It’s a good thing that the roof is already off of Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, or the venue would have needed a new one after hosting the St. Louis leg of Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout tour Sunday night. The concert was a Black cookout playlist come to life. The all-star old school R&B lineup included El DeBarge, K-Ci Hailey and Babyface.
Vocal assistance tracks were not on the menu. Their mint condition voices made the audience feel as if they were in their own backyards enjoying the beautiful weather and a type of vibe only the perfect throwback playlist can provide.
The cookout kicked off with El DeBarge. He started off on a high note with his falsetto classic “I Like It.” His act set a groovy tone that got people on their feet, especially when he performed “Rhythm Of The Night.” The audience was so enchanted that they flowed along with his tempo.
K-Ci Hailey, best known as a lead vocalist for the groups Jodeci and K-Ci and JoJo, dug deep in the crates for his fans. He started his set in his hip hop bag with his featured vocals on Tupac’s “How Do U Want It.” He blended the track into his own song, “You Bring Me Up.”
Much to the delight of the audience, K-Ci said he came to the cookout to perform everything he has recorded. He kept his word. The audience swayed along to “Feenin’” and “Forever My Lady.” They were captivated by a funky electric guitar that made the songs feel even more moving.
They were almost moved to tears when he performed the Jodeci classic “Love U 4 Life.” They sang along as they waved their hands in the air, or wrapped around their partners – a re-creation of a familiar slow jam cookout moment.
Babyface brought the ultimate old school R&B party playlist. He has a prolific catalog of his own hits, but he made room for the songs he composed for others, including deep cuts like “Dial My Heart” and “Fairweather Friend.”
He also performed songs he had written for Bobby Brown from his career-defining sophomore solo album “Don’t Be Cruel.” “Every Little Step” “Rock Wit’cha” and “Roni” had the crowd rocking from side to side. He performed the songs with the same direct but demure attitude he applies to his own discography. His backup singers also helped power through the catalog of top hits that he is credited with writing. For selections like “My, My, My” and “End Of The Road” they serenaded with just as much sauce as Babyface.
Babyface didn’t neglect his own string of hits. “Soon as I Get Home” and “Whip Appeal” were two songs the audience couldn’t help but sing along with. He performed “Every Time I Close My Eyes” with improvised runs and a flirtatious smirk. The saxophone solo deepened the feeling of gratitude that this slow jam provokes.
Headliner ‘Uncle’ Charlie Wilson, brought the party to a head with a white grand piano and several outfit changes from him and his back up dancers. The wardrobe included sequin sets and blazer jackets in every color.
Wilson showed with his performance that he still has it, despite his personal and health setbacks. He was in pristine form – even after two back surgeries, prostate cancer and an addiction to alcohol and cocaine. He told the crowd he is celebrating more than 30 years of sobriety. And he is more grateful than ever to still be able to perform at 72 years old.
“It’s a miracle I’m standing here on this stage,” Wilson said. “Because over the years I went from rags to riches, riches to rags, then rags to the curb.”
The moment of vulnerability quickly turned into a full blown testimony.
“I said, ‘God if you give me one more chance at life and at music I promise I will shout you out.’”
Wilson then led the audience in a praise break with a gospel medley that included Kurt Carr’s “For Every Mountain.”
Prior to the moment of praise and worship, Wilson and his backup dancers dazzled on stage while performing his 70’s throwbacks like “Outstanding” and “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” from his time as a member in The Gap Band. He then dove into his more contemporary cookout hits like “There Goes My Baby” and “Charlie, Last Name Wilson.”
He then sang through his discography, and toggled back to the early 1980s with jams including “Yearning for Your Love,” “Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) and “Early in the Morning” to more modern tracks like “You Are.” He also dipped into the 1990s with his own spin on Guy’s “Let’s Chill.”
Regardless of the era, Uncle Charlie had the audience on their feet and two-stepping late into the night.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
