If James Brown saw this Bruno Mars show in his prime, he would have shot his ass. James missed Joe Tex. Maybe those were warning shots. But he would have finished the job on Bruno and would have sang his pledge of guilty with his Famous Flames singing back up as the legal team.
Because Bruno Mars and his band are out of this world. Of course he stands on the backs of Giants like Michael Jackson and James, and uses Jodeci and Bobby Brown as a foot stool. But how many R & B groups have ever been this musical as a LIVE act, while being this Pop?
This is Prince, multi-instrumental territory.
Mars hasn’t shown any signs of going WOKE Stevie Wonder in Braids or deeply troubled Marvin Gaye in a beanie on a Cold Detroit winter’s day.
But this still young man can write his ass off. He can perform his ass off. He probably could write Politico-Soul opus for the 21st century and still keep the Club interested.
As a fellow half Puerto Rican, I shook my head and said “F_ck this guy” full of so much love and admiration for Bruno Mars and his whole team.
Back up dancing and singing, playing horns in step, and being flawless?
James Brown would have told Bruno that he has 48 hours to get back to Hawaii and stay there.
I don’t care if you don’t like him. But you can put some RESPECT on it.
I always said I would play The Apollo, but he might have changed my mind.
Maybe I should get into massage therapy or open a bookstore. I don’t even know who I am anymore. That show was COLD.
– Musician and writer Davin Michael Stedman has many musical ventures and is one of the driving forces behind the Staxx Brothers. He will be partying in Kingston, Jamaica soon.
