Concert: The Roots @Paradiso, Amsterdam 2006
General Info
Artist: The Roots
Location: Paradiso, Amsterdam
When: 22 November 2006
Who?
Well, read about the band here. And Search Youtube for some Roots Live
frenchy!
Not a band I really enjoy listening to.. Wait, what?!? Yep, I’ll explain: their CD’s don’t work for me; I know they’re an excellent band of incredible musicians, but.. The albums never attracted my attention. I did know that I’d kill someone’s granny’s kitten to see them live, though..
Hieronymus Fox
Well…this was D-DAY! To the Roots @Paradiso with my man Frenchy!
I have been a real Roots follower as from the early nineties. Especially their live album was really really top of the bill, so I was very very curious about this gig. Compared with their live album some members have left the group and their sound has changed slightly. You might say they have more identity now and The Roots have become a band. Off course ?uestlove and Blackthought are the soul of the band, but the sound is more consistent than some years ago.
Personally I think their latest album is the best they have done in some years.
The Show
frenchy!
What can I say? These guys are unbelievable! The opening: just rapper and drummer grabbing the crowd by the Unmentionables from the first second. Blackthought is a trained vocal talent. The set was great with plenty enough room for every band member to give us a solo (the bass was my fave). ?uestlove in his classic Dutch soccer team track suit ruled stage in a easy-going but strict manner. I was really amazed by the tight, very tight performance: these guys went from one song to the next without taking a breather and it all sounded so smooth, wow..
The encore was also wicked: anybody doing Jackson’s Smooth Criminal that way gets mucho bonus points.
Hieronymus Fox
The concert started off in a fierce tempo and volume. I was like a train going and going without delay. Funny thing… most of the songs were from the new album. What an energy, what a band! Unfortunately the sound was really too loud, so you could only hear parts of what he was rapping ’bout and the ears really where blown away by the noise and bass… A highlight was the percussion duet between ?uestlove and the percussion player…
The second part of the concert was even better! A long (a little too long…) version of You Got Me with surprising vocals of the guitar player who was making a George Benson meets Hendryx happening of it. After that the audience was blown away with fragments of classics like Rapper’s Delight, some real hip hop standards and…. I need Love form LL Cool J. But also Michael Jackson (Smooth Criminal) and Justin Timberlake’s Sexyback! Wow….
These guys were unbelievable.. I have been @Paradiso before but this was special…
Everybody went crazy.. the Roof was on fire!
Conclusion
frenchy!
I like the way I set out to go to this concert: almost no references or impressions, only the absolute belief that I’d be in for a treat.
And I was right, oh boy, was I right!
This band takes rap to the mature level of musical craftmanship and I’ll be checking out their tour dates for a second Roots experience!
Hieronymus Fox
I have heard that earlier concerts have even been better. So what!… guaranteed quality! CU next year guys! And eeeh… Mr. Paradiso? Would you please please please be so kind to lower the volume a little next time? Thanks from my ears!
Rating: 
