[click here to view a photo gallery from the show]

Like a good lover, Raphael Saadiq understands the importance of anticipation. The first number, Marvin Gaye’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was played with the curtain still down, lights low. So when Saadiq came out singing “I Love That Girl” (I’m assuming he meant me), he was already pretty much in.

But being the gentleman he is, Saadiq wanted to make sure we were as comfortable as possible by giving us the Lucy Pearl hit, “Dance Tonight.” Within 10 minutes of curtain opening, the fans in the mezzanine had given up their seats to make better use of their booties. In addition to thoroughly tending to our aural senses, Saadiq made good visual use of his set—a sleek 6-piece band and ridiculously good-looking backup singers/dancers. He picked up his guitar for a couple songs, but set it aside to casually remove his jacket and loosen his tie. This man was good.

On the album The Way I See It, the song “Let’s Take a Walk” starts out: “This place is crowded / Don’t know about you / I need some sex / Some sex with you,” but in concert it starts: “This place is crowded…” pause, “This place is crowded…” another pause, “I said this place is crowded…” step off to the side, sly smile to the audience, EXTREME PAUSE [ohmygosh am I going to make it to the chorus??] “Don’t know about you, but IIIIII neeeeeeed soooooome sex!” Whew! Barely.

Aside from being utterly appealing, Saadiq was a very gracious performer. Each member of the band not only got a solo, but a personalized sign carried across the stage by an appreciative Saadiq. He gave the audience a fun mix of Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl hits, as well as old and new solo stuff. He thanked us for welcoming him home from his European tour, and changed into a classic black suit in case the red wasn’t doing it for us (oh Raphael, you’re so silly).

After an absolutely satisfying set, Saadiq left us waiting just long enough to make us start to wonder, then casually strolled back on stage looking smoother than ever in an undershirt and hat. During the third song of what was to be a nearly 30-minute encore, Saadiq mentioned that his idol was in the audience, and hoped he could join him. A minute later, Verdine White (bassist from Earth, Wind & Fire) was on stage dancing next to Saadiq, who was doing his best Verdine White impression. He finally closed out with “The Big Easy,” leaving us beaming, disheveled, and wondering when we could see him again.

—Amber Hollingsworth