Disco de Raphael Saadiq: “All Hits at the House of Blues”

Live soul is a forgotten art...but Raphael Sadiiq is on a mission to revive the genre.

For fans of R's group Tony! Toni! Tone!, this represents a great reunion journey, as a good number of songs (but, unfortunately the classic "Feels Good" is missing) that the band made famous are here. The live version of "Anniversary" is as beautiful as the original, and "It Never Rains In Souther California" sound a little funkier than before.

For Lucy Pearl fans, there is the great track "You", but again, the omission of "Dance Tonight" is glaring. With Joi stopping by to sing on a few tracks (and doing a great job on "Missing You"), and DJ Quick also involved, the great vibe that Lucy Pearl put out could have easily been captured.

The newer material, particularly "Instant Vintage" songs "Excuse Me" and "Body Parts" sound excelent in a live setting - Raph's voice is clear and right in tune, and some backup work by D'Angelo really makes this material sound great. Sadiiq really shines when given a chance to stretch out instrumentally, and his instrument playing (and accompanying musicians) is right up there with The Roots.

This likely won't win new fans for this incredibly talented musician - but it a great project for fans of any of Raphael's previous incarnations - and a good holdover while we wait for this guy to put out the masterpiece we all know he has in him.

This double disc is awesome, well worth the price!!! My car's CD player is constantly playing disc #2. I love all the songs on it along with the majority of songs on disc #1. My favorites would be "Still Ray" and "Be Here". The climactic ending of "Be Here" with the guitar riffs, etc. is great and I love the musical arrangement and words of "Still Ray". Raphael knows his music and I hope the whole world gets a chance to know him, if they don't already.

I think Raphael should adopt that nomer after this release. I am a big fan of Tony Tony Tone and when I saw their medley of hits I was taken from there. But what I found when I listened was an array of old hits and new ones from "Instant Vintage". Highlights are the catchy chorus of Charlie Ray and Excuse ME. I just wish Calvin Richardson and D'Angelo Baby Momma Angie Stone were there to take part. (Angie i love Mahogany Soul and u were great in the Fighting Temptations u gots skills!). Ask of You is a treat, because its not even on an Tony album its from the Higher Learning soundtrack. But its so sexy and soulful as it was almost a decade ago. Joi "Star Kitty" comes in and rocks it. I wish she had sung a slow jam so I could capture the raw essence of her spectacular voice. This cd has opened me up to her. LAy Your Head on My Pillow along with all the Toni jams are great and sound just as good as ever. Another surprise was the Lets get down that was a minor hit a few years back. Blow the dust of that one. But I have to admit even tho the second cd has 7 songs i blast that one much more!!! STILL RAY and that tuba what more can I say. Blind Man is a nice jam and has a very good message. I love Different Times... and Ledisi is off the change she overshadowed Saadiq she stole the show on that one. I would like to hear T-Boz on the original. Uptown....I have never heard of Leslie Wilson I thought it was a girl. he cam out blazing..sometimes i skip to his part just to hear is scratch, soulful preacher-like voice. The cd ends with the jam session with D'Angelo on Be Here. I love the second cd. But its a great collection.I jus wish I was on the Saadiq wagon all along.

Ok. Listen. This is arguably the greatest concert CD I've ever heard! This is TRULY INSTANT VINTAGE! I'm just gonna rant...The band is tight and very disciplined.

The Godfather of Neo Soul hit the mark one mo' 'gin.

Joi, KILLS "Missing You"...(Her CD <"Star Kitty's Revenge"> was kinda subpar, but she has a GREAT live voice!)

Ledisi RIPS it on "Different Times"

The Tonies were tight, and they NEED a reunion CD, dagnabbit!

Alan Leeds was the tour manager, the long-time tour manager for Prince and he was Maxwell's tour manager on his UHS tour...Leeds is one of the best in the business.

Raphael's command over his band is truly remniscent of Prince's command over his touring bands.

Best moment - When D'Angelo came out and duetted with Ray Ray on "Be Here" -- BOMB! I get goosebumps everytime I hear the crowd realize who's walking out on stage and lo and behold -- IT'S D' HIMSELF! Classic moment! And then D' proceeds to RIP IT UP! I love it! D', came back, big balla!

But, good people of Amazon, get this CD, it's well worth it.

10 stars! How can you even rate such a talented artist like Saadiq? These live sessions are amazing. Just breath taking, if you are a fan or Saadiq as a solo artist or Tony Toni Tone' as a group you won't be disappointed with this live album disc. Gotta love the live version of "Blind Man" my favorite song of all time and "Ask you" a def. classic is also included. [Two discs, with 23 tracks of beautiful music, only the best for Mr. Saadiq]