Date Added
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
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Leela…
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WOW. thats all I can say is wow. Tonight Leela James honored us with her presence. First off alot of muscians take note. It shouldnt take 3 opening acts to get you on stage. And a prompt call time makes the people happy. Heston opened for Leela with his Jamican influence soul.Heston sang 7 songs including a nice cover of Marvin Gayes’ Sexual Healing and an nice segueway from his track Songbird into No Woman No Cry it definitely got this mainly over 30 crowd hype. Which is funny because theres like a semi circle backed up from the stage. I’m up there in my little viewfinder world when i realise the closest person is 3 strides away. Its a concert you gotta get close.
Heston leaves the stage and the lights dim. A few adjustments and several guys walk onto stage carrying brass and woodwind instruments. A stocky guy slides behind the key board and begins to tap the melody to Funky Good Time by the Godfather himself James Brown. A progression of instruments follow, trumpet, saxophone, electric bass, and so on and so on. The crowd inches closer the stage but its not unbearable. I like when I can shoot and not feel elbows in my back!
The crowd is moving in time. The piano man asks us if we’re ready. Yes We are! It felt like the Godfather himself was going to grace us. Two ladies in black dresses with matching gladiator heels and red leather belts walked on to stage a with a sprinkle of chimes there she was. Leighan and I had lamented on whether her hair would be pressed or au natural. The Lord definitely smiled us on with the rain today and there she was. Leela James with a crown of natural curls that were to be envied and revered. Her hair could definitley break a comb. And I was proud to be rockin my afro!!!!
I remember commenting that there was no set list. You know i like to get a photo of the set list. Although i can remember most of what she sang. I can’t really tell you more than she opened with James and closed with “A change is gonna come”. In between The rolling stones were nestled next to Phyllis Hyman and snuggled up with Bootsy Collins. Something about women singing “I’d rather be with you”. When Joi aka Tennessee Slim does it hairs prickle. When Leela growls it. I am transported to that somewhat bittersweet place in relationships when you just cant sync up due to timeconstraints. She pulled you in . And she pulled you up at one point the stage was full of people as LJ Chicago stepped to Phyllis Hyman and Salsa’d to “Music” from her previous effort. 
