E-Thec pointed out that it’s been almost 2 years since that 3 hr wait in the rain to see Les Nubians at the Shattuck Down Low. A few weeks ago I was reflecting on that transcendent show and decided to make the effort and requisite expenditure to see more live music. And whoa, as my Bay Area peeps are known to say, “the universe provides.” I was walking to Jack London to shoot some of those big cranes with Vivian and saw Les Nubians was playing at the vaunted jazz venue, Yoshi’s. Clearly, the Universe provides neon signs that also smack me upside the head.

$60 in tickets and an excellent dinner of seared white tuna and miso glazed black cod later, The Monkey and I were seated next to a table of butch-femme lesbians right out of Stone Butch Blues. ok, they were women of color so not exactly lifted from the novel, but you get the point.

Inspired by the Wily Filipino, I tried to keep a set list. I soldiered for the first two songs: Princesses Nubians and Tous Les Temps. Then the craziness of Celia’s dress got the better of my weak powers of concentration. As Ludacris would say, “She walked into the club looking Ri-di-cu-lous!” Yes, she rocked a glittery slip dress that had these purple, pink and gold Matisse like patterns. About 5 minutes into it I realized the patterns spelled J’::heart:: Paris. I ::heart:: Celia! The Monkey noted that it’s almost impossible to take your eyes off Les Nubians. Well, they are both just that beautiful. Coupled with the kind of harmony that only siblings can create, they are a singularly mesmerizing show.

The only thing more ri-di-cu-lous than Celia’s dress is that it’s been FIVE years since their last album, One Step Forward. But, we were treated to a bunch of new work, a 5 minute Obama plug and assurances that a new album was coming soon!

Before sharing one of their new reggae songs, Helene prescribed/intoned, “at least one reggae track a day. It is very good for your sanity, no?” Methinks I can comply with that. They performed a cover of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name,” and the lyrics never make any sense. Their twist included a driving drum line with a rolling bass and The Monkey thinks it’s the best cover she’s ever heard. They recorded it for “In the Name of Love:Africa Celebrates U2″ uh..ok, go ahead and celebrate U2. But as Helene said, “whether you like them or not, you, like us, grew up with them.” True true. I wore down my Joshua Tree tape and bought their stuff right up to Achtung Baby.

So after that love fest, I’m sure you’re ready for some Les Nubians. Yoshi’s doesn’t allow recording or pictures. So, You Tube will have to do.

They closed with a rock band rendition of Temperature Rising that left the crowd shouting for an encore and then, “MA-KE-DA!”
Their encore was Makeda, of course. There was not a single person sitting at the end.

Enjoy!