EnVogue Rocks L.A. Like Never Before!

EnVogue – Saban Theatre (Beverly Hills) – May 2, 2014
Concert Review by A. Scott Galloway

`90s Soul-Pop sensations EnVogue showed L.A. that they have seasoned well into a first class legacy act capable of entertaining audiences with a broad but satisfying cornucopia of fare. Original members Cindy Herron-Braggs and Terry Ellis along with longtime member Rhona Bennett took the stage as a well-oiled and united front giving fans the kind of show most have never seen from the group because – in their heyday – they were too often part of multi-artist/festival lineups that put a cramp in their stage time. As headliners on Friday, May 2, at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills (formerly The Wilshire Theater), they took their sweet time and served their followers not just slices but the whole pie.

EnVogue opened boldly with the catchy but obscure album cut groove “No No No (Can’t Come Back)” from their fourth CD, Masterpiece Theater, before launching into one of their biggest hits, “My Lovin’ (Never Gonna Get It)” – one of six of the group’s Billboard R&B chart-toppers. For the next hour-and-a-half, all three ladies were judiciously featured taking turns in the spotlight for lead vocal duty punctuated with signature bursts of tantalizing harmony lines and licks.

The songs were often placed in smart conceptual sets including two Curtis Mayfield compositions from the `70s Black classic movie “Sparkle” (“Giving Him Something He Can Feel” and “Hooked On Your Love” – both of which EnVogue also recorded). Also noteworthy was the trio reaching back not only to sing the authentic swing version of The Andrew Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (which they recorded in a contemporary flip as “Hip Hop Bugle Boy”) but to also share the history behind its World War II origins. Not faring as well was a section where they pulled three men out of the audience and asked each to say or do anything (without touching them) that might pique their romantic arousal. No fault of EnVogue’s, all three came up pretty short begging the question, “Do today’s men lack imagination?’ (Of course, EnVogue gave all the brothers polite approval then sent them on their way).

All three ladies were stunning to behold (particularly Cindy whose costume revealed the most muscular and toned skin) and all three were solid vocally with Terry narrowly nosing a hair ahead with her out of the park throw down on “Who’s Lovin’ You” (two verses instead of the recording’s one) leading into the group’s very first #1 smash, “Hold On.” They also did a version of Guy’s “Piece of My Love” from a female point of view on which Rhona was particularly fiery. However, fans that have followed the group since Day 1 could not help but miss the presence of at least one original member – Dawn Robinson – as she possessed a raw soul power charisma that added a distinctive spice to the divas’ funkiest hits.  And with a lean 3-man band of drums, keys and a bassist that doubled on 2nd keyboards, the absence of a live guitarist was similarly apparent on certain numbers…especially the rock-out anthem “Free Your Mind.”

Ultimately, all was forgiven when the threesome revealed its sisterly unity and panache in full regalia within a wide-reaching medley of music made famous by female solo artists and groups – ranging from Donna Summer, Cheryl Lynn and Tina Turner & The Ikettes to The Emotions, Labelle and the ever-lovin’ Supremes. Though En Vogue had many adoring fans up on their feet at several points in the show, they had the whole house in the palms of their hands with this brilliantly (and democratically) arranged and choreographed strut – “Back Down Memory Lane.” All in all, it’s a show that EnVogue can easily take around the world for years to come, leaving audience’s appreciatively panting, “Don’t Go.”

– A. Scott Galloway
Music Editor
The Urban Music Scene
May 3, 2014