Jamming was what it was all about last night. That and the music of his current album, "Emancipation." He opened with the album's lead track, "Jam of the Year." It set the theme perfectly and got the crowd up. Extended arrangements of other "Emancipation" cuts - "Slave," "Face Down," "Sleep Around" - provided the bulk of the 1-hour, 40-minute main set.
Despite apparent problems with on-stage equipment and concert sound, the Artist and his New Power Generation band, slammed, jammed and rocked the house.
Posing, posturing and working the crowd with wry wit and self-deprecating humor TA proved himself every bit as versatile on stage as he is in the studio.
"This is live - not Memorex" he announced early in the show, then asked the audience to get involved: "Just the funky people!"
TA controlled the crowd from the moment he appeared on stage in a fashion statement consisting of a black-and gray pinstripe duster with matching trousers and high-heeled boots.
The crowd became an additional element in the musical arrangements as he used its responses with the assurance of a world-class conductor directing an orchestra. The fans clapped on cue and chanted key phrases like "Play that (characterization deleted) bass" with lusty enthusiasm.
He also employed his unique ability to simultaneously project blatant carnality and emotional vulnerability. That blend was used brilliantly 14 years ago in his definitive version of "Little Red Corvette," that song one of just about all the classics that he failed to do last night. Remember "When You Were Mine," "Head," "Sister," "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy," "Kiss," "U Got The Look" or the great songs off the Batman soundtrack? They weren't there either.
On the other hand, he chose to omit his current unimpressive remake of "Betcha By Golly Wow" as well so it wasn't all bad.
At what point does an artist decide to not do the songs that long-time fans love? The Artist evidently feels he's reached that point, although "If I Was Your Girlfriend," a relatively obscure 1987 release, was slipped in just after a rousing crowd-pleasing rendition of "Sexy MF."
The Artist a sexy MF? Seasoned actor that he is, he appeared coyly surprised that the audience thought him so!
Another dramatic highlight came when he appeared to actually break down in tears because the object of his affections never called him. By then he had taken a quick break for a costume change and was wearing what looked like stylish red sleepwear. Can he sell the emotion in a love song? Believe it!
Sex sells, too, and The Artist was a super salesman. He worked the entire stage, addressed the crowd from the elevated platforms at both ends, and spent a good deal of time down front within touching distance of those in the front row.
A master of the dramatic gesture, the nuances of subtle facial expression, and the explosive impact of carnality, he conducted a one-man choreography clinic with an assortment of musical instruments and microphones.
Most of the 25-minute encore came straight out of James Brown's 1967 hit, "Get It Together," except that the Godfather of Soul had asked the Famous Flames to "Give it to me four times" and The Artist kept upping the ante until he asked the NPG and the audience up to "Give it to me 25 times!" The crowd loved it.
Five of them got to join the show on stage. The first woman up there appeared to have a change of heart almost as soon as The Artist asked her to dance for him - she looked like she wished she was anywhere else. The woman who joined her seemed much more comfortable and determined that her friends in the audience all saw she was up there. A rather large man was invited up next. The Artist actually danced with him for a minute or so. A second man, and a woman nearly bouncing out of her backless black vest, completed the impromptu dance troupe.
Fault The Artist for turning his back on 15 years of musical history, if you will. He proved last night that he still has what it takes as a concert act, consummate showman and songwriter.