And from the audience, it truly seems that she's not only surrounded herself with amazing talent, but with love as well. It's just heartwarming to see the admiration between her and her bandmates... Coral Reefers as well as Outside Art. She performed many of the songs from the new CD, songs from her previously released "Obsessed With Peace", and a few rocking familiar covers, including "Can't Get Next to You". It was her big night, yet she took the time to showcase her supporting cast on many occasions. Coral Reefers Ralph MacDonald, Mac McAnally, Robert Greenidge, Tina Gullickson, and John Lovell. I didn't see them from my vantage point in front of the stage, but Mr Utley and Peter Mayer were there showing her support as well.
She introduced the rest of her Outside Art band many times throughout the show too, and featured her backup vocalists on some songs. I can't remember their names, and I'm not having any luck with Google, but if I find them, I'll share them. The 22 year old female backup did a nice rendition of "Walking in Memphis". Nadirah told a story of how when Club Trini used to play before the shows, this girl was there with her parents, and said she liked to sing, so they let her. And I'm pretty sure she said she even got up on stage with Jimmy to sing Cheeseburger in Paradise. Pretty darn cool!
She also gave props to Mike Ramos for his help. He was there to introduce her and the show.
Also noteworthy on BN, Nadirah told the audience how she first asked Savannah Jane for her song recommendations, and then Jimmy helped her narrow that list down. And after that, how she then turned to ask the fans on BuffettNews, but that the first person she asked was balcony girls, who's right up here in the front, and turning 61 on Tuesday. Thank you Cindi for your love and support. (Or something like that.) Again, pretty darn cool!
A friend of Nadirah's, Ronald I think his name was, was at the show painting a nice sized (probably 4'x5') portrait of the inside photo from Nod to the Storyteller.
from Reeferette Nadirah Shakoor MySpace:
They sold raffle tickets for his rendition that turned out beautiful, and donated proceeds to a Las Vegas charity (food depository I believe). The winner was a woman from a town that I thought was in England and started with a W, but it's not coming to me either. Here's where I should say that drinking didn't have anything to do with the memory loss - I was drinking ice water!)
Nadirah has such a stage presence - soooo beautiful, soooo radiant, soooo captivating, soooo expressive... and what a powerful voice... and "voice"!
She told great stories, and the recurring theme for the evening was PEACE.Songs I remember her playing, in no particular order:
Creola
Why You Wanna Hurt My Heart
Makin' Music For Money
La Vie Dansante (featuring Tina Gullickson)
Give Henry the Receipt
Let Him Go
Margaritaville
Volcano
When The War Is Over
Wonder Why We Ever Go Home
(Let Peace Be) Just a Breath Away (she reached the mic out to BG to sing a line on that one!)
Obsessed With Peace
Walking in Memphis
Can't Get Next to You
Oh, and it really was a knockout performance! It landed Cindi out cold for a few minutes in the middle of the 2nd set... she fainted for some reason - probably because it was just that good! A nearby BNer whose name I never got summoned security, who tended to her, and got her out of the puddles of who knows what on the floor, and into a chair til she felt ok enough to walk. Scary! But she seems to be ok since.
CONGRATULATIONS NADIRAH!!
This made me smile!