By James L. Stroud, Jr.
Contributing Writer
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight fans defied the cold weather, went to downtown Minneapolis, stood in the lobby of the Dakota Jazz Club, and waited with excitement and anticipation for McKnight’s 7 pm performance to end so they could take their seats for his 9:30 pm performance. This was the first night of two back-to-back sold-out shows — January 4 and 5, with 7 pm and 9:30 pm performances each night.
McKnight, 41, is a Grammy-winning R&B singer, songwriter, arranger and music producer who has sold over 20 million records during his career. The multi-talented McKnight also is an actor and a versatile musician who plays nine instruments. McKnight has also received kudos for his skills as an interviewer through hosting and producing the Brian McKnight Show for both radio and television. Drawing from his many talents for his return to the Twin Cities, McKnight literally put on a one-man concert at the Dakota Jazz Club.
The introduction for McKnight was subtle, yet appropriate; his entrance was calm and delicate without music or musicians playing as he walked on stage. It set the tone for the evening as he began to welcome the audience, grooming them for what to expect for the next two hours, and everyone seemed okay to follow him. Immediately putting on the charm and his good sense of humor, McKnight had the audience at hello. The entire night from beginning to end McKnight only used a piano, an acoustic guitar, his voice and the microphone. The only other person on stage was a young woman named Ayesha — McKnight serenaded her with the song “Crazy Love” that he played on his acoustic guitar.
McKnight started the show by mixing in a chronological biography that highlighted his musical journey, which began at age five and evolved while growing up in a musical church family.
“I was the least talented singer and piano player in my family,” says McKnight. During the first part of the show, McKnight used a combination of personal stories about growing up and cover tunes made by some of his musical influences like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, James Ingram and Nat King Cole, while imitating each singer perfectly.
According to McKnight, although he was influence by many of those famous musicians and singers, his biggest influence was his hero: older brother Claude V. McKnight, who was one of the founding members of the gospel-singing group Take 6.
As the evening went on, McKnight sung more of his hits like “One Last Cry” and “Anytime.” In the latter half of the performance, McKnight stopped singing and opened the floor up for questions from the audience. For the first 10 minutes, the audience seemed to find that segment of the show funny and entertaining to watch McKnight flex his quick wit and ability to adlib, which conjured up more laughter. However, listening to comments from women at different tables as the question-and-answer session went passed the 10-minute mark, many of the women wanted more singing.
During that session, MSR asked McKnight (BM) a question about songwriting:
MSR: You wrote so many great songs for different singers and for yourself. Have you ever had another songwriter compose a song or offer to compose a song for you?
BM: You know what, I don’t want to sound arrogant or anything like that, but nobody can write for me. No one can. My songwriting comes from things that are going on with my life in that moment and time.
After the questions were over, McKnight walked over to the piano and resumed playing and singing. He said that he was going back in time to sing some of his early hits and taking requests. As he ended the show, one of the last few songs requested was one of his biggest hits from 1999 —“Back at One.” It was the crowd favorite, and they sung along with McKnight word for word.
The evening ended with McKnight signing autographs and taking photos with those who bought his latest CD, Evolution of a Man.
James L. Stroud, Jr. welcomes reader comments to jlstroud@spokesman-recorder.com.