The San Diego Concert! (written by Suiteshelli, Keeper Of His Poetry)
Hello AOS family,
SuiteShelli here. I would like to give you a taste of my MaxwellLive '99 San Diego concert experience. By now you've read all about the concert, so I won't go through every concert detail. I will just take you on my journey.
As my friends and I (one of which who is a keeper as well, Patrice), arrive at Copley Symphony Hall, we notice people of all races, age, and color. I was so impressed with the turnout and the different people. As we approach the theater, I noticed a couple of brothas with red VIP passes on. I had heard that Magic Johnson was giving Maxwell an after party. I had to ask. Of course, they let me down easy. "Maxwell is not having an after party here, not in this city. If he did it would be in LA - Hollywood, LA." Immediately I knew the brotha wasn't from California. No one in California makes a big deal out of LA like that. Besides, who does he think he is trying to clown my city.
We proceeded to our seats. The closer we get to the front row, the more I noticed, all eyes were on us. I was very proud to take my seat in the front row next to the seats covered in white sheets (not to mention, I thought I was cute). The house lights finally come down, and everyone's excited. Cheers are coming from everywhere. They make the announcement: The comedian, Melanie Carmarcho. It totally threw me off, I'm anticipating the arrival of the man himself.
After the comedian leaves the stage, the house lights come back on, and this gorgeous gentlemen, in a nice suit and beautiful smile, crosses my path. He too, had a red VIP badge. I ask him to come to me for a second. He bent all the way down, as if to inavde my space, but it was ok, because he was as fine as he wanted to be. I ask him, how can I be down with that red badge? He gave me this smile that wouldn't quit (for about 15 seconds). I knew I was about to get the opportunity to see Maxwell in person at this point. Then he said, "I'm sorry, I can't help you out with that, but I will make sure that you enjoy the show, after all I am Maxwell's personal body guard." I was somewhat disappointed with his answer, but if I wanted someone to give me bad news, he was the one to do it (fine as he was). Then I ask him if Maxwell was having an afterparty. He said, "Probably not, Maxwell doesn't do night clubs." He told me that Maxwell gets in his limo immediately after the show. Then he's off to the next city - or his hotel room. "So he's staying in town tonight?" I asked. "He could be, but I'm not at liberty to reveal that information." I knew it was too late for him to head to Las Vegas, besides there aren't too many flights leaving San Diego after 11:00 pm. My ultimate goal was to find out where he was headed after the show. I found out later on, he had a pre-concert party and an afterparty in LA after all three shows.
Finally it's time, as Embrya plays, the house lights go down, and the curtains go up. A beautiful soft sheer curtain is revealed, surrounded by smoke. In the background a slender silouette is also revealed. I hear people saying, "That's not him! That's not him! I'm trying to tell everyone yes it is, I know that left hand anywhere, as it moves to direct the notes of his beautiful voice. My heart starts to beat so fast, and I am as still as roach when the lights come on. I can't believe I'm seeing him in person for the first time, up close and personal. He's just as beautiful, on stage in the dark, as he is in any picture or on any television appearance. He sings a variety of songs from the Unplugged CD. Then he goes into the Embrya CD. I'm just taking it all in (I also notice the brotha that tried to clown our fine city, it was the percussionist).
After a while, Maxwell performs Submerge. He looked like an angel in all white. This was the most dramatic performance I had ever seen. Then he performed, Pushing to Pull. I have never seen anyone perform so well. For those who have never heard any of Maxwell's songs or were never into him before, he sure captured their hearts at that moment. After all the drama, he sings This Woman's Work. Oh, it was so beautiful. He hit high notes that were unbelievable. Then he had church. He started testifying. I was so into this song. To top it all off, he starts to cry. I couldn't believe it. Here is a man after my own heart. I now play that song over and over again.
To show you what kind of man Maxwell is: A young lady, who had the best seat in the house( front and center), waits until after he sings This Woman's Work, and hands him flowers. He stopped the whole show, bent down to kiss her on both cheeks and hugged her. I was green with envy. I stood in line behind this young lady when I got my ticket. All I could think was, "that could have been me". Anyway, three or four other women walk up to the stage to give him gifts, only to receive the same gratitude in return. One girl hugged him and wouldn't let go. I saw an even kinder side of Maxwell that night.
My experience is just about over, he sang his number one hit, Ascension. Everyone got out their seats and participated in this "Maxwell Anthem" I thought to myself, this is one wonderful human being. As I look out into the audience, I realize, we are like family up in here. All of our souls were like one during this wonderful performance of his. Then we shake it off and join in the ones song everyone knows. It was like we had gone to another place together and came back to celebrate. What an amazing concert. I will never forget it as long as I live, and I surely anticipate the next.
To top off the evening, my friends and I drive off and we stop to admire the renovations being made to the U.S. Grant Hotel. It was like something drew us to it. I found out the next day, that that was where Maxwell stayed that night. Could it have been our minds, bodies, and souls connecting with his? Hmmm….I wonder.
