Common 

Live reviews

• Common

  COMMON: BLUEBIRD MEMORIES: A Journey Through Lyrics and Life!

  Audible at Minetta Lane Theater, NYC January 10-12, 2020

  Beautiful People,

  Please Join Me in Saying Happy New B'Earth Year Louise Robinson!

  Last Night Carol Maillard and Louise Robinson, two of the founding and current members of #SweetHoneyInTheRock attended

  Common: BLUEBIRD MEMORIES: A Journey Through Lyrics and Life

  Audible at Minetta Lane Theater in NYC.

  We were blessed to see and speak with Whoopi Goldberg whom we all love and saw many incredible people including Nadine Khan, DJ John Michael, Justin Emeka (the show's Associate Director) Zora Howard, Carmine, Nicole Hegeman, and one of the producers, Audible's Preston Copley.

  Visionary Dan Katz (Founder and Executive Chairman of Audible) writes in the exquisite program...

  "I'm excited to welcome you to this. Tonight you will experience Common's meditation on the complexities of fatherlessness, art, masculinity and black consciousness....This performance is the latest in a series of pieces written and performed to the intimate Audible aesthetic that millions around the world enjoy everyday.... A heartfelt thanks..."

  In BLUEBIRD MEMORIES, Common, speaking to his Father took us on a creative rollercoaster of disappointment, forgiveness, growth, healing, hope, personal relationships and Love.

  No one in the audience was prepared for the integrity and truth in this theatrical and musical performance. We sat with baited breath, clapped, cried, danced in our seats and even sang. The lighting and music was phenomenal!

  Louise Robinson said "Common spoke from his heart. He connected us to this piece by allowing us to revisit his relationship with his mostly absent father who is now with the ancestors, but whom he loved dearly. Everyone in the audience was enthralled by his storytelling as it touched on the humanness of our shared pain, regrets and Joy."

  Carol Maillard said "Just Amazing and Profound." And on a lighter note she jokingly said to Common "What's Your Name? He answered Rashid. And we all laughed!

  Later Whoopi Goldberg (who said she loved the show too) asked us had we met Common. Carol, Louise and I said Yes in unison and laughed again!

  If you are able, please go see Common's BLUEBIRD MEMORIES at Minetta Lane. Also plan to get it on Audible. It's a Precious Gem of Artistry!

  Oh What a Beautiful Inspiring Evening of Hope and Healing!

  Live & Love...

  Always, Melony

  aka Miss Mellie Rainbow

  #BLUEBIRDMEMORIES #COMMON #Audible #MinettaLaneTheater #WhoopiGoldberg #SweetHoneyInTheRock #CarolMaillard #LouiseRobinson #MelonyMcGant

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  by melonymcgant

• COMMON: BLUEBIRD MEMORIES: A Journey Through Lyrics and Life!

  Audible at Minetta Lane Theater, NYC January 10-12, 2020

  Beautiful People,

  Last Night Carol Maillard and Louise Robinson, two of the founding and current members of #SweetHoneyInTheRock attended

  Common: BLUEBIRD MEMORIES: A Journey Through Lyrics and Life

  Audible at Minetta Lane Theater in NYC.

  We were blessed to see and speak with Whoopi Goldberg whom we all love and saw many incredible people including Nadine Khan, DJ John Michael, Justin Emeka (the show's Associate Director) Zora Howard, Carmine, Nicole Hegeman, and one of the producers, Audible's Preston Copley.

  Visionary Dan Katz (Founder and Executive Chairman of Audible) writes in the exquisite program...

  "I'm excited to welcome you to this. Tonight you will experience Common's meditation on the complexities of fatherlessness, art, masculinity and black consciousness....This performance is the latest in a series of pieces written and performed to the intimate Audible aesthetic that millions around the world enjoy everyday.... A heartfelt thanks..."

  In BLUEBIRD MEMORIES, Common, speaking to his Father took us on a creative rollercoaster of disappointment, forgiveness, growth, healing, hope, personal relationships and Love.

  No one in the audience was prepared for the integrity and truth in this theatrical and musical performance. We sat with baited breath, clapped, cried, danced in our seats and even sang. The lighting and music was phenomenal!

  Louise Robinson said "Common spoke from his heart. He connected us to this piece by allowing us to revisit his relationship with his mostly absent father who is now with the ancestors, but whom he loved dearly. Everyone in the audience was enthralled by his storytelling as it touched on the humanness of our shared pain, regrets and Joy."

  Carol Maillard said "Just Amazing and Profound." And on a lighter note she jokingly said to Common "What's Your Name? He answered Rashid. And we all laughed!

  Later Whoopi Goldberg (who said she loved the show too) asked us had we met Common. Carol, Louise and I said Yes in unison and laughed again!

  If you are able, please go see Common's BLUEBIRD MEMORIES at Minetta Lane. Also plan to get it on Audible. It's a Precious Gem of Artistry!

  Oh What a Beautiful Inspiring Evening of Hope and Healing!

  Live & Love...

  Always, Melony

  aka Miss Mellie Rainbow

  #BLUEBIRDMEMORIES #COMMON #Audible #MinettaLaneTheater #WhoopiGoldberg #SweetHoneyInTheRock #CarolMaillard #LouiseRobinson #MelonyMcGant

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  by melonymcgant

• DJ Sims, COMMON and His Band Majestically Inspire and Rock the House at Elysee Montmartre in Paris, France on a Graceful Full Moon Night!

  Beautiful People, 

  Last night Larry Vickers picked me up at Le Pigalle Hotel and with joy; we walked along Boulevard de Rochechouart observing the many people, cafes and shops until we arrived the short distance to Elysee Montmartre where DJ Sims was opening before COMMON and his band performed.  

  When we arrived, Mr. Vickers knew many people. His friends Nina, Bilal Button and Hugo were there.  And we saw Sade, Common's videographer who Mr. Vickers had met the night before!

  I searched for Emmanuel from Free Your Funk/Live Nation who had arranged for our tickets and ran into Junius, Common's keyboardist.  I was surprised to learn that he had lived in Egypt for 5 years!  I also saw DJ Sara K,  whom I had met while she was spinning music at Le Pigalle. 

  Later Mr. Vickers and I were escorted by Emmanuel up many steps and we entered a huge, majestic ballroom with a stage, a bar and a seating area with no more than 20 seats. Fortunately,  we were given seats and had a perfect view of the stage. We met Nnenna King, a vocalist from London and a friend who is studying to be a pyschotherapist.

  Shortly after, the ballroom became literally packed with excited guests! DJ Sims lit the crowd up! 

  Then the rainbow lights shimmered, the curtains opened and Common was onstage with his band!

  People swayed and rocked.  Elysee Montmartre was so crowded that you really couldn't dance but people felt the music.   Common took us on a musical journey from his first time in Paris with De La Soul to his new album #LETLOVEHAVETHELAST WORD.  

  Common is a gracious, extremely energetic performer with a message of Truth, Love, Compassion and Healing that is woven into his book, his music and philanthropic and social Justice work.

  The show was Magnificent.  Kudos to All Involved!  Afterwards we met an exhausted but regal COMMON backstage and he signed a copy of his book #LETLOVE for Mr. Vickers.   

  Afterwards... Late Supper and Drinks at Le Pigalle!

  I Am Still Soaring!

  Live & Love...

  Always, Melony aka Miss Mellie Rainbow

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  by melonymcgant

• Lonnie Rashid Lynn better known by his stage name Common is an artist often said to have an expert knowledge of the genre of hip hop and the influences that surround it. Having began his career in the early 90's, he was firmly considered to be an underground artist until his album 'Like Water for Chocolate' achieved commerciality in the States following its release in 2000.

  Suddenly Common had a devoted readymade fan base from his underground days as well as a whole host of new faces who had learned of his music. This dynamic is relatively similar at Lynn's gigs nowadays as there is a really fascinated mixture of people in the audience. Lonnie is ready to entertain them all though with a setlist made of music taken from all years of his career.

  Beginning with an expert mash up of 'Forever Begins' and 'The People' the audience instantly begin to cheer and sing along. Common keeps them interacting with his live performance throughout and thanks them sincerely for the support and claims they are responsible for his exposure to the mainstream. The atmosphere could not be better and as the introduction to 'The Light' begins, the crowd and performer look comfortable enough to have stayed in the venue all evening.

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  by sean-ward

• I had first saw Common back in 2000 on the Spitkickers tour. This was one of my first concert experiences and it was definitely memorable. There was no shortage of greatness on this tour. Common was sharing the stage with the likes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and the legendary De La Soul. This was real hip hop. Common was not the headliner but he did steal the show. His performance was unlike any other I’ve ever seen, it was a journey through time spanning different decades of Hip Hop music. He explored funk, soul, the birth of hip hop in the 80s and the 90’s. His performances of ‘Cold Blooded’, ‘The 6th Sense’, and ‘The Light’ were amazing. Not to mention his freestyles which were some of the best I’ve ever seen. Common would drop 16 bars at the drop of a dime. Although not specifically a high-energy rapper, Common vocals were on point delivering dope rhymes with precision. Since then Common’s fan base has grown and so has his commercial success. He released great albums like ‘Be’ and ‘Universal Mind Control’. Now much of his stuff seems to be more radio-friendly positive tunes. Not that’s anything is wrong with this but I prefer the old Common from the Spitkickers tour.

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  by HavDecent

• Common - 15. Sept. 2019

  Cologne, Carlswerk Victoria

  The opener by the well known local DJ Cem set the mood right away with his tight mix of old and new school beats. He fuled the anticipation for what was to become a great show filled with love. Love is the way that Common chooses to entertain his audience. After 30 years Common is able to still radiate as honest as ever with an endearing vibe that fills the entire space witch let's you feel cousy through out the show. Common understands to narrate through an evening, being insightful between party bangers and silent tracks. Common is a treasure who sends out a message and everyone participating is receiving it. In the end everyone left with a little bit more love in their heart.

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  by philip-milkowski

• HORRIBLE concert. They had some Corporate, stuffy blabber mouths up on stage 3 or 4 times running off at the mouth to buy their merchandise. Watch CNN, I literally started BOOing them until they left the stage. They also ran a MTV documentary that lasted nearly an hour in between Commons set (great set btw) and Lauryn Hills (average).

  Overall I HATED the stupid promoters making it about them and their products instead of the music. I dig all of the artists but if I had known it would be like it was I would have NEVER have gone - do not support these a-holes!!!

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  by sam-barnes-12

• Common is the greatest! What can I say about Common he is the best hip-hop artist period. Show was amazing. Big disappointment that he hit the stage at 9:45 pm for a 7 pm show. House of Blues needs serious AC -- it was a beautiful new venue (open just 3 weeks now) but people were sweaty and funky and after waiting nearly 3 hours for Common to hit the stage it was overall an experience I would not recommend to anyone.

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  by gwendolyn.a

• Show was dope! Lots of new songs but what impressed me the most was how much he engaged the audience. As he said before he does it for the people.

  It was really awesome when he came back out and did a few more songs and threw in some quick breakdancing windmills and all!

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  by sk-04424352728064183

• The Common concert was off the chain! Wow great performances from Rapsody and Common. The 75.00 I paid was worth every penny! What a great night of music. Rapsody is coming back to Texas and I’ll be there

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  by ShonH