I was kind of beyond critical commentary last night. DJ Kobal warmed everybody up with a killer 2-hour set of his own, dropping Michael Jackson classics interspersed with well-known and lesser-known soul and funk gems, and trying to move the clouds with Bill Withers' "Lovely Day."
After an opening speech honouring Michael Jackson, calling the never-ending gossip "bullshit" and proclaiming that tonight would be a celebration, Stevie started his marathon set in earnest. Every time I thought the set had to be over, he continued. The band was supremely tight (will get everyone's names later today and add them here). From my vantage point, I couldn't tell whether the first couple of Michael Jackson tunes were coming through the PA (as they apparently were) or if it was one of Stevie's incredibly talented back-up singers mimicing Michael to a T. During the earliest portion of soundcheck, Stevie's male back-up vocalist stood in for him, sounding note for note like the boss. The show ended with beautiful fireworks, set to among other things, "Manteca."
Set List
I Can't Help It
As If You Read My Mind
Master Blaster (Jammin') [with lyrics about Obama]
Shake Your Body Down to the Ground (PA)
Did I Hear You Say You Love Me
All I Do
Michelle
Knocks Me Off My Feet
[new, Algerian sounding tune from the forthcoming spiritual record]
The Way You Make Me Feel (PA)
Higher Ground
All Blues [done with a 9/8 feel, Stevie on harmonica]
Giant Steps
Spain [Stevie playing Concerto de Aranjuez on harmonica, with each band member taking a chorus]
Our Love is Here to Stay
Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
Overjoyed
I'm Going to Laugh You Right Out of My Life [Nancy Wilson song with Aisha Morris singing lead]
My Cherie Amour
Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours
Uptight (Everything's Alright)
For Once in My Life
Do I Do
I Just Called to Say I Love You
These Three Words
Sir Duke/I Wish/Isn't She Lovely
Superstition [with "Sex Machine" quotations]
As
MJ Finale: ABC/Got to be There/Never Can Say Goodbye/Shake Your Body/Rock With You/Billie Jean/Way You Make Me Feel/Man in the Mirror (PA)
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5 comments:
thanks for the setlist !
do you remember what was played at the soundcheck -
the band played living for the city, do I do and part time lover among other songs and Stevie closed out with higher ground and a great you and I alone at the piano
I thought I heard I was made to love her but I don't recall if Stevie was on vocals for that one
thanks!
THanks Ryshpan! I arrrived on the 9:30 train in from toronto, dropped my stuff at home and ran: good to know I made it by song 2!
peace
lsia
@Anonymous1: I didn't catch all of soundcheck, I heard Living for the City and Visions. Missed the part where Stevie came out for soundcheck.
props to you for the setlist, man, and for having the cool-headedness to actually take notes in that insanely packed crowd. Unless you memorized them, in which case, damn you for being a genius.
@Blind Camera: I was actually in the press/employee zone for the Stevie show, which allowed me some room to breathe and take notes. There's no way I'd have been able to remember all that stuff.
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