Brandy

J Music: Brandy at the Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

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This weekend, I was all over Philly, New York, and Connecticut.  First stop was Philly to see one of my all-time favorites, Brandy!

Seeing as I was definitely tardy for the party, I missed Brandy’s opening act Go Go Morrow, but I arrived just in time to see Brandy open her set.  Her mission for the night was to give us the whole Brandy catalog in an hour and a half set, and trust me, it was no small feat.

Brandy performed songs from her new release Two Eleven and so many more including “I Wanna Be Down,” “Sitting on Top of the World,” “Angel in Disguise,” “Boy Is Mine,” “What About Us?” “Full Moon,” “Wildest Dreams,” a Whitney Houston medley, “Without You,” “Let Me Go,” and “He Is.” When she wrapped up with “Put It Down” I was left still trying to catch up as she took us through almost 20 years of music.

Two snaps to Brandy. Yes, honey!!

Find a great montage of her performance here. (Start at the 2:00 mark)

Brandy also had Luke James comes out and do a quick set for the crowd that included “I Want You” and “I.O.U.” Even though his entrance was a bit delayed, awkward, and confusing for the crowd, that was forgotten once he launched into “I Want You.”  The ladies loved him (and so did I)!

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BONUS: An inspirational story that came from the show — at one point during her set Brandy took the time out to thank her “fabulous” hair and makeup team.

Tatiana Ward, or @BeatFaceHoney as she is known on Twitter and YouTube, got the chance of a lifetime when her idol contacted her via Instagram to sing her praises and ask her to do her makeup for the Philly show. All in a few days her life has changed. She is now traveling with Brandy as one of her makeup artists!! Look at God!  

**Photos from Brandy’s Instagram.

J Music: Two Eleven – Brandy

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Brandy’s sixth studio album was release on October 16, 2012.  I have been thoroughly enjoying her live performances and that TIGHT choreography two snaps. This weekend I was finally able to listen to the whole album (as I did some spring-like cleaning). Find my favorite tracks below!

So Sick 

One of many “Two Eleven” tracks that layer Brandy’s distinctive, husky alto on top of a more breathy falsetto, “So Sick” is a bumping, heartfelt ode to anyone who’s been stuck in a one-sided relationship. (Billboard.com)

No Such Thing As Too Late 

This Rico Love, “Turn the lights off!” production is one of Brandy’s most straightforward power ballads since “Have You Ever” and finds her treading cautiously towards new love.(Billboard.com)

Hardly Breathing 

Another Rico Love slow jam, “Hardly Breathing” again finds Brandy taking a reluctant chance on love (“been hurt to many times / and I can’t take it / not again.”) She consults her mother and curses her weary heart for her suspicions, but Brandy sounds like she just might take the plunge by the time the synths are done swelling on this dense, headphones-friendly cut. (Billboard.com)

What I love about these tracks is the attention given to the lyrics and telling a story that means something to her. You can tell when an artist has a real connection to a song and these are the types of songs that fans can create a real connection with as well.

Put It Down*

Wildest Dreams* 

She also rocked the BGR 2012 stage performing my favorite song on the album, “Wildest Dreams.”

*Released Singles