reminiscent of the Temptations but featuring a large hand held mirror into which Day checks his suit and combs his hair all to the beat generated by his band.
*Anyone that says Rhythm and Blues is dead, needed to be at The Rose: at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, Saturday, March 24, to witness the capacity crowd gathered to see the classic sounds of Morris Day and the Time.
Before Day could step on stage the excited crowd was peppered with an array of hits from that classic era in the 80’s where the singer ruled. As each hit played, the crowd sings along as the mostly 30 plus crowd reflected on all the music that surrounded the Time, including artists like Sheila E, Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6.
From the classic catchphrase, “What time is it?” to that moment Day asks Jerome Benton to bring him his mirror,
Saturday night at the Rose showed that Morris’ music is timeless, and that good music with up tempo rhythms can still attract a crowd.
But let’s rewind, so that you can get a full understanding of the night. Opening for Morris Day and the Time are the new all woman band, ‘Sophisticated Soul,’ and Kendre Streeter.
In a field where even superstars like Janet Jackson, Beyonce’, Rihanna, and others have ditched, or avoided the group status and created ‘solo personas’ and even a Google search returns with a list of group with birth and death dates like a who’s who of civil rights singing groups who have passed on, Sophisticated Soul’s band leader Sheree Dunn holds fast to the classic band mindset.
“The classic approach makes the band more cohesive,” explained Dunn. “This makes the show flow better. Everyone is in tune with each other. When a stage full of people do things together, it really moves the stage and engages the audience more.”
Morris Day and the Time are clear examples of the power of a full band in concert where all members have a persona that ties into the whole of the group. Still living in the classic concepts that were immortalized in Prince’s movies and music including ‘Purple Rain’ (1984) and ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ (1986), Day steps on stage in a modern, black and white tux that was embroidered with the highlights and flair of that age.
There is no need to change what most have come to see: Day’s on stage antics, backed up by a string of hits from the 80s, and Day delivers every time. The cohesiveness of The Time, who have been performing together since the late 70s, further proves Dunn’s earlier sentiment about a show’s “flow.”
catch her breath before finishing her hour long performance.
Here’s what Sophisticated Soul and the Time know: the masses still love good music. The Rose’s slogan is “where
music meets the soul.” Seems like an inevitable union of ideas that work.
“Sophisticated Soul and the Time are all very musical,” added Dunn. “The new [solo persona] approach isn’t musical. We like three part harmony and songs with verses, choruses, bridges, and vamps. Today’s music lacks all these musical qualities in one way or the other.”
This concept of groups that include full bands, is supported by venues like The Rose: at Paseo Colorado. The layout of the Rose includes long rows of tables leading right up to the stage. These tables were flanked on each side with stadium style seating that stretched towards a bar on either side. In the rear of the tables, behind the sound and light booth, is an elevated area with more traditional dinner tables. These tables were all in view of the action on stage.
This unique layout created a level of intimacy, as there was no crew of crazy video cameras running up and down in front of the stage, as the tables seemed to connect with the stage. It was this connection that bridged the gap
between the theater feel of a large venue and the accessibility of a smaller club. And like a smaller club, there was a pack of waitresses, busboys and hostesses buzzing about like little bees, criss crossing the rows of patrons like a well manicured garden taking orders and delivering meals.
This dual feel of both large venue and intimate club worked in both group’s favor as the leads both spoke directly to the crowd and could easily hear and understand the feedback.
Upcoming performances at the Rose include Ruben Studdard on April 11, Lisa Loeb on April 27, Fleetwood Mac on April 28, and the Lynch Mob on May 12. The next time Morris Day and the time will be in the Los Angeles area is August 4, at the Honda Center.
For more information of Sophisticated Soul go to https://www.facebook.com/ShereeDunnMusic/. For more information about The Rose: at Paseo Colorado go to https://wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/rose-pasadena/events/. For more information about Morris Day and the Time’s tour dates go to https://www.ticketmaster.com/Morris-Day-and-the-Time-tickets/artist/846952.
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