saul williams

This past sunday I had the chnace to check out Saul Williams in concert at the Pepper Jacks Cafe in Hamilton. The venue was perfect for Saul as he definitely wasn't gonna garner a huge turnout - however, the people that did show up seemed to know him, know his music and jammed to all three acts all night.

Saul dropped some gems on the crowd like Black Stacey and African Student Movement. His own charisma kept the crowd going and the DJ never let up on the hot beats. However, this is where I found the concert lacking too. Saul would benefit immensely from a live band which just drives the rhythms home and which he can use to play off. This was sorely missing at the concert; everyone loved it, but it was hard to name one moment that stood out.

Last year I caught a KOS concert in Hamilton too. That concert had some marked differences to this one. Admittedly, KOS was a bigger artist at that time than Saul is now. However, what made that concert much more memorable was the live band. They rocked our uni's bar that night and everyone walked out with something they thought was absolutely crazy- be it a guitar solo, or how he introduced a song, or how he changed a song to suit the live music.

Another thing that sorta bugged me abt the concert were the two minutes he spent talking to the crowd. There were calls for him speaking on a wide range of topics from Bush to New Orleans. He did say somethign on the latter but his words were jumbled as if he was almost afraid to speak out. I'm not sure if this was the case. I sure hope it wasn't. I'll give him the benefit of teh doubt. But I should point out that this is exactly what happens to artists on the cusp of mainstream. Watch the hole Saul.

So, Saul Willaims was a great concert. He rocked the house. I'm just hoping he gets a wider appeal among the masses (do not sellout!) so that his concerts can be better than they already are.

AND, to all those nitwits who believe Saul is not their man.. here are a few prolific (stress!) lines from Williams..

"I got a list of demands
written on the palm of my hands
I'm gonna roll up my fist
and you'll know exactly where I STAND.

now.. where my niggas at? ...."

- African Student Movement

oh and Saul, if you get to read this by any chance.. you gotta bring the beard back... haha.. seriously though. That baby smooth skin shit just ain't cool when u calling your boys out to war. ya heard? saul williams bitches!