Chaka Khan live in Concert, Saturday June 14th 2008.

I arrived at the Enmore Theatre at around twenty to eight. Soon as I was ushered to my seat, Marcia Hines hit the stage. Now, I must say, I wasn’t exactly looking too forward to seeing this woman, cuz let’s face it, I’m far from a Marcia Hines fan. As a live performer, she wasn’t too bad. She busted a few “sexy” dance moves, talked about her days at the “discotheque” where a short guy would approach her & she would tower over him in her platform heels. Next thing you know, she’s launching into an enegergetic rendition of “Shake your groove thing” by Peaches & Herb. Or as Peter Tosh may’ve called it, “F**kin shek ya bambolcaat booty all de time.” Marcia also told us how she was “a black woman standing up on stage trying to keep her cool” cause not only was she the opening act for Chaka Khan, she also just been introduced to the lady herself the night before. Obviously Marcia was a huge fan, as she informed us of how “whenever Rufus would breathe, we would buy an album.” Marcia even released her own version of “Ain’t Nobody” a few years back. Of course there were other songs in the setlist, but I wasn’t really…..payin……attention…..y’know?….I was looking forward to seeing the main act more than anything else. There were definitely had some hardcore Marcia fans in the house. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there was another story about how she grew up with Donna Summer, who allegedly hated her guts cause she always used to raid her room with Donna’s little sister, with whom she was best friends.

Eventually Marcia & her musicians walked off, the crew started unpacking the equipment & commenced setting up Chaka’s stage to the sound of Chaka’s “Classikhan” covers album of jazz standards. I mean Chaka woulda looked pretty strange with a banner behind her saying “MARCIA- Life.” So it only seems logical that they would get rid of this sign. Anyhow, 9:10 rolls around & Chaka’s musicians finally get on the stage & do their thing. I can’t recall any of the other musicians who were up there, but one of the guys was the original Rufus guitarist, Tony Maiden.

Let’s see if I can remember the setlist……..I think this is most of it:

Once you get started: the band played this one on their own.

I feel for you: Chaka entered the stage to the “Chaka Khan” chant by Grandmaster Flash, which the keyboard had sampled on his mac….and yes, she sang “it’s mainly a SPIRITUAL thing,” which means she left out the other more ’salacious’ verses in the song.

Ain’t nobody: Yeah, I knew this one was comin…..I’m glad Marcia Hines didn’t sing it, lol. It sounded kinda like the original, but with live instruments, as opposed to drum machines & what not…so it was a cool version I suppose.

Stay: Didn’t recognise this one til it got to the chorus,but it was a nice rendition.

Do you love what you feel: Didn’t really recognise this one either….guess I’m not too familiar with her catalogue, but she got some guy in the front row to sing the “I wanna dance all night” bit into her glittery mic. she seemed very impressed by his performance.

Whatchu gonna do for me: One of the funkier songs in her catalogue….it was cool to hear this one live

You’ve got the love: I kinda had mixed feelings about this one…..at first I thought that’s what they were playing, then after a few seconds, for some strange reason, I thought it was “I’m a woman I’m a backbone.” Obviously I was right the first time. It was cool to hear this one as well. I’m sure for her fans it was like 1974 all over again

One for all time: she said it was off her new album “funk this” and playfully told us to “go buy it for christ’s sake!!” Guess what, Chaka….I already did.

Hollywood: Yes, she sang this one….and it sounded almost exactly like the record…although I kept thinkin of Erykah Badu’s version….I guess that was only cuz I heard her sing it first.

Tell Me Something Good: Ah, now we’re talkin’!! She made a few ’suggestive’ moves while she sang this one….nuttin wrong with that though.

Sweet thing: ….and the hits just keep on comin’! during this song, all of the backup singers came forward & claimed that they were “looking for a sweet thing”….except for the very last singer who claimed she already had a man back home.

Please pardon me: I know this may be sacrelige, but….I don’t think this song is anything special……..the performance was all right tho’.

Through the fire: hearing this song live has definitely made me appreciate it a lot more….right before she sang it, she told the audience that she takes her hat off to anybody else who has been ‘through the fire.’ It was an obvious intro, but there ya go.

What’s going on: Yeah, the Marvin Gaye song. I didnt like her version in the “Standing in the shadows of Motown” film… didn’t like her live version either. The bassist did a solo that was funkier than a sack of grandaddies though, so that was cool.

2 encores – “I’m Every Woman” & “Stop on By”

I know there was another ballad in there that I can’t put my finger on….she said she wrote it when she was high….. pretty sure I’ve heard the song before though. Don’t ask me to name the song though, or even how it goes….I know, not very helpful. Oh well, what can ya do? Also, I should also point out that during “Stop On By,” she brought out her little nephew who danced for a while. He even did a bit of break dancing. Wow, what a funky little kid! Throughout the whole show, Chaka was decked out in her “superhero” costume, complete with cape. Unfortunately the sound was a little muffled during her set, so it was kinda hard to make out what they were saying a lot of the time. Also, I thought there was going to be merchandise available for purchase, but unfortunately there wasn’t. Don’t know if she stuck around & signed any autographs after the show – I was initially going to bring along my LP of “Rufusized” for her to scribble on, but decided against it at the last minute. Overall it was a very good show.