We just got home from An Intimate Evening With Teena Marie at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria VA. This show is an amazing acoustic experience! It’s not your run of the mill “unplugged” performance, but rather up close and personal (literally) and filled with anecdotes that are both hilarious and touching. The format is somewhat unusual (but completely effective), as the set doesn’t even kick off with music, as one would expect, but instead begins with suave and funny Lee Cadena serving as MC. Throughout the evening he and Teena banter with great ease and charm. Ms. Marie then takes the stage and chats candidly with the crowd for a good while. During this, she invites members of the audience to come up on stage and ask her questions, which she answers as only she could (The Tee is one funny Lady!). Then the music begins and she takes us down memory lane with a beautiful rendition of Smokey Robinson’s Ooh Baby Baby.
Teena’s voice is every bit as rich and alive today, her amazing range intact. She swooned us with hits like “If I Were A Bell”, “Out on a Limb”, “Aladdin’s Lamp”, “Portugese Love” and of course “Fire and Desire”. She also touched on perhaps lesser known (but personal favorites of mine) songs like “Wild Horses” (from Passion Play, one of her least known, but best albums) on the piano and “How Can You Resist It” on acoustic guitar. And don’t think for one second that the fact that this was an acoustic set (guitars, piano, keyboards (Johnny Angel) and bass (Douglas Grigsby) only) kept Ms. Marie from bringing the funk! She had us up on our feet dancing to classics like “Square Biz”, “I’m Just A Sucker For Your Love” and “Lovergirl”.
We were RIGHT up front and I got sung to and got to kiss her hand while she did. (I know Imma geek ). It was awesome!
Teena Marie is an energetic and gracious performer who gives her ALL, running through the crowd at times and even serenading a few folk celebrating wedding anniversaries. This was a night I won’t soon forget.

OH! And of course, I gave her a painting.
Deja Vu:

Sounds great. Recently rediscovered "La Dona". I couldn't keep that "intro" but some of the songs are pretty good. I really dig the tribute to 2Pac and Alliyah ("Machiavelli Never Lies"?).

VinnyM27 said:

I love that song.
I believe she alludes to Prince in either that or another on that album as well. She's very into paying tribute and dedicating songs (she even talked about that tonight).

nice!

johnart said:

She gives a lot of shout outs in there but I didn't hear one for Prince. So I wonder what song that is.
[Edited 8/31/09 23:09pm]

VinnyM27 said:

I will find it. Can't remember if it's by name proper.

^^^^^
Got it!
It's "Black Rain" on the same album.

The Beautiful Ones, always smash the picture.
Always, every time.

No subtle hints
No words are minced
I quote a former Prince (I'm guessing he wasn't back to callin himself Prince when the album came out )

she performed in my city a few weeks ago,on a bill with Keith Sweat.Unfortunately,I wasn't able to go.

NICE!! I've never seen her live & would love to. My faves are "I'm Gonna Have My Cake (& Eat It Too)", "You Make Love Like Springtime", "Yes, Indeed" & "Tune In Tomorrow" She didn't sing any of those, huh? Still, her voice is awesome.

CalhounSq said:

Oh that's the cut, right there...haven't heard it in years
(but fista go look for it in about 5 minutes )

Ottensen said:

I love the way it builds! It starts all gentle & then grabs yo ass & shakes you

Lady T, nice! That's a beautiful painting Johnart, congrats!

I'd like to see her live one day myself.

I went to a Tiger game the other day and saw she was playing at the Fox Theatre in October (with Charlie Wilson). Might be a great show.

CalhounSq said:

OH she SANG "Yes Indeed". One of the many standing ovations.

VinnyM27 said:

GO!

Does Teena perform any songs from Congo Square in her recent concerts?

I was there. Great Show.

PrettyMan72 said:

Last night???

Wowugotit said:

She sang "Can't Last A Day" and "Ms. Coretta".

johnart said:

Yes, I saw you when you kissed her hand.

PrettyMan72 said:

You should've totally said "Hi!"
[Edited 9/1/09 10:54am]

johnart said:

OH HOLY SHIT!!! Awesome!

johnart said:

Very, very cool john. I've seen Teena live a few times and she has always put on a good show. Great that u were able to meet her and give her a painting. Again, very cool.

I was there also. I felt like I was witnessing a legend. She is every bit as much of a female icon as Chaka, Patti and others.

donnyenglish said:

I couldn't agree more, on both accounts.

how cool, thanks for sharing. I love me some Lady T always have always will, saw her everytime she came to sac.

GREAT story, John. Tee Tee is one of my idols.....that pic is CLASSIC.

From one fonkay white boy to another.....I'm envious. Congrats mang.