Every womanΓÇÖs life is a story. From first step to first kiss to first love to that first heartbreak, to the first labor pain, to the first night alone to the last face you see, as a woman grows and gains experience, her story becomes infused with deeper emotions, more intricate scenarios, and shadings and layers of well-earned wisdom.
Mirror Mirror is Kelly PriceΓÇÖs story. It is also her sophomore release on Def Soul and a collection that solidifies her status as a major force in R&B. Purposeful, strong, meaningful, melodic, heartfelt, and soulful Mirror Mirror is the story that Kelly Price has been writing her whole life. Filled with love and laced with truth, Mirror Mirror is the story that Kelly Price has been waiting to sing.
Written and co-executive-produced by Kelly, with help from Warryn Campbell, R. Kelly, and Shep Crawford, Mirror Mirror is unfettered and real, drawing its inspiration from life itself. Since the 1998 release of her platinum-plus debut Soul Of A Woman, Kelly has faced adversity on both a professional and personal front and has emerged from her trials tough and more determined.
"God knows why everything happens to someone," Kelly says, "but one thing I do know is that right now, IΓÇÖm in a really good space. Definitely, the experiences over the past year have brought me to the realization that this is what I do. Mirror Mirror reflects that, and because of that, the energy level is different. I can hear it, and I think anybody with a really keen ear can hear that difference and growth as well."
What people will hear is a renewed confidence. Although Mirror Mirror addresses love and the ins and outs of a relationship, Kelly is quick to point out that this is no daytime- TV melodrama or victimΓÇÖs lament. "This time IΓÇÖm saying, ΓÇÿI love you and itΓÇÖs cool but you can be here or you donΓÇÖt have to be here and IΓÇÖm OK.ΓÇÖ Because IΓÇÖm wonderful and IΓÇÖm fabulous because I love me-- regardless."
The first single from Mirror Mirror is "As We Lay," a song originally performed by Shirley Murdock (and produced by the late Roger Troutman) in 1984. Kelly laughs, "When people heard me sing the song, the response was so overwhelming that, well, I couldnΓÇÖt deny it! And of course ΓÇÿAs We LayΓÇÖ fit in so perfectly with the rest of my album."
That story commences with "The Interlude," a peek into the place where KellyΓÇÖs personal and professional lives meet. "My day begins very early, especially when IΓÇÖm going into the studio or doing a photo shoot, and so from the start of the record, you are with me." From that introduction the story continues, leading into "You Should Have Told Me," written by newcomers Paul Allen and J Moss. With its quiet, heart-rending majesty, "You Should Have Told Me" chronicles miscommunications and misgivings between a couple. "Even though I didn't write the track, the message speaks to me," Kelly explains. From those doubts and fears Kelly then drives into the mid-tempo and pointedly direct "She Wants You." Kelly refers to this song as the flip side of her 1998 hit "Friend Of Mine," and like that song, "She Wants You" takes you deep into the inner world of love and regret. Mirror Mirror covers a wide breadth of emotions, from the attitude-laden "3 Strikes," ("Get out!" Kelly laughs. "I changed the lock!") to the reflective title track, to the wistful "The Lullaby," (featuring KellyΓÇÖs two children, Jeffrey Jr. and Jonia singing to her) to the powerful "All I Want Is You" (with K-Ci and Gerald Levert). And as she did with Soul Of A Woman, Kelly closes her book by returning to her gospel roots with the hymn "Many Things About Tomorrow." "That is a part of me that will never change," Kelly asserts, "my faith and my dedication to God."
In the time off between Soul Of A Woman and Mirror Mirror, that faith was tested repeatedly. Kelly had to deal with numerous career and personal issues. The pressures grew so intense that by the end of 1999, Kelly, who should have been basking in the glow of her success, found herself in turmoil. "Singing is what I love and songwriting is what I love and when it gets to a point when doing what you love makes you cry then I feel like you shouldnΓÇÖt have to do it anymore. And I had gotten to that point."
To add to KellyΓÇÖs pain, both her mother and mother-in-law were diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, her mother is in remission, but in the fall of 1999, KellyΓÇÖs mother-in-law passed away, and Mirror Mirror is dedicated to her memory. Having the disease touch her family so tragically prompted Kelly to action: She recorded the single "Love Sets You Free" and donated the proceeds to breast cancer research. She also took time to reevaluate her career and her motivation. Having gone through the fire, Kelly found herself in the New Year recharged and ready to record once again, and in fact recorded Mirror Mirror in a scant one monthΓÇÖs time. "This album just feels so right, and I was so ready to do this record and it shows."
Kelly Price has been showing people and making them believers since she first came on the scene. The Queens, New York, native (she and her family now reside in Atlanta) was raised in the church and received her musical foundation there. By 1992, the young artist had begun to compile a "WhoΓÇÖs Who" list of credits, either writing, singing background, or arranging vocals for performers such as Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy, Notorious B.I.G., Aretha Franklin, Mary J Blige, the Isley Brothers, Brian McKnight, Brandy, and the Clark Sisters. KellyΓÇÖs versatility, along with her sterling reputation and spectacular, full- throttle voice, made her one of R&BΓÇÖs best kept secrets until she was signed to Island Black Music in 1997.
Her debut on that label was Soul Of A Woman, which spawned the hit "Friend Of Mine" and eventually sold over a million copies. In 1999, Kelly was hand-picked by friend Whitney Houston to sing on WhitneyΓÇÖs single "Heartbreak Hotel." The song, which also featured Faith Evans, became a Top 10 smash and received a Grammy nomination for best R&B performance by a duo or group.
In an industry where image often reigns over talent, Kelly PriceΓÇÖs success is worth noting. By sticking to her guns, staying true to herself, creating an amazing body of work, this remarkably down-to-earth and gifted woman has emerged as a significant entertainment force. As a songwriter, producer, burgeoning label executive, and singer, Kelly PriceΓÇÖs star burns bright.
Ask Kelly what she wants people to gain from her album and she thinks for a bit. "When people hear this record, I want them to hear the story of someone who is healthy, better, more established, energetic, and ready -- I am just ready."
