Back at One

Brian McKnight | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 21, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00001QGLB
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (203 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,766 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Quiet Storm never dies, although many of its love-man practitioners' discs blend together into a kind of ardent wallpaper. So it's a bit of a surprise to find Brian McKnight's fourth album, Back at One asserting itself as a committed, highly listenable sample of the genre. Putting his writing skills to work, McKnight manages to make one midtempo plaint after another stand out from its brothers on the disc. In combination with his assured but never overbearing vocals, songs such as the title number, "Last Dance," and "6, 8, 12" trump anything Babyface has done lately. McKnight makes a big claim on the style with this excellent album. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brian is a Ballad Master! Still A good CD!, December 11, 1999

By 

Brian G. Jett (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back at One (Audio CD)

"Back At One" Review by Brian G. Jett, MRC Brian McKnight's newest CD is very good with his trademark background vocal harmonies. However, like his last CD, he has many hip-hop tunes on this new CD entitled, "Back At One." These tunes are good, but McKnight, I believe is missing the mark in terms of what he does best! His tremendous sense of melody is remarkable! It was evidenced with his past tunes such as "After The Love," "Still In Love," "Could" (Off last CD "Anytime"), and of course "One Last Cry."

His newest CD offers some good stuff and merits being in your CD collection. Track Six (6) entitled "6-8-12" is a beautiful ballad and doesn't quickly lose its allure as the melody blended with clever lyrics keep the listener coming back for more.

Brian McKnight is at his best when he writes ballads and sings ballads. He is multi-talented and clearly even a bad tune sounds good when he performs it.

McKnight, like Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson, Billy Joel and Elton John has staying power! His talent, like the aforementioned artists, will continue to make him a staplemate in the R & B world.

*I give his newest CD a 4 out of 5 despite the hip-hop!* As a jazz musician, I do hope Brian McKnight remembers what sold him--melody and not canned hip-hop! I'd love to hear him play jazz. The cat can flat play! Period! Press on, Brian G. Jett

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hey, Grammy committee: The man's name is BRIAN McKNIGHT!, November 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Back at One (Audio CD)

For my money, "Anytime" was Brian's greatest musical achievement, but I am VERY impressed with "Back At One." My favorite songs on it are its title track, "6, 8, 12" (BEAUTIFUL song -- and I love that bridge! Brian must have used a pole vault to hit those high notes!), "Shall We Begin" (the up-tempo rhythm is catchy; the sensual lyrics are vintage McKnight), "Lonely," "Stay or Let It Go," and "Home" (the latest installment of Brian's beautiful legacy of putting a religious song on each of his albums). I was also impressed with "McNoche," Brian's acoustic-guitar-playing alter ego that appears on several tracks.

Brian McKnight is hands-down the most gifted male American vocalist in music today. He's produced some of the most soulful and poetic music that I've ever heard or FELT. This man has an overflow of God-blessed talent. So why hasn't he won any Grammys?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The King of R&B, October 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Back at One (Audio CD)

I bought Back at One expecting a great album. I was not disappointed. It is a wonderful piece of music in which Brian has returned to his romantic, ballad roots with his first two albums. I do not own Anytime because from what I understand it is somewhat of a departure from Brian's roots. It is a more urban, up-tempo album from what I hear. Back at One succeeds because of the incredible singing talents of Brian. Even on the ocassional up-tempo stuff, he shines. No matter how many times I hear, Played Yourself, I will never tire of it. It's just plain cool! You could be the One with its Cher-esque vocal tweaks is also a great up-tempo piece. But ultimately, it's the ballads that make Brian McKnight the premier R&B singer of his day. His best here include Last Dance, Back at One, 6, 8, 12, and Home. Also note that the songs Brian wrote with Brandon Barnes are the most engaging. I hope that partnership continues.I recommend this album for fans of Brian McKnight and for fans of musicians who can actually sing - unlike some of Brian's R&B contemporaries.