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Let me get this out of my system now, so I can get on with The Good Stuff: there's a time and place for everything - and a concert that already started past the scheduled time, is not the place for a combination family reunion/self-congratulatory ego boost by all manner of people only peripherally connected to the concert artist. LINER NOTES What am I ranting about? As the nearly-sellout crowd at the April 6th India.Arie concert would attest to, it was the 45-minute long, ill-conceived "This Is Your (Extended Family's) Life" show, staged by the multiple groups who wanted to stake a claim on having Made India.Arie What She Is Today. Now, I realize that sounds overly sarcastic, especially from someone who herself owes so much to the family and friends who've supported me and 3BC throughout the years; but as the woman seated behind me said, "we didn't pay $21 to hear stories about [India's father] Ralph Simpson's college advisor!". Trust me when I say that the pre-concert ego-fest threw a wet blanket over the festivities, for which many audience members vocally showed their disapproval; not of India nor her immediate family, but of the hangers-on surrounding them. But once India.Arie hit the stage, all was forgiven. Well, mostly. There was the little matter of poorly-timed lighting; long stretches of time when no one - not even the backup musicians - was on stage; and the return of the presenters with Yet Another series of dragged-out presentations, though this time, more appropriately aimed at Arie herself. But the good news is, the concert, and the artist, was on jam. Singer, songwriter, and musician, the multifaceted India.Arie skyrocketed to international recognition recently, with the release of her debut album, Acoustic Soul, which garnered multiple awards and nominations, including seven Grammy nods. Influenced by her mother - herself a singer, back in her days at MSU - as well as Stevie Wonder, Arie is one of the leaders of the "New Soul" movement that is thankfully taking a strong hold in today's music. Much has been made of the fact that fellow phenom, Alicia Keys, effectively shut Arie out at the Grammy awards, but Arie takes it all in stride; she has been said to have a good relationship with Keys, and in "Peace & Happiness", she noted that "The Creator has a working plan...that's why I don't worry 'bout no Grammy". You go, girl. SELECTED TRACKS As expected, the bulk of India.Arie's concert set were songs from Acoustic Soul - but as any artist worth their salt would do, she put a funky fresh twist on the live versions, getting better as the night progressed, and enjoying performing as much as the audience enjoyed watching her groove. My favorites of the night: "In Remembrance" Starting her set with just her guitar and a percussionist to accompany her softer songs, Arie began with this reverent reminder of the many artists who've come before her and are no longer with us. "Not Afraid Of The Dark" A pretty duet with her mother, Simpson (who also designs India's clothes). In Simpson's strong voice, you can definitely hear the source where India gets her singing chops. "Beautiful Surprise" I've long said that the best songs are poems put to music; and this new, "experimental" song, is poetry in motion. You can hear the Stevie in her throughout this piece. "What More Can I Say" The first true jam of the night; this one had Arie dancing, laughing, and soaring - and she took the audience right along with her. "Strength, Courage And Wisdom" Every time I feel my own strength ebbing away, I play this anthem, and listen closely to the "procrastination" lyric. It always provides the inspiration I need to "step out on faith". Thanks, hon. "Brown Skin/Video" Arie and the gang simply to' it up with these, two of her most popular songs. The audience reacted strongly to "Brown Skin", which included a brief gospel-like riff toward the end, though the band just could not keep up with India's energetic direction and spirit. And as expected, "Video" had "tha sistas" going with its timely message to "just love yourself". "Ready For Love" After the strangest concert intermission I've ever witnessed - Arie walked off stage without any indication that this was actually a break...and for some bizarre reason, the band walked off, too! - Arie came back strong with "Ready For Love", an absolutely gorgeous ballad that never fails to bring me to tears with its honest beauty. "You Are My Hero" India.Arie's tribute to Stevie Wonder; if I had planned the show, I wouldn't have made this the closer ("Video" would've been the better ending), but it was a good tune nonetheless. BAMMER'S BOTTOM LINE Hey, I can dig the fact that India.Arie's family and friends, and the city of Lansing, and Michigan State University, and just about anyone else who could grab a little face time on stage, were proud of whatever role they had to play in India's success; and I'm not trippin' (too much) over the elongated family reunion. As Arie herself said, she indulged, because she could; it's her night...and more power to her. But I'm glad she and her family got this out of their system now (though I hope Arie hires a new stage manager; this one slept on the job); the next time I see her in concert, I reckon the show will go much smoother. I have the feeling that the extremely talented India.Arie has the staying power far too many of her less-talented but more popular (I won't say "hoochie". Oops.) contemporaries, lack. With the voice, guitar, and pen Arie carries, and the strength, courage and wisdom to make it through the rough spots, the sky is the limit for this far from average girl. INDIA.ARIE IN CONCERT:   back to top And that's the way I see it. Rose "Bams" Cooper 3BlackChicks Review™ Copyright Rose Cooper, 2002 EMAIL: bams@3blackchicks.com    ICQ: 7760005 http://www.3blackchicks.com/