The
Roots turnout a lively concert
By Monica Levette Clark
On-line Forty-Niner
MCA
hip-hop recording artists, The Roots, performed
in front of a sold out audience at the House
of Blues in Anaheim.
Members The Roots crowd worked into a frenzy,
pumping their fists and bobbing their heads
as the lights came up on stage, illuminating
the hip-hop, jazz band. The band consists
of vocalist and front man Black Thought
(Tariq Trotter); drummer Questlove (Ahmir
Thompson); bassist Hub (Leonard Hubbard);
and keyboardist Kamal, The Roots performed
a two-hour long show to an energetically
mixed audience.
Included in the band’s set were popular
songs from past albums, such as hits like
“Adrenaline,” “Double Trouble,” “The Next
Movement” from the band’s last album, “Things
Fall Apart,” which reached multi-platinum
status, and “Proceed” and “Silent Treatment”
from the album “Do You Want More?!!!??!”
In between songs, front man Black Thought
led the audience into the African tradition
of call and response, where he began a phrase
and commanded the crowd to finish it. Drummer
Questlove stole the show during his solo,
improvised jam session that followed a brilliant
live version of the hit single “You Got
Me.”
Another magical moment was when Scratch,
a beat boxer whom Black Thought called the
human turn table, took the spotlight, he
belted out melodies, bass lines and hooks
of familiar songs using only his mouth.
Near the show’s end, the band broke away
from performing its current hits to cover
popular songs from the past, including Salt
n Pepa;s “Push It,” Rick James’ “Super Freak”
and Mobb Deep’s “Quiet Storm,” among others.
The show concluded as Black Thought introduced
members of the band, giving them a chance
to briefly display their musical talents
for the crowd. This climactic ending featured
solos from guitarist, Lenny; bassist, Hub;
and keyboardist Kamal.
Finishing off the show, the band invited
singer Cody Chestnutt on stage to perform
his new song, “Rock the Boat.”
Everyone cheered and chanted as the band
thanked the audience and exited the stage,
touching several hands that waved in the
air.
The Roots live shows have been regarded
as being among the best in the music business,
and the response from the audience that
attended the House of Blues show Friday
night no doubt confirmed that praise.
Coming this fall, the band is expected to
release their sixth album, titled “Phrenology.”
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