Greetings Hearlings!
In honor of Sade’s birthday today, wanted to share a #TBT post about Ms. Adu and her ultra fabulousness!
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Two nights ago, I had the pleasure of witnessing Sade do what they do best! PLAY!
Before we get into the specifics, let’s make a quick distinction. For the purposes of this post…I’ll refer to the lead singer of the band as Helen…as in Helen Folasade Adu (the band is named “Sade” afterHelen’s middle-name). And when I say Sade, I’m meaning the entire band…including lead singer PLUS bassist Paul Denman, guitarist AND saxophone player Stuart Matthewman and keyboardist Andrew Hale. (You probably recognized these last three as the members of Sweetback, but we’re not even going to begin down that path right now.)
Okay, now that we have that straight, let’s get started!
John Legend opened things up with an hour set that highlighted some of his greatest hits from Ordinary People, to PDA, to Green Light. Yes, I summed him up in just one sentence. That’s not meant to imply that his performance was lacking but let’s be honest…we were all there to see Sade.
The time between Johnny-boy singin his last note to when Sade took to the stage, felt like an eternity but in actuality it was only about 30 mins. And as the band began playing the hypnotic thump of the bassline to Soldier of Love, Helen strutted her way across the stage in 6-inch heels. Her hair pulled back in a long semi-curly ponytail, she was dressed in black militaristic attire, with of course…her signature shade of red lipstick. Her look was minimal but effective. We got the point that she meant business and was ready to go to work. Truthfully, the entire band had a presence…a confidence that I absolutely couldn’t get enough of.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I01s0FJxICU&feature=related]
After the opening number, Sade had already reaffirmed that they rightly deserved their coveted spot on my “baddest bands of all time” list. Song after song, they cranked out each one with perfection! Your Love is King, Kiss of Life, Smooth Operator, Jezebel, Is it a Crime, King of Sorrow and many many more. You’ll have to forgive me for not having a complete set-list for you. I was too busy being mesmerized by their precision, musicianship and creativity. Let’s just say for a musicphiles like me (if that’s even a word)…I had entered utopia.
Here’s a sample of what we we saw (this footage is better than what I captured on my phone):
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1YZXWzzu8k]
I’d be remissed if I didn’t share some insights on the entertainment factor of the show. Not only did we enjoy impeccable music, but there was such an imaginative use of video, cinematography and special lighting effects throughout the entire show. All of which worked together to create an air of mystique. I gotta say I was thoroughly impressed.
And Helen looks like she hasn’t aged one bit in the nearly 30 years that she’s been on the scene. Her wardrobe selections throughout the night were monochromatic yet tastefully chosen and complemented each “movement” of the show going from black, to white to ending the show in a most dashing crimson-colored ensemble. (you know I’m partial to crimson.)
In the midst of it all, there was something that was stood out for me as we sauntered through Sade’s catalog. As I was sitting in my seat, (an exceptional seat I might add…special thanks to AH!), I realized that much of their material conjures memories of my childhood. Yes, childhood.(I’m sure that’s not what most folks relate Sade’s music to.) But if you think about it, Diamond Life debuted in 1984. At that time, I was a youngster and clearly didn’t know what these songs were all about back then. However, now, as I’m holding tightly to my membership card to the “30-something” club –these songs have all new meanings. Listening with my more mature ears, I realized how sensual their repertoire is. Okay, who am I kidding? There’s no other way to put it…Sade’s music is quite sexy. This show was definitely one where you’d want to be…needed to be “boo’ed” up. Y’all grown folks know what I’m getting at. And I’m gonna leave it at that.
I can sum it up for you like this. If you catch wind that Sade’s tour is making a stop in your city or one that’s within driving distance, please make it your business to be there! I promise, you too, will be left saying…”Honestly Helen?!”’ and thinking that…Sade still ‘got it’!!!!!!!
Until Next Time,
-TL
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