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US multi-platinum R&B star, Tevin Campbell was silky smooth in his performance.

Tevin Campbell still has it!

11/16/2009

HOSTED by former Miss Barbados World, Natalie Griffith, a Timeless Entertainment concert headlined by none other than US multi-platinum R&B star, Tevin Campbell, along with supporting acts Ria Borman and Omar McQuilkin, took place at the Frank Collymore Hall on Saturday night.

The Hall provided a lovely intimate atmosphere for this well attended event, which in terms of the gender scales was heavily tipped on the side of the females.

First up was Ms. Borman, a picture of elegance in a sequined, short, black and silver ensemble, who’s clear voice kept the audience captivated throughout her performances. This young lady was well suited for this event where the calibre of the vocals would definitely match up to any popular concert around the world and as she stakes her claim in the entertainment industry here in Barbados there is no doubt that we will see and hear this vocally power-packed lady on the world stage very soon. She belted out well known tunes such as the Dame Shirley Bassey classic “Gold Finger” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”.

Omar, who may be young but has been around the music scene in Barbados for some time, whetted the appetite of the patrons singing both his original music and also some other popular tunes.

Coming onto the stage as the final performer, Tevin Campbell needed no introduction by Griffith as it was clear that the he was who the ladies came out to see; evidenced by the screams and loud cheers that reverberated around the hall. With a voice so silky smooth, it was as if he picked up where he left off after his final top 30 hit in 1999, “Another Way”, from his self titled album. Listening to him belt out his hits, it begs to wonder why his career isn’t currently on a similar path to recording artist Usher, with whom he incidentally shared a stage as part of the R&B group ‘Black Men United’ who in 1994 recorded a hit single “You Will Know”.

Cutting a slim figure in a sharp grey suit, this gentleman who started his singing career at age 11 and had more recently been playing the role of Seaweed J. Stubbs in the popular Broadway musical Hairspray since 2005, conversed expertly with his audience and at times spoke directly to the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon. David Thompson, eliciting laughter from him as he sat in the front row next to his wife, Mara.

The venue made it quite easy for Campbell to banter with the ladies in the crowd and gained him great points when he referred to how well dressed and lovely they were looking on the night.

“I love intimate gatherings like this and I must say that you ladies are looking fine tonight!” said Campbell, mush to the delight of crowd. He then produced a thought provoking and sensitive moment when went he said it is a sin not using the talent that God gives us and that if he could not sing, he could not live. He then made mention of his recent birthday on the 12 November and was subjected to an entire rendition of ‘happy birthday’ by the entire audience.

The patrons responded to Tevin’s every word, especially during his performance of “Always in My Heart”, from his second album “I’m Ready” which reached number 3 on the US R&B charts. They waved side to side at his insistence as he revealed that it was one of his favourite tracks. He rendered other popular songs throughout his set including “Brown-eyed Girl” in a cappella which he said was in fact about a girl he knew when he was 14 and his once number 1 chart track, “Tomorrow”.

After came the Adult Contemporary hit: “Tell Me What You Want Me To Do”, followed by “Alone With You”, “Goodbye”, “I’m Ready” and “Always in My Heart” which charted at number 3 on the R&B chart.

Tevin Campbell’s penultimate song for the night was the very much loved Grammy Award nominated number 1 US R&B chart single “Can We Talk” which was composed and produced by the legendary, Babyface. From the first beat of this song, the crowd was on its feet, swaying and clapping and singing along word for word; it was a sight to behold.

He was then summoned for an encore where he sang the song that was dedicated to His Excellency Ryan Brathwaite at Kensington Oval, by Ria Borman a few months ago. “Impossible Dream” was ironically, a single for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics compilation CD.
After the show Campbell told the Barbados Advocate that he enjoyed his time here on the island and will definitely be back as a tourist to enjoy all that we have to offer, as he was only able to be here for three days. He also vowed to return to do another show and told all who were in the hall that he will bring a live backing band as he felt he “must come back to rock the house!”

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as of close 9/15/2009


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