//Bow Down To: 90’s Girl Group SWV//

I witnessed something last night at the Essence of R&B concert held at Baltimore’s historic Hippodrome Theatre that completely blew my mind: singers got on stage and without distracting pyro, flashy dancers, ass-out costumes, and over-the-top choreography they came out and put on a great show. Like, who does that these days!? Not a lot of people from this era of music I concluded.

The bill was stacked high with R&B artists whose heyday was in the 1990’s.

Freaky five-some Silk sexed up the stage with their hits including “Freak Me,” “Meeting In My Bedroom,” and “If You.” Kelly Price slayed with her massive vocals on “As We Lay” and debut hit “Friend of Mine.” Carl Thomas and Jon B. were also on the bill, but in all honesty, while they showed great vocal chops, their performances overall were not very entertaining.

But it was the headlining Sisters with Voices a.k.a. SWV that put on the best show. The budget had to be scant — there were no dancers, no fierce stage wear, and nothing but a DJ playing the instrumental tracks to some of their biggest hits, but what made the night so electrifying was seeing all three original members (Coko, Taj, and Lelee) together and sounding amazing like time never passed them by.

They ran through hits like “I’m So Into You,” “Use Your Heart” (LeLee filled in for Taj who was suffering from bronchitis), “Rain,” “Right Here,” “Anything,” and their debut and most memorable hit, “Weak.”

It was an honor to see and hear. Ladies and gentlemen, I bow down to SWV. You should, too. Without them many of the girl groups who came after them would be nowhere.

Enjoy the video for “Weak” below.

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