I flew to Oakland because my friend (and sugar mama) bought us 6th row tickets as an early bday present. I am on such a Janet high! I touched her hand twice and was so close I saw her drip sweat and her bubble booty up close, high def, in person. Man is that booty all that and then some!
Got there around 730pm. The crowd was so diverse. I loved that about Janet shows and I'd forgotten how great the mix of people is at her shows...Black, white, overweight, thin, Asian, Hispanic, young kids, people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s...all dancing! I's say the house was 80-90% full. Just the nosebleed sections had some empties.
I bought a Rhythm Nation shirt. Nelly performed and was decent, but I just don't dig his flow live that much. He's no Q Tip or Jay Z (duh). He was awesome when he came back on for COM though - a total pro.

I wish she'd replace "Never Letchu Go" with Someday is Tonight, "Doesn't Really Matter" with "R&B Junkie," do the full version of "Anytime Anyplace," do "The Knowledge instead of "RN" and replace "Alright" with "Strawberry Bounce." But you can't have everything...

Intro
Pleasure Principle - Loved this song, whish she did both verses and the break down though.
Control - Perfect - really gets the show going.
What Have You Done For Me Lately - I barely remember this one I was on such a high. Plus I had to turn my head to view her on the catwalk. Need to see this again.
Feedback - Great number, great energy, but didn't work here. Doesn't go with Control songs.
You Want This - Disappointed because she literally does 50 seconds of this song. I was so looking forward to seeing it live the first time.
Alright - Never been big on this song, never saw the purpose in dragging it out EVERY TOUR. The sailor thing was ok - but I thought we could do w/out this.
Miss You Much - FULL VERSION! SO AWESOME! HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 2.
Rhythm Nation - Interlude
Never Letchu Go - Please girl, why oh why? Decent enough song, but throw what red gown from 1970s Vegas in the trash! Any ballad from Discipline would have been better!
Come Back To Me - HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 4. SO GLAD THIS MADE THE CUT!
Let's Wait Awhile - Vocals were great on this one.
Again - Is what it is. Crowd favorite. Glad she didn't drag this one out.
So Excited - Great dancing, glad she did it but why the need for the remix version with recorded rappers?
So Much Betta - HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 5. GREAT LIVE! The battle with the dancers was sick.
Nasty - AWESOME as always.
All Nite (Don't Stop) - One too many big dance numbers in a row. This felt lost in the shuffle.
Rock With U - This was probably the best received Discipline number of the night.
Together Again - For once I actually liked this song again! Haven't liked it since 99! The most obviously lip-synched though.
Young Love - new appreciation.
Say You Do - Now i like this song much more.
Don't Stand Another Chance - I want the full version! Fanstastic! Funky as shit. Reminded me of being at a Prince show. A live band would have made this one better though.
Doesn't Really Matter - eh, choreogrpahy is cool.
Escapade - Sang along to every word though it ain't one of my faves.
Love Will Never Do (Without You) - Loved it. Wish it were live.
When I Think Of You - short version! Very short! Too short! One of my faves - they should cut down DRM and do the full version of this!
All For You - Great as always.
Got 'Til It's Gone - HIGHLIGHT NUMBER ONE! It starts with Q Tip on the screens rapping, love the costume, the couch the laid back vibe. My fave Janet song and she did not disappoint.
Call On Me - Worked really well esp with Nelly the crowd went nuts.
That's The Way Love Goes - HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 3. This song live, even with the 1993 dance moves never gets old. It gets better with age, like fine wine.
I Get Lonely - Loved seeing the routine for this one.
Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) - A great treat! So awesome she did almost every song off control.
Any Time, Any Place - Was thrilled to hear this but then again it was too short.
Discipline - Yes the bringing the guy onstage schtick is tired, but the new way she did it staging wise was cool.
Black Cat - Always dope as hell.
If - Ditto. I enjoyed that she started with the slow groove.
Rhythm Nation - Felt like I could do w/out this one at first, The Knowlege is better IMO, but with everything going on in the economy right now it felt much needed.
Luv - There's this groovy breakdown in here not on record.
Band/Dancer Introductions
Runaway - finally JUST JANET! Needed more moments like this w/ less dancers and JUST HER.


General comments -

- what happened to the band? A drummer (who sounded ill on GTIG), a keyboard player and one guy who seemed to DJ all prerecorded sounds (IE 90% of the show). Off the stage to the side 3 people and a soundboard? WTF? With one more percussionist, a live bass and possibly a horn it would be improved 100,000 times.

- Gil needs to go. While some choreography was new and some staging was great, I do think she should mix it up staging wise even more.

- OVERALL, a fucking fantastic night! A couple costumes were over the top tacky (hello Cher), some older hits feel particularly dated without being reinterpreted, but I had a great time. Any true janet fan who wants a Janet show but with something new will not be disappointed.
[Edited 9/14/08 20:59pm]
[Edited 9/14/08 21:04pm]

Yeah, no one is ever going to be completely pleased with a Janet setlist because she has so many hits and well-loved songs. I would have loved to have seen Island Life, Sexhibition, Get It Out Me and Show Me live, but you can't have 'em all!

I'm glad you had such an awesome time!

So you were inside of the catwalk, 6th row? How did you touch her hand?

That shows you she's a legend, she's got too many hits and sometimes the tours can only go so long. But I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!

Cinnie said:

Yes I was in 6th row on the outside isle, so all of us inside the catwalk on the side aisle stage left or stage right would reach out to her as she walked by. I touched her during Together Again!!!!!

VoicesCarry said:

whatd you think of the costumes

badujunkie, I wish I could've gone, then we could've met

hey badujunkie! over here!


[Edited 9/15/08 0:14am]

badujunkie said:

Sounds like you had fun. I actually hate all the costumes. They are beyond cheesy.

it appears i'm going Saturday Night in San Diego.