Meshell Ndgeochello performs an intimate set at the Ardmore Music Hall

Meshell Ndegeocello did a mini Northeast U.S. tour this week, and I was lucky enough to be able to catch her appearance at the Ardmore Music Hall, in Ardmore, PA – a suburb of Philadelphia.
Two decades into her career, Meshell continues to push boundaries. Despite all the Grammy nods and devoted following, coupled with her refusal to adhere to any style or stay within a genre, Meshell Ndegeocello seems fated to be forever underrated. However she seems very ok with where she is. With her tight and well-rehearsed trio of players (drummer Abraham Rounds, keyboardist Jebin Bruni and long-time guitarist Chris Bruce), she and the band made magic together on stage. There were moments of such intensity during the concert on Friday evening that she and her musicians seemed to be conjuring a supernatural trance.
Besides being and amazing songwriter with a smoky voice, she is well known for her exquisite bass playing skills. I have seen her many times over the years, and I have never seen her play the bass this much. She never put it down, and played it on every song. Some songs turned into extended jams where she seemed lost in the groove. The crowd was mesmerized as she worked her fingers like magic.
It quickly became apparent that there was no set list, as she would call out to each band member what song to play next based on how she was feeling. I have heard that other shows in other cities had different songs, or some of the same ones but in a different order.
Tonight, she was clearly in a Bitter mood, playing 4 songs from that album throughout the evening, and then 4 Nina Simone covers in a row. She was actually in a happy space, smiling a lot throughout the show. Meshell seems very connected to Nina, releasing an album dedicated to her a few years ago full of her versions of her favorite Nina Simone songs. She truly has made these songs her own, especially live.
After a perform a couple of newer songs from her most recent album Comet, Come To Me, she played fan favorite “Outside Your Door” from her debut album to the obvious joys of the crowd.
After leaving the stage briefly, the band came back for an encore of "Love You Down", her slow, soulful, hard rock version of the Ready For The World tune, with an extended guitar solo by Chris Bruce.
With a great mix of old and new songs, plus some great covers, Meshell and her band delivered an amazing experience that was well worth seeing. I am looking forward to her return.
 
Setlist:
Fool Of Me
Grace
Suzanne [Nina Simone cover]
Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood [Nina Simone cover]
See Line Woman [Nina Simone cover]
Be My Husband [Nina Simone cover]
Living In Vain [Snakefinger cover]
Wasted Time
Forget My Name
Article 3
Tom
Beautiful
Outside Your Door
Good Day Bad
Love You Down [Ready For The World cover]