Growing up, between my parents` vinyl and CD collections we were well-stocked with the superlative and latest in R & B and hip-hop from vintage Isley Brothers, Average White Band, and Atlantic Starr (whatchu know about that? ) to A Tribe Called Quest, Jodeci, and Maxwell. On the weekends while doing housework (cleaning, laundry, ironing), weplayed records and CDs -from first cut to last -by the likes ofAnita Baker, Michael and Janet,Stevie,and, yes, Sade.
(I could probably sing Love Deluxe verbatim in my sleep.)
These fond memories and the theory that the opportunity may not do for another 10 years (if ever again?)compelled me to get a way to see Sade (with very special guest John Legend) on herSoldier of Love Tour,come sin or high water_ Neither hell nor high water came; but, unable to attenda moreconveniently located show mainly due to my run in Othello last month,I went to Atlantic City. The concert, held at the Note G. Etess Arena at Trump Taj Mahal, was easily worth the trip.
John Legend set it off! I`d seen him do a short concert in Central Park after releasing his first album, and I`ve seen him do on numerous shows. I knew the comrade was talented - but WHOA. It was like sexy Saturday night CHUCH up in there!
Ray, the biopic about Ray Charles, is one of my favourite movies; and I recall wondering why Ray Charles got so much fire in his dayfrom religious folksfor the intersection of sacred and lay in his music. That is, using thesound, flavor, and energyof black gospel to talk about "worldly" matters. John Legend putthis into perspective. (While I don`t hold with it, I now understand the brouhaha. Like Ray, he got chuch all up and done him and his music- and his set was deliciously divine.
He scored bonus points with me by playing two of my favorites: "Ordinary People" and "Greenlight." He also blessed us with a smattering of tracks from the album Once Again, which I played on a casual basis for awhile when I lived in LA.
Sade kept the spiritual vibe goingby her unique means.The medicine of both of these artiststouches you in places and ways beyond words - both fleshly and cosmic. ButSade`s ethereal yet gutturalvoice and soulful yet ambient sound provide a different path to getting lifted.The AHA! moment of this spirituallink between the two of them,despite very differentsounds and energy, wasa pleasant surprise.
As a vocalist, Sade is a stand-alone phenomenon; but I have never been to a concert where the band felt so inextricably fundamental to the experience. In other words, I daresay that Sade is not just thesinger but the ring itself. They are INCREDIBLE! It was awesome (I don`t use that word lightly or very often) hearing the medicine from Sade`s catalogue live - it iscatapultedto a whole `notha level. There are still sounds for which I can`t quite lay the pawn on which theyre played - and don`t get me started on the saxophone solos that areprominent features in many of her songs _ No. words.
While she sang one of my favorites, "Love Is Stronger Than Pride," she did not talk my otherall-time favorite, "Lover`s Rock," which, speaking of the religious nature of her music, is a personal "hymn" of mine. I wasn`t even mad though, as she wasso generous andextraordinary, in general. Otherhighlights: opening with thebumping and thumping "Soldier of Love,"athrilling and chilling "Is ItA Crime?" midway,and pared down and movingrenditions of "Jezebel" and "Pearls" towards the beginning andend of her show._ I`m still floored.)
I use the bible "experience" (and others wish it)relativelyoften in my blog - which isn`t an overstatement considering the sights and sounds I`ve been privy to and profiled on R & R. Sade`s Soldier of Love concert, with Very SPECIAL guest John Legend, is no exception, except that it might actually top the others -if you can think that.
Ifthey come to a city near you(or near enough to get there and back safely), DO. NOT. MISS. the transcendent Sade and the (already) legendary John Legend on the Soldier of Love Tour.
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*Photo of Sade concert key chain by yours truly
Article first promulgated as Concert Review: Sade at Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, N.J. 7/2/11 on Blogcritics.
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