Meshell Ndegeocello is out pushing her new release “Devil’s Halo” , out on Downtown/Mercer Street Records and this new record has me thinking she’s operating on a different level.
Meshell Ndegeocello- Slaughter [mp3]
We sent C=T contributor, LostClaws, to take in the action last night:
So much of our life’s experiences are in song, it’s in the music we remember. Through the great, the good and, of course, the bad times; all of us can remember the emotions we get from a song. As we go from one experience to another we can track our own personal life through music. Where you were, what you were doing and who you were with. It brings you back! It brings you back to that place and time. Meshell Ndegeocello and Sonnenlume evoked us back to that world. Boulder Theatre was that place! Last night was that night!
Sonnenblume was the opening act, a sultry one woman band that gave us soulful rock ballads. Ten years in the making, this group brought back the 80’s. If Sade and Pat Benatar had a baby, this was her. You can tell that the hard work of the band paid off as they played songs off of their newly released first album. The adoringly, bashful lead singer brought lyrics to life over guitar strings blending notes and words that found home in your heart. Sonnenblume’s music lead us into a loving melancholy mood, anticipating Ms. Ndegeocello .
The headliner was eclectic, pronounced, and cool; with a smoky, loungy and “oh so sexy” ambiance. For one of the fist times in writing I’m almost lost in description. Meshell has a way of throwing you off. She started the night with some of her new songs off of her latest album, Devil’s Halo. She came out, a woman small in stature but a giant in presence not afraid of any scrutiny, malice, or questioning.
After her first slow cooked song she let the drummer pick up the pace and brought the funk. Her ability to change the mood of the crowd to a more upbeat vibe was done smoothly. She brought us back to a lot of the memories with the song “Fool of Me” off of the album Bitter. It reminded us all of older times when our hearts were just learning how tender they were and how music could sooth. It’s almost ironic to hear a woman of such strong word naturally sing softly and caring. The mood of the night was easy and sexy. Boulder was left to the chill and romantic. Meshell Ndegeocello put Boulder in a trance!
As the night rounded out we all fell in love with Meshell’s jazz bass and she just played, for herself and for us. This was Music deeply rooted in love in all of it’s beauty and pain. It’s music that makes you respect humanity, music that makes you feel your soul, and music that helps you make the best decisions of your life.
LostClaws