I experienced Seal live for the first time in my life. I am still reeling from it. He was fantastic. I attended a beautiful black tie event with my friend Avis at the Civic Opera House. The event was a fundraiser for the Ndigo Foundation. http://www.ndigo.com/ I felt like I was at church (at the best possible service) at a big assed party full of cool black folks and at the Civic Opera House – Bonus!!
The event honored several outstanding citizens: Xernona Clayton, founder, president & CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation (Lifetime Achievement Award);
Nick Cave, visual and performance artist and designer. His awesome “Sound Suits” were shown at the cultural Center last year. (N’Art);
Roger Ebert, Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and author I love him and he gave me a quote for my DVD and web site. (N’Movies);
Apostle Richard D. Henton, founder and pastor, Monument of Faith Evangelist Church. I love a preacher. (N’Faith Award);
Don Jackson, founder, chairman & CEO of Central City Productions Inc. (N’Media);
Art Norman, anchor and reporter, NBC 5 Chicago (N’Communications). N’digo Foundation also presented college scholarships to 15 outstanding students of African American Descent. we were all so proud.
I’d like to make a note here. One thing about African Americans: we cherish our achievers–especially the young. They are sacred cows to us. Oh to be young and full of promise…
The crowd was colorful and fun. Chris Gardner (author of The Pursuit of Happyness and whose life the film starring Will Smith was based) was a hilarious co emcee. Reverend Jesse Jackson was in attendance and yours trully of course!!
After the presentations and awards – which flew by – so upbeat and spirited – came SEAL. Goosebumps are appearing as I write this. He was amazing. There was no big production – just active lighting – small band and that voice…that fucking voice…He stood there like a life force and just sang and danced and talked right to us. We rushed the stage (at his beckoning) and were eventually herded back to our seats (this was the Civic Opera House afterall and a huge majority of the audience was seated)
He said to us: “I know that some of us are ready to dance and party but we must be respectful.” Suave!
Of course, I and many others were squirming in our seats. I had the feeling that his presentation may have been a bit rocked out for initial tastes (older crowd) but Brotha man just won us all. By the end everyone was on their feet and we – the rabble – ran back to our stagefront position! He was so pure in voice and kind in spirit and so masterful – with not an inch of pretense – no flash, no dancers or even back up singers and sexy as hell. He did this little dance thang all night that had all of us chicks going: “un un un” Plus he put on a little weight so you know I was feeling me some Seal that night! Lordy!!
www.seal.com
Of course I was familiar with his music, but did not own one single cd. Today I immediately went to I-tunes and downloaded his “Best 1991-2004”
P.S. He reached out to the audience with his hand but the orchestra pit put some distance between the crowd and the stage’s edge and made it difficult for him to touch our hands…BUT DIVAJORDAN stretched out her arm and extended my hand and touched his hand….SCREAM!!! I bow before Seal. Seventy five minutes of pure joy!!
