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Maxwell rushed onto the Orpheum stage wearing a tuxedo and undone bow tie, as though he'd just left a 1950s cocktail party. Welcomed by a roaring standing ovation from the crowd, the R&B sensation launched into his 2001 classic "Get to Know Ya."
Maxwell, born Maxwell Rivera, is a multiplatinum neo-soul artist who debuted in 1996 then drifted away from the music scene at the height of his success in 2002. His Black Summer's Night tour, which stopped in Memphis Tuesday night, is his first major tour in years and a precursor to his upcoming 2009 trilogy of the same name. The show full of love songs was a glorious re-introduction to the man who is hard to forget.
Fans sang every note as the tenor with the signature falsetto rolled through back-to-back-to-back hits "NoOne," "Lifetime" and his calling card "This Woman's Work." There were no costume changes, no set changes; just 90 minutes of showmanship.
The set was like a throwback jazz cafe. The band, which included hometown saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III, wore dapper tuxes, bow ties and handkerchiefs. The lone female background singer, LaTina Webb, seems destined for a successful solo career one day. She channeled her inner Billie Holiday in a pale floor-length gown, a fingerwaves hairstyle and long satin gloves. Amidst the cool elegance Maxwell still found a way to turn up the heat.
As he sang, he caressed the microphone stand like it was beautiful woman.
"This is the portion of the show where all the women report to the stage and throw their panties," he teased before he launched into " 'Til The Cops Come Knockin'."
One shameless fan took the joke literally and had to be escorted away from the stage - twice.
Maxwell's lure is undeniable.
Swagger personified, the 35-year-old Brooklyn native could pass for Barack Obama's baby brother. Like Barack, he can pack a venue. In the midst of a recession, some-2,200 fans doled out $50 to $140 dollars for the sold out show.
Antoinette Harper and Denise Morris, however, lucked into free tickets courtesy of the singer himself. A sales associate for the Nike employee outlet store on Shelby Drive, Harper assisted the "down to Earth" superstar when he and his entourage went on a shopping spree Tuesday afternoon. Maxwell is a fan of Jordan sneakers, said Harper.
Morris was off work taking care of her ill 4-year-old son at the time, but was surprised with a call from Maxwell.
"He said, "I'm sorry your son is sick,'" said Morris who was still beaming Tuesday night. "He was super nice."
