I thought better not to write down the setlist. The air in the pavillion is charged with excitement and good spirits. I feel that this review will be incomplete without a very special mention to Maxwell's two talented and vibrant supporting artits namely Chrisette Michele and Common.
I had the misfortune of only catching the tailend of Chrisette Michele's set. I have not heard of her or her music but standing in line to purchase the overpriced bottled water, I was admiring the beautiful and powerful female voice coming from the pavillion. I plan on buying her album.
....then I found myself dancing to Common's set. His ensemble also included DJ Dummy who did a number that was "sick" , and incredible. Everyone in the pavillion was speechless as he was effortlessly mixing the rhythms and the beats and voices to create an entertaining peice of art. I have a newfound respect to the turn tables and had come to realize that night what an enriching and innovative piece of musical instrument this is. Common is a poet, lyrical poet to the core and his words spill out of him so sincerely, with no frills.
The lights dimmed.
The stage was first illuminated by a projection screen of ocean waves in black and white. Then slowly one of the screens opened to reveal the stage with the band and everyone was just going nuts. Then Maxwell came out wearing a beautifully fitted charcoal gray suit. This man can also bust a move ever so gracefully in time to the beat of his music. He is joined by a very talented ensemble of mucisians from all over the US - guitars, drums, keyboards, saxophone, trombone, trumpet and back up singers. I have to hand it to his trombone, saxophone and trumpet players - this trio really added a great flavorful layer to the ensemble. They blew through those instruments in glorious unision, uplifting an already invigorating song to a new level, song after song.
He opened with Dancewitme, sumthin' sumthin' and get to know ya which sent everyone bobbing their heads and swaying in their seats. Then he busted into his devotion songs such as Lifetime and Fortunate which easily extracted either a scream or a whoop of delight from mostly the ladies in the pavillion (myself included).
When This Woman's Work came on, you first hear the melancholic piano intro and the stage was dimly lit and everyone just started screaming. Then you hear his honey falsetto and you see the screen emerge with flourishes that eventually came together to form a heart. It was very touching and moving as always.
He threw some adlibs in there that really increased the sexual charge in the atmosphere and it's incredible how he can do that. Like a Vampire using his glamour powers, he spun a yarn so incredibly steamy that I noticed the girls next me , by the end of Maxwell's tale had their head between their knees and the other one was fanning herself. Being in his show can be a aphrodesiac.
For every song that he sings and his musicans play, there is an accompanying theme in the background - from infrared photos of leafless trees, to photos of the famine-stricken African Countries (to appopriately accompany "Help Somebody").
When he did "Till the Cops Come Knocking", an additional prop was added to add to the effect of the song - siroens on both sides of the stage . Red spinning light turns on, on cue accompanied by the wailing sirens - how cool is that.
I was bracing to hear "Whenever Whereever Whatever" but it didn't happen . But I was ok with it, because I am looking forward to seeing him again , some other time and I know I will catch him singing it. Plus, I heard a whole lot of other songs that I never thought would hear live.
Because this was afterall a BLACKsummers' Night tour - he sang a number of songs from this album. I didn't have the fortune this time to hear "Fist Full of Tears" live but that's perfectly fine too. "Pretty Wings" was accompanied by a visual of falling feathers and collosal feather-like ribbons cascading down the stage. Additionally, this song was also accompanied by a confetti of feathers that showered on the fans that were seated in the middle and the front of the pavillion.
Maxwell closed with "Ascension", and it was great how he started it acapella and everyone started singing " ...when you revealed. And you were a dream that had should , not have been a fantasy real..) That was when everyone started to stand up and what was great was when his band finally joined him, he repeated the first stanza , which was awesome. Everyone was dancing and waving their hands in the air.
The focus of the show is Maxwell and he has his musicans to support him. So in this show, the most powerful instrument is his voice - from effortless falsettos, grounded baritones and soaring soul - the show has given me a feeling like I was walking in a dream.
The magic of his music stayed in a warm rich afterglow even after him and his musicans left the stage and the lights came on.Ever so humble and thankful, he made sure he thanked his crew and his fans for being there for him despite of his 8-year absence. We all know Maxwell is a true and tested artist and entertainer. Him and his musicans delivered every piece magically , it seems to shine a light even in the darkest corners of the heart. Anyone who has been his fan since "Urban.." to the recently acquired fans, will surely get their time and money's worth should they give themselves a chance to watch his concert.
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