There weren’t many people in the Pageant at 8 o’clock sharp, as the Black Eyed Peas took the stage Friday, Nov. 16. Only about 500 people witnessed the greatest live, hip-hop act of the last five years, and I’m sure they are eager to tell you about it.
The Black Eyed Peas provided a breath of fresh air. Don’t expect instructions from the Black Eyed Peas because they won’t give any.
We didn’t have to raise our hands in the air, or say “ho” like some horny panhead who wants to party.
They didn’t wear baseball caps or Tommy Hilfiger as most hip hop acts do because they didn’t want to look like major-league-baseball popcorn vendors. They had live musicians that played real music.
They tore though wonderful songs from Bridging the Gap like “Bringing It Back” and “Get Original,” which speak to an audience, instead of barking at them like the recent “Big Pimpin” or the God-awful Nelly.
The Black Eyed Peas brought out the beautiful Kim Hill to serenade the lucky fans at the Pageant with gorgeous vocals and stunning lyrical mobility. The Black Eyed Peas mixed their authentic hip-hop with kung-fu, break-dancing and class. They blew the crowd away.
After that stunning set, I felt a little sorry for Common and his band before they took the stage. How was he going to make us forget about that miracle that took place 20-minutes before? Well, with costumes, of course. Throughout his 35-minute set, Common took us “Time Travelin” throughout the land of funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop.
There was just something about Common in a gigantic Afro wig that made the kids go absolutely mental as he ripped through George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog,” and a number from his latest effort, Like Water For Chocolate. Furthermore, Common’s run through his gorgeous single, “The Light,” a tribute to women, gave everyone goosebumps. Well done then, Common, you survived following the Black Eyed Peas.
People were singing “I Try” before Macy Gray arrives on stage. As her 12-piece band took the stage, we anxiously awaited the new millennium’s Queen of Soul. Once we heard Macy’s voice on “Do Something,” we were hooked. No wonder Shirley Manson from Garbage said Macy’s voice makes her “pink with pleasure and green with envy.”
The set contained every song from On How Life Is plus a few added bonuses. She played a new song from her upcoming album to be released in March, and we watched her band with amazement. It was like watching Beck’s band, complete with horns, back Aretha Franklin.
As Common joined her for “Ghetto Heaven,” there were 18-people on stage playing the tightest, funkiest music that St. Louis had seen in a long, long time.
Macy’s 95-minute set came to a close with the song everyone waited for, “I Try.” After an a capella intro, her capable back-up band gave the anthem a reggae flavor, and before we knew it, Macy and her backup singers started into Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry.” As the band segued flawlessly back into her biggest hit, everyone was clapping and singing on their feet.
If someone you know likes N’Sync or Britney Spears, do the world a favor this holiday season. Burn those records and buy them a copy of Macy Gray’s On How Life Is, to teach them about real pop music.
Maybe then everybody will have a chance to witness it on the next tour, granted that we are worthy of a return trip.
