Portland observer., August 30, 2000, Page 18, Image 18

Page 4
August 30, 2000
Music
of
--------^lortlnnh Cbowr
Portland celebrates colossal summer
concert calendar
Focus
by F elicia L. S lider
T he P ortland O bserver
H O T!...H O T !...H O T !!!
Hip-hop heroes made it happen.
Silky soul singers made us scream,
generation x ’ers glorified during
the gospel and gentlemen were
blow in’ us over at jazz.
P o rtla n d s su m m er o f 2G has
featured, music wise, more flava
than a hot pot o f gumbo.
From rap p in ’ at the R oseland,
k e e p in ’ the p ra ise w ith K irk
Franklin, bogglin’ with Beenie Man
at the Paradigm, rockin’ to Brittney
Spears at the Rose Garden (yeah
that was me), or dancin’ in boogie
wonderland with Earth, W ind &
Fire at Portland Meadows, Portland
was on the map.
From Pum a sneaker ju m p s, to
patend leatherpumps, the fellas and
females were high gearin’ and high
steppin to a summer that will go
down, but not soon to be forgotten,
as
doin it, doin it, and doin’ it well.
So, at this time, I invite you to
reflect and reminisce with me on
just some o f the many hot shows
that put a dent in our pocketbooks
this summer;
and all in the name o f rockin’ to the
break o f dawn.
From my one-on-one live interview
with Common, Earth, W ind & Fire,
Sole’, Eve, The Roots, Black Eyed
Peas, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt,
Warren G, Cedric “The Entertainer”
and E-40 are ju st to name a few o f
my concert reviews and backstage
pass adventures,
O v e ra ll su m m er o f 2 0 0 0 has
definitely been, like whoa.
Yet, out o f all o f these, that were
c o n c e rts to re m e m b e r, th re e
performances far beyond deserve
just the title o f a concert.
1 will title them as “soulful treats”
that will forever add spice & bum in
my m ind like a freshly lit nag
champa incense.
First, it was a treat to sit down with
Common, a man who shined that
the east-coast flavored “The Light”
would be one the phenom ena's o f
summer 2 triple 0.
Second, Earth, W ind & Fire who
explained the many reasons and
ways o f the world that they continue
to play to the devotion o f life long
fans like myself.
And, last but certainly not least,
D ’Angelo. Whew! The voodoo that
he does and did musically put on
myself, as well as my front row
bystander,
L atin a Spears ( you go girl),
delivered more soul than a family
reunion.
All three o f these were intriguingly
interesting whether I interview, shot
photos or reviewed.
But even for a semi-seasoned, yet
ever changing journalist in my craft,
I am proud to present, as well as
represent that Portland was off the
meter this
summer. For many o f us who have
lived in other, or experienced other
major cities where that town or local
hot spot is always included on the
tour circuit.. .you’re probably like,
huh?! W hat’s the big deal?
But for some o f you out there who
have lived here for more than a
quarter o f your life, then you have
to give our Portland promoters their
props in bringing
Some o f the best hip-hop, r&b, jazz
and blues sounds o f summer to
Clockwise from left as :
Portland stages.
So as the summer comes to a close, Common shines "The Light"
I would like to dedicate this article from CD cover
to not only the promoters like Direct Like Water for Chocolate
Productions, Double Tee, Monqui, (interview @ Roseland Theatre,
as well as Jam m in’ 95.5 just to as I danced front row to the
name a few, I will borrow and title d 'lights o f D Angelo
this photo gallery “The Show, the (interview @ Arlene Schnitzer),
Afterparty and well..ya know” . . .to backstage interview with
NW fans who continuously get that hip-hop trio Black Eyed Peas (,
front row, back seat or Standing Portland Meadows,
room only seat or view by any means Britney Spears bopped at the
necessary. So whether you had to Rose Garden,
tell the landlord you’re going to be Kirk Franklin gave the gospel,
$50 late on the re n t th is and my one-on-one interview
m onth.. .o r... had to buy the ticket with
The Original Kings o f Comedy
anyway because Jammin’ 95.5 said
movie
Cedric "The Entertainer
“Y ou’re the 94lh caller..try again!”
Damn..so much for speed dial!...
this ones for you.