Olympia De Montreal
July 4, 2016
By Ann Marie Collymore
Note: This concert was not a part of the Montreal Jazz Festival, but it definitely was a bonus since I am here covering Jazz Fest shows! Check out our coverage here.
It’s been 7 long years since Maxwell has passed through Montreal. We’re well aware of his career vanishing acts, however, the end result of each musical drought is always worth the wait. Presently on his Summer’s Tour 2016 for his recent blackSUMMERS’night release, Maxwell is touching down in cities to reacquaint himself with fans and let everyone know that he has returned -- and he’s determined to have a grand old time.
Olympia De Montreal
July 4, 2016
By Ann Marie Collymore
Note: This concert was not a part of the Montreal Jazz Festival, but it definitely was a bonus since I am here covering Jazz Fest shows! Check out our coverage here.
It’s been 7 long years since Maxwell has passed through Montreal. We’re well aware of his career vanishing acts, however, the end result of each musical drought is always worth the wait. Presently on his Summer’s Tour 2016 for his recent blackSUMMERS’night release, Maxwell is touching down in cities to reacquaint himself with fans and let everyone know that he has returned -- and he’s determined to have a grand old time.
There’s a lot to be said about an artist who unconditionally surrenders himself to his fans. Appreciative. Humble. Modest. All words that can be used to describe Maxwell on stage. His statuesque presence makes it difficult to even glance away from the stage for a minute, and his artistry oozes from his dapper, well-tailored suit. Before he strutted out, the show began with the “Urban Theme” accompanied by a stellar display of colors, sexy silhouettes and images of Maxwell then and now.
Horns were blasting and cymbals crashed as Maxwell took his time and went through favorites “Dance With Me,” “NoOne,” and “Bad Habits.” He touched a couple of new songs, crooning “Lost” and “Lake by the Ocean,” the latter infused with a little Caribbean influence. But the noted highlight of the night was his rendition of “A Woman’s Work.” As the screen projected sheet lyrics from the song, and Kate Bush sang along; the crowd was enthralled. The falsetto that we all know, love and miss, never missed a beat from start to finish. The audience ended the performance with a rousing and deafening applause that visually took Maxwell aback. He thanked the audience as he blushed and warmly received the well-deserved accolades. The audience response was heartfelt and genuine, and they were ready for more.
Maxwell’s French is a little rough around the edges, and he was afraid that the French wouldn’t embrace him. That was such a huge miscalculation on his end, because The Olympia was packed from stage to back door. More favorites came our way via “Sumthin Sumthin,” “Get To Know Ya,” and “Fortunate.” It was a bona fide party. The night wouldn’t be complete if we weren’t taken to church (let the church say ‘amen’), and indulged in a little instrumental bliss with his band on “Ascension” and “Pretty Wings”.
Suffice it to say, Maxwell is our male counterpart to Sade. When they disappear into the night, we know they’re in the lab creating, writing, living life and conjuring up some type of spell for the masses. Let’s just hope the next foray will not be as long of a wait. Judging by this show, he has certainly been missed.