thekidsgirl said:

Now that line I do remember him saying. The women at the NYC show loved it.

though it was obvious to me that Maxwell's vocals were not in top form. I do not know if it is because his voice has changed and is naturally more raspy now or because he has done so many shows with little rest after such a long lay off,

Who here went to the Chicago show? I am just curious as to what your thoughts were.

I missed Chrisette, which was planned. She's cool, but I wasn't trying to have her mess up my 2 Sexy Men in One Night vibe. I came in on her last song, which was perfect timing to see my boy Common. He was excellent! He is one of my favorite rappers of all time, so it was great to see him. His energy is magnetic. He could have actually gone on longer for me. He has so many new and old classics that he could have performed that he could do a whole show on his own. Having Bilal with him was nice since Bilal does so many vocals on his albums. However, Bilal is such an X factor. You never know what your are going to get from him. At times he sounded good at others his voiced cracked or he was just plain flat especially on the EWF cover Love's Holiday. I wish he would get it together because he is quite talented. Nevertheless, I was happy to see him. Also, Common's DJ was fiyah! I REALLY enjoyed Common's set.

I love Maxwell, so I was just happy to see him peforming again. He seemed to sincerely appreciate the audience. I liked the set design and set list overall. The band was great, though I was not that impressed with the guitarist. He had Wah Wah Watson in the past, so those were big shoes to fill. Although, he did sound good on Playing Possum, which is one of my favorites from the new album. Overall, it was a very good show, though it was obvious to me that Maxwell's vocals were not in top form. I do not know if it is because his voice has changed and is naturally more raspy now or because he has done so many shows with little rest after such a long lay off, but he definitely struggled at points with his falsetto. However, he is a beautiful man with a beautiful voice that no one can deny, so I just enjoyed him, his energy and sincerity. I look forward to seein him again. That said, after seeing him again, I stand by my statement that Prince doesn't need to look to Maxwell for tips for his next live show.
[Edited 10/11/09 11:50am]

bellanoche said:

A lot of his vocals on the new cd seem raspy to me as well. I have no qualms with that tough.

Cool! Glad you enjoyed the show. You saw Maxwell during last year's mini tour, right? How do you compare his voice then to now? I thought his falsetto was crystal clear last year.

I go tomorrow night. I've never seen Chrisette Michelle live so I'm looking forward to it, but I know what you mean about focusing on the bruhs.

I saw Common last year all by himself and it was a great show. Bilal wasn't with him tho. I'm so excited!

Oh, how was Maxie's dancing?
[Edited 10/11/09 14:39pm]

SCNDLS said:

about the focus on the bruhs! Maxie's dancing wasn't as over the top. He mellowed it out a bit. He focused more on gyrating and grooving mixed with "dirty" talk. I only raised my eyebrow a couple of times at his moves. So, I wasn't thinking about going purse shopping with him this time like you mentioned earlier.

I missed the mini tour earlier this year, I only saw some live footage from it. So I don't know how if vocals were then. Although, I read some reviews from then and the earlier shows on this tour and it seems from reading them that his falsetto was in better form on the mini tour. So, I don't know if the change in his voice is natural or overexertion. I know it has definitely changed from when I have seen him live in the past.

Either way, I am sure you'll have a great time. I know I did. I had the intelligent, street brotha and the intelligent romantic brotha - and both were shouting out love for the sistas throughout their performances. So, I was quite satisfied!

I can't wait.

Tonight is gonna be a hot mess of traffic tho cuz there's the Maxwell concert and also U2 is at the Cowboys Stadium, PLUS Oprah is at the fair today. They said on the news that early parking for U2 starts at 9 AM

SCNDLS said:

WOW!!! @ U2. I just never understood the obsession with those guys. I have a friend who toured with them and say the are some of the nicest guys you could ever meet, so I am happy for their success. However, they have never interested me. TTo me, they are pretty mediocre as Rock bands go.

Have safe travels and let us know how you like the show.

Who here went to the Chicago show? I am just curious as to what your thoughts were.

I missed Chrisette, which was planned. She's cool, but I wasn't trying to have her mess up my 2 Sexy Men in One Night vibe. I came in on her last song, which was perfect timing to see my boy Common. He was excellent! He is one of my favorite rappers of all time, so it was great to see him. His energy is magnetic. He could have actually gone on longer for me. He has so many new and old classics that he could have performed that he could do a whole show on his own. Having Bilal with him was nice since Bilal does so many vocals on his albums. However, Bilal is such an X factor. You never know what your are going to get from him. At times he sounded good at others his voiced cracked or he was just plain flat especially on the EWF cover Love's Holiday. I wish he would get it together because he is quite talented. Nevertheless, I was happy to see him. Also, Common's DJ was fiyah! I REALLY enjoyed Common's set.

I love Maxwell, so I was just happy to see him peforming again. He seemed to sincerely appreciate the audience. I liked the set design and set list overall. The band was great, though I was not that impressed with the guitarist. He had Wah Wah Watson in the past, so those were big shoes to fill. Although, he did sound good on Playing Possum, which is one of my favorites from the new album. Overall, it was a very good show, though it was obvious to me that Maxwell's vocals were not in top form. I do not know if it is because his voice has changed and is naturally more raspy now or because he has done so many shows with little rest after such a long lay off, but he definitely struggled at points with his falsetto. However, he is a beautiful man with a beautiful voice that no one can deny, so I just enjoyed him, his energy and sincerity. I look forward to seein him again. That said, after seeing him again, I stand by my statement that Prince doesn't need to look to Maxwell for tips for his next live show.
[Edited 10/11/09 11:50am]

Can anyone recall the name of the song he sung when the dancing female silhouettes were displayed on the screens/backdrop?
[Edited 10/3/09 15:20pm]

PurpleCharm said:

It was "...Til The Cops Come Knockin'" (I just saw it in Dallas tonight!)...I thought it was a beautiful sight and sooooo appropriate, myself.

I couldn't believe how he kept on that song for what seemed like a 1/2 hour but if his goal is to get the audience members going in THAT way, I guess it's not a bad idea .

FYI: "Playing Possum" had the white lines (they almost looked like trees) which kept growing on-screen against a black background. I hope that jogs your memory.
[Edited 10/13/09 1:09am]

Max is definitely having issues with his voice. He's avoiding a lot of the high notes by singing falsetto parts in his lower register or having the audience sing them.

I am not sure what's going on with Max's voice. I think I read that he was under the weather at the start of the arena tour. I saw him on 9/26 and that was the 2nd date of the tour. He struggled that night and from vids I've seen of shows that have followed, he is still having issues.

What's so tripped out is that hardly any of the reviews mention his vocal problems...lol I guess so many are enamored by his beauty and swagger.

it didn't bother me much because I at least know he is capable of doing better.

I am hoping to attend the final show in Bmore on the 23rd. I hope that by then he will be able to recover his
voice but I seriously doubt that he will since he still has
a few more show between now and then.

PurpleCharm said:

Were you there last night??? I think you're right about people just being overjoyed at seeing him again after all these years. I don't think that even at his height of fame he did a proper arena tour like this one. Did he? So for a lot of people it's their first time seeing him ever or at the leeast in almost a decade. So, most folks aren't even noticing the vocal issues as a result. But I was sho nuf twisting my lip a lot last night.

SCNDLS said:

Even on record, his voice is no where near the same.

PurpleCharm said:

Were you there last night??? I think you're right about people just being overjoyed at seeing him again after all these years. I don't think that even at his height of fame he did a proper arena tour like this one. Did he? So for a lot of people it's their first time seeing him ever or at the leeast in almost a decade. So, most folks aren't even noticing the vocal issues as a result. But I was sho nuf twisting my lip a lot last night.

SCNDLS said:

Even on record, his voice is no where near the same.

Here's a review of the Dallas show:

Last Night: Maxwell, Common at American Airlines Center
By Quia Querisma in Show ReviewsTue., Oct. 13 2009 @ 10:50AMMaxwell, Common
American Airlines Center
October 12, 2009

Better than: Relying on your weak-ass game to get some action tonight.


Quia Querisma
Maxwell at the AAC last night.
​
It goes without saying that the majority of the crowd that gathered at the American Airlines Center to witness Maxwell in his crooning, shuffling, smiling greatness were women.The sprinkling of men who were there were on dates (or "date night"), and the headliner knew this.

And, lucky for them, In light of the rolling sea of feminine screaming and nearby swooning, as the singer promised nasty-dirty-stanky love, he still positioned himself to be the ultimate wingman.



Svelte in a slim-cut black suit--and with his musical entourage looking equally spiffy--Maxwell's performance had a classy, Rat Pack vibe to it. And the singer happily two-stepped to "Sumthin' Sumthin'" during the opening songs of his set, getting off to a lively start.

However, he didn't wait long to whip out the sex appeal, dramatically lowering the mic stand so he could kneel and drag out the last few coercing lines of "Bad Habits." Not soon after, he abandoned his sport coat so he could get down to business--the business of "spreading this thing wide open," he said. (Wonder if he was talking about his set or something else...)

"Fortunate" summoned the crowd singing he'd been looking for on "Bad Habits," and despite battling a cold he struck some pretty impressive falsetto notes on "Playing Possum."

Speaking of falsettos: When the arena went dark and the opening piano notes of "This Woman's Work" began, Maxwell's initial coos were nearly overpowered by the crowd's screams of approval. You could nearly sense the relief in his tone when he retreated to the alto portions of the song. He sounded beautiful the entire time, but you could tell that he had to fight for it at some points.

He closed the show with "Pretty Wings" and the audience was showered in feather-shaped confetti. He wasn't gone long before returning for an encore performance of "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)."

Critic's Notebook
Personal bias: I was impressed that an artist whose catalog is that mellow as Maxwell's could pull off the reciprocal crowd energy I feel is critical to a good performance.

Random note: If you weren't ready to go get a room after that rendition "'Til The Cops Come Knockin'," you didn't have a pulse.

By the way: Common's pop-locking and backspin during "Universal Mind Control" were great.

http://blogs.dallasobserv...n_at_a.php

Max is definitely having issues with his voice. He's avoiding a lot of the high notes by singing falsetto parts in his lower register or having the audience sing them.

I am not sure what's going on with Max's voice. I think I read that he was under the weather at the start of the arena tour. I saw him on 9/26 and that was the 2nd date of the tour. He struggled that night and from vids I've seen of shows that have followed, he is still having issues.

What's so tripped out is that hardly any of the reviews mention his vocal problems...lol I guess so many are enamored by his beauty and swagger.

it didn't bother me much because I at least know he is capable of doing better.

I am hoping to attend the final show in Bmore on the 23rd. I hope that by then he will be able to recover his
voice but I seriously doubt that he will since he still has
a few more show between now and then.

WHAT MORE CAN I SAY!!?? The review submitted was wonderfully written. But I’m sure, just as everyone that attended and has seen him perform, will agree that it’s SO HARD to capture that experience in words!! I TOO was there at the concert, here in Dallas, TX…had a floor seat, right next to the stage! MAXWELL WAS BREATH-TAKING!! HE LITERALLY TOOK MY BREATH AWAY!! As soon as I heard “Phoenix Rise” and all the special effects, awaiting him to hit the stage…OMG! I was literally GONE!! When he hit the stage in his GORGEOUS tailored, and sophisticated suit, white tie, dark shades…I was blown away! I was shaking….couldn’t control myself. And when I got to touch his hand, and rub his leg….I almost passed out, I cried. His voice was PERFECT….so SILKY….there’s absolutely NOTHING about this show that was not PHENOMENAL!! His smile was like HEAVEN….

And just to feel his presence, his humble spirit…it’s almost as if he was near tears just taking in how much we love him, and just singing along with him on EVERY SONG…we all BEGGED him not to leave us!! And seeing how he gave honor to his BAND…THEY ARE REMARKABLE MUSICIANS!! All of them, as a group, are so special, and so enlightening.

The special effects, the lighting, the atmosphere was so “grown and sexy.” And yes, he took it THERE…on a very sensual level…kept it real classy….he even said “WHAT’S IN THE WATER DOWN HERE IN DALLAS TX!!?? YOU ALL ARE SOME OF THE SEXIEST WOMEN I’VE EVER SEEN!!” I nearly lost my mind….Seeing how he would cascade, and glide so lightly on his fit….moving his hips everyway possible….how he would get so DEEP into his singing that he would close his eyes so tightly…..how he would rub his head, and touch on himself as he got into the end of “Bad Habits”….as he sung “I can’t control the feeling….”….OMG!! I’m nearly in tears as I type this.

One AWESOME performance was when he sung “Playing Possum.” We all know how heartfelt that song is…and he sung it like an ANGEL….I cried the entire time with my hands in the air!! And the feathers coming from the ceiling, as he ended with “Pretty Wings” was…wowww!! He definitely took us to another place…all I saw was HIM….and he came back, after we PLEADED for him to stay…and capped that night off right, starting acapella, singing “Ascension.” HE ROCKED THAT ARENA LIKE NO ONE HAS EVER DONE IT!! I can still see his gorgeous face, feel his soft hands, and “hard” thighs! (yes, I rubbed his thigh and leg as he kneeled down)

I truly thank God for “My Maxwell Experience.” This was my first time ever seeing him perform, and it was MIND BLOWING! I have so many good shots and video clippings, it’s unreal! And I was so saddened to see him go….I wanted to go with him, I could have stayed even longer rocking with him all night long!

And Chrisette Michele and Common Featuring Bilal Ali were a TALENT in their own right! They did AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL!! Chrisette has such a powerful voice, star presence, “diva style”…her voice reminds me of the late great Phyllis Hyman….she RIPPED IT! And Common is just a HUGE BALL of energy….love his flow, his swag, his intelligence, his cockiness, his voice, his style…he’s so real and down to Earth. He even gave a lot of credit to Erykah Badu, and “free-styled” about Dallas and special areas and streets about the city that was mind-blowing!

So as you can see, I gave a brief of that night, I can’t begin to capture that entire night in words. Maxwell would disappear by going “under” the stage, and re-appear at another part of the stage….so much dancing and “positive” energy, that it overwhelms your soul!! I love Maxwell to the core, and I will forever support him, and his craft, and have SO MUCH respect for how humble he is! God is awesome, and he definitely lives in this man like never before! I just thanked Maxwell for obeying God’s voice, and giving us a piece of him as he does in every note he sings, every song he sings….and it’s “refreshing” to hear him give God the glory for it all….(yes, he took us to CHURCH as well)…All those that are about to see him in your city, don’t you worry about a thing…just get ready to be on your feet all night long! Even if you don’t have a floor seat as I did right by the stage, EVERY SEAT IS A GOOD SEAT WHERE MAXWELL PERFORMS!! Get ready for a mind-blowing, electrifying, soulful, exciting night like never before!

It was a good show, but nowhere near what I saw and heard November of last year. Being in a 1000-seat venue vs. a 20K seat arena drastically changed the experience for me, even tho I was on the 6th row last night. Plus, his voice, I'm sorry to say, sounded horrible IMO. He let the audience sing a lot of the high parts and it sounded like he had very little vocal control and kept cracking and going flat. I grimaced quite a bit. But he's so freakin' adorable, truly a joy to watch, and the songs are so good, so it's still a good show but the voice ain't there.

And for people saying he's a threat to Prince, I'm really over here scratching my head, cuz I've NEVER been to a Prince show, in all these years of seeing P, and heard his voice sound like the trainwreck that was Maxwell's last night.

Common was good too, but again, I saw him last year at House of Blues and that show was MUCH better and I'm not a huge Common fan. He had an actual set. He didn't even do I Used to Love HER.

SCNDLS said:

Hey SCNDLS! Thanks for your honest report. Folks on here were starting to make me feel like a hater - as much as I LOVE Maxwell. He let the audience sing a lot at the Chicago show as well.