Untitled Document

Six years ago, the graceful granite courtyard of London’s Somerset House was being wasted away as an Inland Revenue car park. Thank goodness for whoever had the sense to alter its use, for it has blossomed into one of the capital’s most beautiful outdoor venues. Aesthetics aside, car park or not, one woman who probably wouldn’t care much as long as the air felt right is the bohemian soul queen herself: Erykah Badu, who brought some of her quirky flow to the venue’s Summer Series, which has so far included Damian Marley and Corrine Bailey Rae.

So on her first night for gongs in the UK, a balmy summer evening, fans gathered in the grandeur of the courtyard, ate burgers, drank Pimms and anticipated the arrival of Miss Badu, who sure kept us waiting for her take to the stage. We did however, enjoy the fitting sounds of Stevie Wonder, India Arie and Kanye West as we waited.

As the evening chill drew in, the Dallas native, draped in a white cloth, sporting an afro mohican and carrying burning incense sticks, gracefully appeared, commanding adulation from the intimate crowd of fans. As an ‘Erykah Live’ first timer, I certainly wasn’t expecting such a spiritual entrance and would’ve usually considered it slightly pretentious, but the style and poise oozing from her certainly ordered respect. Even Pop Idol winner Will Young, who was standing obscurely amidst the crowd an arm’s length away, looked star struck.

She kicked off with some ‘New material by Erykah Badu’, as was robotically and clearly announced, before drifting to some familiar territory with classics such as ‘Other Side of the Game’, ‘My Life’ and ‘Kiss Me On My Neck’, from acclaimed albums ‘Baduizm’ and ‘Mama’s Gun’. Staying true to her signature style, Badu teased the crowd with her saccharine sweet melodies before tearing it up with her exceptional feisty vocals.

One of the night’s highlights, ‘I Want You’, from ‘Worldwide Underground’ proved that it was made to be performed live and its funky, layered, soulful ‘…like rain and thunder… and I get it from my mama’ epitomised its owner’s cheek and intelligence. I wish, though, she had performed some more stuff off her live album; the Chaka Khan cover ‘Stay’, where she goes vocally crazy would have been ideal for the acoustic settings of the venue. An hour and an encore later, Erykah Badu finished her set with the classic ‘Bag Lady’, a snippet of ‘Tyrone’, before she decided that she didn’t feel like singing it, and the humorous and syrupy ‘Green Eyes’.

In terms of vocals and arrangement, Erykah Badu proved to be on the top of her game: ever the professional artist. Ironically, what this performance lacked was soul; we were not allowed much interaction with her as an individual. There was an aloofness about her that was quite ‘diva’. The crowd had started to get restless, as would be expected if you’re expecting someone at 9ish and they turn up after 10. Friends who attended the Saturday night show came back with more positive feedback – it was better timed and she even treated the concertgoers some old school free styling, appeared to be more comfortable with the crowd and sang ‘Tyrone’! Oh well. She is notoriously an eccentric… Am I expecting too much for my 30 quid? Green eyes, me?! I think not.

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	Erykah Badu @ Somerset House, London - Friday 14 July, 2006 Reviewed by Jeevan Panesar Six years ago, the graceful granite courtyard of London’s Somerset House was being wasted away as an Inland Revenue car park. Thank goodness for whoever had the sense to alter its use, for it has blossomed into one of the capital’s most beautiful outdoor venues. Aesthetics aside, car park or not, one woman who probably wouldn’t care much as long as the air felt right is the bohemian soul queen herself: Erykah Badu, who brought some of her quirky flow to the venue’s Summer Series, which has so far included Damian Marley and Corrine Bailey Rae. So on her first night for gongs in the UK, a balmy summer evening, fans gathered in the grandeur of the courtyard, ate burgers, drank Pimms and anticipated the arrival of Miss Badu, who sure kept us waiting for her take to the stage. We did however, enjoy the fitting sounds of Stevie Wonder, India Arie and Kanye West as we waited. As the evening chill drew in, the Dallas native, draped in a white cloth, sporting an afro mohican and carrying burning incense sticks, gracefully appeared, commanding adulation from the intimate crowd of fans. As an ‘Erykah Live’ first timer, I certainly wasn’t expecting such a spiritual entrance and would’ve usually considered it slightly pretentious, but the style and poise oozing from her certainly ordered respect. Even Pop Idol winner Will Young, who was standing obscurely amidst the crowd an arm’s length away, looked star struck. She kicked off with some ‘New material by Erykah Badu’, as was robotically and clearly announced, before drifting to some familiar territory with classics such as ‘Other Side of the Game’, ‘My Life’ and ‘Kiss Me On My Neck’, from acclaimed albums ‘Baduizm’ and ‘Mama’s Gun’. Staying true to her signature style, Badu teased the crowd with her saccharine sweet melodies before tearing it up with her exceptional feisty vocals. One of the night’s highlights, ‘I Want You’, from ‘Worldwide Underground’ proved that it was made to be performed live and its funky, layered, soulful ‘…like rain and thunder… and I get it from my mama’ epitomised its owner’s cheek and intelligence. I wish, though, she had performed some more stuff off her live album; the Chaka Khan cover ‘Stay’, where she goes vocally crazy would have been ideal for the acoustic settings of the venue. An hour and an encore later, Erykah Badu finished her set with the classic ‘Bag Lady’, a snippet of ‘Tyrone’, before she decided that she didn’t feel like singing it, and the humorous and syrupy ‘Green Eyes’. In terms of vocals and arrangement, Erykah Badu proved to be on the top of her game: ever the professional artist. Ironically, what this performance lacked was soul; we were not allowed much interaction with her as an individual. There was an aloofness about her that was quite ‘diva’. The crowd had started to get restless, as would be expected if you’re expecting someone at 9ish and they turn up after 10. Friends who attended the Saturday night show came back with more positive feedback – it was better timed and she even treated the concertgoers some old school free styling, appeared to be more comfortable with the crowd and sang ‘Tyrone’! Oh well. She is notoriously an eccentric… Am I expecting too much for my 30 quid? Green eyes, me?! I think not. Return To Concert Review Archive
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