Chaka Khan, Michael Mc Donald and Isaiah Sharkey
Ravinia Pavilion, Highland Park, IL, USA, July6, 2019
by Maja Rios
Native Chicagoan, singer/songwriter/guitarist, Isaiah Sharkey, was the opening act for Chaka Khan/Michael McDonald concert at Ravinia, sat. July 6. The 29-year-old triple threat and relative newcomer had his debut at Ravinia sat July 6th. Blending, jazz, blues, funk, soul and gospel influences, his unique style on vocals and guitar kept the crowd entertained with his falsetto vocals and original songs.
Next, veteran, singer/songwriter/pianist and guitarist, Michael McDonald, was great. He had some of the top musicians consisting of sax, drums, bass, guitar, electric piano, background female vocalist, with himself on acoustic piano and vocals did a splendid job of many of his top hits including, “On My Own(duet with background vocalist), “Bit BY Bit” and ”Takin It To The Streets’ (duet with Chaka Khan)and many more. He sounded even better than his recordings!
Finally the Diva, herself, Chaka Khan, native Chicagoan, one of my favorite vocalists of all time, played and “slayed’ many of her great hits including, “This Is My Night’, “ Sweet Thing”, “Everlasting Love”, ” Stay”, ”Through The Fire”, “I Feel For You”, “Tell Me Something Good”, and “You Belong To Me”(duet with Michae,l McDonald. Chaka was in rare form as was her great 10piece back-up band of 2 keyboardists, guitar, bass, drums, sax, and 3 background vocalists. A great instrumental version of “Night In Tunisia” by the band when she took a short break between songs, as well as a great bass solo, by her bassist, Melvin Davis rounded out the program.
To Top it all off, the large and super enthusiastic crowd, including the Rev Jesse Jackson in the audience to cheer her on in the beautiful Ravinia Pavillion and Park made for a great evening!
One of my favorite shows ever!
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