Ledesi, Mint Condition, Eric Benet @ the Fox Theater, Oakland, CA. …July 26, 2009 …Let us begin by acknowledging that Eric Benet and Mint Condition are two of my all-time favorite artists. That was the impetus for Wifey and I making the traffic filled Sunday drive to Oakland to see this show at the newly renovated Fox Theater. The place was originally a first-run movie house from 1928 until 1962. After that – the Fox went through a “special function” phase and then it sat dormant. Reopened in February of 2009 – the Fox is a brilliant beacon in the emerging Uptown Entertainment District of Oaktown. …Wifey & I paid nearly $200 (after fees and taxes) for our two seats which were 14 rows from the stage – right in the center.

I was relatively hip to Ledesi through ownership of one of her CD’s and downloads of a couple tracks she has done for various projects. But I had never seen her live until last night. Friends who have seen Ledesi perform have long hyped her and now I understand what the uproar was about.

This woman could not have been more impressive. She absolutely stole the show (…and that is saying something when Mint Condition follows you.) Ledesi’s voice is an instrument. She has range, power, and a spirit that is damn near hyper-kinetic. The recordings of her that I have heard to date just do not reveal the dynamo that she is. Gyrating, smiling, making eye contact, and touching the audience with her scatting skills – Ledesi WILLED the early show goers into the biggest frenzy of the night. Individual crowd members were still trying to get their buzz on as Ledesi ‘woke it up’.

Those of you who read my reviews know that I can be a harsh critic. And seeing Ledesi reminds why I am so tough. It’s because when you hear a natural singer with heart, energy, and soul that maintains precise pitch between multiple octaves – it sets the bar awfully high. All who cannot do that suddenly seem pedestrian.

Not being that familiar with her catalog – I can not identify song names. She played for roughly 30-45 minutes and her show included a couple of tunes she identified as coming from her forthcoming CD (mid-August). One for sure was called Goin’ Thru Changes (available now on i-tunes).

Mint Condition followed Ledesi – with Stokley commenting to the audience about “being a witness” to her performance. He used the term “witness” – in the same way basketball scouts talk about Lebron James. She was THAT dope.

Troubled by a horrendous mix and guitar problems to start their set – Mint worked hard to recapture the house – running through hits as well as album cuts. They reached the large (4,000?) crowd best on two tunes; Nothing Left to Say (from E-Life), and of course during their encore – a chopped and screwed “Breaking My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)”.

I enjoyed Mint’s rocking “Sometimes (Won’t You Spend the Night)” as my personal favorite of the night. Jeffrey Allen’s saxophone solo smoothed out a moment that had more than one or two Oakland folks wondering if they had entered a metal concert. Guitarist – O’Dell had to remind all - that rock n roll “is our music”.

Songs I recall being played by Mint: Whoa, So Fine (rushed – and shortened), You Don’t Have to Hurt No More, U Send Me Swingin’ (shortened), Nothing Left to Say, Devotion (very nice!), and Love & Happiness (snippet).

Eric Benet’s set was disappointing. He appeared with just a drummer (on a click track), a bassist, and a keyboard player. Background vocals were tracked as well as all horns and percussion. As a headliner of the show – I expected so much more. (Ledesi – the opening act had the biggest band of the night – with two backing female singers, bass, guitar, two keyboards, two horns, and a drummer.)

Benet is a great vocalist – but he needs support to bring out the funk hiding in his bones. We have seen him in concert several times (8?). He thrives in situations where other musicians can take some of the burden of carrying the show off of his shoulders.

I try to keep it about the music – but I have to call out Eric for his look on this night. He came out in white shoes, white pants, white shirt, and “Kanye esque” white sun glasses – with a blue navy blazer you might see Captain Stubing wearing on the Love Boat. Yes, women still lost their minds. But that was temporary.

Unfortunately – Benet connected least of all (among the three acts) with the audience. In my opinion – this was due to the lack of production and personnel in his show.
He opened with When You Think of Me – but without the signature Roy Ayers solo – or anything close to it from any band member – it went over like ho-hum. …Although the ultra talented Damonte Posey was on keys for Benet – I never felt like the show was much more than Eric signing to tracks. I hated that.

Given Benet’s jazzy soul sound on his biggest, most popular tunes, - we found it particularly appalling that he did not have a horn section or percussionist. I understand budgetary constraints. A bigger band is more expensive to travel. But at some point you have to think of the big picture. If your show doesn’t move a FAN like me – then maybe you would be better off not appearing until you can do it right (with a full compliment of players).

Benet scored his biggest ovation when he jazzed his way through an audience participation cover of the late Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. …Benet played: Femininity, Chocolate Legs, Don’t Let Go, Spanish Fly, You’re the Only One (nice!), Let’s Stay Together, That’s Just My Way (not funky – like the album), Georgy Porgy, and Spend My Life with You (without a female voice).

Overall – we had a great time. We hit a favorite pizza spot on the drive into the Bay area, and once there – parking was easy and within one block of the venue. The Fox Theater is top notch and recommended to all – although the acoustics are not great. Maybe they can add some foam in strategic places to absorb some of that sound and make it even better.

Final thought: we came away with the conclusion that whenever Ledesi is playing again in our area, we are there!

Thanks for letting me share…

Let this be a lesson 2 all bands/singers..... ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS do a soundcheck. I know some bands get caught up and don't have time or maybe their egos won't let 'em make time, but as we can see here it makes 4 a better show. I hate that "click track" shit too. All that points 2 is that you're lazy about puttin on your show or you're not sure about your voice/musicianship and hope the audience won't notice....