Tony! Toni! Toné! Has Done It Again
Twenty five years from the last time they’ve toured together, Tony!
Toni! Toné!, who consists of Raphael Saadiq, D’wayne Wiggins, and
Timothy Riley, is together again. They kicked off their “Just Me and
You” tour in September and have a total of 27 stops across the U.S. YKIGS
was in attendance for the Atlanta stop and the show was nothing short of
incredible. If there was one word to describe the energy in Fox Theatre
this night, it would be NOSTALGIC in all the best ways. It’s difficult to
remember the days when there were no cell phones/camera phones to record
everything. While technology has given us access to so much more these
days, it can also take away from living in the moment. TTT’s tour has a
no phones policy and in that, whether intentional or not, created a safe
space for concert goers to be released from the pressures of needing to
record or post for social media. From the moment you walk into the venue,
phones are tucked away into a pouch and locked (you still maintain
possession of your phone and have the opportunity to unlock it as needed at
designated phone use areas). Without the pressures or obligations to snap
and record everything, people are left with no choice but to be present. It
felt like being back in the 90s and really made the event that much more
enjoyable. Before the trio takes the stage, fans are graced with 70s/80s
R&B tunes that had a few people already on their feet. After a few moments,
and a tribute to their hometown of Oakland, CA, the lights dim and one by
one TTT takes the stage. The uproar that commenced by everyone in
attendance was proof that 35+ years later TTT’s music has made a lasting
impression on listeners across multiple generations. Throughout the show,
each member had their own solo moments to shine. Timothy Riley on the keys
was a harmonious tune that blesses the ears of those who hear it, and while
he doesn’t say much, his gift with piano keys does the talking for him.
The same goes for D’wayne Wiggins on the guitar, with his vocals to go
with it. When he came on stage to sing “Whatever You Want”, that same
uproar from the start of the show, turned into everyone singing the track
at the top of their lungs. Everyone was having a good time without a care
in the world. Then of course, there is lead singer, Raphael Saadiq with his
charisma, style, and vocals. He so gracefully sang “Ask of You”, a
track from his solo era and the love from the crowd was real. Altogether
they performed their popular hits including, “Let’s Get Down”, “Me
and You”, “It Never Rains”, “Anniversary”, and my personal
favorite, “Lay Your Head (on my pillow). With only a few stops left in
the tour, there’s no doubt that Tony Toni Tone has made music that stands
the test of time. Not only do they still sound amazing together, but they
still look fantastic, each member having secretly found the fountain of
youth at the ages of 57/57/62. Seeing TTT perform together again is not
only a cultural win, but a win for music as a whole, and it truly “Feels
Good”!
(from Event Recaps on YouKnowIGotSoul.com)