Musiq at The Warner Theater Washington, DC 08/15/2008
The Warner Theater sits in the heart of downtown DC and if I may say so myself is one of the best venus
to catch a good show. The atmosphere is nice and reminiscent of the Apollo Theater. This would be my second Musiq Soulchild
show here and while I had saw him a few nights before in Atlantic City, NJ I was not expecting this at all.
While opening for Chaka Khan is something I have yet to fully understand, the shows this summer seemed
to flow well. It was interesting to see how the "older" crowds reacted to Musiq's energized performances. Some were into it and
even knew some of the songs while others just wanted to see Chaka. Well DC concert goers wouldn't have to wait long because
Opening Act Musiq Soulchild hadn't even boarded his plane in New York yet!
Confusion masked the crowd when Musiq's background singer "Showtime" took to the stage to warm up the
crowd with a little melody and then overheated them when he that melody turned into a full set. Not understanding what was
happening people began to "boo", yell and even got up to go to the bar. After a few angry moans and groans the animated singer
bowed and left the stage.
Still unsure of what's going the lights come on in the Theater and people began talking. That's when
we notice the sound guys breaking down Musiq's set and setting up Chaka's. At first I thought Musiq wasn't coming then we
got word that the taping for BET's 106 and Park ran late and he was on his way. Of course the crowd doesn't know this and
agitation is every where! That is until after moments of waiting and watching the sounds guys set up what we know to be Chaka's
set the crowd realizes that the opening act isn't here at the headliner will be going first. Long behold over an hour later
Chaka finally takes the stage. Since I've seen this set before I closed my eyes.
Now 10pm, the sound duys have cleared Chaks's set and bought out Musiq's and Mr. Soulchild
who is over two hours late makes his way to the stage. Wearing white jeans, silver old skool adiddas, a vest, tie, dress shirt
and rocking that mohawk like nobody else he jumps right into it. Because of the venue curfew the set was cut short but he
still delivered the goods performing old joints like "Just Friends", "Love", "Don't Change", "Teach Me" and new songs "Radio"
and "So Beautiful" among others. Unfortunately DC didn't get a chance to hear the revised version of "Who Know's" which is
something right out Prince's book. But over all the crowd was extremly pleased. Especially since most of the Chaka Khan fans
who had front row seats left the show after her set allowing Musiq fans who hung in there all night the opportunity to experience
the Soulstar experience up close and personal.
An evening with Spike Lee, Philadelphia, PA 04/20/2008
The Kimmel Center at Philadelphia recently played host to one of the most glamorous evenings of my lifetime
thus far. Dressed in black and to the 9's like we were heading to the Grammy's the crowd was as stunning as the venue.
Introduced by Spike himself, An evening with Spike Lee: The Music of his movies by Terrance Blanchard
was an event held to honor the music of his movies with appearances by Patti Austin, Roul Mignon and of course Musiq Soulchild.
The set included a 16 piece orchestra of phenomenal musicians which included a local Philadelphian Bass
Chelloist and Terrance Blanchard himself. The orchestra played scores from popular movies such as Bambozzled, Clockers, Jungle
Fever, The 25th Hour, Mo Betta Blues, Inside Man, Malcom X and When The Levees Broke. As they played the selected score a
montage of scenes slowly and gracefully played on a large screen.
Musiq made his first appearance during the showing of Clockers. The critically acclaimed film featuring
a young Mekhi Phiffer and Isaiah Washington. For his performance he sang "People Searching". In all of my years of attending
concerts of all genres and multiple artist this was the best vocal performance ever. I have never heard anything sung so flawlessly
and with so much conviction. Every note was perfected as if he were auditioning for a record deal all over again. It's almost
as if he he went back to the basics of singing. No long run offs, extra oh's and ah's. Just simple, basic and pure singing.
And it was well received. Conservative audience members made it very clear that they did not know who he was but would go
out and find his CD. Music to my hears.
His second performance was actually a poetry piece from the movie Mo Betta Blues, "Top 40 hits". This
was a pleasant surprise because to those who may not have saw the movie they may have thought this was his own piece. Musiq
came off very convincing, performing the 5+ minute long poem with energy and confidence. I think he had everyone engaged and
wanting more. Being that this peiece required a nice amount of acting skills I can say with 100% that he is ready for the
Silver Screen.
Other memorable moments of the show were during the scores from Malcom X and When the Levees Broke.
They closed out Malcom X by playing the very end of the movie which was narrated by the late and great Ossie Davis as the
lights turned off to amplify the mood. When The Levees Broke featured an emotional performance by Terrance Blanchard
who suffered a personal loss during Hurricane Katrina.
The show would close out by bringing all three aritst back to the stage for a bit of a freesyle session
and of course the stage loving Musiq Soulchild and the honoree of the night, Spike Lee.
This was definitely one for the books. I have never seen Musiq with this much energy which continued
well after the show at the after party. And I have never seen him perform anyhting like what he did that night. He proved
once again why he wears the name he wears.
Riviera Beach Music Festival, Singer Island, FL 04/12/2008
What better way to see your favorite artist than to see him on the hottest of the year thus far in sunny
West Palm Beach FL. We arrived to West Palm Beach bright and early that morning just in time to get our hotel located on Singer
Island where the festival was being held. By the time we were dressed and ready to head on over the beach the festival was
on it's way.The smell of carribean food and southern fried fish filled the air. And as you can imagine they were booths to
purchase everything from evening dresses to original art. Funny how I already have some that "original" art in my apartment.
Hummm.
But anyway we grab our chairs and park ourselves right in the pathway of the suns stinging rays but
nevertheless we are front and center so I'll take the sunburn. The show started off with with a few cover bands. We will see
three of the worste of cover bands before show host Tommy Davidson made his way on the stage. After enduring now 2 hours of
sun and bordem he is offbeat and sometimes corny jokes were more than welcomed.
With Musiq scheduled to come on at 8:30pm we counted down what seemed like eternity. Luckily the time
was broken up by the first non-cover band. The beautiful Ameil Leirreaux. I am so sure I misspelled her name but I did my
best. While I am actually a fan of hers I was a bit dissapointed by her set. She screamed and attemtped to scat her way
through most songs and when she got to the songs we knew and loved and totally and horribly revamped them. For those who did
not know who she was this was not a good first impression. I did defend her by telling folks to buy the album, she sounds
much better there!
8:30 would come and go as did Tommy Davidson. By the 9pm we are told that Doug E. Fresh was coming.
Since the show was waaay behind schedule and he was hosting the afterparty that they would skip him and go right to Musiq.
But that was not the case. And while most people enjoyed Mr. Fresh, some of his songs were told old for me to remember so
I was not impressed. The good news is that the crowd was and because Musiq was coming out next it was great to have a hype
crowd. To make things better Doug bought Tommy Davison and Emmaunuel Lewis out on stage to dance with him. I know you remember
Webster. Well while Webster has not grown much in height he has grown out and can dance his little but off.
After all the bad dancing it was time for Musiq to set up. Now all night there had been issues with setting the stage
for the next act. Musiq was no exception. While Musiq was off to the side interviewing the stage crew worked for almost an
hour to set up the stage. it took so long that Tommy was able to do an entire act and when they were finally ready he waved
goodnight.
Finally the hour we had now waited for over 9 hours came and out came Musiq dressed in what we call his Birthday Suit.
Not for the reason you are thinking, but because this is the outfit he wore on his brithday last year and seems to like it
so much that he has been wearing it since. So dressed in pin striped jeans,vest, shirt, tie and fresh new hair cut Musiq blessed
the stage with his presence. Opening the show with the crowd pleaser B.U.D.D.Y he was able to get the folks that was lost
in the long intermission back on their feet. As he went into the next songs Ridiculous and Makeuhappy he seemed to have lost
most of the crowd. No fault of his own but the majority of the crowd were older and either had no idea who he was or had never
of any of these two songs. Of course that would not last long when he went into familiar songs like my favorite live song,
"Sunny (Just Friends)", "Don't Change" and the one everyone seemed to know, "Love".
Of couse he did other songs like "Half Crazy" and "Teach Me" but overall this was a fairly short set. Not the best show
of the year at no fault of his but definitely a different experience. As always he was energetic, animated when needed
and well worth all the sunburn and peeling skin I am experienceing right now.
African American Festival Baltimore 07/06/2007
This year has truley been a wonderful year for Musiq. Performing in different cities almost every night
and at as many venues and humanly possibly. This weekend was a little different though. Musiq performed in front of hundreds
at Baltimore's African American Festival which was free to the public. At temps soaring well over 90 degrees, fan waiting
in the hot sun for hours to see the man of the hour. But they had plenty of entertainment in the moments leading up the big
finale with performers such as Che'Ray, a new Neo-Soul artist and Fertile Ground.
One 9:30pm hit, the sun had gone down and whatever breeze the crowd hoped for was deminished when dozens
of other fans began to file around the main stage. As local DJ's got the crowd hyped out came Musiq dressed in a Tan shirt
with his album logo printed on the back and long shorts to match. Wearing his signuture "paper boy" hat and shades and took
the mic and started the show.
This time around Musiq was sure to pick a variety of songs from all four albums singing classics such
as. "Just friends", "Half Crazy", "Forthenight", "Teachme", Marygoround", "L is gone", "Love", Make You Happy", "Betterman",
"Ms. Philadelphia", "Buddy" and more.
It was an energy packed show as usual fully equiped with large monitors for those further back, large
light displays, the best band around and of course one of the greatest singers to ever graze the stage. For a glimpse into
what a wonderful show it was see the above video of Musiq singing, "Teachme" live in Baltimore. Peace-jm
TLA Philadelphia 02/14/2007
It has been years since the Philadelphia native has performed a full length show in his hometown. A few guest appearances
here and there but in the past three years you had to travel if you wanted to see the greatest performer of our time.
On Feburary 14th 2007, Valentines Day he returned. The show the city had anticipated sold out within days of going on
sell. On the night of the big performance unlucky fans were lined outside of Philadelphia's Theater of Living Arts on the
infamous South Street trying to find extra tickets. Those who had tickets were in line, some singing old favorites like, "Sunny
(Just Friends)" and "Marygoround". Despite the fact that it was 12 degrees, below zero with the wind and snowing fans keep
smiling as they waited for the concert staff to open the doors.
A little after 7pm they finally let everyone in. Now while the tickets made no mention that cameras would not be allowed
I was quickly stopped at the door when my bag turned up a camera. So I had to get rid of it even though hundreds others managed
to get in. No worries though, with a new album due out in weeks and the real tour kicking off on March 8th there'd be
plenty of other photo opportunities this year.
For the first time that I'm aware of there was no opening act. This is most likely due to the fact that this was just
a promo show. A preview as to what is to come to promote the new album and make sure there is still a pulse in your fan base.
Welll there was a pulse and it showed when the background singers took the stage and the band began to play.
The man of the hour made his way to the stage smiling ear to ear as he returned to the stage in his home town and looked
upon the eeccentric crowd of long time fans. Outiftted in his signature jeans, t-shirt, blazer, white sneakers, and that phat
80's gold chain reminiscent of Run DMC he took the mic and the show began.
He performed the fan favorite, "Sunny (JustFriends)", a sick version of "Love" and a few other joints from his first
multi-platinum album, "Aijuwannaseing" before moving onto "Juslisen". but it was what he did next that had that showed off
his true talent and respect for his predecessors. He did a a tribute to Rick James, Gerald Levert, James Brown and super producer
J-Dilla.
He started out with Rick James, "Mary Jane", a little bit before my time but he rocked it so hard I wish I had known
the words. I knew the chorus, but who doesn't. Next he performed Gerald Levert's "Hold on to me". Much respect to Gerald Levert but
this was never one of my favortite songs but Musiq made that song sound brand new to me. Needless to say, I like it now. Now
the next song was my favorite because I don't think there could ever be a better rendition of this song than what Musiq did
that night.
He started by doing a few push-ups and some stretches which had the crowd wondering if he was about to perform a song
or karate. But then came in that unforgettable sound of James Brown as Musiq performed the infamous "Super Bad". This was
a flawless performance that was enough to make the hardest working man in R&B proud. I'm sure James Brown was some where
in heaven getting on the good foot watching Musiq perform. And believe it or not ladies and gentlemen he completed the performance
with the famous split. But believe me he got up quick enough to be sure he didn't hurt anything he may need if he wants
any offspring...lol.
He closed out his tribute with J-Dilla. He had been playing this beat for the majority of the night and the song finally
came into play when Musiq began with the words "You know what love is..."
Now while he did not perform many songs from the new album he did close the show out with the song that radios wll not
stop playing, "Buddy". Which you could barley hear him over the crowds chants of, "Girl, it'll be fly. If you were my "B.U.D.D.Y...."
With a small amount of time he infused a little "L is Gone" and shook a few hands before he was whisked off the stand by one
of his bodygaurds.
All in all it was a short show, but well worth it. And once again this is just a preview of what's to come. So on March
8th when the offical tour kicks off fans will be in for a real treat. Don't forget "LuvanMusiq" in stores March 13th! Peace-jm
