There’s something to be said for artists with natural born talent that seems to emanate from them effortlessly, and that is how I classify singer, songwriter and phenomenal keyboardist, PJ Morton. Having just been exposed to his music for the first time this past week, it made me wonder what pile of rocks I had been living under this entire time.
But first, opening for PJ was a hip-hop artist by the name of Dee-1. I wondered how a hip-hop artist would serve as an opening act for PJ’s genre, but as soon as he appeared onstage it made complete sense. Dee-1’s lyrics were brimming with positivity as he delivered messages of non-violence, gun control, faith and perseverance all without profanity, he quickly gained the eyes and ears of everyone in the room. Relating stories to us of how he came to transition from being a middle school teacher to a full time hip hop artist was supremely inspiring. While Dee-1’s music was on the clean end of the spectrum, by no means was it safe or cautious in its delivery.
Dee-1
Dee-1
Dee-1
Dee-1
Dee-1
Dee-1
Dee-1
Dee-1
Dee-1
Gathering around the foot of the stage alongside the rest of the eager crowd, PJ appeared with a wide grin as his 5-piece band filled in around him. His set began on the highest of notes with the upbeat “Never Get Over You,” whose sharp drums and toe-tapping guitar rhythms got everyone moving. His set continued smoothly, with songs seamlessly transitioning into the next, until “Heavy,” when things went to another level with an extended jam session broke out and grabbed hold of everyone in attendance. From behind me I heard a voice singing along that I knew I’d heard before, and turning around, it was India Arie, who came to support PJ who had previously served as producer and songwriter on her song “Interested.” Obviously she was clearly enjoying the show just as much as everyone there.
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
As they eased into the slow-tempo “Mountains & Molehills,” the atmosphere in the room changed again, from a rocking juke joint to the middle of Sunday service. PJ’s voice rang out and touched everyone down to the tips of their toes, and far behind me I heard a woman scream out “YAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS” on more than one occasion. The spirit was alive and well in all of us at this point. At points during the night, crowd participation grew, and voices swelled in startling harmony as a full gospel choir would. To hear a crowd full of great singers all in harmony belt out an entire chorus rarely happens and I know my shocked face had to amuse a few people standing nearby.
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
Using every second of their time onstage, they didn’t bother leaving the stage for the “fake encore” part of the show, and just continued playing. My inner tv geek came out in full force when PJ launched into soulful renditions of the Golden Girls and Cheers theme songs that worked so well I wondered why no one had thought of it previously. Yes, we were all thankful to call PJ a friend by the end of the show, and we no longer felt like strangers in a room, we felt like family catching up.
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
PJ Morton
Transitioning from quiet moments to hand-clapping numbers that had PJ working every inch of the stage and us sweating out our best hairdos made me curse all those rocks I had been living under for so long. “HOW HAD I NEVER HEARD OF HIM?” I kept asking myself over and over again. The beauty of PJ’s music is that it doesn’t matter when you get onboard, it only matters that you stay along for the ride.
Article: Lesley Keller
