Posted by By Lorrie Irby Jackson – Dallas South News Contributor
“I’m from Oak Cliff,” said homegrown soul sensation N’Dambi to revival-worthy applause from center stage at the Clarence Muse Café. “and I got a story to tell.”
And for over an hour, the singer and songwriter did just that. With charisma as bold and brilliant as her fiery ‘fro, N’Dambi -backed by her four-piece band- played tracks from her independent catalog as well as newer hits from her latest CD, Pink Elephant. Her working space was limited, but that didn’t keep N’Dambi from owning every inch of it, energizing the crowd (which included proud members of her immediate family) with fist-pumping, hip-swiveling and a saucy grin that delighted many of the male admirers in the crowd.
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Fans sang along with her rich, dusky alto to numbers like “What’s Wrong With You,” “L.I.E.,” “Can’t Change Me,” “What It Takes” and “Ooh Baby,” a sultry slow jam that she created “while on my way to get my shoes fixed.” She embellished the tune with live elements from Stevie Wonder’s beloved classic “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You”).
As much as the intimate showcase marked how far she’s progressed in her decade-long solo career as a singer and songwriter, it also a celebrated the people who championed her journey. That includes her mother and an early mentor, Gaye, who patiently nurtured N’ Dambi’s gift of song “back when I was really shy and (my voice) just wouldn’t come out.”
N'Dambi @ Muse
“The Sunshine,” an early hit, was cleverly interpolated with Norman Connors’ “You Are My Starship,” and the infectious, expletive-laced single, “Can’t Hardly Wait,” was watered down to say “fuss” instead of…you know (“I’ma be nice since my mama’s here,” she chuckled), but still earned a hearty sing-a-long from folks in the house who could obviously relate.
After her encore song, the breathily-delivered “Call Me,” many long-time followers and new N’Dambi converts rushed out to buy CDs and greet the performer, who revealed in an earlier chat that it’s the one-on-one relationship with fans that makes the grind worthwhile, whether they’ve been there since 1999’s Little Lost Girls Blues or just recently discovered her art thanks to the recent major label debut. So what’s the next item on her agenda? “We’re working on club remixes now,” she reveals with a laugh,”something you can do the ‘Stanky Leg’ and ‘Ricky Bobby’ to.”
Lorrie Irby Jackson is a freelance journalist based in Dallas and has covered entertainment professionally for several years, writing many for The Dallas Morning News. Her e-mail address is lorrie.irby@gmail.com.
Edited by Shawn Williams
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