Sade graced the stage at the IZOD Center in New Jersey super cool and relaxed. Her deep, raspy voice permeated the arena as she thanked the audience for a boisterous welcome. "You love is king," she said, as she smoothly transitioned into her 1984 smash hit off her debut album, Diamond Life.
Sade holds a very special place in my heart because I was raised off of her music. My mom was and is still a huge fan. Her music is pleasantly embossed into my memory. Sade live is exactly like her music: relaxed and low-key. Seriously, this was one of the most relaxing concerts I have been to in my life. She played what seemed like a zillion hit songs with her band. There was even old intimate footage of a very young Sade and bandmates (circa the 1980s) flickering behind her as she sang one of her earlier songs. It was quite touching.
I was almost brought to tears when she sang her heartfelt and politically charged song, "Pearls." I was internally praying that she wouldn't perform it because it makes me cry each and every time (well that and "By Your Side").
In short, this amazing woman continues to remain true to herself and her sound with the help of an amazing band (with the original guys still there). There was no need for a huge production here. No fireworks or a million dancers. Just one woman, one voice and a legacy of true artistry.
