BY LARRY NAGER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After all the controversy and debate over traffic, parking, curfews and crowd control, it turned out to be the usual laid-back soul party at Cinergy Field.
Blessed by mild temperatures and low humidity, the 1998 Coors Light Festival opened for business Friday night, drawing an estimated 29,000 to the most youth-oriented show of the three-day event. Along with designated diva Patti LaBelle, an annual attraction, Friday's show featured young super-group LSG and some hip-hop flavor in the duo of K-Ci & JoJo and youthful crooner Brian McKnight. Ms. LaBelle's performance was the festival's first homecoming, as the crowd welcomed her back like an old friend. For her part, she seemed as comfortable as if in her own living room, exulting in her age -- 54 -- and her status as the only woman on Friday's show. She took advantage of the latter, inviting six young men onstage to take her shoes off, massage her feet and sing and dance with her.
That took up most of her 50 minutes. Somehow, she also managed to display that amazing voice on her soaring, R&B version of "Over the Rainbow."
LSG, featuring Cleveland's Gerald LeVert with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, got the party going again after Ms. LaBelle's disappointingly brief show. Sporting flashy white suits and an easygoing sense of camaraderie, they closed the night, most successfully combining the fest's old-school tone with a youthful outlook.
Brian McKnight was another big hit. The first national act of the night, he performed while it was still light. But his supple, powerful voice and movie-star looks had the crowd cheering, particularly the women, as soon as he opened his mouth. It was a rare response for a festival audience that usually gives it up only for the most established artists.
Along with hits from his three albums, his 45-minute show featured his piano playing, a soulful cover of Van Morrison's "Crazy Love," some up-tempo gospel and four slinky female dancers.
K-Ci & JoJo were less successful at bridging the generations, even though the two brothers have grown up since their Jodeci days. K-Ci, the skinny one, drew the most response, not for singing, but for pretending he was going to expose himself.
Older brother JoJo was more serious, ending their hour-long performance preaching racial harmony. He got the crowd to hold hands and asked, "Why can't we take this love out on the street tonight?" The festival got off to a strong start with a 25-minute set by Quiet as Kept. With strong harmonies, tight choreography and a confident stage presence, this was one local group that didn't sound like one.
Larry Nager is the Enquirer's pop music critic.
