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); 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..."