Mary Reigns Supreme...
Artist:
Mary J Blige
Mary J Blige always, always means business, but last night, it was clear that the Queen of Hip Hop Soul really wasn't playing!
Warmed up by hotly-tipped, talented newcomer Bryn Christopher, MJB took to the stage in an explosion of fireworks and a full live band including brass and string section. A steady stream of hits ensued, with What's The 411 and My Life classics including Reminisce, Real Love, Be Happy,Sweet Thing,Love No Limit and huge crowd favourite I'm Goin' Down.
Ohh wee, we hardly had time to catch our breath! Sounding and looking amazing, Mary wasn't anywhere done yet. The Yonkers native was about to take it to chuuuuch!
"Thanks so much for this very, very packed house," grinned Mary. "I really appreciate it, Ladies, we here! You know what happens when we in town. We talk. So lets talk! You know I got sick and tired of pleasing everyone. Forget what everyone else has to say - I like me fat, I like me thin, I like me blond, I like me brown! If you don't like me, leave me alone," she said as Take Me As I Am began.
Relationships were dissected before Not Gon' Cry rang out. Of course, the electric No More Drama was a show-stopper, as Mary flung herself about like a frenzied minister delivering her sermon. "I don't think that song will ever stop meaning so much to me," she said as the final notes rang out and the audience dried their eyes. "All people want to do is remember me how I was. They only want to remember you when you was a drug addict, an alcoholic, a drunk, fat, thin," Blige shouted. "But this is me now. I'm a girl from the projects who has the honour of working with Sting, Elton John, George Michael, Method Man, Aretha Franklin and so many others," she continued, looking ready to cry.
The U2 collabo One came next before Mary stopped for some more real talk.
With tears flowing now, she told the 02 how much they really meant. "If you're a fan and you stuck with me, you're my everything in this music business. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here," Mary insisted. You Are Everything was dedicated to the entire audience, before Mary proved, yet again, why she's the R&B Most Valued Player. MJB Tha MVP, Work That and Just Fine saws sobbing replaced by dancing.
One thing that always strikes you when seeing Mary live is how raw, how real she is. The words above may seem empty, superficial from other stars, but from Mary Jane Blige the truth drips from her, it's unstoppable. Throughout much of the performance, she leans back trying to ring every last note out of her body. Frowning, and bouncing up and down on her heels, she delivers an outstanding vocal, whether soul-flavoured, jazz-inflected or deep down, telling-it-how-it-is gutteral growls.
Family Affair closed the show, the perfect full stop to a night that , as Mary often pointed out, was as much about us as it was about her.
A legend in her lifetime, we salute ya Mary - you're amazing!!! If you haven't seen her yet, you're slipping!
Mary J Blige always, always means business, but last night, it was clear that the Queen of Hip Hop Soul really wasn't playing!
Warmed up by hotly-tipped, talented newcomer Bryn Christopher, MJB took to the stage in an explosion of fireworks and a full live band including brass and string section. A steady stream of hits ensued, with What's The 411 and My Life classics including Reminisce, Real Love, Be Happy,Sweet Thing,Love No Limit and huge crowd favourite I'm Goin' Down.
Ohh wee, we hardly had time to catch our breath! Sounding and looking amazing, Mary wasn't anywhere done yet. The Yonkers native was about to take it to chuuuuch!
"Thanks so much for this very, very packed house," grinned Mary. "I really appreciate it, Ladies, we here! You know what happens when we in town. We talk. So lets talk! You know I got sick and tired of pleasing everyone. Forget what everyone else has to say - I like me fat, I like me thin, I like me blond, I like me brown! If you don't like me, leave me alone," she said as Take Me As I Am began.
Relationships were dissected before Not Gon' Cry rang out. Of course, the electric No More Drama was a show-stopper, as Mary flung herself about like a frenzied minister delivering her sermon. "I don't think that song will ever stop meaning so much to me," she said as the final notes rang out and the audience dried their eyes. "All people want to do is remember me how I was. They only want to remember you when you was a drug addict, an alcoholic, a drunk, fat, thin," Blige shouted. "But this is me now. I'm a girl from the projects who has the honour of working with Sting, Elton John, George Michael, Method Man, Aretha Franklin and so many others," she continued, looking ready to cry.
The U2 collabo One came next before Mary stopped for some more real talk.
With tears flowing now, she told the 02 how much they really meant. "If you're a fan and you stuck with me, you're my everything in this music business. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here," Mary insisted. You Are Everything was dedicated to the entire audience, before Mary proved, yet again, why she's the R&B Most Valued Player. MJB Tha MVP, Work That and Just Fine saws sobbing replaced by dancing.
One thing that always strikes you when seeing Mary live is how raw, how real she is. The words above may seem empty, superficial from other stars, but from Mary Jane Blige the truth drips from her, it's unstoppable. Throughout much of the performance, she leans back trying to ring every last note out of her body. Frowning, and bouncing up and down on her heels, she delivers an outstanding vocal, whether soul-flavoured, jazz-inflected or deep down, telling-it-how-it-is gutteral growls.
Family Affair closed the show, the perfect full stop to a night that , as Mary often pointed out, was as much about us as it was about her.
A legend in her lifetime, we salute ya Mary - you're amazing!!! If you haven't seen her yet, you're slipping!
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