I was fortunate to see Me'shell on Oct 19 in Los Angeles. This would be the fifth or sixth time that I've seen Me'shell in some venue since her debut on the music scene. Besides seeing her in concert, I've been able to meet her at two record signings and when I gathered the nerve to walk up to her (after she had finished her meal) at a restaurant; all 3 times I encountered a person of grace, humility, beauty, and kindness. In all her performances, she has gotten lost in the groove and in the words. Last Friday, she was just lost. Or maybe I was? Yes, the music was incredible, but she mostly played outtakes and covers. Yes, she played 3 songs from the new album, but she played none of the outstanding pieces from her varied body of work, which is valued and cherished. Yes, she is an artist following her vision, but the way she presented herself on Friday, she could not have cared if anyone was in the audience. She seemed to enjoy interacting and connecting with her band members, but everytime she approached her mic to perform/sing, she hardly directed a word or a glance towards US, the people who have followed her during the course of her work. She could have easily videorecorded a performance of this set, released it on DVD, and there would have been the same level of connection that she fostered on the stage. The audience members seemed to connect to each other rather than the performance and the PERFORMER we all paid to see. She wasn't being self-indulgent: she was DISCONNECTED. And now I will no longer look forward to seeing her perform. It's been a great ride.

like several of us have said, you're either with her on her journey (whatever that happens to be), or you're not. imho, your loss.

i couldn't agree more. meshell seemed to me to be in great spirits and the music was as powerful as it's ever been. i couldn't ask for more than that.

this group of girls standing behind me were screaming out for "dred loc" at the sacramento show. i turned around and mentioned that she hasn't played the track in over ten years. i think she maybe played 4 songs from the new album. "michelle johnson," "evolution," "lovely lovely" and "the sloganeer." the rest was all stuff i'd not seen performed live before.

as far as i know, "wilderness" was the only cover, and it sounded very different than what we've all heard at the etown performance. not sure if you'd consider "o" a cover or not, since she wrote the lyrics for it. (jason lindner wrote the music.)

i could've gone without the 4 tracks from the new album and gone with ALL new songs, because the new material is that good... and you can tell she's really into it. i hope that if she does decide to record any of it for a future release she'll keep the live sound from it... the material deserves it.

the folks complaining about her with her back to the crowd when she picks up the bass... i don't know what they want. just shut up and let her play or she's going to go home... that was my advice to the crazy girls at the sacramento show. she's not a jukebox, or someone who's going to stand there and model for you.

i don't know. i can understand if folks just don't like the music -- but that never seems to be the case. there's always some other reason that has nothing to do with that.

it reminds me of those folks that fall in love with their significant other for reasons having nothing to do with who they really are. they have this idea of who they are, and that they'll never change and that's not how it works...

ditto on what Groove Thang and Matthew said...

...for me its about the music and nothing else really...and i'm also with matt on the new stuff...I absolutely LOVE it when i go to one of her gigs and she plays mostly stuff i've never heard...in fact, as long as she and the band were into it and connecting with each other, i'd be stoked if i went to a Meshell gig and she ONLY played stuff that i hadn't heard...thats where you're likely gonna get the most excitement and spontenaety from... I mean when i think about when i heard the etown performance for the first time...never heard two of the three tracks before that, but DAMN they kicked ass and they blew my mind instantly ... i don't know what else a music lover could ask for...it doesn't get much better than that imo...

btw i'm jealous of ya'll who are catching these shows as the band is coming together...sounds like they're hitting a groove...

so Matt you hit the Sacramento show huh? is that where you saw deantoni parks play?

peace-
i respect the journey-- she should play whatever she wants, whatever inspires her, whatever interests her, whatever challenges her, whatever feels sincere to her.

what i do not respect is the rudeness and disregard for the presence of people who, for whatever good or misguided reasons, took time out of their lives and money out of their pocket to show up for a live performance. if they came for the wrong reasons, i.e., to hear plantation lullabies and bitter tracks or whatever their jam was, then there is a way to respectfully, lovingly guide them to appreciate that the band is not a juke box, that art can be above commerce, and that the best experience is often free of expectations. instead there is an arrogant, elitist disdainfor the people "who don't get it," that reads as insecurity instead of a firmness of vision. there is a big difference between commanding respect and demanding it.

the part of this that is painful to me is that meshell is a kind and respectful person at the core; her on stage rudeness strikes me as industry-traumatic-stress-syndrome. that core, and the way it shone through on stage, is part of what made her such a popular performer early on-- she was sexy, funny, insightful, disarming. the shift really began towards the end of the comfort woman shows and solidified during the spirit music period when everybody was constantly demanding vocals. that's when the miles davis, play in the dark, back to the audience bullshit really started and the days of laughter, jokes, stories (think barry farms) while sitting at the keyboard, teasing the band and audience disappeared.

i feel her-- if it ain't sincere, and it is not how she feels about herself anymore, then cool, don't force it, don't be all personable on stage. but let's not pretend that miles davis wasn't an asshole, that artists who abuse their fans (and fans who love being abused) aren't problematic, and that a positive, communicative, interactive performer on stage doesn't provide a more enjoyable experience. let's not pretend that the experience of a meshell show today is more or as enjoyable.... the music might be better or more interesting or more experimental or more challenging or stimulating, but that does not necessarily amplify the joy factor.

i've probably been to 100 meshell shows, maybe more. my observation is that folks walk out of the theater on a different wavelength, a different vibe now than they used to. they feel different. and i am not saying difference is bad... i am simply saying that i'm not down with this orthodoxy that everybody who wants or expects something more is a heretic or a BET dimwit trying to deprive meshell of her artistic freedom. i believe there are infinite ways for an artist to guide their audience to be open minded... to invite them, to remind them, to express an understanding of those tiresome expectations.... instead of it being a battle every show. too much work? maybe, but if there is not a willingness to do that work, then stop performing live. don't be disappointed if the room isn't full. don't be disappointed if a tour isn't fiscally feasible. don't be embittered by all the ways an artist has to ingratiate him/herself to make a living. to choose the life of an artist in an era without patronage means hustling; it is a job just like everything else which means... oh no... even artists need to do some things that they don't like to do, including "perform."

in the end, i think a different approach to the audience can only serve meshell... besides the financial implications, it can't feel good to want to hide when on stage. i wish her a more joyful experience and trust that would result in a more joyful experience for the audience.
kt

derek: yes, and if i had the balls to quit my job, i'd go to all four of the shows where he's drumming for her.

i've already ordered both of kudu's cds off of amazon. (they weren't available at the show.)

nothing against haynes (or any of her past drummers, or those i've seen with prince over the years, or nikka costa's amazing drummer), i just thought parks was otherworldly...

edit: would be nice if there was some merchandise available at the shows, but i understand why it's not. i think it's just a statement she's making right now...

I went to the Sacramento show but was disappointed. Not with Meshell, never, but with the crowd. I live in Sacramento but I always drive to San Fran to see her. I was excited to learn that she was coming to my town. But like I was telling my partner, Sacramento is not "cultured" enough to truly appreciate her. I thought the crowd was rude and not totally receptive to her music and it was damn good! Even Kudu was great, which was my first time hearing their music, and the crowd was "dead" to their music. I hope the lack of crowd energy doesn't prevent her from coming to Sacramento again.

i was disappointed with the crowd as well, though only certain parts of it (people getting drunk and shoving people around like it was a ratm concert or something -- then screaming for houselights and "dred loc")... disappointed more so than any other city i've seen her in. i hope she comes back to sacramento though. there was a mexican restaurant there (tres hermanas) that we went to beforehand that was incredible. i'd like to go there again

that said, i didn't see one flashbulb go off all day sunday... and for that i was thankful

thanks for this, kt. you always give me a new perspective to consider.

you're so right. it's painful to watch her onstage those times when it seems like she'd rather be just about anywhere else. it's painful for me, as an admirer/fan...for you, as a friend?! i can't even imagine. in the end, i'm there to hear what brilliance she has to impart since the last time i saw her, and she has never failed me in that regard. but i do miss the playful stage banter, the way she had of engaging the audience, the happy, contented look on her face.

i too wish her greater joy in the performance aspect of her job...so that she keeps doing it, sure (yeah, i'm selfish), but mostly for her own well-being. she's given me (indeed, all of us) so much over the last 14 years...but it pains me to think that all these gifts may have come (at least in part) at the expense of her own happiness.

Hey groove thang, you're so right . I to hope things can change for her. For me, I began to see this change starting as early as the time of the "Cookie " release, several times that year when she came here to D.C., she was constantly bothered by careless sound engineers and venues wanting the money, but not knowing or caring for the artist, drowning out the performance as well as pushing Meshell to the butt end of the shows. Apparently bothered , Meshell decreased her shows here. We still and always will love this Blessed sister from our neck of the woods. So Meshell, please don't shy away from the love here, despite the close minds of many monkey box fools. Love ya

first, it's always good to hear from you kt. As usual you can come at things with a uniqe perspective.

And I hear ya on so many levels with what you are saying.

I too have always loved Meshells easy-going, casual 'conversation like' stage presence that she has typically had with the audiences and bands so often in the past. It was un-pretentious and yes inviting and 'easy to embrace' (probably even moreso if you happened to be a new comer who wasn't farmiliar with her music).

Yup...i loved that about her gigs too. For me it wasn't the reason why I fell in love with her gigs, but it was indeed a nice 'extra bonus' that i thought was cool about her. Very cool, but for me, not required for what i came for.

So, in my case at least, weird as it might might sound, i really don't care if she talks to the audience or not...i really don't. If she and the band are really feeling the music, and i can hear the music clearly, and they play for a reasonable amount of time...then, honestly, i'm gonna be good (whether she's talking to us or not, facing us or not, the lights are on or off or not).

does not being as personable probably put-off some potential new fans (and old fans as well)? I'm sure it does. It's just a fact of life that how you come across initially to folks can sometimes make or break an experience, or make one go soure, whatever your true internal intentions are.

For me though, her being so down to earth and personable was an added bonus, not the main course.

Now don't get me wrong, my not caring about what she says or doesn't say on stage obviously does NOT include any excusing of rudeness of course. I don't have any patience for that. Lifes too short and i'm too old to waste much energy dealing with that sort of thing. I know there were those shows where some of that crazy mess went on for whatever reasons. I make no excuses for those. I will say that, at least at the show i went to, there was no rudeness at all, just a really bad sound mix and a really short set... which was disapointing for me because, as i said, that IS what i require to be completely satisfied (a clear mix and a reasonable set length).

Now, (hopefully this won't sound like a contradiction, because i don't think it is)...the fact that i don't really care whether she talks to us or not, or whether she seems easy-going & personable or not... while i DON'T care about THAT...i (oddly?) DO care about the CAUSE of her lack of 'easy-going ness'. Not because i need her to be easy going, but because i'd like for HER to be enjoying the experience as much as I am. Whatever 'enjoying' means...(if her 'enjoyment' means she is casual and chatty...cool. If her 'enjoyment' means she has her eys closed, back to us and doesn't say a word...thats cool too.)

I just need to know...or better yet, i need to feel that SHE and The BAND are FEELING that shit they are playing you know? That they are enjoying being up there and into it... however that 'enjoyment' happens to manifest itself. (again, outside of rudeness of course ...obviously that night somebody wasn't enjoying something)

Basically If she's digging playing...chances are i'm gonna dig the experience too.

When i listen to the etown gig...she and the band sound like they are really enjoying themselves there (and in my opinion it shows....great little set)....same with the NY radio show stream...they sound like they are into it there too. I haven't heard anything else from her most recent gigs so i obviously can't speak to those...but it seems like her spirits are getting to a place where she is able to enjoy being where she is again. I hope so at least.

i'm gonna try my dambdest to get to one of these gigs before she goeas abroad so hopefully i'll get to hear for myself in person where she and the band are at.

now...if i could only get a guarantee of a perfect sounding mix every time and at least an hour & a half set THEN I'd be in business

peace peeps!

derek

This message has been edited. Last edited by: derek,

I have to say that even in the last few years, I've been lucky enough to catch Meshell at some shows where she was surprisingly at ease with the audience. The Joe's Pub shows last spring she was very comfortable. At one point, she said, "In my head, I see you all getting up and dancing." Everyone either didn't understand or didn't acknowledge, and I witnessed an awkward moment in which she had actually reached out to an audience that didn't respond.

I think she's starting to realize that there's large portion of the crowd that want to hear older stuff, and only a small portion of the crowd that is like myself -- happy with whatever she chooses to play -- even if it's nothing anyone has ever heard before.

It's weird to read comments by some folks about how it's the best show they've ever been to, followed closely by someone else saying that they're extremely disappointed.

I feel badly for those people, but selfishly I only want to be at the kind of shows she's doing now. It's why I've shelled out almost $1,000 (I don't have) to travel to the 2 shows I attended, as well as the upcoming Chicago show. If she was only performing songs from her albums, I probably would've been alright after the Sacramento show. But for me, when she does almost all new material, I end up being like a junkie needing more -- because it really is never the same...

It was weird standing outside the Roseland in Portland for 5 hours before the show started. The wind was ripping around and I thought for sure I was going to have hypothermia by the time they opened the doors. It turns out that I didn't need to stand outside to wait because by the time the doors opened there were only about 10 people in line (if that) and there were maybe 100 in attendence by the time the show started. It must have looked empty to Meshell and Kudu. I blame lack of promotion for the low turnout -- the article that appeared in the Portland paper was on the day of the show. Plus it didn't help that it's a huge night for television. I thought for sure the place would be packed from folks that drove down from Seattle, as well as her admirers in Portland. The crowd did seem to be into the new music though, at least as far as I could tell. Much more dancing and energy by the Portland crowd than the Sacramento crowd...

Looking forward to the Chicago show with Deantoni Parks as her drummer...