By the third song in at Ledisi’s set of her BGTY (Be Good To Yourself) Tour at the Pageant Friday night, she had the crowd of a thousand-plus in the palm of her hands. As the chorus commanded in her radio hit “Bravo,” Ledisi fans were obedient to say the least as they fervently clapped and their bodies throbbed to the pulsing track and infectious keyboard riff by St. Louis own Joshua Webb (who was tragically killed in an automobile accident this May).
What could have easily been a somber moment was a time of celebration – for Webb’s life and for each audience member who stood encouraged by the lyrics of self-affirmation.
The tone was set, and that energy – and exchange – would remain throughout her nearly 90 minutes on stage.
Through selections such as “So Into You,” “Shut Up,” “Coffee” and “In The Morning” the subject matter would run the gamut. Unrequited affections, quieting the stressful noise that comes with the territory of everyday life and traditional mid-tempo R&B feel good love lyrics and spirituality were shared throughout the show. But Ledisi managed to echo and reinforce her message of self-love with the same passion that she showcased her powerhouse voice, breathtaking range and awe-inspiring vocal acrobatics.
“Get your walk back,” Ledisi managed to sneak in during and expanded version of “In The Morning,” – a song that tells the story of a relationship that seems primed to fail the test of time.
But her incomparable voice transitioned to accompaniment for a powerful message as a full-fledged praise break and testimony segued from the sultry songs to her more spiritual selections such as “Alright” and “BGTY” – the title track for the tour.
Guests served as her hallelujah choir as she directed them to sing the lyrics with conviction and implement the idea of living her words of celebrating themselves.
Three-part harmony and “amens” leapt from the other side of the stage that could rival anyone’s Sunday worship service.
And as she bid the St. Louis audience an emotional farewell, she offered parting words of wisdom that could serve as the foundation for a riveting sermon.
“Be careful of who and what you allow into your personal circle,” Ledisi told the crowd as the final and “most important” of three nuggets of wisdom she wanted to impart on the audience while closing the show with “Pieces of Me.” The crowd continued to sing along with the title track of her most recent studio album, but listened closely and even began to shout as Ledisi “preached.” “…Because not everyone deserves your presence.”
Ledisi’s presence in St. Louis was justified to say the least – and her performance evidence that she may finally be on her way to a warranted position of R&B diva/soul icon-in-training.
Before Ledisi took the stage, Eric Benet was an ideal artist to initially engage the audience in what would become a magical evening of R&B.
Benet showcased songs that have had women swooning for the better part of 20 years – including “Femininity” (a song he recorded right here in St. Louis), “Spend My Life,” Sometimes I Cry” and “Chocolate Legs.”
He also gave the fans something new by performing selections such as “Something Real” and “Harriet Jones” from his latest CD “The One” – Benet’s first release on his own Jordan House label.
