My date with Maxwell on Oct. 17

Yes, you read the title right. I had my own personal date with Maxwell. Yes, there were thousands of other women there and yes they were all screaming for his sexy, grown man self.

But that doesn’t matter.

As far as I was concerned, I was the only woman he was singing to Saturday night at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord, CA.

Am I a bit delusional to think that he was singing about me when he sang Stop the World?

Perhaps.

But I stand by my belief that he was singing only to me!

Seriously, having seen Maxwell several times before this, I must say this was his best show to date. When those screens opened up and he hit the first note, I knew this would be a night I wouldn’t soon forget.

And forget I haven’t.

There’s something that happens when Maxwell puts the mic up to his mouth and sings about doing a little Sumthin, Sumthin and Getting to Know Ya – everything around ceases to exist and you are transformed to another world.

The focus becomes on one man singing words you wish a “real” man would say.

There’s a line in Love You (the one song I wanted to hear, but he didn’t sing) when he says “Honey baby tell me I can be your man,” where I think, dang, it would be really sexy if a man really said that to me!

Back to the concert. Maxwell performed songs from all of his albums, but of course the focus was on his latest release Blacksummer’snight (where the aforementioned Love You comes from).

The show opened with Phoenix Rise (an instrumental tune on Blacksummer’snight) and moved on to Dancewitme (from his first album Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite).

But the song of the night (for me anyway) was Stop the World. My anticipation level was high because every single time I hear this song, I literally begin to imagine the world stopping while I’m with that special someone.

“Let the world rage outside/'cause when I’m here with you/the world stops for me/the world stops for me/and then extraordinary, ordinary things/things I can’t explain with subtext/the world stops for me”

See what I mean?

From the first note of Stop the World, my tunnel vision zeroed in on Maxwell and didn’t cease until the encore. That might have been because he followed Stop the World with . . . Til the Cops Come Knockin’ (another one of my favs). That has to be one of his sexiest songs ever!

I’m sure there were some babies made that night after people went home. Yes, a Maxwell concert is “that” kind of show.

Chrisette Michele and Common

Although the night most certainly belonged to Maxwell, I have to mention Chrisette Michele and Common’s performance.

I’m familiar with Chrisette’s first album; unfortunately she only sang songs from her new CD Epiphany. It turns out that was perfectly fine because I now want to buy the album.

Common is a sexy brotha and was an excellent addition to the tour. I’ve always enjoyed Common’s music because his style and flow are unique, and he isn’t one to do something because the next man is.

He had the crowd on its feet for most of his set, but especially when he took a trip down hip-hop memory lane – Tribe Called Quest’s Bonita Applebum, Wu Tang’s CREAM, Biz Markie’s Just a Friend, the Notorious B.I.G’s Juicy and Dr. Dre’s Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang (featuring Snoop) – all brought back memories of great hip-hop moments.

Along with rapping, Common is also a break dancer – that had to be one of the highlights of his show. If Common comes to town again, I will without doubt check him out.

It’s not too late: Maxwell’s tour ends Oct. 23 in Baltimore. Click here for more information.

Upcoming concerts alert:
En Vogue, Oct. 28-30, Yoshi’s Oakland. Tickets are $50.

Husband and wife Kenny Lattimore & Chante Moore, Nov. 13-15, Yoshi’s Oakland. Tickets are $40.

Maxwell's latest release was worth the wait

Back in my mama’s day, there were singers Teddy Pendergrass and Marvin Gaye. Their velvety voices made many a women want to (or actually) throw their panties on stage.

My generation has Maxwell, and with the release of the much anticipated BLACKsummersnight, he’s let everyone know he’s back after a self-imposed hiatus from the music business.

His latest release is a trilogy – with the next two discs being released in 2010 and 2011 – so his fans are guaranteed at least two more years of panty-dropping music.

With eight years between his last release Now and BLACKsummersnight, fans could only speculate. Would he still be in top form? Would his music still hit the soul and make love to the mind? Would he still have the sex appeal even though he shed those long beautiful locks?

Yes, yes, and hell YES!

Taking a break from the music business didn’t affect Maxwell’s ability to make music that takes you to another place. One day while listening to Stop the World, (my favorite cut right now) I literally stopped what I was doing because Maxwell was singing directly to me. “We about to stop the world tonight/we’re about to love/we ain’t got no worries/no battles/I’ma be with my girl tonight.”

You don’t have to tell me twice!

My other favorite is Bad Habit. I especially love the video (featuring actress Kerry Washington).

The only problem with the album is its length. Many people I’ve talked to are a little upset the CD only has nine songs. Previous Maxwell releases had an average of 11 songs, so he’s been pretty consistent.

Yeah, he could have added a few more, but I guess we’ll just have to wait until 2010 and 11 for more great music.

But let’s hope the next two albums have more music because I can’t get enough of Mr. Maxwell.


On repeat: Bad Habits and Stop the World
Skim through: None!

Maxwell will be on tour soon. Check this listing to see if he’s coming to a city near you.

Leela James, Aug. 8, 2009, Grand Ballroom

Despite the fact that she has only released one album with original material and despite the fact that I’ve seen Leela James like three times now, I decided to accompany my friend to her concert. He loves Leela like I love Erykah Badu, so I was happy to oblige his request.

Before we arrived, I was hoping her show would be different somehow. Her new album, Let’s Do It Again, is a cover of such classics as “Simply Beautiful” (Al Green), “Let’s Do It Again” (Curtis Mayfield), “I Want To Know What Love Is,” (Mick Jones) and “I Try” (Angela Bofill), so I figured she would sing most of those songs.

She did, but didn’t. Unfortunately, her performance was much of what I’d already seen. However, when you attend a Leela James show, you get to hear one of the most powerful and soulful voices out today.

Simply put, the woman can blow!

When she launched into James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s, Man’s Man’s World,” I literally had to take a step back and catch my breath. She hit those notes and I’m sure James Brown was a proud man looking down from heaven.

She also sang “I'll Take You There,” by the Staple Singers and “Simply Beautiful” by Al Green.

My favorite song by Leela is “My Joy,” which she performed. She also sang “Soul Food,” “Music,” and “Long Time Coming.” She ended the show with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

Leela’s show isn’t for “bourgeois” people (her words, not mine) and at one point in the show, she invited the audience on stage to dance with her. Of course my friend went; and I soon followed.

Before James Brown died, Leela said she had the opportunity to work with him. She said he told her he was passing the torch on to her and not to let soul music die.

She’s doing a good job making sure that doesn’t happen. I just wish her record company (formerly Warner Bros. and now the independent Shanachie Records) would do a better job of marketing her. She has a following and there’s no reason why Leela shouldn’t have released an album full of new material. I know we would love to hear it.

Hopefully it won’t be a long time before that happens.

Side note: Opening for Leela was Anthony David and Bilal. I haven’t really listened to music by either one (I know Anthony’s song “Words” and Bilal’s “Soul Sista”), but after seeing both perform live, I am now a fan of one and not impressed with the other.

I plan on buying Anthony David’s CD. Bilal, on the other hand, left me wondering what was wrong with him. I’ve always thought he sounded like D’Angelo, but during his performance, I realized he has nothing on D’Angelo and perhaps he should stay off of whatever he was on that night. He ended his set by placing the mic on the floor and walking off stage. Wow.

Upcoming concert alerts:

Erykah Badu & Mos Def, Sept. 4 at the Paramount Theatre, Oakland. Tickets range from $99.50 to $39.50.

Eric Benet, Sept. 3 & 4, Yoshi’s San Francisco. Tickets are $35.

John Legend & India Arie, Sept. 6, Greek Theatre on the Campus of U.C. Berkeley. Tickets range from $89.50 to $39.50.

Jaime Foxx, Oct. 10, 8 p.m., Sleep Train Pavilion. Tickets range from $93.75 to $48.75.

Maxwell (with Chrisette Michele and Common), Oct. 17, place and ticket prices TBA.

Beyonce – July 10, Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA

When Beyonce first went solo, I became a fan, but not a big one. I wasn’t a follower of Destiny’s Child – although I heard/read about all the drama of the these girls out, these girls in and this girl out situation.

Her first two solo albums – Dangerously in Love and B’Day – weren’t on regular iPod rotation. I enjoyed her music, just not so much that I listened to her everyday.

Then along came I Am . . . Sasha Fierce. When it was first released, I didn’t rush to buy it. One day, however, my sister asked if I had seen the video for her single “If I Were a Boy.” I Youtubed it and went straight to iTunes and bought the album. (The video is just that good).

I found the album to be worthwhile and decided I would go see her when she started touring.

As I do whenever concerts are announced, I e-mailed my friends to see if anyone wanted to join me in the I Am . . . Sasha Fierce experience.

Everyone said no.

Resigned to attending the concert with myself, I received a text message from my sorority sister asking if I was interested.

Her text made my night.

On July 10, many months after I purchased the tickets, Princess and I were beyond ready to see if Beyonce was worth the $95 we paid for upper level arena seats (all lower level seats were priced at $125, hence the reason row after row was empty the night of the show).

Sasha Fierce was in full effect on July 10! Not only was Beyonce worth the $95, I would pay to see her again. I was really impressed with not only her performance, but all the scene changes, her all female band and the abs on her male backup dancers!

Their faces weren’t bad to look at either.

It’s obvious Beyonce put much thought and energy into the show. From the first note of "Crazy In Love" to the last note of "Halo," she gave the audience every bit of herself.

While Beyonce’s favorite song to sing on this tour is "Hello" (listening to the lyrics, I can understand why,) she only partially sang my favorite song, "Get Me Bodied." Even though this was the one song I was really looking forward to hearing, Beyonce sang enough songs over the course of two hours to leave the audience fully satisfied.

She covered her own hits, as well as those from Destiny’s Child, Alanis Morisette, Shakira, Etta James and Sarah McLachlan.

“Ladies, I believe we have to support each other – we need each other. That’s why my band is all female,” she said before launching into "Me, Myself and I."

My favorite moment of the night was her special dedication to Michael Jackson – which brought tears my eyes for the umpteen time.

The other was the montage of videos showing people dancing to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)." Most were downright hilarious!

I know Beyonce is still young (27), but the energy she exuded during the entire show was inspiring. I left the arena having a sense of the time and dedication Beyonce gives to being the best performer she can.

After witnessing her performance, I can honestly say I’ll probably be a Beyonce fan for years to come.

Still in disbelief

One day after I turned a year older, the man who the world knew as the King of Pop went into cardiac arrest and departed this Earth.

The fact that Michael Joseph Jackson is gone still hasn’t quite sunk in just yet. As they were paying tribute to him on the radio yesterday, the tears just started coming.

Crying and driving down the highway, I started thinking just how much of an impact this man’s music has had on my life.

See, I grew up on Michael Jackson. He was to my generation what James Brown was to my parents. His songs provided the soundtrack for my elementary and middle school years.
Off the Wall was released when I was 4 years old, and ironically it was playing on my iPod right before I found out he had passed.

Thriller – released when I was in the second grade – changed music forever. Michael gave us a classic that is still the world’s best selling album of all time.

Here is an album that you play from beginning to end. There’s no skipping of tracks; there’s no “this is my favorite song on the album” because all of them are so good it’s hard to choose just one.

Do you know understand just how difficult it is to create an album like that?

MJ created a music video (Thriller) that had movie-like qualities and transformed how artist utilized the visual medium to sell their music.

Michael changed music forever, and no matter who tries to imitate or be like him, there will never, and I mean NEVER be anyone that will come close to what Michael Jackson gave the world.

Although his music will live on, I wish he would have as well.

There are just some people you can’t fathom will die in your lifetime – and for me, Michael was one of them.

On the radio

I’m a commuter. Five days a week I drive about 45 minutes (one way) to work. Usually, I listen to my iPod or a CD.

Lately, I’ve been listening to a mixed CD my sister made for me awhile ago. She has great taste in music.

I rarely listen to the radio while driving because, no matter the station, they tend to play the same songs over and over. The one main radio station I listen to plays Charlie Wilson so much I’ve come to dislike one of his song with a passion.

Yesterday, I decided to listen to the radio on my drive home, but this time, I tuned into the station that plays what’s hot right now.

I mean, if I’m going to blog about music, shouldn’t I be current on the latest artists and sound?
The station – 106.1 KMEL for those of you in the Bay Area – is not one I tune into frequently. After yesterday, I realized why.

After 20 minutes, I came to one conclusion – I have no idea who sings what these days. Song after song, I kept saying, “Who is this, and is it the same person that was on the last record??” I swear all the songs sounded the same.

Same beat, same voice pitch, same lyrics, same everything!

The one thing that really annoyed me was the fact that I could hardly understand what they were singing/rapping. If you’ve read my previous blog about lyrics, you know I’m all about the words, and if I can’t understand what’s being said in a song, chances are, I won’t like it.

Is music really that bad or am I just getting old??

Upcoming concert alert:

Leela James and Bilial at The Grand Ballroom at the Regency in San Francisco, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.50 (or $38.60 after all those Ticketmaster fees).

Upcoming concerts alert

Every morning, I wake up to a local radio station and they usually give away tickets to upcoming shows.
For some reason, this past week they have announced so many artists coming to the Bay Area that I’m having trouble keeping track. Hopefully I don’t miss any in this blog.

May 1 at 9 p.m.
Goapele and Cody Chestnut at the Independent in San Francisco. Ticket prices: $27. Available at The Independent or ticketweb.com.

May 1-3 (two shows each day)
Rahsaan Patterson at Yoshi’s San Francisco. Ticket prices: $28. Available online or at Yoshi's box office.

May 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Robin Thicke and Jennifer Hudson at the Paramount in Oakland. Ticket prices: $79, $60 or $49.50. Available at ticketmaster.com or the Paramount Theatre box office.

May 25 – 12 p.m.
12th Annual KBLX Stone Cold Concert at featuring Teena Marie, Charlie Wilson, Jeffrey Osbourne, Average White Band and Ashford & Simpson at the Sleep Train Pavilion, Concord. Tickets prices: $97.75, $63.75 or $43.75. Available at livenation.com, the Sleep Train Pavilion box office, select Blockbuster outlets, or by calling (877) 598-6659.

May 28-31 (two shows each day)
Amel Larrieux at Yoshi’s San Francisco. Ticket prices: $28. Available online or at Yoshi’s box office.

June 6 at 8 p.m.
Musiq and Anthony Hamilton at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Ticket prices: $74, $59.59 or $49.50. Available beginning May 1 at ticketmaster.com or the Paramount Theatre box office.

June 6 at 9 p.m.
Erykah Badu at the Warfield in San Francisco. Ticket prices: $72.50-$42.50. Available beginning May 1 at ticketmaster.com.

June 11
India Arie at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. Ticket prices: $75, $65, $55 or $45. Available at Mountainwinery.com or livenation.com.

Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Beyonce at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. Ticket prices: $129.25, $76, $57 or $19.75. Available at ticketmaster.com or the Oracle Arena box office.

July 11 at 8 p.m.
Chris Botti with the San Francisco Symphony – Davies Symphony Hall. Ticket prices: $70-$40. Available at sfsymphony.org

July 31 at 7:30
Earth, Wind & Fire, and Chicago at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. Ticket prices: $125.50, $75.50, $55.50 or $39.50. Available at ticketmaster.com

Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
India Arie and John Legend at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. Ticket prices: $89.50, $49.50 or $39.50. Available beginning May 3 at ticketmaster.com or apeconcerts.com.

20 albums that have impacted my life

First, I need to apologize for not having posted a blog since January! I've been busy with other projects, but that's no excuse. I promise to do better in posting new blogs.

I became a member of Facebook.com a few months ago – and I’m now hooked! Outside of keeping up with friends, there’s always something to ponder or write about.

One of my boys (who happens to love music as much as I do), posted the top 20 albums that have had the most impact on his life. He then asked his friends to do the same.

So below, find the 20 albums that have had a great impact on my life. It was a challenge to stop at 20, but I managed to do so.

Erykah Badu: Baduizm – I was either on the verge of graduating or had just graduated from college when this album came out. Erykah’s music moved me because, from the get go, she was on another level. Her lyrics were unique and the voice kept me interested from one song to the next. Since 1997, she has been my all-time favorite artist – hands down. Favorite cut: No Love

Jill Scott: Who Is Jill Scott: Words and Sounds Vol. 1 – Honestly, I was so in to Erykah Badu that I didn’t know or care who Jill Scott was. I’m glad I woke the hell up! Jill is another artist who just has the lyrics that go beyond the ordinary. Jill never delivers the same old stuff. This album speaks to me on so many levels that, even now, I still find new meaning behind her music. Favorite cut: Show Me

2Pac: 2Pacalypse Now – When I first heard the single, Brenda’s Got a Baby, I thought, who is that??? I’ve never been a big fan of rap, but this guy’s music told a great story. Tupac Shakur’s songs gave me a glimpse into a life I hadn’t lived, and I thank him (as well as miss him) for it. Favorite cut: Brenda’s Got a Baby

Ice Cube: Death Certificate – At the time this album came out, I was a black girl at a majority white high school who had just discovered the Autobiography of Malcolm X. The combination of the two created a militant teenager and changed how I viewed the world. Favorite cut: No Vaseline (which I feel is the greatest diss song ever!)

India Arie: Acoustic Soul – I discovered this album when an older black woman I worked with asked me if I had heard this song called Video. I hadn’t, but quickly discovered India was talking about me. The entire album made me take a good look in the mirror. The person I discovered is one I love to this day. Favorite cuts: Strength, Courage and Wisdom and Part of My Life (whose meaning I figured out while driving to Los Angeles)

Love Jones Soundtrack – What’s better than having a great soundtrack that pairs well with the movie? The songs selected from my all time favorite movie compliment the flick well. I know what Dionne Farris is talking about when she sings about being Hopeless. Favorite cut: Can’t Get Enough of You by Kenny Lattimore

Maxwell: Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite – This album changed my life because here was a man (a fione one at that) taking love and romance to another level. The entire album leads up to a marriage proposal. What more can you ask for! Favorite cut: Suitelady (The Proposal Jam)

Mary J. Blige: My Life – It was hard for me to pick which Mary album affected my life the most (Growing Pains comes in a close second), but My Life – outside of being a classic – got me through a few things in my early college years. Favorite cut: I’m the Only Woman

Chris Botti: When I Fall In Love – My sister will be quick to tell you I was sleeping on Chris Botti. Not anymore. I listen to this album and just fall into a trance. My mind relaxes and troubles just disappear. This is a great album to play at a wedding. Favorite cut: When I Fall In Love

TLC: Ooooooohhh . . . on the TLC Tip – I heard this album and said, finally, women who are letting men know it’s not about them, it’s about us! They boosted my self esteem a few notches. Favorite cut: What About Your Friends

Floetry: Floetic – The Flocist and Songstress showed how spoken word and singing can blend well together – if done right. This album was just different, and I’m always a fan of artist who aren’t mainstream. Favorite cuts: Sunshine and Mr. Messed Up

Kindred the Family Soul: Surrender to Love – A duo who just happens to be married singing about love and relationships? My kind of group. Another artist I was sleeping on that my sister introduced me too. Kindred’s music is so real and it makes me happy to see and hear black love. It also helps me keep hope alive that I too will one day find the kind of love they sing about. Favorite cut: Stars

Kenny Lattimore: Kenny Lattimore – I first heard the single For You sung at a wedding. I haven’t missed a Kenny Lattimore album since. Like Maxwell, Kenny romances you; he makes a woman feel good with his positive vibe. I believe him when he says he’s Never Too Busy. Favorite cut: All I Want

LL Cool J: Bigger and Deffer – Three words – I Need Love! I can still recite that song word for word! A rapper with a tender side? He hooked many ladies just by doing something no other rapper had – a slow jam! I think I started listening to more rap just because of this one song. Favorite cut: I’m Bad

Salt-N-Pepa: Hot, Cool & Vicious – Between I’ll Take Your Man and Tramp, Salt-N-Pepa let it be known that they were not to be messed with – and I started to feel the same way! Plus, they were females making hot music in a male dominated field. Nothing like strong women busting through glass ceilings. Favorite cut: Tramp

New Edition: Heart Break – New Edition had been off the radar for awhile before this album came out. I was feening for them – and I’m not joking. I love me some NE! There is no bigger New Edition fan than me and when this album dropped, I wore it out. Please believe I tried to learn the dance steps in the If It Isn’t Love video! Favorite cut: I’m Comin’ Home

Jodeci: Forever My Lady – Jodeci came on the scene just as I was in my sophomore year of high school and I just thought they were so hot. Their image wasn’t clean cut like New Edition’s – and I liked it. Forever My Lady will always be a classic love song (for my generation). Favorite cut: I’m Still Waiting

Vivian Green: Vivian – This was her second album and you could tell she had been through some things. Turns out, so had I! I related to every single cut on the album and she made me realize that there’s nothing wrong with being Selfish and needing to leave. Favorite cut: Under My Skin

Layaway your concert ticket

I recently read an article in USA Today about being able to layaway concert tickets.

Yes, you read that right.

Say it ain’t so.

The article states that those attending some music festivals in 2009 will have the option of paying in installments. The festivals include the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, Country Thunder USA and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

According to the article, a three-day pass to the Coachella festival will make one’s pocket $269 lighter. That’s almost $90 per day. Buyers can pay half now and the rest April 1, or they can initially pay 10 percent, and follow up with equal installments on March and April 1.

I’m not familiar with this festival (or any of the others mentioned), but maybe $269 is a bargain. I’ll venture to say that those who attend probably leave feeling they got their money’s worth.

I’m really having a difficult time wrapping my brain around laying away a concert ticket. I know about laying away clothes and appliances, but concert tickets?

Just seems really strange to say, “I’m getting my concert ticket out of layaway tomorrow.”

Lyrics vs. beats

When it comes to music, I pay a great deal of attention to lyrical content. What the person(s) is/are saying pulls me in quicker than the beat.

For me, lyrics are usually more important than the rhythm. I feel a lot of today’s music is popular simply because it has the hot beat of the moment.

I generally don’t listen to music or artists that are here today and probably won’t be around in five years. If I can’t understand what the musician is saying, you can forget about me buying his/her music.

If I’m at the club and a song comes on that I feel is degrading to women, I usually step off the floor. I mean, how can I dance to a song where I’m being called every name but the Queen I am?

Now, I do have some exceptions. I have a liking for a few songs by 2Live Crew; Juvenile’s Back that Ass Up used to get me going (I’ve since come to my senses).

When it comes to most music today – in particular rap – it’s challenging for me to come up with an artist that I really enjoy listening to. Outside of Kanye West, Outkast, Common, Tupac and sometimes Jay Z, I really don’t listen to hip hop.

As I continue to mature, I’ve noticed I listen to more music where the lyrics are such that I can relate to. When Jill Scott sings, “My love is deeper/Tighter/Sweeter/Higher/Flyer/Didn’t you know this/Or didn’t you notice” I know what she means because I’ve been there.

Mary J. Blige’s Just Fine was my anthem for 2008 (and it’s carrying over into ’09 as well). Those lyrics get me amped every time I hear them because Mary’s telling me that no matter what someone else may think, I ain’t worried about them cause my life is Just Fine!

I fell in instant love with Erykah Badu’s Baduizm. Every song on that album said something to me. My favorite song on Baduizm is No Love. I remember driving down Interstate 20 between Shreveport and Grambling, Louisiana with my then boyfriend in the passenger’s seat. When that song came on, it was like I was hearing the lyrics for the first time.

I looked over at him and thought to myself, “She’s talking about you.”

He’s now an ex and I will forever be a fan Erykah’s music.

When I need a reminder about how grand I am, I put on either Private Party or I Choose by India.Arie. I really believe India when she sings, “My past don’t dictate who I am/I Choose.”

So you see, I enjoy music that motivates and inspires; songs that touch my heart and feed my soul. With all that’s happening in the world, music allows me to escape from reality one song at a time.