Here’s a recap of the shows I attended in 2011.
Ledisi – Jan 23, 2011, Yoshi’s
Oakland
In referencing my notes from this show, I wrote, “Watching Ledisi
perform is like watching her make love to the mic.” There’s something sensual
about watching Ledisi perform. She invites you into her world with the sway of her
hips, the twinkle in her eyes and the sassiness of her voice.
Ledisi’s vocals have a richness
and depth that not only holds your attention, and captivates you at the same
time. You can’t help but get caught up at a Ledisi show.
After each song performance, you were left to ponder the message of her
music. Highlights included Joy
(Ledisi stated this song almost didn’t make it onto Lost & Found), Knockin'
(she repeated the first verse so the audience could really understand the
song’s meaning) and Alright (according to Ledisi, she wrote this at the lowest
point of her career).
At the show’s end, Ledisi offered tidbits of wisdom, including, “Leap
out on faith. Fear stops everything. When you open the door of fear, there’s a
blessing on the other side,” and “Be careful of who and what you allow in your
personal circle, because not everyone deserves your presence. Love them from
afar. Keep it movin’. Everybody can’t go where you’re going.”
It still pains me that Floetry is no longer together. There are times
when I wish whatever separated the duo could be resolved so they could reunite for at least one more album.
In the meantime, both The Floacist (Natalie Stewart) and Songstress (Marsha
Ambrosius) have gone on to release solo projects, and Floetic Soul, the
Floacist’s individual effort, was one of the best albums released in 2010 (although she
didn’t have the benefit of great hype and publicity). I jumped at the opportunity to see her live in
2011.
The energy The Floacist exuded during her performance went well beyond
the confines of the small venue’s walls. While it was February in San
Francisco, her attire was more suited for Los Angeles in June. While she may not have
been dressed appropriately for the weather, her personality showed she wasn’t
bothered by the rain, cold and ever-present San Francisco fog. With close-cropped
hair, she came to “perform for the seen and unseen.” And what a performance
it was.
The energy The Floacist exuded during her performance went well beyond
the confines of the small venue’s walls. While it was February in San
Francisco, her attire was more suited for Los Angeles in June. While she may not have
been dressed appropriately for the weather, her personality showed she wasn’t
bothered by the rain, cold and ever-present San Francisco fog. With close-cropped
hair, she came to “perform for the seen and unseen.” And what a performance
it was.
Not used to hearing The Floacist sing, I was pleasantly surprised that
her vocals are actually really good. Beginning with Breathe – which is the
first song on her album (and, as I often say when I absolutely love a song, ”it’s
my cut”), you could tell there have been moments where she’s held on to the
past longer than necessary.
But she’s breathing now.
The rest of the set included Forever, What R U Looking 4? and I Need You, which turned into a chant when she repeated the chorus several times:“Be there when I
need you/even if you cannot come when I call you/simply means that I can handle
this without you/and know that next I see you/it will be just when I need you.”
Chrisette Michele – April 17,
2011, Yoshi’s Oakland
Encouraged to be true to herself through singer Erykah Badu's influence, Chrisette Michele opened her heart and soul during her well-attended performance. A
gifted song writer, Chrisette peppered her set with background stories on her
songs, the meaning behind If I Had My Way, which is about
abstinence, not sex, traveling 65 miles to Brooklyn, NY to attend church when she
was younger, pleasing her pastor and her admiration for Michael Jackson.
Some songs were her “angry” moments (Goodbye Game and Blame It), but she had some sweet ones as
well (Golden and All I WAnt Is You). If you are in the Oakland, CA, area, catch her at the Paramount Theatre on
March 17. Ticket price range: $23-$63
Vivian Green & Eric Roberson
– May 26, 2011, Yoshi’s Oakland
Vivian Green hit my radar when she was a backup singer for Jill Scott. Since 2002, she's released three
albums – A Love Story, Vivian and Beautiful.
Vivian is one of those artists that is a talented vocalist, but somehow, she hasn’t attained broad recognition. It’s such a shame because she can easily compete with Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Ledisi.
Vivian is one of those artists that is a talented vocalist, but somehow, she hasn’t attained broad recognition. It’s such a shame because she can easily compete with Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Ledisi.
I’m a newcomer to Eric Roberson’s music, so I went into this show not really knowing his music or what to expect.
I left a new fan.
This show started with the flip of a coin to decide which artist would
perform first. Eric won and because I wasn’t familiar with the songs, it
enabled me to really listen to his lyrics – and I was impressed with what I heard.
According to Eric, he attended Howard University in Washington, D.C.,
and discovered gogo music (he originally hails from New Jersey). While there, he would go to McDonald’s and
sing his order to “get the ladies.” I can only imagine how many numbers he
received.
Vivian returned looking fabulous with her short hair, big gold earrings
and a black one-piece jumpsuit. Going back to her debut album, A Love Story, she sang a jazzed up version of Addicted, and ended with Emotional Rollercoaster.
Trading the stage with Vivian, Eric returned with a song about dealing
with someone perhaps he shouldn’t have been with.
Having changed clothes, Vivian returned with a funked up version of Wish
We Could Go Back, from her Vivian album. She ventured into the
audience during Gotta Go, Gotta Leave, and allowed some members to showcase
their singing ability.
During Eric’s next set, he asked for audience participation in order to create a song with words provided by the crowd. Sexual chocolate,
ambidextrous, whistle, expeditiously, difficult and design turned into a song
about a difficult girl.
Vivian concluded the show with another outfit change and renditions of
other artist’s songs. When she sang the first notes of Whitney Houston’s Saving
All My Love, my mouth dropped open in amazement because she sounded just
as good as Whitney did before the “crack is whack” period of her life.
Her performance of Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again, was stellar as well.
Toni should be looking over her shoulder because Vivian’s version was better
than the one I heard Toni perform in Las Vegas a few years ago.
