Meshell Ndegeocello - Largo at the Coronet

Meshell Ndegeocello
When: Thursday, March 3, 2011 & March 10, 2011
Venue: Largo at the Coronet, Los Angeles
Accompanied by: My better half
Genre: Funk, soul, R&B, hip hop, reggae, rock, jazz


I've heard on more than one occasion from my husband that he does not see an artist more than once. He claims "what's the point?" He knows well enough that such a concept falls on deaf ears when it comes to me. I can see some of my favorite artists and bands night after night and never tire of the experience. So, when it was announced that Meshell Ndegeocello would be performing two shows at Largo at the Coronet, imagine my surprise when "he who puts up with my madness" purchased tickets for both nights!! I quickly marked my calendar and looked forward to the experience because truth be told, I really only knew one song by Miss Ndegeocello. 


Night #1 was Thursday, March 3, 2011 KCRW presents Meshell Ndegeocello...completely full house, not that it's a big venue but impressive all the same. Think back seeing a performance in your high school auditorium but only if you went to a relatively small high school. It's impossible not to make a few new friends due to the close proximity of seating arrangements. But for a show like this, it's a good thing. 

It's been nearly 2 months since we went to this show, so I honestly have no memory of what songs she performed. However, even if I had written about it the moment I got home, I'd still have no idea what songs were done that night. I know she didn't sing the one song I do know, If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)... but that's okay because the evening was mesmerizing all the same. Her voice is hypnotic regardless of knowing the music or not. She comes across as a little shy and extremely humble. Her love of music and for making music is apparent. And her audience ADORES her!!  The love in that little auditorium was undeniable. She owns her fans, that is for certain. And I sure as hell came away that night happy as hell knowing we'd be back for more the following week!!


AND it was not going to be a repeat performance...Night #2 was Thursday, March 10, 2011 - Gett Off: Meshell Ndegeocello Covers Prince - SOLD OUT ...I won't attempt to review it myself, but for anyone interested, check out this LA Times blog by Mikael Wood. We decided that this night we'd get out there a little earlier to secure good seats and then grab a bite to eat before the show. That is the nice thing about Largo at the Coronet. They open the box office at a set time and pass out assigned seats. Get there early for good seating w/in the first few rows and then wander up the street to Beverly Center where there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. Then wander back before the show begins and you're set. And damned if I can remember the name of the tiny little bar right next door to Largo, but you can't miss it...Red Door or something like that. Pricey but one martini will get even the most seasoned drinker a little buzzed. Oh, and they serve absinthe. For those who dare!!


We chatted with the group of people seated in front of us who asked which Prince songs we thought might get covered that night and what songs we hoped she might do...Erotic City, Head, Sexy Mother, ...the dirtier, the better because that's what Prince is all about. But of course, Meshell made it so much more. There was no missing the fact that Prince influenced her life in ways that those of us who grew up in the 80s remember quite clearly. 


As for what video to post...well unfortunately, the ones I found on youtube of the 2011 tour were all super shaky and dark with poor sound quality...so I figured I'd share the one song that I do know of Meshell...but trust me, everything she does is addictive but in the best of ways!! Enjoy.