco which samples Orange Juices 1981 hit "Rip It Up," "Soul Survivor," originally written for Tina Turner, is a toe-tapping gospel-rock duet with her musical idol Khan, while the lolloping funk of "Gold Chain" recalls the sassy harmonies of early En Vogue. The cover version of Bee Gees "Too Much Heaven," performed here with Robin Gibb, is a schmaltzy karaoke-style rendition which sits at odds with the rest of the albums more inventive nature, while the likes of "Square Peg" and "Painted Pony" lack the killer hook to elevate them from being mere filler. But, seemingly determined to work her way through the soul music of each decade, the impressively slick and self-assured 100% suggests that its the 80s where Knight feels most comfortable. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 9 Title: Soul UK Released: 2011-07-04 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:03:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Fairplay (04:24) 2 Southern Freeez (04:38) 3 Mama Used to Say (03:49) 4 Say Im Your Number One (04:25) 5 When You Gonna Learn (04:54) 6 Apparently Nothing (05:55) 7 Theres Nothing Like This (04:51) 8 Dont Be a Fool (04:09) 9 Always and Forever (05:37) 10 Round and Around (04:54) 11 Cuddly Toy (03:56) 12 Damn (06:12) 13 One More Try (05:41) |
 | Album: 9 of 9 Title: Soulsville Released: 2016-06-10 Tracks: 12 Duration: 46:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Middle of Love (04:10) 2 When I See You Again (03:58) 3 Private Number (03:12) 4 All Things Must Change (04:00) 5 I Can’t Stand the Rain (03:59) 6 Red Flag (03:19) 7 Don’t Play That Song for Me (04:51) 8 Still Here (03:35) 9 Sitting on the Edge (03:41) 10 Hound Dog (03:06) 11 I Won’t Be Looking Back (03:50) 12 Hold on I’m Coming (04:16) |