Editor's Note: Maxwell put on an amazing show at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre on Monday night! Ada Dieke, a PhxSoul.com family member and big-time Maxwell fan, took time out of her busy schedule to share her thoughts about the concert. Please take time to read "This Woman's Work ..."
By Ada Dieke aka The Art Appreciationist
Forcing females to swoon with a smooth falsetto should be a crime. Compelling a certain woman to drive downtown Phoenix stopping for green lights and accelerating on red, should be a capital offense. Motivating ladies to want to remove their control, tops the list of potential misdemeanors caused by ONE look from HIM. Last night, accompanied by opening act Laura Izibor, Maxwell arrested the Dodge theater audience.Izibor, the talented Nigerian-Irish beauty with a surprisingly rich, throaty voice, sang several songs off her debut album, Let the Truth Be Told, accompanied only by her keyboard and guitarist, Solomon. She was confident, soulful, and relaxed as she warmly joked with the audience during the set, getting folks ready, as she said, for Maxwell.
Then he appeared (Insert screams of "Oh My God," "I love you Maxwell," "Maxwell, stop playing, you so crazy," and repeat five times quickly without a lot of breathing in between) ...
Simplicity can effectively stimulate all five senses. No special effects needed to be seen. Mr. Headliner himself served as lead eye-candy in charge, stalking about in champagne-colored shoes and a dapper dark suit (with tremendous agility), gainfully grooving to the graceful guitars. Even the band's talent tasted delicious, from the chocolate drop bass guitarist (Derrick) and keyboard player (Robert), to the cinnamon crisp drummers, to the honeyed vocals of Latina, and to the sticky-icky vanilla guitar strums by Hod.
Maxwell's energetic showmanship was so palpable you could feel the connection of his singing with the audience, opening the show with "Get to Know Ya," then other favorites, including the song "This Woman's Work," dedicated to the late Michael Jackson, to the dangerously seductive "Bad Habits," a new song off of his BLACKsummersnight album (due out July 7).
Maxwell's cologne even smelled sexy from the seats.
At one point, Maxwell jokingly admonished security to stop "panty-blocking" after female fans tried to throw their unmentionables on the stage.
To cap off the evening, Maxwell delivered, "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)," a song that was so good live it was possible to hear colors.
About Ada: Ada is a doctoral student in public health at the University of Arizona (BEAR DOWN Fellow Wildcat). While her studies are important, she relishes the opportunities she has to dance, perform, and create. She is an art enthusiast showing appreciation for various artistic formats. As a hobby, she reviews music and concerts with a less negative slant and hopes to one day own her own production company, helping churn out projects that show minorities in a positive light.
Aww David ... I had the Maxwell concert promoted on PhxSoul.com since May 22!! I keep tellin' y'all, PhxSoul.com - all day, every day!!
Posted by: PhxSoul | July 02, 2009 at 23:07
I wanted to go but I found out too late. I checked the schedule a month ealier but phoenix was not even on the list. Whats up with that? I didn't hear about his phoenix show until the day of the performance on kjzz radio talking about the event for the day.
Posted by: David | July 02, 2009 at 22:28
Loved this review, Ada. I missed the show (I know. Shame on me) and judging from your reaction, I'd better hope he heads this way again. Thanks again for the recount.
Posted by: Tamika | July 02, 2009 at 09:09