I hate to say it, but the Baltimore crowd could’ve been a little livelier.
We missed Russell Taylor, and the beginning of Tamia. She was very good. I really enjoyed her. Beautiful voice. She sang a song about leaving her man for another woman – herself. That was deep. Very powerful song. Up there with “Stranger in my House.” She danced a little – Minneapolis style. You go girl. Overall good opener. Word is that she’s 4 months pregnant. Congrats to her and Grant. I wish them the very best.
The host was a cutie (Hi Troy!), but I bet that he changes his name to Stokley! Someone kept telling him to stall between Tamia and Mint. I got fed up (playfully) and shouted “You better stop playing with us!” I know now not to do that from the second row. “I’m not playing with y’all” he says. Then he spots “the voice”. I can’t talk to y’all for a little while? I can’t talk to you sista?” (Looking at me) My response was “Is your name Stokley?!?!?!?” Then my girlfriend chimes in, testifying how I flew all the way from Michigan and how she drove in a snow storm from Jersey. He asks, “Aren’t y’all a little old to be groupies, Grandma?” (She has a gray streak in her hair.) Anyway, after a few more jokes the show finally started.
As usual they rocked. Repertoire included Sista, you Send me Swingin, Forever in Your Eyes, What Kind of Man would I Be, So Fine, Whoaa, It’s Hard, What You Bring to the Party. The encore was Pretty Brown Eyes, & Soul Power (James Brown), with an enjoyable lengthy call & answer session. Forever in Your Eyes was Stokley’s “breakdown” song. It took me back to 1992 at the Apollo. He came over to our side and swayed his pelvis back and forth during a scat. A woman behind me yelled “Do that move again!” Between him and Jeff’s sax solo, I was done. Rick did his usual spin during Brown Eyes (Or was it So Fine? Dang! My memory sucks sometimes) In any case, “Brotha man, Please! Don’t you EVER fall! Overall I was a little disappointed because this show was shorter than any of the shows I’ve been to during the Luxury Brown tour. They usually do a medley of Swingin, Someone to Love & You Don’t Have to Hurt No More, & I’m Ready. And just ONCE could Stokley call some lucky girl on stage and sing to her? It doesn’t have to be me! I’ll cry with her on the side! (LOL)
After the show my friend and I hung out for a chance to say hi to the guys. Jeff did come out and chat for a little, but eventually we took a chance and went back stage. Stokley was in the first room we went in. Of course me and my big mouth gotta crack jokes. “Stokley?! I don’t want to see Stokley! I wanna see the rest of the band! He got a good laugh out of that. I took pictures and furthered my campaign for a “Fan Appreciation” concert WEEKEND. Let’s push it y’all! Anyway, It was getting late and the rest of the crew was in a different room, so we decided to jet. We did see crazy Rick in the hall. I got to meet some really nice dedicated F.O.O.M.s. Shouts out to Cyprian Bowlding, Elaine (nice t-shirt), and JeVaughn Thomas & Family. That family was no joke. They drove down from Hackensack NJ and brought baby boy with them (about 6 yrs old)!!!!! THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!
Until next time,
Joluvsmint
