Above: The ladies give Avant a hand or two during his Folly performance. Photos by Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star
"Sex Music" is the title of the forthcoming album by Kansas City's Bishop Young Don. It was also the informal theme Friday night at the Folly Theater.
Radio advertisements promoting the concert promised an evening of "soft love-making R&B." Even so, Bishop Young Don's opening set was awkward. The female-dominated audience that would ultimately swell to about 500 didn't care for his graphic R. Kelly-inspired effort.
Boy Big -- not to be confused with Outkast's Big Boi -- fared much better. The affable Kansas City native flashed terrific potential with his strong voice and solid material.
Rapturous screams greeted Avant. One of the most prominent practitioners of today's Quiet Storm format, his four albums of silky make out music have shifted millions of units. Avant hits like "Read Your Mind" update the classic formula perfected by Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.
In spite of his requisite crotch grabbing and suggestive body language, the jovial star's set was ingratiatingly sweet rather than objectionably raunchy. Avant's songs are less concerned with consummation than with romantic yearning and idyllic scenarios.
Avant dared to venture into the audience while crooning "4 Minutes." He quickly retreated. His fans aren't tentative teenagers; they're grown women clearly capable of devouring the diminutive star.
Rarely has a concert been more deliriously fun, and, yes, erotic.
It's worth noting that all three vocalists performed with prerecorded backing tracks. Excepting the unimaginative DJ who spun current hits between acts, human voices were the only live instruments heard all night. Classical choirs and scholastic choruses aside, that's a likely first for a music event at the venerable venue.
The concert's only other let down was its longevity. At a mere 35 minutes, Avant's performance was frustratingly brief. His fans might be familiar with similar anti-climatic disappointment.
| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star
Cowtown Fundraiser was great last night. Turn-out was good. Bands were great. Movie clip was awesome. Brodie was a skilled auctioneer. I think a goodly sum was raised for the film. Successful evening all around. Really looking forward to the finished product.
Posted by: Penny | July 19, 2008 at 02:56 PM
I went home to nap and didn't wake up til midnight. Should have stayed in town.
Posted by: Tim Finn | July 19, 2008 at 05:35 PM
That's ok, you needed the nap. It'll happen again.
Posted by: Penny | July 19, 2008 at 06:48 PM