Butta On...

Music, Movies, Mass Media, Men & Other Madness

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Butta On...Raheem DeVaughn Does The Damn Thing In D.C.

Last Wednesday night I found myself at the Black Cat to see Raheem DeVaughn in concert. I had already seen Raheem perform a few months ago at the 930 Club on the same bill as Anthony David and Fertile Ground and, although I love his music, I don't ride for him like I do Eric Roberson. So I'm usually good with seeing him once a year. However, I had to make an exception and shake my moneymaker on down to 14th Street because this particular concert would be a showcase for his new material off of the forthcoming CD Love Behind the Melody. With the first single "Woman" already in high rotation on my fliTunes I couldn't wait to hear more new hotness from Mr. DeVaughn.

I won't bog y'all down with a concert review on here. Especially since I already wrote a very thorough account over on SoulBounce (add us to your blogroll already!), so please feel free to read that to get the official 411. I will, however, briefly discuss the unexpected pre-show rumble in the jungle. That was some opening act, boy. I still can't believe that ~~people~~ aggins started fighting before the show started. And over a chair no less. Gimme a break. I totally heart Raheem but there's a segment of his crowd that leaves a lot to be desired and may just lead me to stay my behind home next time. Let it be known that Butta is a lover, not a fighter.

Despite that aggin moment, the show did go off without a hitch. Raheem debuted 5 new songs that are FIRE. I cannot wait for Love Behind the Melody to drop on November 27th. But until then I have my concert videos to tide me over, and so do you all.

Raheem opened the show with a new song, "Cocaine Dreams." It was a bold move on his part to open the concert with a song no one has ever heard before, but the song worked and it turned out to be a good look for him. I was feeling the track:

Next on the set list was the title track from the first album, "The Love Experience":

Raheem got all James Brown on us and kicked off a little "Funky Good Time." This was a great song to get the crowd hyped up. Who doesn't love them some JB?:

The second new song he dropped on us was "Energy." I was digging this track majorly:

I didn't get his next new song "Marathon" on video, but trust me when I tell you that this one is a draws dropper. Yeah, Rah is bringin' sexy back with that cut. The only reason why I'm even mentioning it is because he asked for the stage lights to be dimmed during the song, which was great for the bedroom effect but bad for the lighting in the rest of my videos. Also, while Rah sang the next song in the sexy segment, "Ask Yourself," they put a cape around him and a crown on his head. Yeah, he was looking like the Burger King for a hot minute.

Raheem's next new song that he sang was the current single, "Woman." Love. This. Song. And I really loved this almost 10-minute version that he performed:

The last new track that Raheem hit us over the head with was the slow jam, "Mo Better." He told us that it was a work in progress and you couldn't have told me it wasn't a complete song. Yet another hit:

Raheem ended the show with one of my absolute favorite songs of his, "You." If he would've sung the house version of this track I would have been no more good. (Speaking of which, if anyone has the "You" house remix hit a sista up. My fliTunes needs that in its life.) This was a great song to end the night on. We were singing right along with Rah and showed him much love:

After attending this showcase I am beyond excited for Love Behind the Melody to drop. His new material is solid and sexy, funky and fresh, and just sounds really good. Hopefully the remaining cuts on the CD will be as strong as the ones I heard. If so, Raheem DeVaughn has another winner on his hands, and I can't wait to get it in mine.

Labels: Concert Connection, Music To My Ears