Ledisi, shown performing in November, brought her powerful voice to Symphony Hall Sunday night. Photo: Getty Images.
BY TRACY BROWN
R&B singer Ledisi ended her The Intimate Truth Tour in Atlanta at Symphony Hall on Sunday with a no-frills show that was basic, powerhouse rhythm and blues. No wardrobe changes or hi-tech backdrop or frilly dancers. Just a four-piece band, two back-up singers and soul-stirring singing.
Didn’t make the show? Here are 5 reasons why you should have been there:
1. Awkward panting in front of the church folk. The bubbly 43-year-old singer knows how to have fun – even if it means a party of one. When fans took a little time getting warmed up to her opening song “Lose Control,” from 2014’s “The Truth,” she accused the people in the front rows of being “church folk.” “I love how the church folk like to sit up front acting like they don’t have dysfunction.” As if to prove her own dysfunction or shame them into theirs, she began panting – as if in heat — scolding the laid back crowd that they should have gone to church earlier.
2. To witness Grammys stolen moment. At this year’s Grammy Awards, Beyonce created a little stir when she sang “Precious Lord” as part of a tribute by John Legend and Common to the movie “Selma.” The problem? Well, not only does Ledisi sing in film’s soundtrack, she played Mahalia Jackson in the movie where she sings the song over the phone to Martin Luther King, Jr. But on Sunday night, moments after declaring Symphony Hall a juke joint, the nine-time Grammy nominee took fans back to church as she belted out a perfect revival rendition of the old gospel hymn. Fans responded with a long, rousing standing ovation.
3. The acoustic experience. Just when you thought this basic show couldn’t get any simpler, the band traded their drums, keyboards and electric guitars for string guitars, shakers and a base box. After forming a semi-circle facing the audience, fans were treated to intimate performances of “Stay Together, “Like This,” and “It’s Alright.” This tender moment felt like a live recording session, with Ledisi at her best authentic self – including playfully singing both the high and low parts of “Stay Together,” a duet she sang on her “Pieces of Me” album with singer Jaheim. Of course, you knew it was going to be good, when she tuned up the band with her trademark freestyle scatting.
4. Leela James’ shoe toss. Thirty-something soul singer and song writer Leela James has a voice that commands your attention. Put simply, it roars. As the first opener for Ledisi, she makes music that makes you feel what she feels. Case in point, the brooding “When You Love Somebody.” “It’s the kind of music that will stick to your ribs when you’re hurting — that when you can sing, you don’t need Autotune.” (Her words, not mine, but true.) Otherwise, she added, “You end up winning on awards show for songs that don’t deserve it. You end up with singers like the one back stage that can’t even sing at the Grammys.” At one point during her 40-minute set, James unstraps her stilettos and thrusts them to the back of the stage and proceeds to stomp her way into the funky “Party All Night.”
5. To be in the presence of a royal ego. Right before Raheem Devaughn’s set, a gold, ornate “king’s chair” is brought on stage. The self-described Love King then makes his entrance wearing a glittery crown headband. Devaughn, whose 2010 release “The Love & War Masterspeace” was just that, doesn’t need all of the kingly props to make a statement about his current reign in R&B music. With a voice that switches from velvet to falsetto, his “When You Love Somebody” from his newly released “Love Sex Passion” beckons Lenny Williams. The way he glides through “Bulletproof” ushers the socially-conscious Marvin Gaye back to the stage. With a masterful voice like his, the extra royal stuff just seems so unnecessary. Perhaps his beautiful women’s tribute “Queen,” is a reason enough.
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