Customer Reviews

Back at One

5 star:		(151)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

"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

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?

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.

Brian McKnight is basically a virtual one-man-band, singing/writing and producing his own stuff. After the phenominal "Anytime" whoda thought he'd surpass such a great quality album? Well in "Back At One" he definately did. Don't listen to JUST the hit song "Back At One", rather check out a lot of the incredible other songs on the album. My favorite is a tie between the Rodney "DarkChild" Jenkins-produced "Played Yourself" and the Latin-inspired "Can You Read My Mind." Ballads such as "6,8,12", "Home", "Stay" and "Lonely" show off his emotion and creativity which puts other artists to shame. I REALLY urge anyone who is fond of any of Brian's work. This CD is great and he really did raise the bar in terms of creativity from an artist. Bravo!!

When I first wrote my initial review, I must confess that I did not really listen enough to the CD, "Back At One", and thus provided an errant rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Having listened to "Cherish" and in particular, "Home", this CD is a 5 Star CD if all the other tunes were horrible which they clearly are not!

"Home" has to be one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, and unlike one reviewer, this song brings tears to my eyes as it has much spiritual substance, not just numbers.

Brian McKnight will be held to a tight rope to walk because of his faith in God, but he is not a selling out. This is why he is selling out every concert hall he performs at. I observed McKnight's concert in Louisville and many people were in tears in the row in front of me (all around me, me included) because of the powerful melodies but as importantly, the strong message posited through his lyrics.

He is, in my opinion, the best R & B artist being promoted. One can only guess why he is not promoted as arduously as some other strictly secular artists--many songs dealing with the whatever "feels good" mind-set.

Thanks Brian for writing "Home" and for standing tall. Fifty years from now, many a mind will likely be changed when they reflect on your spiritual tunes and perhaps, how they capriciously tuned these beautiful tunes out because of having more time on their side. Press on!

When Back at One came out on the radio I went to buy the CD and I dont listen R&B but this CD its just GREAT! Every single song is just perfect and not every album is like this. Its my favorite now.

This is the first time i've ever purchased a cd by Bryan Mcknight and i don't regret spending the money cause it was all that. I would definitely recommend other people to get it...(only if you like good music)lol peace....

Review,by Eleftherios Xixis.Finally, Brian McKnight's best. "Anytime" was OK, but a lot people know about "Anytime" sounding like that other song by D'Ngelo something. There are so many good cuts in this album.(The best in order). 1.Back at One

2.Home

3.6,8,12

4.Stay or let it go

5.Last Dance. A lot of the reviewers have totally ignored the last cut. "Home" is so beautiful, and inspiring, and yep, it made me shed a tear. "Back at One"is my favorite song here,because the background and McKnight's voice make it a masterpiece.Perfect marriage song, and it's me and my girlfriends song,too.

U have to buy it.Brian McKnight is reallyyyy underrated. Isn't it true?Think about it.

This album is EPIC. Brian knows what REAL music is. His music signifies what a great writer he is. I purchased this CD when it was first released and it's still in my CD carrousel. His first single, Back At One is Number One to me and a whole lot of people out there. It's so popular, that I heard a country version of it on the radio. Check out tracks 1,5,6,8,12,13... All and all this CD is 'One Of A Kind'... Peace.

This CD would easily be anybody's favorite! I cried listening to the smooth sound of Brian McKnight's Back at One. This is definately my favorite CD and I'm going to buy it for all of my friends and family. It is the first CD in my collection and I would recommend it to anyone, no matter what kind of music they like. I personally enjoy alternative and rap over anything...EXCEPT Brian McKnight's Back at One. If you don't buy this CD, you will NEVER know how much you are missing! It is the best CD in the whole world!