Tag Archives: q tip concert review

Top Ten Live Performances I’ve Attended In 2008

18 Thursday Dec 2008

Posted by in Best Of Lists

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It seems you all have enjoyed the first of my best of lists for 2008. We started out with the best songs and albums that you probably never heard to give you a break from some of these best of lists that are starting to look a bit like carbon copies of each other. This is definitely not a bad thing. Just proves that were a few albums that were indeed the creme de la creme – essential for any true music fan to have in their collections. I’ll be adding my two cents to that discussion very shortly.

Before we get there, since I am also a very amateur videographer and live for my  concert-going adventures,  I have to throw those into the countdown fray as well. By year’s end, I will have attended exactly thirty live performances by some of the best artists in the industry today. I’ve also supported up and coming underrated artists who are trying to make a name for themselves. For those just joining us, you can find video from all of these shows and more on my You Tube channel which has grown leaps and bounds this year.

In 2007,  I shared my top five shows. I look back at that post and smile because back then, I was averaging about one show a month. My how we’ve grown! So this year, there was absolutely no way I could limit it to five.

Reminisce with me for a minute.

(in no particular order)

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Maxwell, Landmark Theatre in Richmond, VA  11/08

My my my my.

Maxie, don’t do me dirty now. You turned on the oven now you better be cooking something over there! I look forward to round two in 2009. In which time I should also have an album that I can cradle close to my bosom and play until my ears bleed.

Read my review of the Maxwell show and watch live video I captured of the performance. The review and videos ended up on several Maxwell fan forums and websites including The Latest Maxwell News, all Maxwell, all the time. Such serious stanneration  dedication. Gotta love it!

jillscottestelle

Jill Scott, The Roots, Chuck Brown and Estelle, Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia , MD 8/08

Even if I wanted to forget about this summer superfest, Jill fans won’t let me. I get several comments a week on the videos I captured from this show. This was my second time seeing Jill in 2008. The first was at home in Philly and that show was then aired in a television special. Raheem Devaughn and Musiq were on that bill. I was iffy about going again since I had plunked down a nice piece of change and traveled a couple of hours at that. I had also seen The Roots several times this summer already. I am so very glad I went ahead and spent my grocery money on a ticket to this show. Those PB&J sammiches I had to eat for the rest of the month were SO worth it.

Read my brief review of the Jill Scott, Estelle, The Roots and Chuck Brown show  and watch live video of the performances on my You Tube channel.

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Foreign Exchange, Black Cat in Washington, DC 11/08

You already know. Phontigallo (the man of the year) in his good clothes getting his serious croon on. Yazarah styling on everybody in the baddest solid gold dress I’ve ever seen. Her and Muhsinah (the woman of the year) flowing so melodically over Nicolay’s  (the producer of the year, RECOGNIZE) beats. There’s nothing better than youuuuuuuu indeed.

Read my review of the Foreign Exchange concert and watch live video of the performance.

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Rock The Bells, Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD  7/08

I think I may still be high from this show – literally and figuratively. Rock the Bells was probably one of the best shows of this magnitude and with this caliber of line up that I’ve ever been to. As I rode home that night (and almost crashed my car cause I had a contact high), I put on the CD sampler because I just couldn’t get enough. Me and h.e.r got a thang going on and I can’t wait to get some more in 2009.

Read my Rock the Bells concert review and view live videos of the performances.

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Legends of Hip Hop, Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore MD, 8/2008

Although I had a few critiques about this show, it made the list because of the lineup. Strictly for the thirty and over crowd. Just as I like it. It’s not often that you’ll see Mc Lyte, Chubb Rock (!!!), Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E Fresh, Rob Base, and Kool Moe Dee (!!!) on one stage. On a warm summer night by the water, I was throwing my hands up in the air and waving them like I just didn’t care. Real hip hop was definitely in the building.

Read my review of the Legends of Hip Hop Concert and watch the videos of the live performances.

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Raphael Saadiq, Black Cat in Washington DC, 9/08

This was the show where I probably should have just gone up on stage took the mic and sang because apparently I felt I knew Raphael’ssongs better than he did. At times, I’m all you hear on the videos! Not a good look but definitely a testament to my long standing love for him as part of the Tonys and as a solo artist. He has provided the blueprint for how the Motown sound should be done and his stage show was the perfect compliment.

Read my review of the Raphael Saadiq concert and watch live video of his performance.

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Amp Fiddler, Tortured Soul and Fertile Ground, 930 Club, Washington DC, 2/08

See that look on Christian of Tortured Soul’s face? It’s because of all that funk he created up in the 930 club back on that cold February night. I’ve seen many performances there but never have I seen the place turn into an all out party. I had to check to see if I was at a club. (I wasn’t or there wouldn’t have been any dancing. It’s DC). I left that show seriously considering following the tour bus up the road to NYC for their next gig. Turned out!

Read a very brief review of the Tortured Soul, Amp Fidder and Fertile Ground show and view my video of the performances on my You Tube channel.

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Q-Tip, 930 Club in Washington DC, 11/08

In which Vivrant Thang is still swooning over the fact that she met her muse and got to preview the hotness that is Renaissance. After seeing him with ATCQ this summer at Rock The Bells,  I couldn’t wait for him to get back to the area to give it to us live as only a true emcee can. I almost didn’t make it to this show and I would have hated myself the morning after if I hadn’t. There is nothing like the live versions of these songs.

Read about Vivrant Thang getting up with Q-Tip and watch live video of the performance.

rootspicnic

THE FIRST Annual Roots Picnic and Pre-Picnic Jam Session in Philly, 6/08

I was at the first annual Roots Picnic and I got the t-shirt to prove it. Heh. I think I am still scarred by how brutally hot it was out there that day. However, I hung in there because the energy and the performances were nothing short of amazing in spite of the heat. I’ll never forget how cool Binky Griptite of The Dap Kings looked out there in a suit. I don’t think I saw a bead of sweat roll down his face. I am so glad that The Roots will continue to put this on despite “retiring” from touring. I know that I will get a eclectic group of artists and make some new discoveries (like Santogold and Esperanza Spalding who both ended up on my best of 2008 lists).

Read my review of The Roots Picnic and watch live video of the performances.

yazarah

Can A Sista Rock A Mic?, Washington DC, 10/08

Look at that bad mamajama right there!

Yazarah performed on the third night of this multi-day festival showcasing the best in underrated female soul and hip hop artists. It was out of this year’s festival that my underrated female soul singers spotlights were born. I’ve profiled some of the performers including Jean Baylor, Tamara Wellons, and Liv Warfield. Stay tuned for more. I look forward to the talent this festival will bring to the area next year.

As you can see, it’s been a damn good year musically. Remember you can view live video from each of these performances over on the You Tube channel. Subscribe. There’s much more to come.

Have you been to any great shows this years? Share with me in the comments.

Gettin Up With Q-Tip (Again): Concert Review

04 Thursday Dec 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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by vivrant thang on q-tip renaissance concert review

 

qtip

I’m convinced that the best times are had at events you force yourself to attend.

I met my ex at an outing that I was thisclose to not attending.

Okay, maybe that’s a bad example.

When I heard Q-Tip was coming back to town in support of The Renaissance, I was THERE. No question. I was even going to overlook the opening acts which I couldn’t care less about, Pacific Division, Knux, and The Cool Kids. I mean as much as I am loving Renaissance, I just had to be there to see it come alive on stage.

Sunday came so quickly. I was just returning from a great holiday in New Jersey despite a 3 hour ride that turned into 6. It was nasty and cold outside and I was thinking of every excuse in the book to remain stretched out on my pillow top mattress watching every football game that came on the boob tube.

Thank God I didn’t give in to my laziness or I would have missed yet another show that must make my 2008 list of top concerts of the year. (It’s already apparent that this will have to be a top 10 list and not a top 5).

I got there about an hour and a half after doors opened. It would have been later but I didn’t want to be pushed too far to the back. Much to my chagrin, I got there just in time for the Knux and The Cool Kids. From the audience reaction, I guess they were aiight. Not my type of hype. I was there to see one person and one person only. Anything else was just a distraction.

In retrospect, I wish I had caught Pacific Division. DJ YZO of Industry Soul pointed me to some clips on You Tube and told me to stop sleeping. I would have given them a listen had I made it there in time. They are pretty nice with theirs.

However, I was there for the main event. When Kaamal the Abstract took the stage, opening with “Shaka,” the energy was incredible as you’ll be able to tell from my footage.

Disclaimer. This is far from my best work. Not only was I not up front in my “reserved spot,” where I would have likely been shut down from recording, but also you’ll see that I definitely need to upgrade to a motion stabilizing camera ASAP.

Shaka

The best way I could describe this show is a Rock The Bells Part II. And you know how much I enjoyed that. Once again, we were in the presence of a true emcee commanding the stage. Not some saggy assed big dummy walking to and fro aimlessly mumbling like he’s got a mouth full of shit. Like this guy. *sucks teeth in disgust*

And as you can see, the energy and the love was amazingly high for his entire set, just as it was at Rock The Bells. I died several deaths throughout the evening, particularly while watching this white guy,, who later told me he was 40, literally jump up and down for 5 minutes straight like his draws were filled with Mexican jumping beans.

Once again, like a real entertainer, Q-Tip’s set list was a perfect blend of the new and old. He held us down with just the right blend of Tribe, early solo material, and tracks from Renaissance, which of course I was most anxious to hear. So many songs on the album beg for live instrumentation. I actually felt like he looked at my top rated list on the pod as he performed all my favorites except for Manwomanboogie.

We Fight/We Love f Raphael Saadiq

I thought I would crave Raphael actually singing live on this one (which would have been hot of undoubtedly). But between Q-Tip tearing up that tambourine and getting his croon on a bit, I barely even noticed. He held it down quite nicely.

You

This was one of the highlights of the night for me as this is probably in my top two favorite songs on the album. The lyrics are saying a lot. I love how he started the song off and and the band is killing it, making it a bit more uptempo.

Move (he didn’t have to tell me twice!)

While Q-Tip was away taking all that hot shit off preparing to return for his encore, DJ Scratch got busy on the 1s and 2s.

He slayed us to the point that Q-Tip had to make sure it was alright to retake his own stage! Much of the second half of the show was filled with classics like “Award Tour,” “Scenario,”  “Check the Rhime,” “Relax Yourself,” and my all time fave “Bonita Applebaum.” They had the video playing on the screen while he was performing.

I also got my performance of “Vivrant Thing” in it’s entirety. I will die a happy woman.

Gettin Up / Vivrant Thing

He ended the night on the perfect note (for me) with a performance of  “Life Is Better,” which is probably the other song in my top two. He came down into the audience so that we could get involved.

When it was over, people were still hanging by the stage, thirsty for more. I was right there with them! I was indeed so happy that I decided to come out. It’s nights like this and this and this that make me remember when I used to actually purchase hip hop cassettes. Back in the days when I used to love h.e.r.

I hope you already have The Renaissance but if you should need more convincing because you think Viv is biased and shit, check out this great review (and look around a bit while you’re at it).

 As always, the remainder of the videos I didn’t highlight like “Feva,” “Renaissance Rap,” “Verses from the Abstract,” and “God Lives Through” are over on my You Tube channel for your viewing pleasure. That thing is about to explode at 575 videos to date. Hey, I love music.