Two weeks after seeing Paul McCartney enthrall a packed crowd at Dublins RDS arena I’m on my way to see Stevie Wonder. Arriving at the O2 in Dublin there’s a real sense of something special about to happen and there’s no doubt that Stevie certainly didn’t let anyone down.

Arriving on stage at 8:20 Stevie played a set of over two hours comprising hit after hit. His backing band of twelve were on top form throughout.

The first real crowd favourite came with the second song Master Blaster (jammin) and was followed in no particular order by Sir Duke, For once in my life, Higher Ground, isn’t she lovely  and a warm tribute to Michael Jackson in the form of a cover of Human Nature and many others. Stevie was in fine form throughout engaging easily with the audience encouraging sing alongs and coordinating the guys singing, then the girls. Even I just called to say I love you (possibly the cheesiest song ever written) just worked, resulting in a huge sing along which would normally have had the most hardened cynic reaching for the vomit bucket.

Before the next song Stevie reached for his water bottle declaring that he had a magic drink that would make him sound like little Stevie again. After  taking a quick few gulps he turned back to the mic in a falsetto voice and sang fingertips. I think he got as much of a buzz out of this little move as the audience certainly did.

Then came Superstition. There are some songs that can completely change the atmosphere at a gig and even with a repertoire as large as Stevie’s, Superstition is still the one that does it for any audience. As soon as that bass line kicked in the whole arena went mental, nobody was left seated and it was a culmination of a wonderful evening.

If there was a down point of the evening it came at the end, Stevie left the stage to rapturous applause with the crowd fully expecting him to return. No encore happened and this left a bit of a feeling that he hadn’t received the true ovation that the crowd wanted to give him.

That said this was a truly special concert in the company of one of musics last living legends and I’m very proud to have been able to be there to see it.

Reviewer:  Jack

Tags: dublin, for once in my life, higher ground, Human Nature, I Just Called To Say I love You, Isnt She Lovely, jammin, living legends, master blaster, Michael Jackson, o2 arena, Paul McCartney, sir duke, stevie wonder, Superstition
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Review by RMF Forum user :  rockfan

Michael Franti & Spearhead announced in November last year that they would be opening for the 2010 John Mayer “Battle Studies Tour” in the spring. It was difficult to picture Mayer, known mostly for his colorful love life rather than his guitar compositions, and Franti, known for his fights against political, religious and racial wars, on the same stage.

Franti’s practicing what he preaches. He is closely involved with CARE, an organization trying to educate mainly women and girls in developing countries in quest against poverty. He travels all around the world on CARE missions. One of the last places he visited was East Timor.

A few years ago Michael Franti & Spearhead released their Yell Fire! album, inspired by Franti’s trip to the Middle East war zones including Israel, Baghdad, Iraq, and the Gaza Strip. 

But despite the mixed reactions after the announcement of the collaboration, Michael Franti was confident that his music is compatible with Mayer’s and that Michael Franti & Spearhead would connect to Mayer’s audience.

Franti, in whose veins flow all kinds of blood, is equally open to people of all ages, genders or races. And according to the positive reactions of fans after the first concerts of the Battle Studies Tour, he was right. The light, positive music blending hip hop with funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock, turned out to be a perfectly matching opening act for John Mayer’s “Battle Studies.”

Michael Franti & Spearhead gained mainstream recognition last year with the hit single “Say Hey (I Love You)” from their “All Rebel Rockers” album. “Say Hey (I Love You)” turned out to be a gold mine and became double platinum with more than 2 million sold copies sold.

“All Rebel Rockers” was recorded mainly in Jamaica. Franti finds inspiration not only in Jamaica but also in classical albums like Stevie Wonder’s Songs In the Key of Life. But what really makes their sound so unique is the live performance of the band. Something that draws Michael Franti to reggae are the vibes that the band creates when they play together.

Right now Michael Franti & Spearhead are working on their next album.

Tags: 2010, album, all rebel rockers, band, Battle Studies Tour, double platinum, folk, funk, hip-hop, i love you, jamaica, jazz, john mayer, michel franti, new album, platinum, political, poverty, reggae, review, RMF, rock, rockfan, say hey, songs in the key of life, Spearhead, stevie wonder, user, user review, Yell Fire
Posted in User reviews | | 2 Comments »