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Raphael Saadiq, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

By Stephen Thompson
Published March 19, 2011 at 11:54 PM EDT

For all its irresistibly soulful energy, what really jumps out about Raphael Saadiq's music is the smooth precision with which it falls into place. A perfectly tailored showman, the producer and former member of Tony! Toni! Toné! plays the part of the in-control frontman to perfection. But don't mistake his impeccably presented persona with sterility: This set from Stubb's in Austin, Texas — recorded live as part of the South by Southwest music festival — is a full-blown soul revue, complete with choreographed backup singers and buckets of sweat. When a guy this cool exerts this much effort, it's a joy to behold.

Saadiq is set to release his fourth studio album in May; titled Stone Rollin', it's a fine set of polished throwback soul. But new songs like "Heart Attack" and the set-closing title cut already spring vividly to life in concert, making this an essential early companion piece for the studio tracks to come. It's a big, bright ball of energy, and it serves Saadiq's songs well.

Set List

  • Intro

  • "Testify"

  • "Heart Attack"

  • "Stone Rollin"

    • Band Personnel

  • Raphael Saadiq - Vocals, Guitar

  • Rob Bacon - Guitar

  • Josh Smith - Guitar

  • Calvin Turner - Bass

  • Lemar Carter - Drums

  • Charles Jones - Keys

  • Erika Jerry - Background Vocals

  • BJ Kemp - Background Vocals

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    Stephen Thompson
    Stephen Thompson is a writer, editor and reviewer for NPR Music, where he speaks into any microphone that will have him and appears as a frequent panelist on All Songs Considered. Since 2010, Thompson has been a fixture on the NPR roundtable podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour, which he created and developed with NPR correspondent Linda Holmes. In 2008, he and Bob Boilen created the NPR Music video series Tiny Desk Concerts, in which musicians perform at Boilen's desk. (To be more specific, Thompson had the idea, which took seconds, while Boilen created the series, which took years. Thompson will insist upon equal billing until the day he dies.)
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