Tag Archives: lets rock and feeding the music jones

So Thankful: “Let’s Rock” With Chrisette Michele

26 Monday Nov 2007

Posted by in Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I actually cooked dinner all by myself for the first time. I especially put my foot all in the stuffing, sweet potato pie (from scratch thank you!), and baked mac and cheese. My relatives from The Sticks, South Carolina would have been proud.

As I was cooking, I had time to reflect on some of the things I’m thankful for as the year comes to a close. For one, my career path has taken an interesting turn as I was blessed with a very nice promotion, just in time for the holidays. I’ve been having career woes/ambivalence for a while and this does muddy the waters up a bit, but I’m still very blessed all the same.

Ya’ll should already know the other thing I’m grateful for….being able to feed my music jones with artists like Chrisette Michele. This was my second time seeing her live. First time was up in Philly during one of the numerous outdoor festivals. She ripped it then, but I really couldn’t enjoy it like I wanted since it was raining cats and dogs and we had to stand so far away from her. So I was excited about seeing her again at The Black Cat when she was there in August. I messed around and dropped the ball on getting tickets. I didn’t make that mistake this time. I was on it…and thankfully so. When I arrived, the line was so ridiculous I swore it was Black Friday at Best Buy. Advance purchase and early arrival were definitely the move as I got to bypass the never-ending line and head on inside to get prime videotaping position.

As I mentioned in the Keite Young post, the crowd was more than ready and showed her much love and energy. She could barely even sing her own songs at times, having to share the mic with the crowd. I know artists love that though.Ya’ll should already have I Am in constant rotation, but really you can’t appreciate the music until you’ve heard it live. The rawness and passion in Chrisette’s voice are unmatched by most singers her age, especially in today’s music scene. This girl done experienced some thangs.

If I Have My Way

Golden

While her voice does have a maturity beyond her years, this girl still wants to have fun.

Like A Dream

Good Girl

I managed to fight my way through the mob for a signed poster and a quick photo op.

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 I could have slapped my own self for not bringing my CD to be signed. In the brief time that I met and observed her, she truly seemed to be very personable, definitely someone you can hang out shopping with (she and I both have a jones for the mall – only she can actually afford to feed her habit). This “Good Girl” definitely has a long career ahead of her. I’m already looking forward to her next album. I’m ready to rock all over again!

Let’s Rock

There’s Something About Keite

26 Monday Nov 2007

Posted by in Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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I had the pleasure of finding out just what that was last weekend at the Black Cat here in DC. Keite opened to a crowd practically simmering over in anticipation of rocking with Chrisette Michele. A couple of people standing by me didn’t even know who was opening and asked, “Who Is Keite Young?” By the time he made his way to the stage and funked up a cover of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy,” I do believe they had their answer.

If that didn’t do it, his cover of the Police’s “Roxanne” surely did.

Don’t get it twisted. While Keite does a hell of a cover, the original material from his debut album, The Rise and Fall of Keite Young, had me anxiously waiting to cop his CD and put it in regular rotation.

Check out “If We Were Alone” (um…is this really coming from an ordained minister?)

“Thinkuboutmi”

He closed the set by taking a HUGE risk and covering Prince’s “Beautiful Ones.” I admit, I was scared for him. You just don’t touch Your Royal Purpleness. But when he ripped that hat off his head and messed that doobie up, I knew he was about to give us the business. Prince fans, what say you?

I had the chance to meet Keite after the show. We look cute huh? No real reason I’m cheesing like that. I tend to smile too big in my pics.

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I think I’ve mentioned before that one reason I love supporting new or independent artists is because they are still so grateful and hungry. Keite seemed to be in awe at the people lined up to buy his album. I would also imagine that since he’s traveled such a long, hard road to bring us the music, he probably still can’t believe he’s finally here. And judging from what I saw, what’s yet to come will be even better.

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“Love It”: Bilal Concert Review and Videos

14 Wednesday Nov 2007

Posted by in Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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I told you in  a previous post that I stalk Bilal up and down the East Coast. This was my fourth time seeing him this year. No shame in that. I got plenty of company. The man is just that sick with it.

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He showed out, as usual, in between weed-induced ramblings that actually made sense if you listened reallll closely. I didn’t write down a playlist, but I managed to capture just about every song. Check out a few of my faves below and the other fifty-eleven of them are on my You Tube channel. (Side bar: I got a cute note from a dude in Baltimore thanking me for capturing the whole show, as he had to miss it because he was too tired to make the ride after being in school all day. I do what I do for true music lovers like that.)

The true highlight of the whole experience is that that I actually got to meet him this time. He was over doing a meet and greet and I ran over to get my t-shirt signed and to take a picture. I confessed that I was stalking him. He didn’t seem to mind.

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Don’t ask me what they says.

I had to take the picture with my phone because my camera battery turned in for the evening before the concert ended. I neglected to mention I was on my second drink by then and they make them strong at the Black Cat. More like vodka with a dash of orange juice! So I’m loose off the goose at this point and must have pressed delete instead of save.

Get me a room at Heartbreak Hotel.

When I see him in Philly, how about I just say no?

Sometimes

 Reminisce

Lord Don’t Let It

Hollywood (can’t stay still on this one!)

Let’s Rock: ‘Highlights’ from the Van Hunt Concert

31 Wednesday Oct 2007

Posted by in Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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One of my New Year’s resolutions was to attend at least once concert a month. That’s one I’ve actually been able to keep. So far this year I’ve seen:

  • Prince live at his Club 3121 in Vegas
  • Bilal (3 times–DC, Philly, NYC)
  • Hip Hop Honors Tour (Roots, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte)
  • Chrisette Michele
  • Meshell Ndegeocello
  • Kindred
  • Patti Labelle
  • Anthony David
  • Jill Scott (premiered Hate on Me at Black Lily before it hit the airwaves!)
  • Eric Roberson / Franklin Bridge
  • Amy Winehouse
  • Various artists during Black Lily in Philly
  • Ledisi
  • Fertile Ground
  • Brand New Heavies
  • Hil St Soul
  • Najee
  • Conya Doss
  • Julie Dexter
  • Buju Banton
  • LL Cool J
  • Mary J Blige
  • Donnie

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This isn’t even a complete list, especially since I often attend shows and events where several artists perform.

Obviously, 2007 has been a good year musically. I have to thank MN8 for consistently bringing the hotness to this area, including The Van Hunt Experience.

If you’ve never heard of Van Hunt, you can find out more at his official website, on Myspace, or chat with other EVANgelists on his message board.

This was my second time seeing Van, but this was the first time I felt him. A Van Hunt concert is like being at an intimate jam session. You almost feel like a voyeur while him and the band make love to their instruments. It feels like a privilige to be a part of the experience, although it’s apparent that he’s still very much grateful for our presence. Although he has quite the faithful following, he’s still seems in awe of it all…and it’s believable.

Check out some videos from the concert:

Hot Stage Lights

Lowest 1 of My Desires (not for the prudes out there! you’ve been warned!)

Down Here in Hell (I swear this will be my wedding song)

Dust

 Hello Goodbye

This was the perfect way to end my getaway weekend. I left there feeling high and smiling more than I have in weeks. While I was in Philly, I met a woman who said she doesn’t buy much music. She has a few of her old school hip hop tunes and that’s all she listens to. I pity her. She doesn’t know what she’s missing. 

Check out my You Tube channel for video I’ve recorded at the Donnie concert and the VH1 Honors Tour featuring The Roots, Big Daddy Kane and MCLyte.