08.15.2000
Nelly Hit Up Seattle Live

Last night I witnessed Nelly live, and I must say all of you will need to do the same. Her show was filled with energy, excitement, soul, and fun. In the small Crocodile Cafe of Seattle, Nelly and her band had everyone in the room from 21 year olds to over 40 year olds on the floor and moving to their eccentric rhythms. Her show literally blew my mind.

She started off her set with "I Will Make U Cry," and displayed the Nelstar style to the fullest. When she opened up with this song, I felt like I was at a hip-hop show. The quickness of her tongue and the way she controlled the microphone seemed as though she was ready to start freestyling like a hip-hop MC (it kind of reminded me of seeing Erykah Badu or Lauryn Hill live, but with more energy). 

Her set consisted of: Baby Girl, Legend, Party's Just Begun, Scared of You, I'm Like a Bird, Turn off the Light, Hey Man, Shit on the Radio, and a brand new song called. . . Well, Well.

"Well, Well" showed another aspect of Nelly's style. This song could fit in the folk rock genre, if it was categorized. I brought my sister to the show, and she thought "Well, Well" was Nelly's best song in her set. Also after the show, I had a chance to chat with Nelly, and she told me she gave Seattle a special remix rendition of the song (if you are reading this Nelly you know what I'm talking about). Anyways, this song blew me away, I don't know if it'll be on the album when it is released, but I think it should be released as a single or a b-side to a single at least.

Nelly's band. . . this group of musicians exhibited the true meaning of new musical style. The auxiliary percussionist brought a variety of international percussion instruments and displayed his different styles. He was so versatile on each song and his solo was literally of the hook. The drummer coincided with the percussionist to bring the beats and kept the crowd moving. Completing the rhythm section was the keyboard playing and bass player, these two also brought hypnotic rhythms which kept me grooving through the night. The guitar player had some virtuosic solos and kept the energy going throughout the show. Nelly's back up vocalists were extremely talented, when their voices on the harmonies meshed with Nelly's the chords were just so powerful I wish I could just hit the rewind button to listen again. Not only did Nelly sing, but she busted out the guitar for "Hey, Man!" I thought it was great to see Nelly play the guitar with the band.

After the show, I got a chance to chat with her a little bit. She is one cool cat. If she could've stayed in Seattle a little longer I would've definitely hung out with her. She is so fun with so much energy. You can see it in her stage presence and it carries over when she is off the stage. Nelly if you are reading this and are in Seattle again look me up.

Overall, Nelly's show was purely awesome. I wish I could write more, but this is all coming off the top of the head right now. You all just have to experience it for yourself. When she does "Party's Just Begun" you'll know what I'm talking about, pure entertainment that just hits you and forces you to move your body. I hope you all get a chance to see her live, I encourage you all to get out and check out her show when it's close to you. She'll be in Portland tonight, and she going down to California and Vegas I believe.

Oh yeah, Nelly if you get to read this you should add "My Love Grows Deeper" to your set, it would be great.

Well that's all from me. If you want more details about it, just email me, and I'll try to get you back. Thanks.

One Love,

-Christian Fresco

taken with permission from the nelly furtado e-group