Cut'em Jesse: The Time July 31, 2008 Las Vegas Review

I went and saw the Time at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV on July 31, 2008. This was 6th show in the Vegas run, my 10th show of the year and my 46th over all.

My day was pretty uneventful, so I'm not even going to comment about it. I went down to the show room about an hour before the show. Unfortunately, I didn't have a ticket, but Jamie hooked me up so its all good. I saw my man Jaybee and he took me backstage. I saw Morris, Jerome and Terry. They had just got done doing an interview and Morris was cracking me up with the beer condensation bit. I got the fellas to sign my promo 12 inch of 777-9311. Jimmy Jam came up and I went and talked to him for a few minutes. I also got him to sign some stuff and he told me an interesting story about the cover of the first album. Jesse came up when I was about to head out so I visited with him a little bit. I was in full Hendrix mode(hat and shirt) and Jesse asked if he could borrow the hat. He was just kidding, but he got a smile out of me. My man signed the previously mentioned 777-911 12 inch as well as the Jesse Johnson review album cover and the Be your man 12 inch. Sweet. Bean came up too and I visited with him and got more stuff signed. Monte didn't make it up before I went down, but I will be sure to track him down in the future.

I went down to my booth and waited for the show. Shortly before show time, I could hear Jesse tuning up and playing Red House. Little did I know this was a foreshadow of things to come. Well on to the show.

Here is the Line-up
Morris Day- Vocals and Cool
Jerome Benton-Valet, Dancer, background vocals and general mischief maker
Jimmy Jam-Keyboards and MC
Monte Moir-Keyboards and lead vocals
Terry Lewis- Bass
Jellybean Johnson- Drums
Jesse Johnson-Guitar God and lead vocals

Here is the set list with my comments to follow
1. Intro
2. Get it up
3. Cool
4. Wild and Loose
5. 777-9311
6. The Stick
7. Blondie
8. My Drawers
9. Fishnet
10. The Oak Tree
11. Jerk Out
12. The Skillet!!!!!
13. Red House- Instrumental
14. I wanna know if it's good to you?
15. Be Your Man
16. Can You Help Me
17. Free World
18. If you were here tonight
19. What have you done for me lately?
20. Black Cat
21. See Thru
22. If the Kid can't make you come
23. Ice Cream Castles
24. The Walk
25. The Bird
Encore
26. Jungle Love

The show started right around 7:30 p.m. as scheduled. The Keys were incredible. especially during Cool. Terry and Jesse huddled next to Jimmy and just jammed on that groove. Again you could really here those keys on The Stick as well. That shit was just too funky. Jerome came out and did the Split on Jerk Out and the crowd went wild. Jesse hit the solo and my nightly(and maybe of the whole run) higlight began.

The Time's heaviest song Skillet began and of course I was all about it. As he has done every night, Jesse played some different and amazing stuff at the end of the song. Then he straight launched into Red House. I found out later that the little tune up I heard before the show was Jesse running it by Terry and Jellybean so it was a last minute addition. I like to think I inspired it(yeah right) As seems to be the case every time I've seen Jesse, my jaw either hits the floor or I got goose bumps. In this case, I think I think both happened. Then dude went right into I wanna know if its good to you? Hendrix followed by Funkadelic. Are you fuckin' kidding me? Damn right my ass will follow. I was floored. Be your Man, Can you help me and the chorus to Free World followed and Jesse left to a well deserved standing ovation.

Monte was back to center stage. He got his technical difficulties from the night before fixed and had the crowd grooving with him to If you were Here tonight. Next was our Jam and Lewis Janet bit. My man Ronny Ron got on stage for Black Cat, posing and doing a few moves. Jesse came back to the stage, switching from the flying V he played the first half of the show to a white strat. Morris brought the lovely Ladies on stage for See Thru. Jerome pulled up an older Lady for If the Kid can't make you come. Let's just say she should have stayed off stage.

Jerome did his bit where he mentioned the acts that performed before and after the Time. He also pointed out Eddie Levert and Tom Joyner who were in the house. Tom got on stage for The Bird. The show ended with the encore of Jungle Love.

I went back stage for a little bit after the show. After that I wandered around the casino.I bumped into one of the guys and went and had a few drinks where we also saw one of the other guys. A very good time.

I'm running out of adjectives. Jesse was off the chain and he has made this and the first trip well worth my money. Damn, ain't that a bitch, and I just got my coat out of the cleaners.

Graet story. Thanks. Jesse seems real cool.

Great review, as usual, Rhastus!!

Nice review, Rhastus! Thanks!

Rhastus Man how did you miss Jerome saying as "Skillet" was starting this is for Rhastus no B.S. man he gave you a shout on stage. It was cool to meet you in person as always great "Revue" and keep 'em coming dude.
Eyelikefonkymuzic

eyelikefonkymuzic said:

Rhastus, thanks so much for that great review. My plans to make a crazy road trip out to see The Time fell through at the last minute, but your review made me feel like I was there for a moment.