Who I Am (Beverley Knight album)

Last updated

Who I Am
BevKnightWhoIAm.JPG
Studio album by
Released11 March 2002
Length52:11
Label Parlophone
Producer
Beverley Knight chronology
Prodigal Sista
(1998)
Who I Am
(2002)
Affirmation
(2004)
Singles from Affirmation
  1. "Get Up!"
    Released: 5 November 2001
  2. "Shoulda Woulda Coulda"
    Released: 25 February 2002
  3. "Gold"
    Released: 24 June 2002
  4. "Shape of You (Reshaped)"
    Released: 3 March 2003

Who I Am is the third studio album by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. It was released by Parlophone Records on 29 March 2002 in the United Kingdom. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 7, becoming Knight's first top ten album. It went on to be certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), [1] and earned Knight several awards nominations, most notably the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 2002, and Best British Female and Best Urban Act at the 2003 BRIT Awards.

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
entertainment.ie Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]

Who I Am received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Allmusic editor Jon O'Brien rated the album four out of five stars, calling it "a well-produced collection of contemporary R&B songs that is just as confident and self-assured as her more celebrated US contemporaries." He found that "overall, Who I Am is still a colossal leap. After seven years of being an also-ran, Knight now has the material to back up her world-class vocals. The big time surely awaits." [2] In her review for The Guardian , Caroline Sullivan wrote that "every song bubbles with the kind of expensive, polished confidence that often eludes British contenders, and she sings with the poise of an artist at the height of her powers [...] The one thing missing from this luscious album is a killer single, which may keep it from achieving the success it deserves." [4] The Independent found that "the album as a whole [is] marked by an impressive restraint that's far more persuasive than the ghastly histrionics of her American peers." [5]

Track listing

Who I Am Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Get Up!"
  • Knight
  • Derrick Martin
  • Derrick Joshua
  • BJ
  • Mike Soul
3:46
2."Shoulda Woulda Coulda"
  • Mike Spencer
  • Tony Briscoe
3:32
3."Shape of You"
  • Knight
  • Wiseman
D'Influence4:26
4."Fallen Soldier"
  • Knight
  • A. Clark
Mike "Spike" Drake3:20
5."Beautiful Contradiction" (duet with Musiq Soulchild)
  • Knight
  • Steve Francis
4:45
6."Hurricane Jane"
  • Knight
  • Poyser
  • Pope
  • Poyser
  • Pope
4:07
7."Same (As I Ever Was)"
  • Knight
  • Colin Emmanuel
  • Eric Appapoulay
Emmanuel3:36
8."Whatever's Clever"
  • Knight
  • Francis
  • Knight
  • Briscoe
3:57
9."Ambition (It All Comes 2 U)"
  • Knight
  • Martin Brammer
  • James McMillan
Dodge3:20
10."Bestseller Mystery"
  • Knight
  • Martin
  • Joshua
  • Knight
  • Martin
  • Joshua
5:13
11."Gold"
  • Knight
  • Spencer
Drake4:45
12."Who I Am" (hidden track)
  • Knight
  • Thom Schuyler
Schuyler2:45
13."Shoulda Woulda Coulda (Philly Mix)" (hidden track)
  • Knight
  • Wiseman
  • Spencer
  • Briscoe
4:47
Total length:59:34
Reissue bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Shape of You (Re-shaped)" (featuring Wyclef Jean & Hollywood)
  • Knight
  • Wiseman
  • Jean
  • Duplessis
3:46

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Who I Am
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [11] Gold100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Life thru a Lens</i> 1997 studio album by Robbie Williams

Life thru a Lens is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. It was Williams' first solo album following his departure from Take That. Released on 29 September 1997 through Chrysalis Records, it is influenced by Britpop, a departure from the poppier tone of music Take That employed. The album's working name was The Show-Off Must Go On.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One More Try (George Michael song)</span> 1988 single by George Michael

"One More Try" is a song recorded by the British singer George Michael from his debut solo studio album, Faith (1987). It was released on 11 April 1988 as the album's fourth single by Columbia Records. The song hit number one on all of the Billboard Hot 100, the Hot Black Singles and the Hot Adult Contemporary charts.

<i>Voice – The Best of Beverley Knight</i> 2006 greatest hits album by Beverley Knight

Voice – The Best of Beverley Knight is the first greatest hits album by British R&B recording artist and songwriter Beverley Knight, released in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2006 by Parlophone. The collection includes twelve UK Top 40 singles, including the newly recorded track and single "Piece of My Heart". The album also includes a second new track co-written with and produced by Chris Braide entitled "Who's Gonna Save Your Soul" and two live tracks. It was supported by the Voice – The Best of Tour.

<i>The B-Funk</i> 1995 studio album by Beverley Knight

The B-Funk is the debut studio album by the British R&B and soul singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. It was released on 26 November 1995 by independent record label Dome Records.

<i>Affirmation</i> (Beverley Knight album) 2004 studio album by Beverley Knight

Affirmation is the fourth studio album by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. It was released by Parlophone Records on 28 June 2004 in the United Kingdom. The album peaked at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart, while reaching number 83 in Switzerland. Affirmation was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 2 July 2004, less than a week after the album was released, and had reached gold staus by December 2004. It features three hit singles, "Come As You Are", "Not Too Late for Love" and "Keep This Fire Burning", which all entered the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Alisha Rules the World</i> 1996 studio album by Alishas Attic

Alisha Rules the World is the debut album by English pop duo Alisha's Attic, released on 4 November 1996. The album received positive reviews, and went platinum in the following year, selling 400,000 copies in the UK. The four singles released from the album all reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beverley Knight</span> British recording artist and stage actress (born 1973)

Beverley Knight is an English singer, songwriter, actress and radio personality. She released her first album, The B-Funk, in 1995. Heavily influenced by American soul music icons such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released eight studio albums. Widely labelled as one of Britain's greatest soul singers, Knight is best known for her hit singles "Greatest Day", "Get Up!", "Shoulda Woulda Coulda", "Come as You Are" and "Keep This Fire Burning".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piece of My Heart</span> 1967 single by Erma Franklin

"Piece of My Heart" is a romantic soul song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns, originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. Franklin's single peaked in December 1967 at number 10 on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flavour of the Old School</span> 1995 single by Beverley Knight

'"Flavour of the Old School"' is a song by British R&B recording artist Beverley Knight, released as her debut single from her first album, The B-Funk (1995). The track, which peaked at number fifty on the UK Singles Chart when it was released in March 1995, was accompanied by a low budget music video that saw Knight in the recording studio singing directly into the camera. It was re-released however in October 1995, supported by a new video and strong support from urban radio. The song went on to become Knight's first top 40 single, peaking at number thirty-three in the official UK Singles Chart. The song later reappeared on the b-side of Knight's 1999 single "Made it Back". The video is frequently shown in rotation on MTV Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Up! (Beverley Knight song)</span> 2001 single by Beverley Knight

Get Up! was the first single taken from Beverley Knight's third studio album, Who I Am. The track, which was showcased with a performance at the 2001 MOBO Awards, became Knight's third top 20 hit in Britain when it peaked at #17 upon its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoulda Woulda Coulda</span> 2002 single by Beverley Knight

"Shoulda Woulda Coulda" is a song by English singer Beverley Knight, released as the second single from her third studio album, Who I Am (2002). Written about the breakup of her long-term relationship because she decided to put her career first, the song became Knight's first top-10 single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and topping the UK R&B Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep This Fire Burning</span> 2002 single by Robyn

"Keep This Fire Burning" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, released as the first single from her third album Don't Stop the Music. The single was released in Sweden on 21 September 2002, where it became her highest charting single since 1995's "Do You Really Want Me ". The song was also released as a single in Australia under the name "By Your Side" due to the Australian bushfires which were happening at the time. In 2008, a re-recorded version of the song appeared on the special edition of Robyn's eponymous album.

<i>Music City Soul</i> 2007 studio album by Beverley Knight

Music City Soul is the fifth studio album by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. It was released on Parlophone Records on 7 May 2007 in the United Kingdom. The album contains the singles "No Man's Land", "After You" and "The Queen of Starting Over", and features Ronnie Wood on a number of tracks. The album became Knight's second highest charting album in the UK, peaking at number eight.

<i>Real Girl</i> 2007 studio album by Mutya Buena

Real Girl is the debut solo studio album by British singer Mutya Buena. It was released on 4 June 2007 via Island Records. Following her departure from British girl group Sugababes in December 2005, Buena later signed a new record deal with Island Records, which was the same label Sugababes was signed to, and began work on the album.

<i>Songs of Mass Destruction</i> 2007 studio album by Annie Lennox

Songs of Mass Destruction is the fourth solo studio album by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, released on 1 October 2007 by RCA Records and 19 Recordings. It was her first album of new material since 2003's Bare and to date her most recent of original material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ready for the Weekend (song)</span> 2009 single by Calvin Harris

"Ready for the Weekend" is a song by Scottish recording artist Calvin Harris. It features uncredited vocals from British singer Mary Pearce. Written and produced by Harris himself, the song was released on 9 August 2009 as the second single from his second studio album of the same name (2009).

<i>I Am Chipmunk</i> 2009 studio album by Chipmunk

I Am Chipmunk is the debut album by British rapper Chipmunk, released on 9 October 2009 by Columbia Records. Unknown to many, the album was originally scheduled to have been released the year before: one being 4 May and the other release date being October. It produced four consecutive top 10 singles, including one chart-topper. The album was deemed a success after it debuted at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollywood (Marina and the Diamonds song)</span> 2010 single by Marina and the Diamonds

"Hollywood" is a song by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, released under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds, from her debut studio album, The Family Jewels (2010). It was released digitally on 29 January 2010 and physically on 1 February 2010 as the third single from The Family Jewels.

<i>Who You Are</i> (Jessie J album) 2011 studio album by Jessie J

Who You Are is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Jessie J. It was released on 28 February 2011 by Lava Records, Island Records and Universal Republic Records. In such a high demand and interest from fans, the release was advanced by a month from 28 March, as previously planned. Recording sessions took place between 2005 and 2011, with several other record producers contributing on the album such as Dr. Luke, Toby Gad and K-Gee, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who You Are (Jessie J song)</span> 2011 single by Jessie J

"Who You Are" is a song by English singer and songwriter Jessie J, released as the sixth overall single from her debut studio album of the same name. The song was written by Jessie J, Toby Gad, and Shelly Peiken, while the production was handled by Gad. The single was released via digital download on November 13, 2011. The song's lyrics address the importance of staying true to one's identity. According to Cornish, she wrote the song after a three-month lonely trip. The song received very positive reviews from music critics, who complimented her strong vocals in the song and considered a highlight on the album. The track reached the top ten in the UK.

References

  1. "Platinum Awards Content". Archived from the original on 28 September 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2006.
  2. 1 2 "Who I Am - Beverley Knight | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  3. "Who I Am Review". Entertainment.ie . 8 March 2002. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  4. 1 2 Sullivan, Caroline (8 March 2002). "Elasticated beats". The Guardian . Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Album: Beverley Knight". The Independent . 8 March 2002. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  6. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  7. "Swisscharts.com – Beverley Knight – Who I Am". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  8. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  9. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  10. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2002". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  11. "British album certifications – Beverley Knight – Who I Am". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 11 June 2020.