Anita Baker

All I expected. Her voice was phenomenal, sound and visuals beautiful the only issue was where was her teleprompter? She handled it well. *****

She was good and I enjoyed that part. But not having an opening act and waiting til 9:30 to see her was not the best..

Anita Baker: 2/14/23 “The DAve Show took off to the road heading to Hotlanta for some Valentine’s Day shenanigans including Anita Baker LIVE in concert at State Farm Arena. It was the first of a 2023 Pop/R&B break from my typical classic rock and country concert escapades (the others shows being Janet Jackson and Madonna). I was super-excited as I had settled in on the possibility of never seeing the Quiet Storm 80’s, soul—jazz—R&B, 3 octave voice artist in concert after missing her farewell tour in 2018. The 65 year old Detroit native and former waitress and receptionist skyrocketed in the mid-80’s with her eight million selling ‘Rapture’ album. Her 21 year studio career (’83-’04) with a mere 6 studio albums charted 25 singles on the US R&B position. Tuesday evening was the 2nd date of her 15 city US ‘The Songstress Tour’ (her first true nationwide tour in nearly thirty years) which commenced on the 11th in Florida. It was a no surprise sell out from the very beginning. My seats were upper bowl mid-arena —what I could get via a StubHub gift credit. Her band consisted of five persons in the background (L to R: keys-guitar-drums-bass-more keys) separated by a person height divider limiting a full view of the action. In the forefront L to R: grand piano-saxophone-Anita’s microphone-back up singers (two female, one male). A stage length video screen backdrop showcased all the front stage going’s on for us in the thinner air regions of the arena. The on-stage band divider often mimicked the video screen’s border images. Prior to Baker’s appearance on stage there were curtains surrounding and concealing the stage set up that were inward and outwardly illuminated in blue and red. At 9:15 the front curtains drew up and the side curtains drew horizontally backward and Anita took the stage for a 1 hr 40 min / 12 song set (with 4 from the Rapture album). There were no medleys or run on songs, Baker simply communicated verbally with the audience between each selection extending the time length of the dozen song set. I guess that’s what a Songstress does?! With the band playing, the soulful singer made her way onto the stage traveling from side to side waving, spinning, conducting, and playing air instruments all the while muscling through a noticeable limp. The scaled down and skillfully arranged stage gave the solo artist about 80% of it’s available space to utilize. Early on she jumped into ’Sweet Love’ (the second song) after a brief introduction, ‘I love you… Thank y’all, we appreciate you so much, and I want you to understand this is your night and I apologize for being so late, I truly do.’ Before she could utter another word the audience was singing every word of the first verse a cappella. Anita interrupted with a kind of restart revealing a slightly different arrangement, her vocals purposefully sung a step slightly off beat. There was another similar false start sing-along to ‘Sweet Love’ and ‘Been So Long’. She clearly loved being in Atlanta, a night scene of the city appeared on the big screen complete with the ferris wheel outside (so it had to have been recent footage). ‘Atlanta, Atlanta, every musician in the world that I know loves Atlanta!’ As she began singing ‘Same Ole Love’ R&B singer Usher came on dressed in a bright red blazer in what appeared to be cameo surprise bending down on one knee and handing her a huge bouquet of roses! After a kiss she immediately put him on the spot telling him, ‘Usher, I love you’ and handed him the microphone. He willingly complied by singing, ‘Same Ole Love especially on Valentine’s Day’! Next up Jermaine Dupri came out and gave Anita a hug, it was truly a star studded event! Turns out that in addition, Tamia, Killer Mike, 2 ChainZ, Grant Hill, Chris Webber and John Gray were all seen back stage. A beautiful rendition of ’No One In The World’ came next, Baker modulating up perfectly mid-song. Other songs of note included ‘Operator’ and ‘Angel’, Anita pointing around ‘You’re my angel, you’re my angel….’ ‘Everyone up here all night long from start to finish, everyone that has a microphone was actually singing into that microphone tonight. Everyone here this evening that has an instrument in their hands, they’re actually playing that instrument’ Truly it was a kind of assurance concert attenders can appreciate now-a-days. Rounding down the evening was the classic ‘Rapture’. ‘I want to acknowledge three generations of fans’, ‘As long as you keep coming, we’ll keep coming to see you!’ The encore was ‘Giving You The Best That I Got’, with a change of wardrobe Anita came out dressed all in red. Sparklers and a shower of confetti ended the regular set and the encore respectively. Not without note to mention this evening was Anita’s support artist for the special event, the legendary Babyface. Kenneth Brian Edmonds, 63, singer/songwriter/producer who was tagged ‘Babyface’ by Bootsy Collins has 9 solo albums with 32 charted singles and a 36 yr solo career, surprisingly more than Anita herself. Babyface proved to be the perfect opener coming on 30 minutes late likely due to a sparsely full arena. Taking the stage precisely at 7:31 he performed a 55 minute / 6 song set, one of which was actually a jam packed 26 song medley of songs. ’I thought this would be a fun time to go through a medley of songs that I wrote or I produced.’ At the opening line of each song a Billboard styled rendering showing weeks on the chart, year, title, and artist was broadcast on the video screen. There were multiple by Bobby Brown and even a couple that I knew: ‘Rock Steady’ by The Whispers, and ‘Slow Jam’ by Midnight Star. His five person band also featured two additional back-up vocalists while thousands throughout the audience sang along to nearly every word! In addition to Usher and Jermaine, Babyface also joined Baker briefly on stage during her set. A word about the sound. In all my years of concert attending going back to the 70’s, the evening’s sound quality where I was sitting was the worst I EVER experienced! I feel that much of it had to do with where I was sitting but I can’t pinpoint if it was actually due to the arena itself or the mix, or a combination of the two. After viewing a few video posts on social media from different angles that sounded great I can only assume it was majorily just my section. I’ve been to State Farm on a number of occasions, all in the upper bowl with no sound issues. Not to be a downer but it did put a damper on the entire evening, luckily the show itself made up for it somewhat. Despite that being said, I’m so glad I made the trek Southwest to see the 80’s superstar!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #745)

Anita Baker and Babyface were NOTHING short of SPECTACULAR! My Husband and I enjoyed the show. We saw Babyface before and he gets better and better every time we see him. It’s been on our bucket list to see Anita Baker live and she is truly amazing. Nothing but LOVE and it was worth it.

Anita Baker is an excellent vocalist and performer. This show was beyond expectation (and mine were high). Such a beautiful performer and yet she remains relatable. This level of talent is increasingly rare. Definitely an icon worthy of appreciation. The show was amazing!!

An awesome adult show. Miss Anita Baker gives a classy show. Everyone in her band, was dressed, no tennis shoes or Jean's with holes. I truly appreciated that. I would she her again and again!!!

2 hours of sheer bliss ! Highlighted by surprise guest Lahla Hathaway and singing together ANGEL . Best concert ever ! The band , the background on stage of all the glorious photos of nature , filled with the sweet , soulful voice and song by Anita was almost more than I could handle !!! I cried , I smiled , I laughed and with each song she sang so beautifully , I understood even more why this incredibly talented and gifted artist is the legend she is . It was an honor to attend one of the last concerts she will be performing. Worth every penny !

It was ok. She was better in Miami for her farewell tour. A intermission should have been available for her to rest. Show started late and ended early. Still thinks she’s an amazing artist.

Phenomenal!!!! That's what Ms. Anita Baker was--Phenomenal! She was so personable and flawless in her singing! Wow, she hit some very high notes!!! She went out with a bang!! So happy to have been a part of her farewell tour! Will miss her just as I have all these years, but I now have great memories of seeing her in concert! 💘💘💘🌹🌹

Incredible concert! There are levels to everything. Ms. Baker is up there in the rafters with our greatest singers. When an artist can put their heart and soul in their music and give it freely, it’s something special!😍😍❤️

Aside from starting late, this show was nothing short of amazing! Her voice at 61 years old is still the same. The band, the background singers, and the stage production were all SUPERB! This is what I call a LIVE show!

Great show. Sound could have been clearer in 1st Mezannine, I would have appreciated some image magnification, and they started late. But, SHE PUT ON A GREAT SHOW!

Anita Baker looked beautiful and her voice was Phenomenal! What a concert! She sang even MORE fantastic than before!!! Wow, the high notes she sang!!!

As expected, Ms. Baker did an exceptional job! My first time seeing her and she did not let me down!! I only wish she would have sung my fav, Just Because😔 Voice still as strong as I remember from my intro to her in 85/86. I certainly would see her again!

She is as good now as she was when I saw her in 1988..! The venue is very nice and the place was packed..! Great show

I had such a great time watching Ms. Anita Baker live! It was a awesome experience, she sound just like her records, I loved the LIVE band and the tribute she did to those we’ve lost in the music industry. I am so happy that I was a part of such an enchanted evening.

Anita was absolutely amazing in all her sensual and classy glory! Her voice is the same as it was in 1990. My only complaint has nothing to do with her performance. The sound system at the venue was terrible. There were multiple times where there was annoying screeching and interference from the mics and speakers. The venue needs a serious upgrade. The seating was so close together that if you wanted to dance or two-step, there wasn’t even room. There were no cup holders to accommodate your drinks. I would have preferred to see her a a smaller more intimate venue. But Auntie Nita herself, was absolutely wonderful and so very entertaining! Love her!

Anita Baker was great. She sounds amazing, as if you are listening to her cds. the band and background singers were also amazing. I wish she would visit Chicago more often.

Simply amazing. I am sad she is retiring. Her music is timeless and she is a class act. Her stage presence and the energy she brings is everything.

Best concert ever loved it .Anita Baker is a very sweet and kind person you can't help but love the person she is.Anita your the best.