::RECAP:: Meshell Ndegeocello | Live
Photos and recap by Nocturnal Charm
As the crowd milled about; ordering drinks, greeting friends and settling in reserved seats, they were treated to a lovely selection of both new and old neo-soul selections that served as a warm-up to what was soon to come. Enter Kelli Sae- Brooklyn based songstress that’s 1 part Maysa, 1 part Chaka and the rest, “That’s so Raven!”
She started her set with an acapella standard, the name of which escapes me at the moment but trust me that didn’t matter. The real meaning behind the bare vocal display was to show this crowd, who was predominantly new to her that, “I CAN SANG!” By the time she was done, we were no longer “waiting for Meshell”, we were waiting for more Kelli Sae! Sae and her skilled band proceeded to play some original compositions from previous and recent albums. Two standouts that showed off her skill in songwriting and passion were “Anymore” and “6 months”. “Anymore" (which is actually being released to radio and other media outlets this week) is the aggressive ballad of a jilted lover whom though once consumed by a relationship that once was, is simply fed up with caring and wants to reclaim her freedom and sanity from it all.
Sae developed a repore with the embracing crowd, asking, “you guys mind if I take off my shoes off?” while she joked and doted on her special lady (and her soffff-t booty). She also took a moment
to get personal with the audience, sharing the auto-biographical “7 Months”. This heartfelt, Jeff-Buckley-esque tune pulls at your heartstrings as Sae pours her heart out over this track at the news that her mom had only 7 months to live. It was a bittersweet ending to a great set that introduced Kelli to Bmore as a force to be reckoned with in “grown folk” R&B.
With the crowd still buzzing off Saes’ electric performance, anticipation for the nights’ headliner reached a fevered pitch. They would not have to wait long. Meshell Ndegeocello and her comrads
took their places on stage and immediately got to work, starting with the groove heavy “Trust” that had the venue full of lovers gyrating on both the dancefloor and each other. Meshell, known for her chill and subdued demeanor, effortlessly glided thru her hits, new and old while perched on a simple stool and donning a pair of NOT so simple Stark red Raybans... too freakin cool. The crowd was at her control as the two entities engaged in the equivalent of a torrid love affair over the course of an hour.
She made them move with the classic, “If That’s You’re Boyfriend”, showed her vulnerability with “Fool Of Me”, and mellowed everyone the hell out in a dreamy haze with “Come Smoke My
Herb”. As a concert writer, its NEVER easy when the band freestyles the whole show with NO playlist, but when the music is THIS good, how can you really complain? I was even introduced to the new album, which I admittedly tho not purposely slept on. Apparently, I was in the minority as the crowd went almost word for word for the entire show.
Tunes like her cover of Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel" and "Oysters", made me sign in to Itunes as SOON as I got home to cop Weather and make amends for my negligent insolence.
Overall, it was a great night of R&B that I hope the industry begins to embrace more. A night of coolness that showcased real music.. a break from the latest “hot ‘ish” and hotter weather.
Make sure to follow Meshell @officialmeshell and continue to show those who continue to make good music love.
Thank you to the Baltimore Soundstage for the access. To see more pictures by Nocturnal Charm from this show click HERE.
