Maxwell lover

I recall seeing Maxwell for the first time so many years ago on MTV by chance. My tv screen framed a handsome, radiant-smiled, afro-haired, mocha-skinned young man with an almost shy and humble stature, as he was being interviewed. The exact content of the interview escaped me except with the comment that his beautiful features included a Puerto Rican heritage. Then, he opened his mouth to sing and out came this this rich-like-honey , velvety voice opening with a beautiful and caressing, effortless falsetto; supported by the jazzy upbeat groove of the bass guitar,rhythmic high-hats and the blues-ey lingering electric guitar notes. Which, I didn't realize it at that time, became my first auditory pleasure of the art that is the song " Ascencion (Don't Ever Wonder)".


That was when he first came out with the Album Urban Hang Suite , which was followed by an Unplugged MTV Show which inevitably lead to an Unplugged album.
I remember staying up and watching the Unplugged Show. I just freshly immigrated from my country of birth, The Philippines; and did not have friends yet to share my love for the soulful Maxwell with - espcially that I live in a town outside a city considered to be the birth place of Grunge. Or that the town I lived in is but a nice drive away from remains of one of rock's icon's Jimi Hendrix. Yes, I'm talking about Washington, State - it will always have a partially-sunny spot in my life. At that time, I didn't feel lonely, since I have his music for company. It is just now, in retrospect, did I realize what a big role his music played during those days and how much it helped me cope with this big unknown country that I moved to.

One of the numbers that was most memorable for me during his MTV Unplugged show was his Unplugged version of the endearingly-romantic "Whenever, Whereever, Whatever". Fast forward more than a decade later, I am always taken back to that moment when I first heard this live. A musical leader poised for battle, Maxwell is accompanied by his troop of incredibly talented musicians who powerfully yet softly delivered that haunting and melodic strings, harp , acoustic guitar and other, instrumental framework to accompany his voice. Hauntingly beautiful, emotionally-charged , his voice commanded the attention of the audience both in the studio and the tv viewers. I myself was defeated, willingly; and I allowed myself to be taken away. I was left enthralled, speechless and a little moved to tears, even to this day. There has be a heaven and this must be a slice of it.

I found the video on Youtube:



His albums Urban Hang Suite, Unplugged was followed by Embrya, Now and his latest, after 8 years of dropping out of the face of the music world (and I felt that void), he is back with BLACKsummers' night Trilogy.

I will be seeing Maxwell live , exactly a week from now. Except for his tv appearances and albums, I never had the pleasure of such an experience. I'm very excited that not even the unpleasant bumper to bumper traffic that will be endured in the Concord Pavillion pre and post show, will not dampen that.

It will take me days even weeks to express my respect and love for his music. I'll save that for later and tap that reservoir once again. For now, I just want to celebrate his comeback. You were mised , Maxwell. Glad that you are back and I look forward to your second and third installements and so much more. I find comfort in your art. I see an escape from the challenges and stress of everyday life. I thank you for your music. :)