You couldn't have asked for a better show. Maxwell moved the audience at the sold-out Universal Amphitheatre so greatly, you would've thought the President was coming to town--what with the hordes of screaming women and all. The R&B singer even caused men to wildly pump their fists in the air when he performed hits like "Whenever Wherever Whatever."
Originally scheduled to perform two concert dates, the public response was so great that Maxwell added a third Amphitheatre show--not bad for a guy who canceled his initial L.A. gig a few months back. When the curtain rose this evening, concertgoers seemed thrilled that their efforts and patience had been appreciated and were finally being rewarded. Maxwell even paid homage to fans stuck in "nosebleed seats," saying those were the spots where he used to sit, before he made it big; he then had two women brought down from rafters and given seats in the front row. "I had to pay for these seats myself," he quipped. "Y'all don't play out here in L.A."
Commanding the stage like a rugged R&B general, Maxwell sung each tune like his life depended on it, in a manner that could arguably be compared to that of legendary performers like Smokey Robinson or Al Green. Young women shrieked and screamed when he dedicated various numbers to them--especially if those numbers featured lyrics that told arousing tales of passion and intimacy. The 26-year-old singer attempted to pull the audience further into his musical arms by extending many of his songs past the seven-minute mark--an approach that gave ticket-buying concertgoers the feeling that they were getting their money's worth.
Anyone who came to this concert expecting a timid Maxwell performance quickly abandoned such preconceived notions at the theater doors. The singer demonstrated that he had real talent and class, and stunned the audience with his vocal ability. In fact, you could say that it's amazing that Maxwell, who's only on his second album, is able to put on such an enjoyable show so early in his career.
If Maxwell comes to Los Angeles again anytime soon, you can bet that fans will scramble even harder to get a good pair of tickets.
