Review and Photography by HW Design Inc.
The fact that India.Arie launched and ended her show at Club Nokia with prayer was a testimony to the spiritual depth of the evening. “I’d like to start the night with a prayer…” With these opening words, the Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter led the crowd into a journey of raw emotions, earnest honesty and euphoric love. In only her fifth show back since a self-imposed hiatus in 2007, Arie was in seasoned and peak form while she performed for over 2 1/2 hours during a 26 song set.
In February, Arie performed at the White House, celebrating the music of Stevie Wonder as he was awarded The Library Of Congress Gershwin Prize. She performed for President and Mrs. Obama during the PBS televised event.
Before the show, Wonder’s “You Are The Apple Of My Eye,” could be heard playing in the background. During the show, Arie told a story of a conversation between her and Wonder, regarding a relationship she was then in. Wonder’s advice for her was simple, “Love does not hurt.” That statement would be apropos for the evening, with every twist and turn of the performance all pointing to the power and healing of love.
Of her new album, Arie exclaimed, “all these songs are political and all these songs are about love.” “Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics” is Arie’s fourth studio album, which she calls her, “best studio experience ever.” Including the catchy singles, “Chocolate High (featuring Musiq Soulchild)” and “Therapy (featuring Gramps Morgan),” the album has been met with much critical acclaim. She went on to explain that while “Testimony Volume 1″ was about relationships, this new album is about the “oneness and interconnectedness” of everyone and all of us. As she sang, “Ghetto,” Arie asked the question, “when you look around, do you see your brother? It’s a small world after all. You live in another country too.”
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In “This Too Shall Pass,” Arie encouraged the crowd, breaking into “Ooh Child” by BeBe and CeCe Winans. Saying, “this is my song,” Arie glided into the burgeoning relationship based, “He Heals Me.” She played a wonderfully uplifting flute solo during the song. In going into “Pearls,” Arie gave props and honor to Sade, for letting her play at the Hollywood Bowl when she was a young artist. The song was the political turn of the evening, with Arie commenting how war and rape are so often connected and dedicating the song to women who have suffered. During “There’s Hope,” Arie shocked the crowd by appearing amongst them and sang the song while dancing through the intimate venue and ecstatic onlookers.
An acoustic set with long time guitarist Boo Miller, included, “Headed In The Right Direction,” “Slow Down,” “Beautiful Surprise,” and “Back To The Middle.” This tour is aptly named the Soulbird Tour and as Arie emerged for the song, “Butterfly,” she was literally wearing a pair of wings. She commented that a soul bird is a butterfly and sang lyrics from Mister Mister’s hit, “Broken Wings” and The Beatles, “Blackbird.” India.Arie’s mother came out on stage and sang the song she wrote on the new album, “Long Goodbye,” with her daughter.
The spiritual climax of the evening came during the stirring, “God Is Real.” The song morphed into worship as India Arie traded testimony, back and forth, with her two backup singers. They sang of why they each knew God is real as tears streamed down their faces. It was truly a moving moment for all who chose to enter in. Arie then brought out the artist Laurnea (www.myspace.com/laurnea) to finish out the hymn of thankfulness and remembrance.
Musical highs of the evening also included Arie’s first single, “Video,” which had her loyal following dancing and singing along, the Don Henley cover, “The Heart of the Matter” and the crowd pleasing, “Brown Skin”. The second song ended the set and rocketed the crowd into frenzy when Sheila E took over on the drums and Malcom Jamaal Warner took over duties on bass.
For the encore, India.Arie emerged with a lone guitar and brought the prayer that closed the night. The words from “Ready For Love,” were a fitting end to a stirring performance from such a powerful artist…
“I am ready for love
Here with an offering of
My voice
My Eyes
My soul
My mind
Tell me what is enough
To prove I am ready for love
I am ready…”
Future India.Arie dates on the Songbird Tour Include:
4/30/2009 Showcase Live Foxboro, MA
5/1/2009 Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom New York, NY
More dates can be found on India.Arie’s website: www.indiaarie.com
