“Does she still have it?” The question has buzzed throughout the music scene since Janet Jackson announced her return to the stage for her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour.
And when she took the stage last night, 25 years had passed since the baby of the Jackson family solidified herself as a star in her own right with the release of “Control.” But Janet refused to let her age get the better of her as she delivered an impressive set of greatest hits for her biggest fans.
Guests sat on the edge of their seats through a presentation of Jackson’s video for “What Have You Done For Me Lately” in its entirety.
Jackson emerged in a black latex cat suit that left no curves to the imagination and kicked the show off with “Pleasure Principle” as if she was proving to everyone that her “it” was live in the flesh and is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Jackson has never been recognized for being among the great voices in popular music, but her capacity to entertain audiences with catchy dance music – and the moves to compliment them – have captivated at least two generations.
Her show managed to drive home both points. Obviously assisted by vocal tracks, Janet pushed through a six song dance sequence that the breathing room in her costume dripping with sweat.
Last night she reminded her fans what they saw in her from the beginning with a calculated “best of” presentation of fan favorites – from her first number one record “When I Think of You” to the more recent offerings of “Feedback” and “What About Us.”
Low tech effects – including a picture slideshow and a few video snippets from her acting career – were in utter contrast to the entertaining spectacle that Ms. Jackson has become known for making with her over-the-top performances.
In her effort to be up close and personal, Jackson’s extravagant stage show gave way for a more subtle stroll down memory lane alongside her band and several dancers.
The crowd were on their feet from the very begging thanks to hits like “Control,” “Miss U Much” and “Escapade.”
She slowed it down for a spell with her classic pop ballads “Let’s Wait Awhile,” “Come Back To Me,” and “Again.”
Each city of the tour gets its own special song among her catalog of classics, and contrary to what Janet and her people said prior to the show”Call on Me,” one of her more recent number ones featuring STL rap star Nelly, was not it.
Based on the reception from the crowd, it was probably for the best. The song was one of the few moments in the show that seemed to be met with a cooler reception, maybe because Nelly wasn’t singing the song live alongside Jackson.
Whatever the case, she quickly heated things back up with her last leg of up-tempo classics like “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” “All For You” and “Doesn’t Really Matter.”
It was a race to the finish for her list of hits, but as she closed the show with “Together Again,” in tribute to her late brother Michael it would be Janet in all of her glory that would serve as the final impression from her performance.
Those who attended the show for a breathtaking, emotional and awe-inspiring moment in live music were surely disappointed.
But taking the performance for what it was (and who it was coming from) would have led to hats being tipped to a mint condition Janet Jackson.
She continued her legacy of making the most of moderate singing chops with choreography and a charisma – albeit pre -generated and general – that can maintain the attention of the masses.
