Kelly Price Mirror Mirror CD

"As We Lay" was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Kelly Price's sophomore release is both tough and sweet, reflecting what she's gone on record as describing as a tough period in her life. The sophisticated rhythms, arrangements, and production on display belie some harsh subject matter, all centering on love, loss, betrayal, and leaving.

It's hard to believe that Price didn't write songs such as "At Least (The Little Things)" herself; she inhabits them completely, in the same way that Aretha Franklin possesses a song such as "Dr. Feelgood," or "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)." Before long you're totally caught up in her life. "She Wants You" is a song of resignation and defeat preceded by a "National Anthem" that humorously itemizes her man's transgressions. Throughout, Price never lets her obvious technical prowess intrude on her interpretation of the songs; the result is, paradoxically, a hugely enjoyable album about heartbreak.

Engineers: Jan Fairchild, Paul Davis, Ann Catalino.

Personnel: Kelly Price (vocals); Gerald LeVert (vocals, background vocals); Dru Hill, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, Kandice Love, LovHer, Montell Jordan, R. Kelly, Case (vocals); Donnie Lyle, John Smith, Jay Williams, Peter Mokran (guitar); Nella Rigell (harp); Sanford Salzinger, Jun-Ching Lin, Sou-Chun Su, Kerren Berz, David Arenz, Carolyn Hancock, David Braitberg, Bruce Dukov, Sara Parkins (violin); Heidi Nitchie, Eric Johnson , Reid Harris (viola); Christopher Rex, Anthony Cooke, Elizabeth Murphy, Stephen Erdody, Jere Flint, Daniel Laufer (cello); Paul D. Allen, J. Moss (keyboards, drums); Lafayette Carthon, Jr., Anthony Lowe (keyboards); Mike Cebulski (timpani); Luis Conte (percussion); Benny Tillman, Carlos Thornton, Abel Garibaldi, Ian Mereness (programming); K-Ci & JoJo (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Peter Mokran.

Recording information: Chicago recording Company; Chicago Trax Recording; Conway Recording Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Doppler Studios, Burbank, CA; Future Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, VA; Hartman Way Sound Studios, West Hills, CA; Hartman Way Studio, West Hill, CA; Quad Studios, New York, NY; Quad Studios, NY; The Record Plant, LA, CA.

Editors: Abel Garibaldi; Ian Mereness.

Unknown Contributor Role: Method Man.

Arrangers: Robert Kelly ; Kelly Price; R. Kelly.

Personnel: Kelly Price (vocals); Method Man (rap vocals); R. Kelly (spoken vocals, various instruments); Shep Crawford (various instruments); John "Jubu" Smith (acoustic & electric guitars); Professa Funk, Charles "Lil Charlie" Bereal, Peter Mokran, Jay Williams, Donnie Lyle (guitar); Jun-Ching lin, David Arenz, Eleanor Arenz, David Braitberg, Bruce Dukov (violin); Reed Harris, Paul Murphy, Eric Johnson (viola); Christopher Rex, Jere Flint, Anthony Cooke (cello); Nella Rigell-Colso (harp); Russ Deluna (oboe); Brice Andrus, Richard Deane (French horn); Paul D. Allen, J. Moss (keyboards, drums); Lafayette Carthon II, Anthony Lowe (keyboards); Doug Sommer (acoustic bass); Steve Williams (bass); Mike Cebulski (kettle drum, percussion).

Producers: Warryn "Baby Dub" Campbell, R. Kelly, Shep Crawford, Kelly Price, Peter Mokran.

Rolling Stone (8/3/00, pp.55-6) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Barely half the songs are mere vocal showcases. Divas being divas, it's no surprise that the album's standouts include most of the tracks she didn;t compose...[but] the album bodes well for her songwriting future..."
Entertainment Weekly (7/7/00, p.130) - "...Despite a penchant for souled-out cliches...[the] scorching ballads...and the hip-hop 'Like You Do'...demonstrate a welcome un-diva-like approachability." - Rating: B
The Source (7/00, p.216) - "...Kelly shows signs of a diva in waiting, taking more control of her feelings and her relationships..."