This week I’m going to a concert that I’m so excited about, one that I honestly didn’t think would happen – they’ve been broken up for 25 years! Raphael Saadiq and Tony! Toni! Toné! are back together and on the road. And from the reviews I’m reading, this tour is a must-see experience that’s leading the Tonies back to the studio with promises of new music to come. Dreams do come true!
I’ve been a fan since the 80’s. I clearly remember Little Walter being in rotation on BET, such a memorable video with Sinbad as the main character. When The Revival came out in 1990, those hits were international. Songs like The Blues, Feels Good, It Never Rains (in Southern California) and Whatever You Want became instant classics to R&B fans around the world. We were all Tony! Toni! Toné! fans in my household. In fact, when D’Wayne Wiggins, Timothy Christian Riley and Raphael Saadiq came to record their next record in Trinidad, my brother Dominic pranked me with a dollar bill he claimed he got the band to autograph at the mall. I saw through that ruse right away (he spelled Tony! Toni! Toné! wrong, lol)!
It was a little bit of a point of pride that Sons of Soul was partially recorded in Trinidad and we got a nice shout-out at the beginning of Slow Wine. So many of those songs became part of my life’s soundtrack. I love Leavin’ so much, that’s one of my forever favorites. I can’t wait to hear songs like Anniversary and (Lay Your Head on My) Pillow live!
Beyond Tony! Toni! Toné!’s entire discography, I’m a huge fan of Raphael Saadiq’s solo music and soundtrack work. Instant Vintage is on regular rotation to this day, and I’m hoping to hear Still Ray and Be Here at tomorrow’s show as well. Fingers crossed!
Raphael Saadiq and Tony! Toni! Toné! hit the Chicago Theater on October 12 and I will be in the building. And you can catch them at upcoming dates in the following cities – click here for more info:
Fri October 13 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
Sun October 15 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Concert Hall
Thu October 19 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
Fri October 20 – Columbia, SC – The Township Auditorium
Sat October 21 – Jacksonville, FL – Moran Theater
Sun October 22 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
Thu October 26 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre
Fri October 27 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theatre
Sat October 28 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
Sun October 29 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Fri November 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
Sat November 11 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
Tue November 14 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
Wed November 15 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
Fri November 17 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
Let’s get down!
What song do you look forward to hearing the most?
