On Tuesday, June 28, MBK/J Records/Legacy Recordings will release new Deluxe and Collector’s 10th anniversary editions of Alicia Keys’ songs in A minor, the groundbreaking debut album masterpiece that propelled a then-teen-aged Keys into international stardom in 2001.
Available in a 2-CD Deluxe Edition and a 2-CD/1-DVD Collector’s Edition, the 10th Anniversary sets include songs in A minor era bonus tracks, demos, live performances and more, hand-picked by Alicia for her fans for these editions.
The two disc Deluxe Edition will include the original songs in A minor in its entirety in addition to a second disc featuring two previously unreleased recordings: the original funky blues demo for “If I Was Your Woman” and an early version of “Typewriter,” recorded in Alicia’s Harlem apartment in 1997. The second disc also features hard-to-find rarities from the era including “A Woman’s Worth” (Remix) featuring Nas, “Juiciest” (Mixtape version), “Fallin'” (“Ali” Soundtrack Version) and “Butterflyz” (The Drumline Mix).
The enhanced second CD in the Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition of songs in A minor includes “A Harlem Love Story,” the story behind the inspiration for the “Fallin'”/”A Woman’s Worth” videos, featuring new narration by Alicia Keys. The original videos and new edit are directed by Chris Robinson. (“A Harlem Love Story” may also be found on the Collector’s Edition DVD.)
The three disc 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition of songs in A minor contains the complete original album and a second CD featuring a treasure trove of album-era collectibles including the previously unreleased tracks “Ghetto Man” (featuring Poet muMs da Schemer), “I Won’t (Crazy World)” (an original song from Alicia’s first demo) and “Girlfriend” (KrucialKeys Sista Girl Mix – The UK Video Remix Edit).
The second CD in the Collector’s Edition showcases three previously unreleased live performances — “I Got A Little Something,” “Piano Mashup,” and a cover of the Doors’ “Light My Life” — recorded in Seattle on August 10, 2002.
The Collector’s Edition of songs in A minor also includes an exclusive bonus DVD premiering a revelatory songs in A minor documentary offering an up-close account behind the making of the album. Family, friends and close collaborators share their perspectives on the struggles and triumphs encountered in the making of Alicia’s first record. The film combines archival footage from the road, television appearances, music videos from songs in A minor, rare photographs and more to reveal the intimate and compelling story behind a legendary album. This documentary is an up-close and behind the scenes account on the making of Alicia Keys’ first album with interviews with family members, friends, J Records executive Clive Davis, original manager Jeff Robinson, longtime collaborator and producing partner Kerry “Krucial” Brothers and many others. A trailer for the documentary may be seen here. (http://bit.ly/songsinaminor)
Included in the Collector’s Edition of songs in A minor are a track-by-track commentary by Alicia Keys, an essay by Quincy Jones, rare period photos and more.
A limited run 10th Anniversary 2-disc 180g Vinyl Edition of songs in A minor, with original cover art, will also be available, making the first time the album has ever been struck in vinyl.
The 10th Anniversary Collector’s, Deluxe and Vinyl Editions of songs in A minor may be pre-ordered at Alicia’s website, where fans have an opportunity to win a trip to New York to see Alicia Keys perform.
Alicia Keys – songs in A minor – 10th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition):
Disc 1 – original album
01. Piano & I
02. Girlfriend
03. How Come You Don’t Call Me
04. Fallin’
05. Troubles
06. Rock Wit U
07. A Woman’s Worth
08. Jane Doe
09. Goodbye ∙
10. The Life
11. Mr. Man (duet with Jimmy Cozier)
12. Never Felt This Way (interlude)
13. Butterflyz
14. Why Do I Feel So Sad
15. Caged Bird
16. Lovin U
Disc 2
01. Woman’s Worth – featuring NAS (Remix)
02. Juiciest (Mixtape Version)
03. If I Were Your Woman (Funky Blues Demo) – previously unreleased
04. Fallin’ (The Ali Soundtrack Version)
05. Typewriter (From the Songs In A Minor vault) – previously unreleased
06. Butterflyz (The Drumline Mix)
Enhanced CD features “A Harlem Love Story” (“Fallin’”/“A Woman’s Worth”): the story behind the inspiration for these two videos, featuring new narration by Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys – songs in A minor – 10th Anniversary (Collector’s Edition):
Disc 1 – original album
01. Piano & I
02. Girlfriend
03. How Come You Don’t Call Me
04. Fallin’
05.Troubles
06. Rock Wit U
07. A Woman’s Worth
08. Jane Doe
09. Goodbye ∙
10. The Life
11. Mr. Man (duet with Jimmy Cozier)
12. Never Felt This Way (interlude)
13. Butterflyz
14. Why Do I Feel So Sad
15. Caged Bird
16. Lovin U
Disc 2
01. A Woman’s Worth – featuring NAS (Remix)
02. Juiciest (Mixtape Version)
03. If I Were Your Woman (Funky Blues Demo)*
04. Ghetto Man Featuring Poet muMs da Schemer*
05. Fallin’ (The Ali Soundtrack Version)
06. Typewriter (From the Songs In A Minor vault)*
07. Butterflyz (The Drumline Mix)
08. I Won’t Crazy World (From the Songs In A Minor vault)
09. Girlfriend (KrucialKeys Sista Girl Mix – The UK Video Remix Edit
10. I Got A Little Something (Live In Seattle)*
11. Piano Mashup (Live In Seattle)*
12. Light My Fire (Live In Seattle)*
* previously unreleased
Disc 3 – Bonus DVD
songs in A minor documentary
“A Harlem Love Story” video
“Girlfriend” promotional video
“How Come You Don’t Call Me” promotional video
* * * * *
Originally released in June 2001, songs in A minor sold more than 11 million albums worldwide and earned Keys with her first five, of 14 total, Grammy® Awards including Best New Artist, Best Song of the Year for “Fallin,” and Best R&B Album.
Keys will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of her debut by performing an intimate concert for her fans at New York City’s historic Beacon Theatre on June 30. The show, titled “Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys,” will feature Keys accompanied only by her piano.
For more information, details and updates, visit www.aliciakeys.com, www.facebook.com/aliciakeys or www.twitter.com/aliciakeys.
Juiciest is a really cool song (not sure how I have it but still lol)
In an interview for MTV, Keys called its h anniversary “incredibly surreal for me” and said of the album in retrospect, “This album is possibly the most precious to me as your first album only happens once, and so