Ordinary People

Since the wedding's coming up this year, concert madness is at an all-time low.  We've been to maybe two shows so far this year, but I think this time last year we'd been to at least four, save the fact that there was another planned real soon ( Coachella, damn you).  Anytime we can get out for some music though, I consider a good thing.

So there we were, on Friday, driving out to the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios to watch the jazz/soul/pop sensation Corinne Bailey Rae and the R & B machine that is John Legend.  Both are a part of a new crop of singer-songwriters really re-imagining the typical cross-over artist.  Not that the songs they perform are overly pop, but more in the sense that the music they create is soulful, danceable, and sweet.  That last adjective more aptly describes Ms. Rae, truthfully, but that's most obvious from the sound of her voice.

As an opening act, you can't do any worse than Corinne Bailey Rae.  Really, her performance was surprising as I expected more jazzy, breezy tunes in line with her hit single "Put Your Records On" and instead was met with a good set really showcasing how subtle and powerful her voice really is.  What drove it home for me though was her friendly and genuine stage presence.  As much success as she's had thus far, it's refreshing to have someone perform who is as humble and engaging as Ms. Rae.  Maybe I'll ask Grace to let me borrow the album.

After a 30-minute break (and a somewhat late start) John Legend's band took to the stage and kicked off what would be a raucous spectacle.  Staying away from this biggest hits for the good majority of the set, Mr. Legend's show was intensely theatrical.  We even made a game of it partway through the first five or so songs, compiling a storyline thusly:

Boy meets girl in relationship
Boy has an affair with girl
Boy breaks up with girl
Boy pleads for her to return
Boy gets girl back
Boy tells girl there in it for the long run

What I really liked about his songs is that they aren't your normal love story of loss and redemption, but basically told through the eyes of a one-time lothario.  Granted, Mr. Legend may have all this experience or not, but it's not all tongue-in-cheek nor as sleazy as an R. Kelly track.  If anything, I likened him to Bobby Brown in his dance moves.  He put on one heck of a show and even had a message at the very end with his new Show Me Campaign. 

As individuals, both artists made a great impression, but as a team, this show really brought the house down.  I haven't seen this many people dancing in their seats in quite some time (well, I haven't been to that many R & B or pop shows really) and it was great to see everyone really enjoying not just the music, but the show as a whole.  As entertaining as it was, it really was above all, impressive.