Recap :: The Roots LIVE at The Fillmore

I originally published this blog post for my Music Monday on The Radiogirl Blog.



Recap :: The Roots LIVE at The Fillmore

My return home from Cairo has been pleasant. But so far the highlight has been seeing The Roots perform at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD.

 The Roots perform at The Fillmore on Fri., Dec. 30, 2011. Taken by Kim Fox.

The Roots are my favorite band. They're a true reflection of what music is and should be. They're true musicians and know music.

They did "Proceed (1995)" and at the bridge then threw in some go-go music. It was crazy cool. The Roots guitarist Capn Kirk continues to be a beast and rocked out the scene on Friday. Of course Questlove and Black Thought, probably the most well known members of The Roots, did their thing; they strong represent their artforms - percussion and lyrics respectively. Bilal was in the house and so was Dice Raw.

Capn Kirk (standing on the drums) goes toe-to-toe w/drummer Questlove. Taken by Kim Fox. 2011.

They did some of their old joints like "You Got Me (1999)," "The Seed (2002)" (for the encore); they threw in some Kool and the Gang, some blues and some rock; they just put it down.

The Roots drummer Questlove gets the spotlight to show off a little bit. Taken by Kim Fox. 2011.

We went up for the drum stick toss from Questlove at the end of the show. I wasn't hopeful because we weren't quite close enough. You see, I've been to numerous Roots shows and I've never been fortunate enough to catch the coveted Questlove signed drum stick. However, my friend has a virtual collection of signed drum sticks from Questlove. Point is, the drum toss went quick and we both came out empty handed. But it's all good because The Roots show did not disappoint.

John Legend & The Roots "Unstaged"

John Legend and The Roots have really been pushing their latest project "Wake Up Everybody". It officially dropped earlier this week. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. So if you've heard it, do share your thoughts.

This "Unstaged" concert is reaching for big things. They've pulled in Spike Lee to direct. And they've nabbed a high profile brand for sponsorship. I will definitely be checking this out if only to see if it's worth all the hype. I'll get back to you on that one.

Hip hoppers, you too will have a high profile one day. kfox.

The Roots in D.C.

It's another sad chapter. That chapter being me in the same city where The Roots are performing and me NOT going to the show. It's happened three times now (see previous 'The Roots' posts for deets). Enough already.

The most recent edition was in D.C., December 2009. The Roots were there for not one, but two shows: on Tuesday, December 29th and Wednesday, 30th. My sister gave me a heads up several days in advance, maybe more than that, but she thought the ticket price was high at $45 (plus service fees). I was on the fence. I had planned to be in D.C. to bring in twenty-ten, but my funds were a bit low at the time. Then on Monday, my boy from D.C. called. He knew I'd be in town and wanted to know if I wanted to go see The Roots. I balked at the ticket prices. He seemed indecisive too. He mentioned that the December 30th show had already sold out (though I initially thought he said it was cancelled because it had not sold out).

On Tuesday as I was headed to D.C., I got antsy. I began to think: 'Yes, I do want to go to see The Roots!' This is the one group that I can see over and over and over again and never tire of seeing them perform. Well, seeing them in D.C. did not happen for me. The closest I got was this money shot (see above) from in front of the 930 Club. Good looking tour bus, right?

I thought I could roll up to the venue and snap up some tix and be on my way. Right. It did not go down like that. My boy did end up going though. He's obviously got some connections in the Chocolate City. To add insult to injury, he also walked away w/'another' drum stick from Questlove.

Enough of my whining. Lucky me and you ... The Roots have some pics and commentary about the D.C. shows posted on Okayplayer.

So get to gettin hip hoppers. The moral to this story is that when The Roots come to town, get the ticket and balk at the price later. kfox.

The Roots :: Live in Cleveland

The Roots performed in Cleveland on Tuesday, June 30th at the House of Blues. I had a chance to see the show, but just barely.

Although, the ticket prices were reasonable, I did not buy any tickets. But when I arrived at the venue at about 7:15 p.m., I found out that The Roots would not hit the stage until after 9 p.m.

Well, I called the one and only, party promoter extraordinaire Arnold Hines who told me to sit tight for a minute and he would see what he could do.

I went over to a coffee house on Fourth Street and I was sitting in the window talking on the phone and a guy in a white tee walks by. I nearly drop the phone, but I am a bit shocked because I realize that it is Black Thought from The Roots. He's just walking by like everyone else. So I was thinking I should go and say hi, but I don't really want to bother him and cause a scene, then I say what the heck, but by the time I get out the door, he's disappeared. I hate when that happens.

Thankfully, Arnold came through w/a ticket for me to the show. Otherwise, that would have been it for me - a Black Thought spotting.

So, once I get in the venue, I take it easy and hang out in the corner and wait for the show to start. Part of the venue is standing room only - on the floor. On the upper level, there are some seats. I'm on the second level, and once the show is about to begin. I make my way to a spot where I can at least see something. Just as I am about to nuzzle my way through a few folks, Arnold shows up again and says 'follow me'. I ask no questions, but he is good peeps and he would never mislead me.

And off we go to a private seating area, uh, the lodge. Love that. Great view. There are chairs, but I don't need no stinking chair. I had planned to be on my feet for the entire show. I immediately began to take pics because I was in the balcony, but w/an unobstructed view.

But low and behold, Arnold comes to the lodge and tells me and his other friends that someone just purchased the lodge and we have to bounce. I hate when that happens. Who the heck buys a lodge 45 minutes into the show? Never mind that.

I head back to the upper level, because the SRO section is crazy. Good energy, but I really don't want to be all up on folks like that. Not on this night.

After briefly talking to some friends, Arnold comes back and says 'What happened to you? We got another lodge on the other side.' And off I go to see The Roots from a different vantage point - the opposite of where I'd been. Love that.

The entire band was there including the Sousaphonist. They did alot of popular stuff: "The Seed" w/Capn Kirk doing vocals, a track from "Game Theory". They also did "You Got Me' and that went over very well. I'll give the show an A, but I am super biased. It's been a couple of years since I've seen them perform live.

One final note, after most shows, Questlove will sign his drumsticks and then toss them out to the crowd. I get all geeked because I'm in a sparsely populated lodge in the balcony. This could be the night that I actually come away w/a signed drumstick. When Questo turns to my side of the venue, I throw my hands up and then do the ole 'me-to-you' gesture w/my hands. He seems to notice and tosses the drumstick my way. It goes a bit high and over my head. Much to my dismay, a crowd has gathered behind me. But have no fear, I have on jeans and I dive to the concrete floor ... alas, I do not come up w/the elusive drumstick.

Well enough about my antics hip hoppers ... what have you been up to? kfox.

Check out my archives on The Roots.
Oh, and here's my review of the night I got a double dose of The Roots.

The Roots Summer Tour Schedule 2009

So I am trying to keep up w/The Roots. I need to get in where I fit in. Only problem is that on Ticketmaster, I see a Roots performance at the House of Blues in Cleveland on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, but that's not what's on the sked that is below. Will check and provide clarity as soon as I can:


The Roots Summer Tour Schedule 2009 (from the Okayplayer Forum)

** PLEASE NOTE: All events listed as "The Roots Jam Session" are not full Roots shows. They are Jam Sessions featuring various members of The Roots and a slew of special guests.***


Tuesday 5/26/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday 5/30/09 San Francisco Roots perform at Davies Symphony Hall as part of SF Jazz Spring Festival

Tuesday 6/2/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday 6/6/09 PHILLY ROOTS PICNIC


Wednesday 6/10/09 Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday 6/13/09 LONDON ROOTS perform at Meltdown Festival at Royal Festival Hall w/ Ornette Coleman

Tuesday 6/16/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Tuesday 6/23/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday 6/27/09 Chicago Roots perform at Rock The Bells @ First Midwest Bank Ampitheater

Sunday 6/28/09 Detroit Roots perform at Rock The Bells @ DTE Energy Ampitheater

Tuesday 6/30/09 Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Thursday 7/2/09 Minneapolis Roots perform at First Avenue

Friday 7/3/09 Milwaukee Roots perform at Milwaukee Summerfest


Sunday 7/5/09 Burlington, VT Roots perform at Festival at Burlington Waterfront Park

Tuesday 7/7/09 Las Vegas Roots perform at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Outdoor Pool

Sunday 7/12/09 Baltimore / DC Roots perform at Rock The Bells @ Merriweather Post

Tuesday 7/14/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday 7/18/09 Boston, MA Roots perform at Rock The Bells @ Comcast Center

Sunday 7/19/09 New York, NY Roots perform at Rock The Bells @ Jones Ampitheater

Tuesday 7/21/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Tuesday 7/28/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday 8/1/09 Montreal, CAN Roots perform @ Osheaga Music Festival

Sunday 8/2/09 Grand Bend Ontario Roots perform @ Cutting Edge MusicFestival

Tuesday 8/4/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday 8/8/09 Los Angeles, CA Roots perform at Rock The Bells @ Glen Helen Ampitheater

Sunday 8/9/09 San Francisco, CA Roots perform at Rock The Bells @ Shoreline Ampitheater

Monday 8/10/09 NYC Roots Jam session @ Highline Ballroom



** For tix to The Roots Jam Sessions @ The Highline Ballroom, ($10 ADV/ $12 Doors), visit http://www.ticketweb.com or call 866.468.7619

And now you are up to day hip hoppers ... kfox
**image borrowed from Netmix

Where's the Hip Hop in Cleveland? v.2

I know that there some bigger cities and hotter hip hop communities, but Cleveland is doin their thing on the hip hop scene as well.

There's a bit to pick through ... cause I know you're watchin how you're spendin that cheese!

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Black Sheep~
On Friday, April 3, 2009
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~I am Hip Hop~
On Friday, April 3, 2009
@ Anatomy Lounge
1299 W. 9th Street in the Warehouse District
Doors open @ 10 p.m.
For more info, call 216.363.1113

~Rock Hall Induction Ceremony 2009~
On Saturday, April 4, 2009
@ Music Hall Cleveland
@ E. 6th & St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland
@ 7 p.m.
F/Bobby Womack, Run DMC and Little Anthony & the Imperials
For more info, call 216.781.ROCK
**as a part of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Induction Week 2009

~A Tribute to Run DMC and Old School Hip Hop~
On Saturday, April 4, 2009
@ Touch
2710 Lorain Avenue
Beginning @ 10 p.m.
F/djs Steph Floss, K-Nyce and Majette ... call 216.631.5200

~RAP PERFORMANCE w/Chip tha Ripper~
On Saturday, April 11, 2009
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~Sam Sylk Middleschool Jam~
On Sunday, April 12, 2009
@ the House of Blues
308 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland
@ 7 p.m
Tix begin @ $12.50 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE w/Diplo~
On Saturday, April 18, 2009
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE w/Dr. Dooom vs. Dr. Octagon; plus DJ Kutmasta Kurt and Muamin Collective~
On Sunday, April 19, 2009
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $13 in adv; $15 the day of the show ... call 216.241.5555

~Jazz Meets Hip Hop Part 7~
On Saturday, May 2, 2009
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Avenue
@ 10 p.m.
Tix begin @ $25 ... call 216.241.6000 or 216.383.1124
**as a part of the Tri-C JazzFest

That last event is the one to be at though I can't make it. I need yall to rep for me ... kfox

K'naan's Goin on the Road!

This is hot. For real. This info almost slipped by me. I knew that Matisyahu was touring, but I did not know that K'naan was on the bill.

If you are not down, here's your chance to be down. Either act is awesome alone, but together ... ? And for $23.50. Whuuuuudd? Oh, that's the ticket price for the December 14th show in Cleveland @ the House of Blues. Folks in southern Ohio can get in on the hipness too - that would be on December 11th @ Bogart's. You can see the tour sked on K'naan's MySpace page and sample some of his music while you are there.

There's a track called "ABCs" w/Chubb Rock and you can tell it's Chubb Rock because of that hype-ass tempo. K'naan has a new disk that will drop in the new year, "Troubadour" and "ABCs" is the first single.

So check out the mp3 of "If Rap Gets Jealous". And don't forget to view the vid for "Soobax"; it's another uptempo jam w/lots of rhythm.



That's all for now hip hoppers; it's a lot to digest ... kfox

A Review of The Roots on Tour

So I've been a bit quite on The Roots lately. No good reason. I still troll around on Okayplayer (and you should too). But my fav band is on the road and not coming to a city near me. I am in no way surly about that, but I will want to see them perform live in the very near future.

Meanwhile, someone let them loose in NYC and they did what they do. Check out the article in the New York Times:
A Hip-Hop Performance Only a Band Can Deliver

Love that.

Anyway, the guys are out there w/Gym Class Heroes and Estelle. You know if they are in your hood, you better peep them. For real hip hoppers, for real. kfox.

Rhyme Calisthenics @ Shadow Lounge

So I missed MURS in both Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Major scheduling issues. But good news for me since I learned that there would be a nice little hip hop show in Pittsburgh yesterday night. And at the infamous Shadow Lounge, no doubt.

I read about this in the City Paper. The show was billed as The Embedded Music Showcase. I was all geeked to see Loer Velocity, who I've raved about in the past. Others on the bill were Junk Science, Bisc1 and Iller Than Theirs. This was all in conjunction w/Rhyme Calisthenics. Cool, right? And all for the cool price of $7.

Well, seeing a hip hop show must not be meant to be for me. You know the show was scheduled to begin @ 9 p.m. and I had initially decided to be there promptly. Because there were so many folks on the bill, I thought that they would actually start on time. Then I decided against that move and milled around until about 10 p.m. I even called my mom when I arrived @ the venue. Though she sort of discouraged me from attending a hip hop show so late on a weeknight. I think she really wanted to come along ...

At any rate, the show had not started when I arrived. Which was cool because I could check out some reggae music next door. But the show soon got underway and it was nice. Gene Stovall performed first. I like Gene. He sings, beat boxes and rhymes over some beats; sometimes not w/beats. I first got wind of this guy from Paulie Rhyme of Finless Brown - though I think they are under a different name these days and out west too. But Paulie sent me some cds at one time and Stovall's was one of them. Very cool. Stovall's got a rendition of "The Humpty Dance" that is killer.

There was some other guys too: Stretch and Ground Flow. Nice.

So the bad news is that most of the Embedded Music crew got stuck in traffic behind some crazy accident and did not make the event. That would include Loer Velocity. My loss, huh? But Bisc1 and dj Snafu held it down. I was up and outta there @ about midnight. Which is just about my style.

Catch yourself a show hip hoppers and tell me all about it. kfox.

The No Title Post

So I'm missing the Atmosphere show tonight in the 'Burgh. And there is a 75% chance that I will will MURS this weekend in both Cleveland AND Pittsburgh. Sucks to be me.

But what makes me happy is a little old school hip hop. I've been trolling around the interweb - as I'm sure you do as well. I've heard of Blip.tv, but I went there w/a different purpose this time. I might do some podcasts here in the future. I need all free services to make this thing work - at least to start. I also need to know what can I bring to that platform that others are not bringing especially since you all have such short attention spans.

Point is while trolling around Blip, I found this little hip hop podcast. It's not anything grand just some old school and it's about 8 minutes.

Click To Play

I see you hip hoppers, I see you ... kfox

I'm Goin to See MURS! For Real ...

Okay, so it's been a minute since I've been to a hip hop show. No good reason. It used to be that I'd say "I don't have anyone to go with". But I had to get over that. Even if I manage to drag someone out, they may get antsy and want to break out before I'm ready to call it a night. That can create some tension; I'd rather just go it alone and do what I do, right?

So, I'm really and seriously considering checking out MURS in Cleveland in a couple of weeks:

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/MURS~
On Friday, October 24, 2008
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Road
Doors open @ 8:30 p.m.; showtime @ 9 p.m.
Tix are $12 ... call 216.241.5555

I mean, it works for my sked, the price is right and it's MURS! Whhhuuuuddd.

I'm also considering checkin out Atmosphere (though not the Clev show; the Pittsburgh show might work better for me). I just love the title of his latest: "When Life Gives You Lemons, Paint That Shit Gold". That's positive thinking for yo ass.

I know what you're thinkin ... if I have not been to a show in a bit, then maybe I should take it easy instead of trying to take in two shows in one week - I think the Pittsburgh show is on a Monday, oh and Blueprint is on the bill too, and then the MURS show is on that Friday. Well, don't you worry your lil hip hop head too much because your girl will strike the right balance - I always do.

Stay alert for any post show reviews ... and I hope to check out the VH1 Hip Hop Honors @ some point this wknd - I'm tryin to keep up w/you- hip hoppers, kfox.

Where's the Hip Hop in Cleveland?

I know that not everyone is into hip hop. I dig that. But sometimes, I just want folks to give it a chance. Other times, I really want it to be my nicely kept little secret so that when I want tix to that show, the tix are easier to get. Also, so that when I get to the venue, I don't have to push and shove through droves of young people (i.e. my students) just to enjoy a show.

But that's just me. It's also just me to put you on to what you have been missing, actually in this case here are some events that you don't want to miss. I am personally recommending the Murs show, Atmosphere too. Oh, and Little Brother will be right up your alley. And don't you dare miss the Ohio Hip Hop Awards. I'm writing this post because all of these shows will be awesome and the price is, well, priceless. You could see 12 of these shows at the cost of one Tina Turner show ... I just thought I'd point that out.

~The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards Official Pre-Party~
On Friday, September 19, 2008
@ Metropolis Nightclub
2325 Elm Street (on the west bank of the Flats)
Doors open @ 9 p.m.
For more info, call 216.659.4780

~The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards Show - A Black Tie, Red Carpet Affair~
On Saturday, September 20, 2008
@ the Cleveland Convention Center Music Hall
1301 E. 6th Street in downtown Cleveland
Red Carpet entrance starts @ 4 p.m.; show begins exactly @ 6 p.m.
Hosted by Z107.9'S Sam Sylk ... For more info, call 216.659.4780

~The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards Official After Party~
On Saturday, September 20, 2008
@ Club Cyrus
2000 Sycamore Street (on the west bank of the Flats)
Doors open @ 9 p.m.
For more info, call 216.659.4780

~PERFORMANCE w/Everlast~
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 7 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE f/Santogold and others~
On Thursday, September 25, 2008
@ the House of Blues
308 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland
Beginning @ 7 p.m.
Tix are $19.50 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE w/Cappadonna~
On Friday, October 3, 2008
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 7 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~ALBUM RELEASE PARTY f/Kev Blaze, Aubrey Cardilino, and All These Kings~
On Saturday, October 4, 2008
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 8 p.m.
Admission is $8 ... call 216.321.5588

~PERFORMANCE w/Lupe Fiasco~
On Tuesday, October 7, 2008
@ Kent State Auditorium
108 Macc in Kent
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $20 ... call 216.241.5555

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Cunninlynguists~
On Saturday, October 11, 2008
@ the Dionysus Club
135 W. Lorain Street in Oberlin
For more info, call 440.775.8471

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Little Brother~
On Friday, October 17, 2008
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 10 p.m.
Tix are $14 ... call 216.321.5588

~PERFORMANCE w/Wiz Khalifa~
On Saturday, October 18, 2008
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 7 p.m.
Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Atmosphere: "Paint The Nation Tour"~
On Tuesday, October 21, 2008
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Road
Doors open @ 8 p.m.; showtime @ 9 p.m.
Tix are $20 ... call 216.241.5555

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Murs~
On Friday, October 24, 2008
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Road
Doors open @ 8:30 p.m.; showtime @ 9 p.m.
Tix are $12 ... call 216.241.5555

I also publish a CleveEvents, weekly events list of things going on in Clev ... check it out hip hoppers!

My passion for The Roots ...

... continues to grow. I saw them perform LIVE in Cleveland on Thursday, March 15. What an energetic show! They are such an incredibly talented band. ?uestlove was a beast on the drums; Capt Kirk rips the guitar and he just brings fire to the stage; Black Thought was looking scrumptious in his rock star suede jacket; the whole crew was on point ... they even had a four-piece brass band complete w/a sousaphone!

They performed "You Got Me" in their true LIVE performance style-they stretch it out and Kirk lays down this thunderous and sexy solo ... ooooooh. For this show there was also a James Brown tribute. It was nice; I liked the funky soul train line as the band was introduced, but then ... it was over. I mean, I was completely wound up and aching for more and it was a wrap.

Lest I forget that when a Roots show is done, guess what happens? The concert-goers go home ... true, but before that, the band's infamous drummer signs the drum sticks and tosses them out to the audience. Damn, I'd forgotten because I had really hoped they would do an encore. At any rate, I am still w/o a signed drum stick from ?uesto. The good thing is I know that my fate is not doomed; no it is not.

There is one tidbit: as I was talking to a friend when the show was over, Kamal, The Roots keyboardist, walks by and I sort of tap him and say "hey, good show; I drove two hours to see this show AND I am your biggest fan!" (though I know that I am not their biggest fan). He nodded and shook my hand ... and kept it movin.

I am waiting for my friend Pam to email me some pix from last night. There was a bevy of cameras: cellphone, digital, video ... I figure why should I take pix when someone w/a really good camera can just share their goods w/me ... ?

So, you already know that The Roots are my fav band. But what you did not know is that I have seen them perform LIVE four times in the past eight months - AND ALL FOR FREE! Oh, and all in Cleveland. That is pretty awesome.

Square Roots ... here is how it all went down

Well hip hoppers ... it went down and I was there to witness it. The Roots, indeed, performed for not one, but two LIVE shows in Cleveland on Saturday, September 30, 2006. It was one of those rare evenings and your girl was there to witness it all - with comp tix for both shows, no doubt.

I'll have to give you the details in snippets because I am short on time.

FIRST SHOW
@ Case Western Reserve University's (CRWU) Adelbert Gym
@ 7:30 p.m.

SECOND SHOW
@ the Mirage on the Water (Cleveland's premier niteclub for the crunk crew; i.e. not me)
Doors opened @ 10 p.m.
**this show was sponsored by Tanqueray and they bought the club out for the evening; complimentary beverages were flowing

So here is how it all went down - FIRST SHOW:

• arrive in Clev around 6:30 p.m. (after toiling around Akron w/the fam)
• it's raining, but there's a parking lot right across from the concert venue (can I call it a venue, when it is truly - a gym...?)
• My Roots groupie friend was running just a bit late, but no prob
• He arrives ready to get his party on ... we get carded @ the door and are told we do not look nearly as old as we are ... huh?
• The Case kids are lumbering around while the opening act - Scratch Track gets down; I like that group which includes an acoustic guitarist and a beat boxin-singin-and rhymin front man (it may sound lame, but it really was on point); Scratch Track does a full set; about an hour
• The Roots take the stage @ about 8:30 p.m. with Black Thought coming on strong with "Web" from "The Tipping Point" cd. Then they came with "Here I Come" (I can't recall the exact order; that's what I get for leaving my reporter's notebook in the car)
• They go on to perform "Star," "Don't Feel Right," "In the Music," "Long Time," "The Seed," "You Got Me," "The Next Movement" and several others.
• The highlight of the night for me was the Capt Kirk solo during "You Got Me." And after seeing him perform that twice in one night, I concluded that he is one of the best musicians living today - that is a lofty statement, but he is above the shiznit. Not to mention that it was his birthday. He plays the guitar so intimately and with such passion and vigor. Now, I've seen him perform this before and he is consistently intense and visually and aurally expressive. dayum.
• When the show was over after a encore of classics and popular tunes, I was physically exhausted, but no time to rest, I needed to make an attempt to get one of those much coveted drum sticks that ?uestlove tosses out after their sets.
• The short story on the drum stick scenario is that I did not get one, not even close. Those college kids really showed The Roots some love and they deserve to take home a prize. Besides, I had another show to catch, right...?

So here is how it all went down - SECOND SHOW:

• Arrive @ the second concert venue/club around 10:45 p.m.
• Not much of a line, but I'd been in touch with others who were already there and they assured me that it was all good; parking was even easy to find
• After being told that I am NOT VIP (are you kidding me? I am sooooo VIP that I can't talk to the girl who was merely hired by the hour for this function ... yeah ... I maintained my confidence and sashayed into the club (that is not arrogance, that is just 'what is w/the VIP b.s. ...?'; who care? What, they get a Tanqueray lanyard, a photo and more free drinks ...?)
• There are not a lot of folks @ the club yet, but the stage was set and I confirmed in my head that it was true - I'd get the rare opportunity to see my fav band perform LIVE in a city that doesn't get a good look too often.
• I mingled with friends while djs Mick Boogie and Terry Urban tried to get the crowd to get hyped (the crowd did eventually warm up)
• Meanwhile, I began to get a bit sick; I had not eaten, but had a nice dose of caffeine; lil ole me thought that there'd be food, but I guess that goes hand in hand with me thinking I was VIP, huh? With no grub, I had to make several trips to the restroom to get my composure; I even turned in my free drink ticket for a glass of gingerale
• Funny thing is when The Roots hit the stage @ about 12:30 a.m. I was very near the front of the stage and hyped as hell! It was back to party mode - HARD.
• The Roots were just as energetic as they had been two hours ago across town; Black Thought came out again with "Web"; that is one hella way to get things goin because he delivers the lyrics for what seems like five minutes w/o taking a breath; then the other guys take the stage and it is on!
• They perform a similar set w/songs from "Game Theory," "Phrenology," "The Tipping Point" and "Things Fall Apart" along with some others
• I think the crowd got it, though The Roots LIVE is not about performing tracks as they are on disk (I think a lot of concert goers are disappointed to hear live versions of songs for that reason).
• I was so close to the band that I felt a rush; I must admit, I did feel like a true groupie, but I don't want to embrace that title - not yet
• So the show is over and I'm geeked because there is a 99.9% chance that I will come away this evening with a drum stick from ?uestlove. The crowd immediately began to disperse not knowing the old ritual and I sauntered to the front of the stage while looking for my boy. As I had my back to the stage, I got hit in the head with a towel from who knows who, but I took it and went for the big prize; I stood there for a few minutes before watching ?uesto make his exit stage left - what? You've got to be kidding ...? No f-in drum sticks for the club crowd? Oh, this is a travesty! I am positioned to be 'handed' a drum stick and what happens ... the show is over and said drum stick giver is gone. I stand there appalled for a while telling my friends over and over how wrong this is ... and oh, how wrong it is!
• I was otherwise hungry and tired and obviously agitated and what I could not do was stay in the club whose demographic had changed exponentially while I was busy sulking. No longer were the stylish and chic in attendance, but a more, let's say, casual and crimpin type had infiltrated the scene - I won't elaborate. It was time to go.

This is a lengthy post and there is so much missing:

• ?uestlove's and Knuckles drum and percussion solo @ CWRU
• ?uestlove's dj gig @ B-sides on Friday evening
• Paying to pee
• Why college kids are soooo damn rude
• and when will I see The Roots perform again

I am out ... need some much needed rest. But you, you keep your eyes open hip hoppers ... kfox