Concert Review: Teedra Moses

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    Teedra Moses
    SOB's, New York
    September 25th, 2008

    Teedra Moses
    SOB's, New York
    September 25th, 2008

    teedraSOB's was full of extremely patient and true diehard fans on this rainy and windy Thursday night in New York City.  Mother Nature was surely having her way with everyone.  With blustering winds, dampness and cold rain - everyone really needed a pick me up.  Only the sweet melodic voice of Miss Teedra Moses would overcome the funk in the air.  But Mother Nature was not having it and unfortunately her dismay with us mere mortals delayed Teedra for close to 3 hours.  Teedra's band The Symphony entertained the crowd with a few instrumentals  - "Rescue Me" by their lead singer and "Say Yes" by Floetry were a couple of the sultry tracks chosen.  After their stint, each time it was announced that Teedra was on her way in 20 minutes, the MC was addressed with jeers and snickers leaving everyone wondering if there would actually be a show.  Finally, a petite frame flew on stage, said a few choice words about the airline she dealt with and it was on with the show.  Anyone who knows Teedra Moses knows well that she is as real as an artist gets.  No bravado, no gimmicks, just Teedra.  She said it herself, "SOB's knows I'm no diva bitch, let's get this started..."  And it was on, just like that.

    With a drink in hand graciously purchased by an audience member, it was evident Teedra Moses came out to perform and have fun.  Opening her set with "Complex Simplicity" was quite fitting.  It is a classic song that plays on the juxtaposition of the perception of life from her eyes and others.  Tonight, everyone was in Teedra's world, absolutely forgetting the elements outside and her tardiness. She also debuted two new songs from the anticipated album "The Young Lioness."  "So Cool" is a rock soul ditty while "I Remember" can surely become a summertime BBQ classic in its own right.  Nonetheless, the highlight of her performance was her medley.  After "If I Were Your Girl," Teedra segued into "Juicy Fruit" and into a segment that had everyone wanting and yearning for the extended 12" version.  From "What A Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy to "If I Ruled The World" by Nas and Lauryn Hill, the medley was unexpected yet fit into the soiree as comfortably as one of her tracks from Complex Simplicity.

    Ending the evening with "No More Tears," "Take Me," "Caught Up" and "Tell Her" was a thrill, yet when Teedra flew off the stage saying goodnight, everyone was a tad dumbfounded. Was that all?  A mere 70 minute show?  She did come back for an encore to sing everyone's favorite "Backstroke" and then, again, wished everyone a good night.  A couple more new tracks interjected into the evening would have perhaps balanced the night out.  Or even a few more medleys would have sufficed - the time was just too short.  Yet even so, on Thursday night, Teedra Moses came, saw and conquered.

    By Ann Marie Collymore
    http://www.soulafrodisiac.blogspot.com/