The only way Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant's Heads of State concert at last night's Nokia Theater in New York could have been better is if it were a complete disaster. I went in there thrilled at the prospect of seeing Bobby (Johnny and Ralph are great, too, but they alone or even with the strangely absent Bell Biv Devoe, wouldn't have gotten me in there without Bobbaaaay). Of course, with the prospect of seeing Bobby comes the prospect of seeing Bobby high, and since I figured there was no way he could come close to the spunk of his be-Gumby'd heyday, seeing him vomit all over his legacy was the next best thing. Plus, you know, I still feel ripped off about never getting that second season of Being Bobby Brown, so I kinda wanted to watch it live.
It turns out that there is great joy to be had watching a seemingly sober Bobby (or close enough, considering the displays through the years that he's deemed fit for public consumption). His new-found respectable behavior was as weird as any drunken fit -- I never thought I'd see the day that Bobby would tell a female concertgoer to stop touching him as her hands flip-flopped around his crotch. Now I can die enriched, I suppose. The only truly cringe-worthy moment is the one you see above, when his back went out during a stripped-down version of "Jealous Girl." I'm not entirely convinced that this was sincere. It may have been just a bit of theater for our entertainment. In Bobby's head, is there even a difference between sincerity and theater at this point?
No matter, because the synergy of the two was otherwise apparent throughout the show, a 90-minute sprint through each party's solo hits (with Johnny's "My My My" the only truly bizarre exclusion) traded off in a cycle. Bobby would sing his (starting with "On Our Own"), then Ralph, then Johnny, and Bobby again and so on. All the while, the two who weren't singing lead performed backup. New Edition essentials peppered the setlist, with Bobby making explicit note of the N.E. tracks that were made after he left the group -- he talked about interpreting "With You All the Way" as Ralph's message to him ("But not like that!") and he straight-up left the stage during "If It Isn't Love" and "Can You Stand the Rain," only to soon return both times to provide spirited support. He doesn't hold a grudge; he just knows that a little tension never hurt any performance.
New Edition was never exactly technically impressive on any front, so little was lost in the transition from then to now. They could still pull off the dopey doo-wop-with-swagger dance moves, and their voices are better than they probably should be (Ralph sounded particularly well-preserved, as though he's now a recluse who lives amongst humidifiers). Johnny's a quarter-pounder and a few more my's away from looking bearishy cute, Bobby's as bloated as he was on Being Bobby Brown and Ralph's almost frighteningly thin, but the collective energy put forth in sync like their fellow '80s relics the Thundercats was enough to allay any worries, at least temporarily. If you need more than that, you're in the wrong decade.
Bobby's full performance of "Roni," perhaps my second favorite song of all time, is after the jump. I recommend at the very least skipping to 3:18 to watch what happens when his guitar talks. Be on the lookout for a rogue tongue.
I love you Rich.
I love Bobby more.
Posted by: KBoggie | February 13, 2009 at 03:53 AM
When I watched the first video w/ his back issue, my first thought was, "Too much humpin' around". Good times. That video of Roni made my entire week!
Jules
House of Jules
Posted by: HouseofJules | February 13, 2009 at 04:02 AM
Well, he's still young in some departments...
Chub spotted at 3:18!
Posted by: spazmo | February 13, 2009 at 06:43 AM
my son and i went to the "head of state" concert last night in the city and it was GGRRREAT ! it was a trill to see that these guys still got ! go,bobby,go ralphy,go johnny go go ! even my son enjoyed it and hes only 18yrs.old
Posted by: maria castillo | February 13, 2009 at 07:32 AM
i always thought tupac and ralph tresvant were long lost twins.
Posted by: karlaanne | February 13, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Hius back didn't really go out. Great! Show! It was nice to see Bobby's son on stage!
Posted by: Candy Lowd - New Edition Fan Club | February 13, 2009 at 09:33 PM
That Roni vid was the best! Bobby looks like somebody's drunk uncle at the end of the family barbeque.
Posted by: Dany | February 13, 2009 at 10:14 PM
That "RONI" clip has me grinning like a fool. I had no idea his stuffed sausage lookin' ass was still performing...and doing a pretty good job of it, too! OMG, TELL ME he did Don't Be Cruel and brought a skinny ho in a Body Glove spandex dress onstage!
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Where is the Real World Blog??????
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It is very Funny! Celebrities are talking about it on "millionaire friends . com". Many wealthy people, pro athletes and celebrities are there. ...
Posted by: peter | February 14, 2009 at 12:11 PM
You just made my Valentine's Day :-D
Posted by: reddahlia01 | February 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
"Bobby looks like somebody's drunk uncle at the end of the family barbeque."
I had no idea his stuffed sausage lookin' ass was still performing...
HAHAHAHAHA! I can't breathe!
Posted by: Q | February 21, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Believe in Bobby Brown.
Posted by: sean | February 21, 2009 at 02:56 AM
YESH!
I love this blog. I have it bookmarked on my toolbar... next to Wikipedia. THIS IS MY WIKIPEDIA!
Posted by: mandy | February 25, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Good for Bobby...back on the road. His new girl seems more together than the old one...ah, what was her name again...anyway, I think Bobby's new girl owns a hair company called Mixed Chicks. The products are great, so I guess if the girl does that, then Bobby is on the right path. Here is where you can see Bobby's girl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMZ_wxUNJLQ&feature=email
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Posted by: coach purses | June 28, 2010 at 12:24 AM
It has been a long time since I have hear anything about a new album. I remember the last concert that I was. He is a great musician.
Posted by: buy cialis | May 02, 2011 at 11:53 AM
there will never be another group like NEW EDITION..i love all those guys..long live N.E.
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