Reading about D'Angelo's concerts in Europe got me to thinking about his first return on October 8, 1999 after not performing live for five years. By chance I found a few scribbled notes from that magical night.

Sitting in the audience of the Chris Rock Show the day after a wild hurricane blew through New York City. The day before, Prince performed a private concert, some kind of promotional event that Arista Records put together for Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic...the album was wack, but the show was slamming.

The audience roars when the star comedian comes on stage and introduces D'Angelo...everyone from the cuties in skirts to hard rocks in sweat shirts is excited about dude's appearance and the soon-come Voodoo album. most of us haven't seen the brother in years, and we're ready to jam

There is a brief break while the crew pulls out Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson drums... he played the day before with Prince as well...his huge Afro seems on the verge of exploding as D walks out on stage, cool as midnight as he pimp walks to the mic. wearing all black, the women scream when he pulls off his jacket and begins rapping about "cans of Crisco on the stove" as he begins to perform a new song called "Chicken Grease."

for the rest of this story, go to: http://blackadelicpop.blo...D%27Angelo