The Lou did what it do last weekend, especially on Friday. I started at North St. Louis’ new and plush restaurant and bar Mecca, hopped on down to Live on the Levee and back west to the Zoo’s Living World, where 1st Friday had it on and popping wall-to-wall and floor-to-floor. Much credit to Charlie Chan who mixed old- and new-school flows like a bartender with an attitude. The Living World had a nice little dance floor on the lower level for people to get their shoulder-lean on, and I am impressed with everyone who came out to the Zoo to get their 1st Friday going. Live on the Levee got all the way live when Cameo and Morris Day and The Time rolled through. Larry Blackmon still looked good. He came out in all that devilishly hot leather and, yes, boyfriend did have on that red cup that he’s famous for. They sounded good and gave us a show that I would have happily paid money to see. They sang the popular hits “Candy” and “Word Up,” but when the crowd started showing them that ‘Lou love, they took requests from the audience and went on to perform hits for die-hard fans like “Alligator Woman,” “Shake Your Pants” and “Sparkle.”
A local television personality (who shall remain nameless) almost killed the mood trying to introduce The Time. In her best Valley Girl voice, girlfriend said, “There’s some funk up in the house tonight!” I was not impressed. But Morris, Jerome and the crew saved the day. They came out in all their zoot-suited glory with their playalicious swagger in full effect. And for their more than 20 years of grinding, they still look and sound great! Folks were all out in the isles getting their “Oak Tree” and “Jungle Love” on. It was truly nothing but love. They even pulled some people up on stage with them while they worked it out. And when they exited the stage, the fireworks cued up right on time.