Music Addikts

The Baltimore Injektion:Ledisi

This girl can saang!

Ledisi performed with excitement and charisma at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore on Saturday, October 17th. But, before I give props to the New Orleans native, I must address the “antiques” that were in the room. The less than motivated “old school” crowd hardly gave the talented songstress much energy in return because they were there to see the headliner, The Whispers, while they “rocked steady” in their sky blue leisure suits. Honestly, I don’t knock The Whispers because their performance was really good. I even found myself singing along to about half of their songs due to my soulful Louisiana upbringing. However, Ledisi is an obvious talent who deserved a little more support in lieu of the way she worked her songs and the stage. Two thumbs down to the crowd.

Now that I’ve addressed the housekeeping items, between belting out goose bump notes and dancing across the stage in her shiny spandex tights, Ledisi brought it! For those who are unfamiliar with her sound, just think of a new urban Patti LaBelle with a little more jazz-influence in her sound. Come to think of it, the energy in her performance is reminiscent of how Patti would perform (minus laying down on stage or flapping her arms).

Her lyrics are all about life, love and the realities of both. She opened the show with “Everything Changes” from her latest album, Turn Me Loose. This song addresses the inevitable change of everyday situations and how it should be embraced in spite of its difficulties. Ledisi also performed the fan-favorite, “In the Morning” from her third cd, Lost & Found; and I am so glad she did because the lady sitting behind us (let’s call her Hennessy and Coke due to the scent that surrounded her) refused to stop singing the hook. The song speaks to every woman’s nightmare of wondering whether or not that man who they are so passionate about will return the love.

Beyond the music, I was able to meet Ledisi after her performance. Her down-to-earth personality and genuineness were synonymous with the mood of her music; and did I mention that she can saang? Your soul music collection is lacking if she’s not in it.

*C Notes is a contributing guest writer covering events in DC, Maryland and Virginia.

The DC Injektion: Meshell Ndegéocello

The music of singer-songwriter and bassist, Meshell Ndegéocello can be considered many things including seductive, political, sexual and even uncomfortable. I consider her music to be extreme, courageous and difficult to label. Nonetheless, the Grammy nominated, 20-plus year veteran of infused Go-Go, Hip Hop, Rock, R&B, New Wave and Punk delivers music you can feel beyond that of a toe-tap. The chords of her bass guitar puts you in a scene that sets the stage for what she’s about to deliver lyrically. Her lyrics then find their way into your mental and emotional space; making you feel whatever she wants you to. Think I’m joking? Listen to “Fool of Me” from the Love and Basketball soundtrack. When she performed the song on October 8th at the BlackCat in Washington D.C, it can almost be guaranteed that even if listeners had never been hurt by love, they will believe they had been after hearing the song. The power in her poetry has also managed to expose social issues that have fueled much criticism. Case and point: “Dead Nigga Blvd., Pt. 1″ from her 2002 album, Bitter:

You try to hold on to some Africa of the past
One must remember
Its other Africans that helped enslave your ass
‘Cause everybody’s
Just trying to make to make that dollar
Remember what Jesse used to say?
I am somebody
No longer do I blame others
For the way that we be
‘Cause niggas need to redefine
What it means to be free

For most of her show in D.C., she performed a medley of tracks such as “Die Young” and “Blood on the Curb” from her most recent album, Devil’s Halo. Fans of her first two albums, Plantation Lullabies and Peace Beyond Passion were left disappointed when she said goodnight without having performed tracks from either of them. The Washington D.C. native did, however live up to musical expectations and her humble personality left fans adoring her even more.

Upcoming Performances:

Oct 15 2009 Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit, Michigan
Oct 16 2009 Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, Illinois
Oct 18 2009 Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oct 19 2009 World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 21 2009 Boulder Theater, Boulder, Colorado
Oct 22 2009 El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, California
Oct 23 2009 The New Parish, Oakland, California
Oct 24 2009 Amoeba Music, San Francisco, California
Oct 24 2009 The Independent, San Francisco, California
Oct 27 2009 The Triple Door, Seattle, Washington
Oct 28 2009 Nightlight Lounge, Bellingham, Washington

*C Notes is a contributing guest writer covering events in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Ryan Leslie Performs at the Long View Gallery DC

As much as we Music ADDIKTS need to get high, we just can’t be everywhere. So, from time to time, Music ADDIKTS will have guest writers to supply our fix from around the world. Enjoy this contribution from C-notes, a fellow ADDIKT based out of Washington, DC.

How did a Harvard graduate get into the world of R&B?  By pushing his way in (and rightfully so)!  Ryan Leslie, also known as R-Les, clearly belongs in music with his unmistakable talent as a singer, performer and producer.  Leslie performed in front of an intimate-numbered crowd at the Long View Gallery in Washington D.C on Tuesday night.  The event was sponsored by Lexus and Uptown Magazine and was capped off with a high-energy performance from Leslie that left fans entertained; but also wondering how he manages to sing, play the keyboard and jump 7-feet high while directing his band.

He opened the show with “Quicksand” from his self-titled album.  This song has an R&B/Pop sound that is an up-tempo track on the album.  But in the style of a true musician, Leslie performed the song as a ballad at the start and then worked it back to its original tempo.  A crowd favorite, “Diamond Girl” was performed with incredible energy while “Addicted” was as smooth as you could imagine with the crowd singing the hook between every verse.

While Ryan Leslie was put on blast about his Ivy League education, he did seize the opportunity to have a fan wipe the sweat off his face proving that he also has a way with the ladies.  His lyrics did the same when he sang the line “I know your not my girlfriend, but, I swear that I love you” in his performance of “Valentine”.

Leslie also performed a couple of tracks from his upcoming album, Transition, which is slated for release on November 3^rd.  Among those was his performance of “You’re Not My Girl”, a rock-from-side-to-side type of track with a sound so catchy, you would be oblivious to the lyrics that describe a guy asking a girl to keep their “friends with benefits” relationship a secret.

Leslie uses both the left side of his brain (practical) as well as the right side (creative) when he creates because his music is the type that everyone, regardless of background, would find themselves riding to.  His music is R&B, but with more diversity.  His use of rhythmic sounds with heavy keyboard and guitar influence make it impossible not to feel it.

In the middle of his performance, Leslie told his story of working behind the scenes for a long time and how no one wanted to give him a chance to become an artist.  But his dedication to his the music and relentless pursuit to step from behind the keyboard has proven to be safe bet for his career as a performer.

C Notes

*C Notes is a contributing guest writer covering events in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.