Wednesday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012


Doc, Mike Smith, Donnell, Godfather, Lorenzo, Dwayne


Smoke, Mike Muse, Jacques, Doc, Halima, Mike Smith, Donnell, Godfather, DP


Mike Muse, Jacques, Doc, Donnell, Mike Smith, DP, Godfather, unidentified fans
All pictures taken by and Copyright Jordan Rich

I arrived and sat down. Michon talked with Jacques. Jacques told Michon that the guy who drives the equipment truck for FF quit because they wouldn't let him go to Myrtle Beach, and they didn't find out until tonight. Doc put his bass down and sat down with his friend Tanya. When Halima walked to the service entrance, she had a funny look on her face - obviously she was confused as to whether they were performing because there wasn't any equipment set up. Jacques explained the situation to her. Donnell was late arriving because he was at his son Derek's high school graduation. I joked with Smoke about playing percussion on his body - I talked about the day at Takoma that Jammin' Jeff played percussion on so many other things.

When Baba arrived with the equipment truck, he asked me and the band members to help the equipment guys bring the equipment in, which we did. After they started assembling the drum kit and other percussions, I kidded Halima that she didn't have to sing acapella anymore.

6'9 was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell apologized for the late start, he said, "Everything that could go wrong did." I was a little surprised he didn't just say, "Our driver quit."
Donnell introduced Mike Smith as someone he hasn't played with in five years. Donnell Jr. was there. He wore a tie. Donnell said on the mic, "My son is here, he's 12 years old."
1) Instrumental
2) Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change
Angie, who sat next to me, was really into Mike's singing
3) Mike-led Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love
4) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
Darrell was there, he jokingly put his head in Angie's lap. Nephew got fresh with Angie, but he said she likes it. Tracy told me she though she saw me earlier walking a dog with a woman. I told her how my friends had seen two lesbians - one walking the other on a leash at Tracks when we were in college.
5) Mike-led Ruff Endz Someone to Love You
Donnell said, "Halima had called to say she was under the weather, but she's going to go ahead and try to sing."
She said, "Hi Googie," then greeted the audience before singing.
6) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - she used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
Mike said, "She wasn't sick, she was just playing."
Donnell did shout outs to Sweet Tracy, Sweet Angie, me and Darrell
7) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady
Donnell said, "Ray, if she wasn't here, I could give you a book of lies to tell her (so that he could go on the boat ride on Saturday)." Donnell said that the following Saturday, they would be a Venus during the fight then at Tradewinds for their usual show. Donnell teased Felecia (spelling?).

6'9 asked me if I had gone to Myrtle Beach and was going on the boat ride. I said no, but I am going to Miami.

Second Set
Donnell said, "Ray, you better get on the dancefloor or I'll tell your whole name" - Ray got on the dance floor.
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
Go-Go Mickey was there
2) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva / bassline from Stevie Wonder's Superstition
Robin said hello
4) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - James was on backup vocals
5) Halima-led Faith Evan's Again
6) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
7) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
8) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "20, 40 baby, baby" / "Wait a minute"
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)
Donnell said, "Jauhar is furious." Halima mocked it. I joked with her.
Dana and Shaun were there.

I asked Godfather who was playing drums for Rare Essence now, he said Blue (Darryl "Blue Eye" Arrington). He told me Tracy is Bobby Smoot's baby sister. Jennifer, a white girl, was there.