Thursday night at the Fox Theatre, R. Kelly reminded fans exactly why he’s been able to stay relevant in the dangerously fickle genre of R&B for nearly a quarter century – great music and performances heavily laced in sexuality that leave an impression to say the least.
The nearly sold out St. Louis stop of the “Single Ladies Tour” had the makings to be a good night for live music, and lived up to expectations thanks to R&B’s self-proclaimed pied piper and a songbird searching for a second wind within the industry.
Tamia was charged with setting the tone and emerged as an angel with a naughty side thanks to white hot pants accented with boa wisps and hip winds as her heavenly voice softly belted out “Believe in Love.”
Her breathtaking beauty and pristine soprano vocals seemed to hypnotize her St. Louis fans – who haven’t seen her grace a St. Louis stage in so long it’s hard to remember exactly when. Though at points her offering came treacherously to crossing the border from charmingly understated into the territory of downright boring.
The purest of tones in renditions of “Officially Missing You,” “Spend My Life” and “Me” were among the highlights. Fans also seemed equally thrilled and surprised to receive a small snippet of the Chaka Khan classic “Sweet Thing,” but probably felt a bit a bit cheated with the noticeable absence of though her breakthrough hit “You Put a Move on My Heart.” But her riveting, emotionally charged offering of “Stranger in My House” – equipped with an up close and personal encounter with a lucky fan – ended her set on a high note.
“R-30 minutes” later, the man of the hour would emerge with a full lounge scene and ladies perched comfortably on either side of him that’s to the dual bars of the “Single Ladies Lounge.”
“Your Body’s Calling” kicked off a manic medley of his classics at a dizzying pace – squeezing in more than two dozen songs thanks to abbreviation.
“Bump N Grind,” “Strip For You” “Move Your Body Like A Snake,” “I’m A Flirt,” “Ignition,” “Homie Lover Friend,” “You Remind Me of Something,” “Down Low,” “Half on a Baby,” “Feeling on Your Booty” and the list went on, and on…and on.
For the first segment, R. Kelly presented what could best be described as a live Pandora station as he seemed relentlessly determined to deliver the full catalog of his nearly 60 hits. Once the heads spin from single verse, chorus and hook R. Kelly sing along, Kelly attempts to lead fans to believe the show is over – even naming off the song list to prove it.
But true R. Kelly fans knew better and he couldn’t keep the farce going and the showman gave them the true R. Kelly in all of his raunchy-filled glory for the rest of the night – and at a much more manageable pace.
Unyielding crotch snatch attacks ensued and R. Kelly seemed unfazed – never even missing a note – as the lady fans who rushed the stage clamoring for a handful of his private parts.
Profane and sexually charged, R. Kelly kept his audience engaged with melodic monologues about dysfunctional relationships, a surprise audience ambush where he took a woman captive to be his on stage sex slave and “Kells Karaoke” – where fans sang along to the likes of “Honey Love,” “Favorite Girl,” “Can’t Sleep” and his R&B debut “Vibe.”
But the welcomed irony that has been an element of R. Kelly’s existence since he revolutionized the R&B remix back in the mid-1990s is that somewhere in the midst of his sexually charged offerings that blatantly describe sexual encounters and adulterous affairs, he eases inspiration, romance and even an opera melody (out of homage to his high school vocal teacher) in the mix over the course of his show.
Right after offering an impromptu melody as his way of requesting a towel “I’m sweating like a [expletive],” Kelly “Heaven I need a Hug” and “I Believe I Can Fly” – typical Kellz.
As he closed with his latest ballad “When a Woman Loves” and his grown folks dance floor anthem “Step In The Name of Love,” Kelly’s “Single Ladies Tour” was a true reflection of his presence in the industry over the years – prolific, passionate, unforgettable, chronic, conflicted…and most of all comprehensive.
