https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gse1LKXuV2M

When the “Queen of Funk,” Chaka Khan, began to sing her hit “Sweet Thing” at the Tiny Desk, she seemed surprised at how the audience enthusiastically joined in. It’s just one example of how ingrained her work is in the fabric of music history. Since she emerged in the 1970s with the funk band Rufus, Khan has crafted a legacy that includes 22 albums, 10 Grammys, forays into jazz and theater and collaborations with Prince, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and Quincy Jones. Her 50 years in the music industry recently culminated in a long overdue 2023 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The moment guitarist Rob Bacon opened the set on the talk box, with bassist Melvin Davis and drummer Jay Williams laying down the beat, it was clear we were about to get a lesson in some naaaasty funk with “Tell Me Something Good.” If the way our in-office audience was jamming to “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me,” and “Ain’t Nobody” is any indication, be prepared to watch this show in a location where you can comfortably groove. “Sweet Thing” showcased vocalist Tiffany Smith killing the most iconic (and most vocally difficult) moment in the song, something that has humbled many a singer.

And what better way to close out this Tiny Desk during a month celebrating the contributions of Black women in music than with the anthem that has empowered woman-identified audiences for decades: the Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson penned “I’m Every Woman.”Throughout the set, I’m reminded that Khan’s unfathomably big and powerful voice is a glue that holds intergenerational music together.

SET LIST
“Tell Me Something Good”
“What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me”
“Stay”
“Sweet Thing”
“Through the Fire”
“Ain’t Nobody”
“I’m Every Woman”

MUSICIANS
Chaka Khan: lead vocals
Melvin Davis: bass, musical direction
Jesse Milliner: keys
Rob Bacon: guitar
Euro Zambrano: percussion
Jay Williams: drums
Audrey Wheeler-Downing: vocals
Tiffany Smith: vocals
Trina Broussard: vocals

I always worry which Chaka we're gonna get when she performs. If it's a PUI show, it will be all over the place and bad. If she's in a good place and not on anything, her voice remains 1 of 1. Fortunately, we got the latter on this performance. She couldn't quite hit all the highs, and a few vocal phrases were a little off key, but to still have that range, control and power at 71 is nothing short of amazing. She's one of the last few 'divas' around, so you get whatever show and attitude she has that moment (for better or worse). For this NPR performance, she affirmed that status and gave us something amazing. Kudos

She aint sang damn near any of the words.. just did vocal runs while the crowd sang.

It was still a good show.. lol

she bodied this considering lol. might fuck around and get tickets to the bowl after this.

watcha gonna do (what. yagonnadoboyyy) is my shit.

Ok not true, but it sounded good.

She seems cool I wanna hang out with her.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Df2OVt8VMAEXc-a.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6Lnl2OXUAATJX8.jpg
https://pics.wikifeet.com/Chaka-Khan-Feet-7308052.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVjKVu10k4p-LCZtCtFyl8zRMT2Fdn8P-HrZhsaISIg9rDpfx31a780jX7FPfSUta28CE7orzUlWb5RXekVTCIsdFxRrCq2ZYOeJAuoPfKFiZPEv1-oCtnHAn38MpSj69pm02isbxC9w/s1600/chaka-khan-30.jpg


Appreciation post.

Tinyurl still work don’t it?

Kinda looks like her a bit

Kinda looks like her a bit

so this was nice to see.

Truly one of the elite.