Music Monday: Meshell Ndegeocello & Janelle Monae @ Joe's Pub
I had a weekend full of live music courtesy of Meshell Ndegeocello & @JanelleMonae.
The show started at midnight and me being the *ahem* early bird that I am arrived 12 minutes past. She was already into her 2nd song I believe. FAIL on my part because I think I missed one of my favorite songs "Fool of Me". I came in midway on her performing "Satisfy". She glided through damn near the entire album including "Bitter", "Sincerity" and "Loyalty". She completely blew me away with her performance of "Faithful". This was her and her band's chance to showcase their instrumental skills and they did just that. The guitar solo in the middle of the song further confirmed her musical ability. Another standout was the song "Beautiful". I rolled dolo to the show but I can't front, hearing her sing that song made me wish I had a special someone with me to gaze into their eyes, if only for one night...SERIOUSLY! It was that special.
On to the next, the incredibly talented Janelle Monae. Let me start off by saying that her show was the best show that I've seen in a while. And for only 15 dollars, WIN! Janelle's show began a little earlier on Saturday evening at Joe's Pub, 7pm, and of course me being the *ahem* early bird that I am, I was power walking down Lafayette Ave. at 5 minutes past. Thankfully her show started about 12 minutes late (which is right on time in my tardy little world). I met a friend outside, gave her the ticket (of course the one who's always late would have the tickets) and we made our way into "Wondaland".
Janelle's show started with a disclaimer from a man dressed in a black monk like robe. "Do not let these tables or these chairs prohibit you from enjoying your Wondaland experience..." Or something like that. I've been to one other JM show in my life so I've seen how her fans get down. They GET DOWN. JM's energy on stage is something that I've talked about in the past and I must reiterate, it's unbelievable! She had the usual suspects on stage (her band) and NO BACKGROUND SINGERS! One of the very few performers that can pull that off successfully. She rocked her signature white ruffled blouse and black trousers, some funky shades and her trademark pin up hair-do. Unfortunately and fortunately she performed all new songs from her upcoming album ArchAndroid dropping May 18th. The only reason that I say unfortunately is because I can't give titles of songs that were performed (because I don't know them...and I was too busy dancing) but fortunately because it was an amazing preview of what's in store for this album. I can say that it WILL make you dance. It WILL make you think and it WILL make you wonder why it has taken so long for the world to catch onto her. Her show was extremely fun and relied on the theme of a major "emotion-picture" complete with opening credits and several high energy sets (one included a pillow fight, water guns and silly string. Yesssssss!) Of course "Cold War" and "Tightrope" were crowd favorites but I can honestly say even without knowing the material the show was a hit. Who really needs to know the words to every song being played as long as it all sounds good, right? After she blazed through songs from the new album she wrapped up with an encore of older more familiar material including "Many Moons", "Violet Stars Happy Hunting", and "Sincerely Jane".
Friday night/Saturday morning I checked out one of my favorite artists Meshell Ndegeocello at Joe's Pub in NYC. It was a special performance featuring songs from her classic album Bitter. When you tell people that your going to see someone perform songs from an album called Bitter, you get all types of looks. But those that get it, get it and those were the people that filled Joe's Pub that night, singing along to every song, "getting" it.
The vibe was very cool with a very mature audience. No flip cams to capture every movement. No camera phones snapping. Just people existing and enjoying her presence. LOVED that. Especially because I'd decided to leave any and all devices (except my Blackberry) that I normally travel with when I go to performances. Her setup was very simple. Her and her guitar, bass player and a drummer. Honestly that was all she needed. Her voice provided the perfect soothing blend of joy and pain as her words guided us through the various tales of love and love lost.
The show started at midnight and me being the *ahem* early bird that I am arrived 12 minutes past. She was already into her 2nd song I believe. FAIL on my part because I think I missed one of my favorite songs "Fool of Me". I came in midway on her performing "Satisfy". She glided through damn near the entire album including "Bitter", "Sincerity" and "Loyalty". She completely blew me away with her performance of "Faithful". This was her and her band's chance to showcase their instrumental skills and they did just that. The guitar solo in the middle of the song further confirmed her musical ability. Another standout was the song "Beautiful". I rolled dolo to the show but I can't front, hearing her sing that song made me wish I had a special someone with me to gaze into their eyes, if only for one night...SERIOUSLY! It was that special.
*puts pimp hat back on*
She didn't chat too much in between songs. They pretty much speak for themselves. The album is based on an old relationship with a former girlfriend that went sour. She claimed she had been very chatty the night before but had been watching the news all day and that took a toll on her. Didn't matter, either way she said plenty through her music. Her encore included a few new songs from her latest album Devil's Halo including "Mass Transit" and "Lola". She ended her show with the crowd favorite "Outside your Door". Meshell is amazingly cool. A different kind of cool. The kind of cool that only a select few understand. Watching her perform is like watching a fan of music listen to music at a much faster pace than the rest of the world. Get it? THAT's cool.
On to the next, the incredibly talented Janelle Monae. Let me start off by saying that her show was the best show that I've seen in a while. And for only 15 dollars, WIN! Janelle's show began a little earlier on Saturday evening at Joe's Pub, 7pm, and of course me being the *ahem* early bird that I am, I was power walking down Lafayette Ave. at 5 minutes past. Thankfully her show started about 12 minutes late (which is right on time in my tardy little world). I met a friend outside, gave her the ticket (of course the one who's always late would have the tickets) and we made our way into "Wondaland".
Janelle's show started with a disclaimer from a man dressed in a black monk like robe. "Do not let these tables or these chairs prohibit you from enjoying your Wondaland experience..." Or something like that. I've been to one other JM show in my life so I've seen how her fans get down. They GET DOWN. JM's energy on stage is something that I've talked about in the past and I must reiterate, it's unbelievable! She had the usual suspects on stage (her band) and NO BACKGROUND SINGERS! One of the very few performers that can pull that off successfully. She rocked her signature white ruffled blouse and black trousers, some funky shades and her trademark pin up hair-do. Unfortunately and fortunately she performed all new songs from her upcoming album ArchAndroid dropping May 18th. The only reason that I say unfortunately is because I can't give titles of songs that were performed (because I don't know them...and I was too busy dancing) but fortunately because it was an amazing preview of what's in store for this album. I can say that it WILL make you dance. It WILL make you think and it WILL make you wonder why it has taken so long for the world to catch onto her. Her show was extremely fun and relied on the theme of a major "emotion-picture" complete with opening credits and several high energy sets (one included a pillow fight, water guns and silly string. Yesssssss!) Of course "Cold War" and "Tightrope" were crowd favorites but I can honestly say even without knowing the material the show was a hit. Who really needs to know the words to every song being played as long as it all sounds good, right? After she blazed through songs from the new album she wrapped up with an encore of older more familiar material including "Many Moons", "Violet Stars Happy Hunting", and "Sincerely Jane".
(my short BB vid of "Tightrope")
Vocally she is a definite beast. She confidently treads the line tightrope of r&b, rock, and hip hop with ease. Oh and having a KILLER live band to back her up is also a major plus. Yes, JM is also some kind of cool from a planet far far away...probably a place called Wondaland. Yea, I'm sure of it. Don't be afraid to follow her on her journey. You won't be disappointed.
It's just Meshell Ndegeocello. No apostrophes, etc.
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