I know what you're thinking. So many concerts.......so enough money ($$$$$ :-( ).
Well, if you're looking for an affordable summer concert series, let me suggest the Carter Barron's Summer Concert Series. For the sum of $24 and some change, I was able to see two great performers (and a bonus special guest) on one stage.
On June 13, Ledisi and D.C.'s own Kenny Lattimore officially kicked off the concert series in front of a sold out crowd of hundreds.
Kenny Lattimore opened the show, greeting his fellow D.C. folk with appreciation of years of love and support. He opened the evening with "Days Like This" a classic tune from his 1998 album, "From the Soul of a Man". I appreciate not only a great performer but a GREAT vocalist. Kenny's voice commands that listeners feel what is being sung in every lyric. Behind his range of his highest falsetto to his lowest bass point lies a sensitivity and passion that any music aficianado could appreciate. Not to mention, Kenny definitely has a swag about him; a confidence that is seen in his stage performance and comes across in his vocals as well. Of course, it wouldn't be a Kenny Lattimore set if he didn't peform two of his most popular hits, "Never Too Busy" and "For You", both from his 1996 debut CD, "Kenny Lattimore". I know I've already said that Kenny was in great form that evening but the way he bolted out those songs ? I was taken back to a time where I was discovering what love is supposed to feel like, where optimism outweighed any heartache that I may have felt at the time (aaaaaaahhhhh, I digress (ha!)). So, as Kenny's set wrapped up, he sang his cover the timeless Norman Connors classic, "You Are My Starship" from his 2008 release aptly titled, "Timeless"; a remake that definitely make Mr. Connors proud. Several concertgoers were upset at the fact that they didn't hear some of their favorites ("Weekend" specifically) but he decided to leave the crowd with some acapella treats including covers of Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You" and "More Than You'll Ever Know". ANYONE that knows Rita Lassiter KNOWS that I'm a biiiiiiig Donny fan, so singing Donny is a big deal..............but he did Donny proud as well :-). A definition of a true vocalist is someone who can take a song (no matter the genre), understand the song, and make it their own. That's what Kenny does impeccably :-).
So after a 10 minute break, the crowd was ready for their "appointed" headliner, Ms. Ledisi. She began her set with a cover of the 1978 Stargard hit, "Which Way Is Up", a song that allows for powerful vocals from both the lead and backup singers. Can I say I loooooove her style as well :-) ? Rocking a mohawk, a white Betsy Boop like dress with toule and red pumps, Ledisi commanded the stage with high energy dance moves as well. At one point, she demanded that the audience to "party with her and stop being so stiff (lol)". After all, this girl from Oakland, CA (by way of New Orleans, LA) knows how to move :-). After her rendition of the 70s classic, she performed "My Sensitivity", a single released from the 2005 release "Forever, For Always, For Luther". Then, it was onto songs from her 2007 release, "Lost & Found" including "Wanna Get to Know You" and "Think of You" . You can sing along with her as if you're listening to your iPod but don't expect to get the CD version of a song :-). Ledisi is another performer that makes each performance unique. No song fits the latter comment better than her rendition of "In The Morning" where she gave some truth serum and spoke to the audience about recognizing the extra "stuff" they carry around in relationships (weeeeeellll). With the audience singing in unison, she showed off her vocal ability and hit high notes that that shook the heavens. I mean that literally, as the skies began to light up with lighting :-O. So, the show goes on and Ledisi mentions how great it is to be in D.C. and how she knows go-go is the genre of hte Nation's Capital........and what do you know......out comes the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. Of course, the crowd erupts in excitement. Chuck is to D.C. Ledisi definitely wanted to shake up the set and pay homage to the blues, so Chuck and Ledisi performed a blues classic, "Rock Me Baby". Sorry folks, no "Chuck Baby", no "Moody's Mood for Love", no "Run Joe" (lol). So, as the night winds down and we're all deep in prayer, hoping that it doesn't rain, Ledisi closes out the show with "Alright", the lead single from "Lost and Found". She finishes the show and alerts the crowd that her fourth studio album, "Turn Me Loose", will be released on August 19, 2009 (SAVE THE DATE).
Wondering if it rained at all ? No worries. The rain didn't fall until the concert was over :-).
OVERALL GRADE: A+ - Two great vocalists on one stage for a reasonable price on a great Summer night ? You can't beat that. What a way to begin the Carter Barron's summer concert series.
If you are interested in what shows are on tap at the Carter Barron this summer, take a look at this list below:
Well, if you're looking for an affordable summer concert series, let me suggest the Carter Barron's Summer Concert Series. For the sum of $24 and some change, I was able to see two great performers (and a bonus special guest) on one stage.
On June 13, Ledisi and D.C.'s own Kenny Lattimore officially kicked off the concert series in front of a sold out crowd of hundreds.
Kenny Lattimore opened the show, greeting his fellow D.C. folk with appreciation of years of love and support. He opened the evening with "Days Like This" a classic tune from his 1998 album, "From the Soul of a Man". I appreciate not only a great performer but a GREAT vocalist. Kenny's voice commands that listeners feel what is being sung in every lyric. Behind his range of his highest falsetto to his lowest bass point lies a sensitivity and passion that any music aficianado could appreciate. Not to mention, Kenny definitely has a swag about him; a confidence that is seen in his stage performance and comes across in his vocals as well. Of course, it wouldn't be a Kenny Lattimore set if he didn't peform two of his most popular hits, "Never Too Busy" and "For You", both from his 1996 debut CD, "Kenny Lattimore". I know I've already said that Kenny was in great form that evening but the way he bolted out those songs ? I was taken back to a time where I was discovering what love is supposed to feel like, where optimism outweighed any heartache that I may have felt at the time (aaaaaaahhhhh, I digress (ha!)). So, as Kenny's set wrapped up, he sang his cover the timeless Norman Connors classic, "You Are My Starship" from his 2008 release aptly titled, "Timeless"; a remake that definitely make Mr. Connors proud. Several concertgoers were upset at the fact that they didn't hear some of their favorites ("Weekend" specifically) but he decided to leave the crowd with some acapella treats including covers of Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You" and "More Than You'll Ever Know". ANYONE that knows Rita Lassiter KNOWS that I'm a biiiiiiig Donny fan, so singing Donny is a big deal..............but he did Donny proud as well :-). A definition of a true vocalist is someone who can take a song (no matter the genre), understand the song, and make it their own. That's what Kenny does impeccably :-).
So after a 10 minute break, the crowd was ready for their "appointed" headliner, Ms. Ledisi. She began her set with a cover of the 1978 Stargard hit, "Which Way Is Up", a song that allows for powerful vocals from both the lead and backup singers. Can I say I loooooove her style as well :-) ? Rocking a mohawk, a white Betsy Boop like dress with toule and red pumps, Ledisi commanded the stage with high energy dance moves as well. At one point, she demanded that the audience to "party with her and stop being so stiff (lol)". After all, this girl from Oakland, CA (by way of New Orleans, LA) knows how to move :-). After her rendition of the 70s classic, she performed "My Sensitivity", a single released from the 2005 release "Forever, For Always, For Luther". Then, it was onto songs from her 2007 release, "Lost & Found" including "Wanna Get to Know You" and "Think of You" . You can sing along with her as if you're listening to your iPod but don't expect to get the CD version of a song :-). Ledisi is another performer that makes each performance unique. No song fits the latter comment better than her rendition of "In The Morning" where she gave some truth serum and spoke to the audience about recognizing the extra "stuff" they carry around in relationships (weeeeeellll). With the audience singing in unison, she showed off her vocal ability and hit high notes that that shook the heavens. I mean that literally, as the skies began to light up with lighting :-O. So, the show goes on and Ledisi mentions how great it is to be in D.C. and how she knows go-go is the genre of hte Nation's Capital........and what do you know......out comes the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. Of course, the crowd erupts in excitement. Chuck is to D.C. Ledisi definitely wanted to shake up the set and pay homage to the blues, so Chuck and Ledisi performed a blues classic, "Rock Me Baby". Sorry folks, no "Chuck Baby", no "Moody's Mood for Love", no "Run Joe" (lol). So, as the night winds down and we're all deep in prayer, hoping that it doesn't rain, Ledisi closes out the show with "Alright", the lead single from "Lost and Found". She finishes the show and alerts the crowd that her fourth studio album, "Turn Me Loose", will be released on August 19, 2009 (SAVE THE DATE).
Wondering if it rained at all ? No worries. The rain didn't fall until the concert was over :-).
OVERALL GRADE: A+ - Two great vocalists on one stage for a reasonable price on a great Summer night ? You can't beat that. What a way to begin the Carter Barron's summer concert series.
If you are interested in what shows are on tap at the Carter Barron this summer, take a look at this list below:
- July 10 (free with tickets), 7:30 pm
Washington Post Weekend’s Weekends - Neo Soul Night
(Fertile Ground, Wayna, Deborah Bond, Tamika Jones) - July 18 ($24), 7:30 pm
(Joe, Chico DeBarge, Be’la Dona) - July 24 (free), 7:30 pm
(DC Youth Orchestra) - July 25 ($24), 7:30 pm
(Ohio Players, SOS Band, “Mousey “ Thompson, and the James Brown Experience) - July 26 (free), 7:30 pm
Blues Alley Youth Orchestra - August 15 (free), 7:30 pm
Metro D.C. Dances (Aysha Upchurch /Life, Rhythm, Move Project, City Dance II, DCypher Dance Collective, Furia Flamenca, Shang Dance Productions, Urban Artistry) - August 21 ($20+), 7:30 pm
(Boney James, Grainger) - August 28 (free), 7:30 pm
5th Annual D.C. Poetry in the Park
(Special Guest - Gil Scott Heron)
For more information, please visit http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/cbarronschedule.htm .
NEXT BLOG POSTING: Review of the National Capital BBQ Battle
