is it just me or shouldn't Raphael Saadiq be back with Tony, toni, tone while still producing other artists? don't get me wrong, his solo efforts are okay, but they are nothing compared to TTT's "Sons of Soul", "The revival", and "house of music". I know his bro. Dwayne Wiggins had a solo album but it got luke warm reviews. it was alright but nothing compared to TTT. Anyone else agree/disagree?

i really like TTT

missfee said:

I agree. As a solo artist, and as a writer and producer for others, he's had several high points, but a lot of bad moments, too,....it's like he's swinging wildly, and sometimes he hits one out of the ball park, but a lot of times the bat flies into the stands...To me, it seems like the TTT stuff was more focused, more thought out...maybe it's better when, as a group, they can act as a kind of filter for one another...

...OOPS! Speaking of filters...
[Edited 11/15/04 10:29am]

Don't you dare say nothin bad about Raphael Saadiq. That's when I lose it © Bonita Botrell.

As much as I Tony Toni Tone, I prefer Saadiq's solo material and productions.
Be glad TTT is reuniting for an album in the spring of 2005

I just read a review of a live show he played here in D.C. and it was excellent. His recent live album is also great.

Speaking of TTT and Raphael Saadiq, here's my review of his show from this past weekend...


RAY RAY DEFINITELY PUT IT DOWN FOR THE A-TOWN!!!!!

Teedra Moses opened up for him, but it was strange...

The show was supposed to start at 9 pm, but when we got there around 8:50 pm, we saw Teedra and three other people hop into a cab. I was thinking to myself, "Where is she going and she's opening up for Ray?" Anyway, she made it back (just 40 minutes later) and didn't go on until about 9:45 pm. Maybe she needed to go find a dope boi or something, I dunno. So, she came out there and did a really good job, but the crowd wasn't really feeling her (that's Atlanta for ya' ). Me, my girl and this lady sitting next to us were the only ones getting crunk with her. Teedra noticed it, too, 'cause she kept performing on our side and pointing at us. Overall, I think she did a really good job despite the lukewarm response she was getting from the audience.

So after the set change, out comes Ray Ray! By this time, the floor was packed (luckily we had claimed our spot right in front of the stage). He came out and straight ripped it!!! One thing I noticed was that you could tell a lot of the songs he performed were off the top of the dome. He would stop and think about the next song he wanted to perform and turn around and let the band know. If I can remember correctly (almost in order), the songs he played were...

"Rock Intro"
"Ray Ray's Theme"
"Body Parts"
"You're The One That I Like"
"Excuse Me"
"Chic"
"Detroit Girl"
"Help The Grown Folks"
"Ask Of You"
"Just Me And You"
"Lay Your Head On My Pillow"
"It Never Rains In Southern California"
"Anniversay"
"Still A Man"-This has got to be the most beautiful throwback-type song I've ever heard Ray perform. After singing one line, the crowd was just so mellow and captivated he shouted out "Ya'll don't really want to hear this!" and everyone started screaming for more!!! That guitar strumming at the end was simply beautiful (much like the All Hits At The House of Blues album, just a bit longer)
"Faithful"
"Rifle Love"

Encore:
"Skyy, Can You Feel Me"-when the band left at the end of the song, he picked up the bass and started playing the bassline and ripped it!
"Still Ray"
"Let's Get Down"-this is when he brought, Joi (who was in the audience) on stage to sing. She forgot some of the words, but still ripped it!

Overall, it was an awesome show and I'm glad I got the opportunity to see this genius at work!

okaypimpn said:

nevermind that orgnote

psykosoul said:

Wow. This is music to my ears a TTT Reunion. Damn. That should be off the hook. One thing about it is that Rapheal is tight writer TTT can't go wrong be continueing to go by his lead b/c he is on point.

"Sons of Soul" is one of the very few albums that came out in the 1990s that I can honestly say I enjoyed all the way through. The track "Tell Me Mama" is really the jam.

I read somewhere that Raphael hasn't ruled out the idea of a full-fledged Tony Tone Toni reunion.In fact,the reunited band appears on a song from his latest solo album,and they're also on Alicia Keys' latest album.

psykosoul said:

Just about to send it before I looked in here.

DavidEye said:

True! Check out this interview from the last issue of VIBE magazine...

http://www.vibe.com/modul...le&sid=497

Not to mention his comments from Tavis Smiley...

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/t...cript.html

It's definitely going down in 2005!




Actually on Ray Ray, it's just his brother, Dwayne, singing on "Rifle Love" (with Dawn from Lucy Pearl) and with the Alicia Keys song, Raphael wasn't present on that recording (just Tim, Dwayne, Elijah, The Rev and Jubu).

actually on "Diary" on Alicia Keys album, I don't think Raphael was a part of that either, it sounded like that third guy's voice from TTT, the one who we didn't hear that often. Didn't sound like dwayne either....but i sure hope this reunion album of theirs is off the hook. I haven't heard a bad TTT album yet...

missfee said:

True. I pretty sure if Rapheal and Dwayne would have been on the cut it would have been slammin.