Review: Raphael Saadiq's Amazing Homecoming

Undeniable. The energy of Raphael Saadiq’s “The Way I See It” concert at the Fox Theater Wednesday night was, in fact, undeniable. The surge wasn’t because he’d changed his set for his Oakland show (he doesn’t do the same show back to back, he keeps it fresh), and it wasn’t because the house was packed (though I’m sure it helped). An already dope show, by a man who truly understands the importance of showmanship, was even doper because Ray Ray was home.

“When I play in LA, people always ask me if I’m home,” Raphael Saadiq told Wednesday’s crowd. “I tell them no, Oakland is home.” Of course the crowd cheered. His parents were in the audience. His nephew came to the stage as Saadiq warned him that "The streets of Oakland don't love nobody, you gotta love yourself." There is a certain level of hometown pride that Town natives have, even when they’ve left the city, and even on the days that it represents pain.

But Saadiq wasn’t in an “Uptown” sort of mood, though he was performing in the newly developed district by the same name. The show mixed old Raphael from his Tony Toni Tone days, with the Lucy Pearl era and his Instant Vintage sound. However the show was anchored by a new Raphael Saadiq that is even more retro than any of the previously listed.

His days as a young boy performing in quartets around the Town were evident in his crisp suits and well-choreographed dance moves. But his influences were more than clear as he poured his heart and soul into renditions of "Sure Hope You Mean It," "Love That Girl,""Staying in Love," and "Let's Take a Walk." Most people attempting the old soul sound studied it, Raphael lived it.

Another remnant of the pre- auto-tune and made-for-T.V. days of music was Mr. Saadiq's connection with the audience. For more than five minutes Saadiq had the crowd in an uproar, no mic necessary. He stood center stage, sweat dripping into the audience, mouthing words that none heard but everyone felt.

There was also the fact that even though you came to see Raphael, you witnessed a band. The backup singers did everything but fade into the background (Ericka's take on Dawn's verse in "Dance Tonight" is amazing). The band members solos were enhanced as Saadiq held up signs with musicians/singers names. This was especially useful when the keyboardist Charles almost stole the show with his vocal range.

After saying his goodnights and goodbyes, Ray Ray got his Dennis Rodman on, returning to the stage rocking a fitted A-shirt and be-feathered fedora to perform Sly & The Family Stones’ “Underdog.” When an Oakland native pays tribute to Bay Area legends by playing a song that speaks to the Bay's place in music and just about everything else, it's real, it's intense, it's motivating, it's inspiring.

Just like Ray Ray's Homecoming.