R. Kelly's video for 'When a Woman Loves' takes it old school
Is it too close to Maxwell's 'Fistful of Tears?'
R. Kelly in "When a Woman Loves"
When we last heard from R. Kelly, he was warbling the “Sign of a Victory,” the official FIFA World Cup anthem. He’s gone from the macro to the micro.
With his new single and video, “When a Woman Loves,” R. Kelly is going old school, conjuring up the spirits of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding and even further back to the Platters. The soul ballad, about the power of a good woman’s love, is a bit one-note but it’s so smooth, you just glide along with it, swept away by Kelly’s spot-on vocals.
For the video, directed by Jeremy Rall, Kelly also imitates his predecessors, creating a sleek, stunning B&W performance video that features only him in front of a curtain and then surrounded by microphones. It’s beautifully shot and works perfectly for the song, but it would be a hell of a lot more effective if Maxwell hadn’t done a very similar idea with his clip for “Fistful of Tears,” earlier this year.
“When a Woman Loves” is the first single from Kelly’s 11th studio album, “Love Letter.”
Compare the two and tell us what you think.
News From Our Partners
-
The Telefile - Today's TWoP News: Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Telefile - Modern Family: The Best Gags of the Evening
The Telefile - Today's TWoP News: Wednesday, February 8, 2012
-
Critics Consensus: Journey 2 Isn't Quite Worth the Trip
Total Recall: Luis Guzman's Best Movies
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I
-
Podmass: Week of Feb. 2-8
For Our Consideration: The Grammys are worth watching (seriously)
Interview: Karl Pilkington
-
Tom Felton Cast In Ghostly Romance 'Therese Raquin'
Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams 'Vow' To Be Romantic
'Star Trek' Star Chris Pine 'Grateful' For Benedict Cumberbatch
-
George Lucas On 'Star Wars': 'When I Make The Slightest Change, Everybody Thinks It's The End Of The World'
'Spring Awakening' Movie: Lea Michele Sought For Lead Role
'The Vow,' 'Safe House,' 'Journey 2,' 'The Phantom Menace': New Releases This Weekend
-
'Gossip Girl' sneak peak: Blair is looking for love...sort of
'American Idol': Amy Brumfield brings the plague to Group Day
'The Big Bang Theory': Almost perfect
-
Harry Potter And Voldemort Play Plead The Fifth On 'Watch What Happens Live'
Nic Cage Addresses Vampire Rumors On 'Late Show'
Pretty Things Peepshow Puts On Show For 'NY Ink'
About This Blog
Melinda Newman is the former West Coast Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. She covers music and entertainment for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Associated Press, MSN, AOL and other outlets. Recent interviews include Taylor Swift, Pink, Brad Paisley, Foo Fighters, Jonas Bros. and Snow Patrol.
Get Instant Alerts on The Beat Goes On
Latest Posts
-
Set includes tracks from 'Tried and True' and new tunesThursday, Feb 9, 2012
-
It turns out it does take an army to replace the Big ManThursday, Feb 9, 2012
-
First album will be out this SpringThursday, Feb 9, 2012
-
'American Idol' winner scores her third No. 1 with 'Stronger'Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupJeremy No offense to Maxwell, but nobody can match Kelly's vocals, especially when he lays down a soulful ballad like this.
August 31, 2010 at 12:17PM EST Reply to Commentmelinda Jeremy- totally agree about Kelly's vocals. Really gorgeous here. Even great on on the Fifa song. Thanks for reading
August 31, 2010 at 6:58PM ESTHuh Sorry but Maxwell can only dream to sing like R. Kelly besides the style R. Kelly has is old school. Maxwell is way too try hard. He can't sing like R. Kelly can.
August 31, 2010 at 1:46PM EST Reply to CommentTina Both videos and artist did a wonderfful job. As far as comparing the two no need because they"re style is very different. I will say this, it's about time R Kelly put out some classic R&B which he has failed to do in the past years.
August 31, 2010 at 3:34PM EST Reply to CommentGalOh Agreed completely..Im a fan of both their music and honestly you just cant put them in comparison because like stated their style and genre is quite different. Maxwell n R.Kellz are both vocally gifted some notes max can hit perfectly and kellz cant and vice versa
March 14, 2011 at 10:07PM ESTAlexis While I can appreciate R kelly tryin to get back to soulful music, I PREFER Maxwell"s "Fistful of Tears" because it has a FRESHER sound and the lyrics have a DEEPER meaning. Kelz song sounds OUTDATED and FAKE.
September 1, 2010 at 1:22AM EST Reply to CommentTaylar It can't be fake if he sung it live and sounded like his record
November 30, 2010 at 2:02PM ESTSeriously Taking nothing away from Maxwell but who is the King of R&B? R. Kelly has held that title since the 90s. Depth, range, versatility, you name it and all of them embody R. Kelly. Maxwell took a what, 11 year hiatus and finally comes back? R. Kelly lives music and NOBODY comes close.
September 1, 2010 at 12:08PM EST Reply to Commentyaya sooooo like i fuckn hae r kelly but i would so buy the cd just for this song..its about damn time he actually started singin ballads..and notice he ddnt speak once about the damn after party and hotel lobby... i actually felt something hearing this song.. Welcome back R.Kelly ... now go reclamin ya thrown...move over Trey!
September 1, 2010 at 3:32PM EST Reply to Comment1chaz It's about time someone brought back real R&B. I been singing Otis Redding since I was 16yrs old in Macon, GA. Looking forward to creating music of my own with that type of sound. Keep up the good work. 1chaz coming soon
September 12, 2010 at 1:01PM EST Reply to Comment1chaz keep up the good work r.kelly
September 12, 2010 at 1:03PM ESTboots R. Kelly did this on Jimmy Fallon, just fantastic, check it out. Classic R & B
December 7, 2010 at 1:45AM EST Reply to Comment