D'ANGELO GETS DOWN IN THE UK WITH HIS DYNAMIC FUNK/SOUL/ROCK EXTRAVAGANZA
Last night I witnessed the return of funk/soul icon D'Angelo to the London stage and what I encountered was truly mesmerizing. After bursting forth to much fanfare with his debut 'Brown Sugar' album (1995), this gifted child prodigy confirmed his highly respected status with the audacious and multi-textured follow up, 'Voodoo' (2000), which led many to believe he was indeed the chosen one to carry on the tradition of such giants as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. A hip hop influenced soul man for the new millennium. So it was with great dismay that his fans had to wait 14 years for his next recording, the newly released, critically acclaimed 'Black Messiah' (2014). The situation was made worse by the constant announcements of the new album's arrival (well before time) with D'Angelo performing shows where the overall consensus being stated was this skilled musician was simply 'treading water' and not delivering the quality of his earlier shows.
So although I loved the new album, especially with its direction now adding rock influences along with the (much needed nowadays) funk and soul, I must admit I was approaching this live event with some trepidation. My last experience seeing D'Angelo live a couple of years ago left me feeling somewhat cheated. So here he now arrived with the aptly named 'The Second Coming Tour', backed by eight musicians, which included a horn section and special guests, Jesse Johnson (guitarist from legendary funk band The Time) and Pino Palladino (bassist who recently played on Omar's newly recorded version of his classic 'There's Nothing Like This). The audience were ready. I was ready. We wanted to see for ourselves if the recent hype being generated from America was true about D'Angelo.
So although I loved the new album, especially with its direction now adding rock influences along with the (much needed nowadays) funk and soul, I must admit I was approaching this live event with some trepidation. My last experience seeing D'Angelo live a couple of years ago left me feeling somewhat cheated. So here he now arrived with the aptly named 'The Second Coming Tour', backed by eight musicians, which included a horn section and special guests, Jesse Johnson (guitarist from legendary funk band The Time) and Pino Palladino (bassist who recently played on Omar's newly recorded version of his classic 'There's Nothing Like This). The audience were ready. I was ready. We wanted to see for ourselves if the recent hype being generated from America was true about D'Angelo.
For the next 2 hours we were treated to a non-stop funk, soul, rock n roll show with the emphasis mainly on the funk. From the opening song 'Prayer' D'Angelo seem to invite the audience into his funky rock tinged world with his tight band looking like his 'disisciples'. Here was the 'Black Messiah' holding court and using the power of the groove, along with his soulful hollering and screaming to get the whole house involved. He had no trouble getting everyone's attention. Whether strolling from one side of the stage to another with the mic in his hand, hitting guitar riffs with a vengeance or just sitting at the keyboards, his presence was felt throughout. He kicked off proceedings with several tracks from the new album, but soon dipped into his earlier work. A particularly funky 'Feel Like Making Love' hit the right chord, especially with the ladies in the audience. His inspired, extended version of 'Brown Sugar' with it's 'call and response' element was another crowd pleaser. He played and teased the audience with obvious pleasure, especially during the funky breakdown of songs, as was the case with 'Sugah Daddy'. It was during these excursions you could plainly see the influence James Brown has on his live work outs, commanding the band at will to stop and start, and hit those musical stabs with precision, and keeping that funk groove endlessly hitting every soul within distant.
As has always been the case, the aura of Prince has never been too far behind D';Angelo, and like The Purple One, he also borrows much from Jimi Hendrix, making a fusion of the three music legends, yet somehow making it all his own.. He worked with 'Lady', giving it a sexier feel than the original recording. There was no doubt, this was the new, improved D'Angelo who is back in the business of making real music. He eventually gave the audiences two encores. The very last song was his biggest hit to date, 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' and it was performed in a very special way. As D'Angelo sat at the keyboards singing the song (with the audience providing accompaniment on the soulful chorus), one by one the band members played or sang and then left the stage, eventually leaving the main man alone on stage. Perfect ending for a perfect show.
As has always been the case, the aura of Prince has never been too far behind D';Angelo, and like The Purple One, he also borrows much from Jimi Hendrix, making a fusion of the three music legends, yet somehow making it all his own.. He worked with 'Lady', giving it a sexier feel than the original recording. There was no doubt, this was the new, improved D'Angelo who is back in the business of making real music. He eventually gave the audiences two encores. The very last song was his biggest hit to date, 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' and it was performed in a very special way. As D'Angelo sat at the keyboards singing the song (with the audience providing accompaniment on the soulful chorus), one by one the band members played or sang and then left the stage, eventually leaving the main man alone on stage. Perfect ending for a perfect show.
'THE SECOND COMING' SET LIST
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