My State of Mind

Tonight I was invited to Alicia Keys’ Concert at the Hyde Lounge in The Staples Center in Downtown LA. It was my girls Annie and Tanya who dragged me along and after a day that carried more drama than usual (to put it mildly) this was the perfect escape.

Alicia Performing on stage

Annie and I in Hyde Lounge..

Tanya and Annie Paparazzi style showing us how it’s done in denim, leather and studs.

I don’t know what it is with live music… I truly believe it makes you a better human being if you attend concerts – often. I always feel spiritually lifted when I’ve experienced an artist leave blood on the stage. Tonight was no different. I always loved Alicia Keys, but when I heard her perform tonight I was in awe… her voice and piano skills are divine. No goddess like… Seriously. She almost sounds better live than on tape…

She began the concert by saying that back in the days she was told, that she would never make it. ”But look at where I am now” she said in a deep voice. ” Remember, that you can be whoever and whatever you wanna be”….

The American dream – Amen! But Hell yeah! it felt damn good to be there and witness her mega success and a concert hall packed to the limit. We even saw Halle Berry and Eva Longoria in the crowd.

I cried through many of her numbers. God! So many memories…. I can’t even keep track any longer!!!! At one point I had to call one of my girl friends in NYC and let her listen in…Guess which which song… ha ha :-)… yeah… She did an amazing version of Empire State of Mind…no doubt!

But firstly this song… which has been my personal state of mind for a while …

….and then this song, which still is one of my favorites. This is a different Live version where you can really hear her voice and piano skills. And the choir in this video was with her tonight as well… I’m so grateful whenever talented people like this share their gift…damn!!!