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Review: Sheila E. at Yoshi's -San Francisco Sheila E. – Yoshi’s, San Francisco. August 15, 2010, - the 9pm show. …”I don’t know what I’m thinking. 52 years old – up here singin’ and dancin’”, said an exhausted Sheila E. following a wickedly funky version of Oliver’s House, Sunday night. “I haven’t played that song like THAT since 1984”, she added.
That aside, was one of several exchanges that left the audience at Yoshi’s San Francisco feeling like we were in Sheila’s living room receiving our own special show. And just when you may have thought she and her six–piece band couldn’t possibly maintain the kind of energy they expended on Oliver’s House for another song, they managed to do it for another HOUR!
She encouraged the sold out audience at Yoshi’s San Francisco to dance. And dance we did. How could you not? Her play list had nary a slow song – other than her Country inspired tune – which turned into a revival at about 155 beats per minute.
Her band included Cat Gray (keyboards), Raymond McKinley (bass), Bobby G. (guitar), Garrett Perkins (sax), Rick Jordan (drums), and Brandon Coleman.
I came away assured that Sheila E commands respect as a band leader. She is decisive and funky. She keeps a show moving. The players in the band seemed very engaged in every note being played and they all seemed to be having fun. Likewise, as members of the 400 plus attending the show, Sheila kept us laughing, creating a light atmosphere.
I never take notes at a show because I just want to enjoy the show – so my recall on set lists can be shady. Just as fun as the complete songs the band played - were impressive “turn arounds” and tight transitions that have been a part of Sheila’s set for years.
They played:
For the encore – Bobby G. opened with a searing solo, pulled out his cell phone and made a call (during the solo!).
Brownmark (he looks exactly the same) from the Revolution was brought out to play bass, and Sheila’s brother Juan hit the stage for a percussion solo. Sheila told the audience they would just jam for a bit. She told the drummer to “play fast and don’t move”, and Bobby G. ripped into Prince’s America. Sheila took off her seven inch heels and a funk fest ensued with Sheila and Bobby standing up on the edge of the stage.
Sheila’s energy is rhythm. It runs through her. And she seems to thrive on the love being reciprocated from the audience and from her band mates. In particular – I thought Bobby G. added tremendously to the overall positive vibe of her stage show with his energetic playing, not to mention dancing, singing and keeping the crowd up.
What is more amazing is that Sheila admitted the band never practiced together. They had a “day of show sound check” (and that is with a new drummer (Jordan), a new keyboard player, and Perkins on sax).McKinley said before the show, “…just trying to remember everything.”
Jordan in his first gig with Sheila E. more than held his own. McKinley, Gray and Bobby G. – who have worked with Sheila for years – kept contact with Jordan and seemed to over-exaggerate their next lick to help keep Jordan in-step with the direction.
It worked perfectly.
What this validates to me – even more strongly than I had previously thought – is that there is a lot to be said for loose structure in performance. Many of the best moments were ‘off the cuff’ improvisations by talented musicians who were ‘in the moment’.
As Sheila brought selected guests from the audience to come on stage to dance for her, the band jammed. I looked around the full house and saw nothing but smiling faces.
I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that last night’s 9pm show at Yoshi’s (SF) immediately moved into the top-five all-time shows seen*. It was THAT good.
It was beyond good.
It was phenomenal.
*That top-five?
[Edited 8/17/10 0:36am] | |
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YES! Definitely my favorite Sheila show to date. The energy in that room was off the charts! | |
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I commented on another thread with my thoughts. Basically same... one of the BEST concerts EVER!
The song Prince wrote for her was Leader of the Band. It's on the CD she was selling. It sounds great on record too.
The country songs is "Glorious Train" from the country she won on CMT. It's also on the CD.
The fast gospel number was something like "I made it through".
Wasn't there something in between Pop Life and Holly Rock? Maybe i'm forgetting.
Like you said the turn-arounds and transitions were TIGHT and funky as usual
I think Bobby G's "phone call" was supposed to be a joke, like he was holding that note so long he could make a call etc. while he held it.
Sheila's shows always rock and this one took it an even higher level!  |
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She was selling a CD at the show?!?! What was it?
Thanks for the reviews, you guys. I'm totally bummed I missed it. | |
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Leader of the Band (Prince-penned) Mona Lisa Glorious Train Waters of Life Trust me If prince.org were to be made idiot proof, someone would just invent a better idiot. | |
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Sheila E at Yoshi's! Spectacular night!
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Yes!!! Bobby is a fool. hahahahahah
He actually called me and left a voicemail from the stage during his solo. | |
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Sweet. Thanks for the review. That sounded like a great show. “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a Communist.” Brazilian bishop Dom Hélder Câmara | |
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I NEED this show. | |
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that show was amazing!!!
i had the HONOR and PRIVILEGE of being called on stage to dance my face off for/with Sheila. i was the first one up there (Tim) and it goes w/o saying that i am STILL on cloud 9.
the set was tight, the band was stellar and Sheila was SO beautiful and entertaining. um, BROWNMARK?!!! oh my god.
i didn't get a CD after the show bc they sold out - SUPER BUMMER. i am dying to hear those songs recorded.
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I wish she'd play Sex Cymbal. That song, IMHO, is right up there with her other hits in quality. Space for sale... | |
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WOWIE WOW WOW boy did she rock or what! thanz 4 sharing! | |
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OMG! I bought Sheila's CD at the 7 p.m. show, and I am just now listening to it and I am blown away! The latin jazz of "Leader of the Band" and "Mona Lisa", the country rock song "Glorious Train", the serious R&B on "Waters of Life," and the cool jazz of "Trust Me"... MF amazing! Even on my crappy decktop speakers the songs sound spectacular! I wish she would put out a whole album of this kind of music! Prince seriously needs to record an album with Sheila E. and her band and/or family again! This CD is only five songs but every one of them are gems! He has some serious competition here IMO! And he wrote the first song "Leader of the Band" and I think he is playing at least on piano...with maybe backing vocals. LMAO | |
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After to listening to "Waters of Life" several times to decipher the lyrics, I am convinced that this a Prince song written for or in collaboration with Sheila E. an introductory scream sounds like Prince as well as the guitar licks... It is also at least as/maybe more compelling of a song than anything on 20Ten--although I will have to listen again. What a terrific song! Here are the lyrics to "Waters of Life" that I could decipher:
Time stands still for no one Time won't wait for me Seeds are slowly planted Underneath my tree
Quickly water washes The dark gray clouds away The sun is sure to rise At the start of day
Fame and fortune of your life And what you will see Colors of the rainbow Shines for you and me
Walking on the waters of life We are... Dancing on the wings of my mind Moving like the speed of light All things work together It'll be all right All right Walking on the waters of life
Can you feel the power From the rhythm of my heart? The angels smiled in heaven From the very start
Sacred sprouting(?) flower The color of its skin Eyes forever mine Your love is deep within
Fame and fortune of your life And what you will see Colors of the rainbow Shines for you and me
Walking on the waters of life We are... Dancing on the wings of my mind Moving like the speed of light All things work together It'll be all right All right Walking on the waters of life
Here we are right Where we're supposed to be Galaxy of stars One place for us to see
Told the story How a rainbow...(be?) We fly... While walking on The Waters of Life
Walking on the waters of life We are... Dancing on the wings of my mind Moving like the speed of light All things work together It'll be all right All right Walking on the waters of life...
Walk with me! Walk with me! Walk with me!
(Prince-sounding scream and Purple Rain sounding guitar ending)
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^ Thanks Poet. That's interesting. I'll have to track down a copy. If prince.org were to be made idiot proof, someone would just invent a better idiot. | |
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I hope they make the CDs available to order. I'd love to get a copy.
I don't think "Waters of Life" is by Prince. I assume it's the same as the version released two years ago? The scream at the beginning sounds like Sheila to me. | |
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Great job, Poetcorner, on the lyrics. I made a couple changes based on what I believe I'm hearing. See if you agree.
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Was there a version released two years ago of this? Educate me, if so! It is an awesome song and it sounds very Prince-influenced if not participated and/or written by Prince! If he doesn't participate on it, the song sure sounds like it...and Prince should make songs like this one IMO! I simply love it! But the way it sounds...well, I may be wrong...but it sounds like it has Prince's fingerprints all over it! | |
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Yeah, it was released in January 2008 or thereabouts. It was by C.O.E.D. featuring Sheila E.--C.O.E.D. (Chronicles of Every Diva) being the band she was promoting at the time. Their website is still live but not updated. The song was available for download on a website called Speakerheart.
I'm not a huge fan of the song. I think it's okay, but it's a little slow for my tastes.
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"Leader of the Band" - very Latin influenced. Sheila and her father are talking at the beginning of the track. She says, "Pops, let me be the leader this time." He agrees. The song is a mid-tempo cha cha/foxtrot type feel to it. Nothing super fast, but it's not a ballad either. If this one is Prince-penned, I can hear it. It'd be great for an afternoon or late evening party. Time: 6:18
"Mona Lisa" - starts with a guitar riff that reminds you of an early Justin Timberlake song. It has a "walking" feel to it. It has the same mid-tempo feel the earlier song does. Part of the chorus is in Spanish too. It's not a bad song, but not speaking Spanish, it's hard to sing along to, although the break down is catchy and makes you want to learn what they're chanting. Reminds me of the break down in Lionel's "All Night Long". There's a little auto-tune toward the end, purposely so. Time: 5:24
"Glorious Train" - this is the song she wrote on that reality show she was part of, I believe. Totally a country song, and you know what - she sang it! She's versatile as all hell. Time: 3:24
"Waters of Life" - a friend told me they thought this was a Prince song. The guitar definitely sounds like Prince's guitar. It's another mid-tempo number, but has an edgier feel, not at all Latin like the first two tracks. It almost has a sinister feel to it, but not quite. Just a darker rock edge, but not depressing. It's more challenging. I could see why someone would think it's a Prince song, but I don't know if it's him or not. I would almost bet it's him playing, but again - total guess. Time: 5:18
"Trust Me" - starts out with an announcer introducing a show as the band tunes up and noodles around. The song kicks in and sounds like it could be off her album Heaven from a few years ago (and checking now, I see it IS from that album). It's a smooth jazz type song, and has an echo-y trumpet throughout. It's all very Spyro Gyra, etc. Not a bad tune, but not one I'd lean toward.
Overall it's an entertaining CD. | |
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There is no if to whether or not "Leader of the Band" was written by Prince--Sheila E. stated that at the concert! | |
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You were great dude! I loved how you broke into running man (?) at the end and Sheila copied you right away!
I am glad I bought my CD before the show! But don't worry--Sheila said on her Facebook she is planning to sell them at her website soon. |
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Wow, Efan. Thanx for the info but I don't know why you are not blown away by this song "Waters of Life!" It totally blows me away! But I guess that is the susceptibility of music (or any kind of art)--it means whatever it means to those who perceive it--which equals untold numbers of perception! The way it is supposed to be. Thanx for the info. Love this song--sounds so Prince influenced, even if he didn't particpate! If you haven't seen Sheila E in concert lately, go---NOW! | |
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Much better video of the show I went to--near the stage:
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If anybody has that 5 track CD EP for sale, I am very much interested !! (as well as a used concert ticket from that show)
Roald Bakker The Netherlands I AM LOOKING FOR USED PRINCE CONCERT TICKETS ... https://www.facebook.com/...erttickets | |
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Sorry, Ernest! Didn't see your post of Glam Life before I posted...but I had to post this because I was that close to the stage...but the sound doesn't nearly equal on a You Tube video what happened that night! Truly magical! | |
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Sheila said she will be selling them on her site soon. I might have one of my tickets from the show if you want. you don't have to pay for it though but i have to check; I it's in the CD case which is In my car and I'm about to go on vacation for a week. so i can't tell you for sure i still have it til i'm back. |
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Nice....love it as usual. | |
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