Rejuvenated in the Temple

Donnie delivers.

Not long ago we discovered the music of Motown recording artist Donnie. I'd seen the album cover for his 2003 debut and thought it was interesting but for some strange reason, I'd never picked it up and purchased it. I became an instant fan after hearing the song "Cloud 9" last year and Shawnelle proclaimed that if Donnie ever planned to perform anywhere near Los Angeles, we were going.

Well, he was at the Temple Bar last night and so were we--front row, center.

I can't begin to tell you how much we appreciate good music (especially great vocals!) and Donnie's voice is eerily reminiscent of the late, great Donny Hathaway, one of our faves. We aren't the only admirers of Donnie's work, Rahsaan Patterson and Rachelle Ferrell were in the audience--two great vocalists in their own right.

Donnie performed some new material as well as crowd faves from his album, The Colored Section. When he began "Cloud 9" the crowd went wild, he ended the night with a brief reprise of the song. We were a little disappointed that he didn't perform "Rocket Ship" as was one of his most devoted fans, an energetic young woman standing behind us.


Strumming our pain with her fingers, Amanda Dumas.

Amanda Dumas, who opened the show, is definitely one to watch. Pluicking away at the git' and singing songs about love, heartbreak and hope, her sound is somewhere between Avril Lavigne and Sheryl Crow.

In unrelated news, we're busy at work on a comedic feature and hoping to deliver a fourth episode by Christmas.


Shawnelle and I in our B-girl Stances.

--Shawnee