American star Alicia Keys is having it both ways, introducing elements of pop to her sound with latest album As I Am, but still flying the flag for old-school soul. There was room for it all on the opening night of her Australian tour at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where she showed why she has proven the most durable of this decade’s R&B stars.

There’s energy, excitement and a big show, but there’s real musical substance as well.

Keys showed it’s still possible to cross to a mainstream audience on talent rather than celebrity.

The crowd, mostly women, were on their feet from the opening notes of Go Ahead, delivered as a big-band R&B blast that leaves the recorded version for dead.

By the time the song was over she’d moved to the side of the stage to play a tasty synthesiser solo, showing she’s a fine musician as well as a powerful singer and entertainer.

Early hit You Don’t Know My Name is a nod to feelgood 60s soul with backing singers Whitney Keaton and Amanda Brown looking and sounding as if they had just stepped out of some Motown time warp.

By the time Keys had delivered the tremendous Teenage Love Affair and the supertight funk of Heartburn no one was left in any doubt that Keys has a long career ahead.

Recession or not, when you can make people feel this good, you will always have a sizeable audience.

While some might worry about the future of soul music in the age of manufactured, glossy pop, Keys showed its great tradition is in safe hands with her.

Words by Noel Mengel of Courier Mail

Photos by Kylie Keene for Rave Magazine