![]() ![]() Some vocal lines are subtly doubled, for example, at the beginning of the first chorus. There’s great detail in the instrumental track that helps make this song’s arc work. Though the subject matter is depressing, he takes you into his heartbroken world from the first, hammer-like monotone phrase (“can’t remember why we fell apart”) which then connects to the chorus (“do I ever cross your mind, anytime?” at 0:59). Brian is one of the finest R&B singers in the world, and his voice compels you. Here it is played solo, twice, once in a higher octave and once in a lower:Ībove all, there is a naturalness to the lead vocal. Bbm leads to Ab to Gb, then Ebm to Bmaj7. The descending two-measure piano riff, while un-ornamented, is harmonically very interesting. In the background is some very subtle out-of-the-way wah guitar that adds a touch of organic-ness and a feeling of abstract aimless noodling. ![]() It begins with a drum loop which sets up the hypnotic feel of the song. There is a quiet restraint to the entire production. There’s several answers to these questions, and they provide great food for thought about different devices that can elevate a song to greatness. How does Brian pull off an entire song by repeating two measures? How does he create an arc that makes you feel like the entire song has taken you on a journey, without adding any harmonic contrasts? Why unusual? Apart from the melody and lyrics, the song is essentially two measures repeated for four minutes. Til Next Time, Smooches Y'all.For today’s Songblog, we’ll take a look at an unusually constructed song: R&B/soul crooner Brian McKnight’s “Anytime,” from his 1997 album also called Anytime. He delivers those tunes that make our hearts race and weep with the drama's of love, which is how it should be done. Brian consistently proves to be one of the most dramatic song writers out today. Though it is a well-rounded album I still miss the smoke filled cafe feel of his previous albums in which he exclaimed his 'bouts of heartbreak and pain. This reviewer gives this album a strong 8 out of 10. Reminiscent of an old slavery hymn sung during times of laboring in the fields. The strings, background vocals and drums are striking and poignant. His final tune on the album entitled, When The Chariot Comes, was a powerfully beautiful rendition of a soul's preparation to move on from this life. It may even prove to be one for the Jeeps and Lexus' out there. Nothing harsh or overdone, just a nice groove. It's an upbeat track and definitely a "Friday Night" track. On Jam Knock, there is a sample of the song, "I Can't Wait". It had a different feel to it and Brian's sincere deliverance of the tune was exceptional. The rasp drums and the electric guitar flicks made me wish that I was the one he belonged to. On the song entitled, I Belong To You (another favorite), Brian gets oh-so jazzy. The guitar strings in the beginning and throughout the song add to the flavor of the melody. In it, he shows his tender writing skills that has made him one of the premier balladeers of our generation. Then there's the track entitled, Show Me The Way Back To Your Heart, a beautiful ballad with wrenching emotions. Call me crazy, but when I heard it I had to pull out both albums to compare notes. The piano has a dreamy repetitive feel to it and the beginning key strokes are reminiscent of an earlier production by Me'shell N'degeOcello from her Plantation Lullabies album called, Outside Your Door. On track number 1, entitled Anytime also the album's namesake, Brian gets crazy sensual with this song. There are a few high points on the album that I should mention. It is a catchy chorus and a dance-able beat, definitely groove worthy and radio friendly. He has approached his time of re-engineering his sound for the younger kids with the inclusion of such artists as Mase on the up-tempo track entitled, You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time). Now he sings to you in a mildly lit club with a band and a few knucklehead MC's to add to the flavor. Whereas, Brian formerly had moments in which he serenaded you in a smokey cafe with lights dimmed and just he, his vocals and piano. Gone are to solitary piano chords that resonated on some of his former songs and now are more studio produced tracks which include a few samples intertwined into the melodies. "Anytime" has quite a few songs which inspire some of the same emotion clad tunes as his previous two albums though this album has a somewhat different feel to the tracks. Brian McKnight's new album entitled, "Anytime" is yet another addition to his list of wonderfully sentimental albums that blends melodies of R&B with soulful exclaims of love.
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