Last night was made of awesome because I saw Lenny Live @ "The Fillmore" in Detroit Rock City!




It was hotter than hell in that theater, but what a great show. Lisette opened for him and I'd like to say she was great...but I didn't get there early enough to check her out. Oh well. Did I mention that Lenny was WONDERFUL??!

The Set (in no particular order)
Bring it On
Love Revolution
I'll Be Waiting
Are You Gonna Go My Way?
Fly Away
Again
Mr. Cab Driver
American Woman
Always on the Run
Let Love Rule
Lady
Where Are We Runnin'?
Dig In
Stillness of Heart

Great sound. Lenny was very enthusiastic and very complimentary to Detroit and its musical legacy. He was clearly driving his security detail batty as he often reached into the audience and at one point just hopped down off the stage and into the crowd. Schweet.

What he didn't perform:

( So many tears we've cried... )

Apparently, Lenny has this thing on his MySpace page where you can log on 24 hours before the tour hits your town and find out where you can get a limited number of tix set aside for his fans. I get the impression if you manage to figure out the secret location, you get super close to the stage and you also get to meet him after the show. If I had known I'd have been all over that.

Other things of note:

• This was my sister-in-law's very first "rock" concert. Ha...newbie!
  
• Lenny took us all to church during "Let Love Rule." When he asked that everyone hold hands I thought the guy next to me would die of repulsion...then afterward he acted as if he didn't want to let go of my hand. Weird.
  
• After the spiritual coming together of "Let Love Rule," my goofy-ass brother quipped "...and the Bi-Racial children shall heal the world!!! BARACK 2008!!!!" BWAHAAA HAAAAAAA!! (The stupid...my brother...he haz it.)
  
• Why did I start thinking about my son's biracialness after that statement?
  
• There was a lot of Aqua-Net sustained 80's hair. Faaaaaaaailure!!!!
  

I did mention that Lenny was awesome right? I did? Okay...cool.

:-) 

I'm sitting here at my desk listening to Mason in the Morning.

Today is the "New Edition" story, and I'm in seventh heaven.

New Edition was my absolute favoritest group growing up. What you 'NSYNC and BSB fans know about that? Before Jodeci/Silk/Shai/Troop and all those other R & B boy bands, there was Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph, and Johnny.

And to think that Murray Wright HS booed Johnny off the stage in '88. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!! 

Bobby was a'ight, but that was a happy day for me the day I found out that Johnny had joined the group. I'd pay to hear him sing the menu at McDonald's. Love his voice (when he's not ovedoing the preachy thing).

I saw them perform in '88 and again in '97.  The concert in '97 could possibly have been the worse concert I have ever attended.  The animosity in the group was so obvious and you could tell they didn't even want to be on stage with each other.  It was an uncomfortable thing to watch unfold and I really kinda felt sorry for them.  I was certain that would be the last of that group, but somehow they are still together for the most part albeit alternately with/without Bobby.

Earlier this year when I tried to get NE tickets, I was soooo shut down.  I couldn't believe that no one had tickets less than $75!  It was so crazy and here I was feeling a little silly for still loving them so much.  Apparently I'm not the only one.

Oh well, I know there are some pretty screwy personalities in that group and they have had their issues but they will always be a part of my wonder years.  I can't wait for part 2 of their story tomorrow morning.

New Edition will always have a place in my heart.

Yesterday, the kid and I took the day off and headed out to the Border's Books & Music store in downtown Ace-Deuce. We had a blast.

Little did I know that when I saw Paolo Nutini on The Today Show a wee bit over a month ago (and since fell in love with his CD) that I'd actually have the opportunity to see a performance so soon and also have a chat with him. What a nice guy. (Holy crap, I can't believe he's only 18. But those lyrics are all grown up baby.)

The kid and I sat and sang along to 5 or so songs, and Paolo really took a liking to the kid which was too cute. He gave him a "soul hand shake" that really let me know that soul is alive and well in the UK. The kid didn't seem at all perplexed about Paolo's Scottish accent. My baby is so cultured! :-) His publicist even took a picture of the kid for the band's American tour pics. All in all it was a good time.

We spent the rest of the day stolling the streets of Ann Arbor and then we headed back for errands and whatnot. Since it was also my brother's birthday I had to pick up a little something for his milestone 30th birthday. He played it low key though. I hope he's not getting depressed or feeling old. Life is good. 30 is the new....something...shit I dunno.

The day ended for me with a kick ass Cha Cha class and a slice of home made egg custard pie. Yum!

Man, it made me wanna call off the rest of the week and just chill.

But since I couldn't do that, I'll just leave it with this and remember the wonderful day that I had with my little cutie patootie.

He really is wonderful that kid.

Last night J and I went to the Brand New Heavies concert wsg Van Hunt and SQUEEEE...



I got to meet Van Hunt!

This was hands down one of the best concerts I have ever been to in terms of the quality of music, the atmosphere, and price. The one thing I would have liked though was a schmidget of air conditioning, but other than that what a kick-ass time.

Van Hunt was energetic and got the crowd in a jamming mood. He performed for about an hour which was awesome. He did a good mix of stuff from his first album and the newest one (which I haven't listened to all that much to be honest. I'm still wearing the first one out.) Some of the songs from last night that I remember were "Character," "Hot Stage Lights," "Seconds of Pleasure," "Dust," and "Highlights." Great show all around. After his set, Van Hunt hung around the atrium for quite a while to meet and greet his fans. He was very gracious and approachable. I was almost taken aback by how very nice he was. Now I'll definitely have to pick up his newest CD. Tee.

It took a little longer than I would have liked for the BNH sound check, but once they got going the heat in the place definitely went up a notch or two. The band looked great after about a 11 year hiatus and N'Dea Davenport sounded wonderful as usual. Her high energy kept us into it long after the heat and the alcohol should have done us in. One of the reasons why I have such a love for British funk bands because they seem to really CARE about the music and the autheticity of it. They respect the contributions of American soul artists when we take it for granted over here or sometimes completely disregard it. It is important for them to come to DETROIT of all places and bring their A-game if no where else on their American tours and that just rocks.

I'm just so excited that the Brand New Heavies reunited. I never thought I'd get to see them perform together as a band, live no less. In the past year I've seen other favorite British groups Incognito and Swing Out Sister. Unfortunately, Jamiroquai skipped Michigan on their US tour and instead hitting Toronto and Chicago. Oh well. maybe I'll catch them next go round.

But for right now, just thinking about last night and that incredible music...

...I'm feeling pretty good.