Catching up and a Fiona Apple Show!!!

It's been a while since I last blogged. I also have been to a couple of shows that I haven't blogged about. Since I've last blogged, I've seen Shabazz Palaces, Sade, DJ Shadow and New Edition. All very good shows...Shabazz I've seen a hand full of times, that show was packed! I prefer to watch him in a smaller venue and crowd...only because I wasn't able to chit chat with him or even take another picture with him after the show. Sade is my all time favorite artist. Only because I've loved her since I was a kid. Anything she will put out I will love. It was a lovely time with my cousins, but also a mini reunion with my childhood girlfriends. DJ Shadow was a first for me. I initially wasn't going to go to this show but was peer pressured. It wasn't that bad...I just wished DJ Shadow played more songs off his first album. He was very more drum and bass that night. I still had fun with my friends, hadn't had a night out like that with my friends in a while. Loved New Edition! Second time seeing them on stage, but the first time I saw them Bobby Brown wasn't apart of the tour. This time he was included and I was excited to see him along side his old friends. Songs were as memorable as they were when I heard them when I was a kid. Sang out loud to all their songs! It was a nice night of friends and songs that make me feel old but giddy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just the other day I went to the Fiona Apple concert. She was performing at The Fox Theater in Oakland, CA. Love this place! Although our seats were in the balcony area, it didn't matter to me as long as I get to hear her voice. Despite the noisy ass drunk asses that sat behind us, I was still able to get my Fiona fix. The way she writes her songs and arranges them is just simply like no other artist can. What really makes me a Fiona fan is the way she delivers...she sings her songs like it's pouring out her pours. Her voice can take you back to Ella Fitzgerald, or Nina Simone era, and yet her voice has put her music in a category of it's own. You can literally feel every word and every emotion she put into creating her songs. It simply is an emotional ride when watching her live. But emotional ride you won't forget. She is a little eccentric but I guess that comes with her whole package. I absolutely adore her, and can't wait to see her sing live once again!

Idle Warship @ Yoshi's SF 1/7/2012

Talib Kweli and Res created a new group called Idle Warship. I wasn't sure of what to expect because I didn't even know about this group until my cousin asked me if I wanted to go to their show at Yoshi's. I figured what the heck, a night out with my cousin's ...sure why not. I didn't do much research on any of their songs prior to the show so I had no clue what I was in for. Before the show my cousin's and I had a nice dinner...we had sushi, saki, and desert..shared laughs and spent some nice quality time together. I've been sick this past holiday and I missed out on Christmas with my family...so this was nice.

Now, I really appreciate Talib and his abilities. It's just for a while now I've been waiting to hear something different from hip hop artist, I've been hearing a lot of the same songs, same lyrics and same flows that I don't get too excited for new hip hop songs. Unfortunately Talib fell in that category and I wasn't following his career like I normally would. Res has been one of the most underrated vocalist. Her voice is original, and she has a nice sound. Her first solo album "How Do I" was on constant rotation when it came out. Every single song on that album I loved. So I was super excited to hear her voice live!

I was very happy with what I heard...Idle Warship had a live band, and their music was different than what is out there in the music industry. Their music was upbeat, Talib can clearly still flow and still can deliver a nice verse with precision in his voice! Res was very complimentary to Talib. They both fit well together, and Talib's lyrics and flow did not sound strange or off to the type of music that they created. Talib surprised us with "Get By" and "Reflection Eternal" Res also surprised us with "They Say" Res even did a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" When the show started there were maybe 20 people standing on the dance floor, by the end of the show they had half of the audience or more on the dance floor! Talib was great at interacting with the crowd!

It's refreshing to see Talib in a new light. I think he's really doing what he loves and you can see it in his performance. He loves good music and he doesn't care what other people say what's popular at the moment, he took a chance with this, and I think it's a great direction for him. Kutos to Talib and Res! Hope to hear more from them in the future!

Awesome time with my cousins...but then again...we always have a great time together!