Alexandria, VA--
It was a cold snowy rainy evening but it did not stop the swollen crowd at the Birchmere who came out in force to see the “Black Moses” himself Isaac Hayes.
The evening began with Isaac Hayes, Hayes looking magnificent as he stepped onto the stage in his signature Black outfit. Isaac Hayes outfit consisted of a silk-leather sweaded pantsuit complete with his signature dark shades. Hayes was accompanied with a six-piece band along with three background singers.
His energetic performed began with the lively “Don’t’ Let Go! The bass guitarist handled his business on this cut. Hayes continued the evening with “Don’t Ever Take Your Love Away”. Hayes background singers worked their coordinated dance steps and displayed their showmanship on this cut.
Band member Joe Jackson, on keyboards added his touch of elegant by tinkling the ivory keys in sync with Hayes. I was as if you had stepped back in time as Isaac Hayes voice sounded the same as he did ten years ago.
Although his body displayed the toll of his stroked by the gentleness and stiffness in his walk as he entered the stage but Isaac Hayes style, grace and his aura was as if time had stood still.
A female audience member was so overtaken by the mere presence of Isaac Hayes that she jumped onto the stage and started to scream and dance on the stage as she displayed her sheer delight of being in the same room as Isaac Hayes.
Mr. Hayes handled it all in stride, allowed his adoring fan to enjoy the moment. Several fans yelled out to Isaac Hayes that they love him and in his signature baritone voice he yelled back “I love you too baby”.
The crowds favorite signature song by Isaac Hayes “Walk On By” was performed with precision and class accompanied with the awesome talent of lead guitarist Skip from Washington D.C.
Lead guitarist “Skip” displayed to the audience this is truly the way a lead guitar should be played. This type of raw talent is rarely seen these days.
After this song Isaac Hayes left the stage and allowed his drummer James Robinson to perform a fantastic solo cut. The entire band returned as the crowd started to shout out their request of songs they wanted Isaac Hayes to performed.
“Music Makes You Move Do Your Thing” was Mr. Hayes song of choice to perform. Verna Thomas one of the background singers performed a beautiful solo on this cut that was rockin! Next on the agenda was a duet with Isaac Hayes and Amanda Mayes who performed the all time favorite “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” a soothing redemption of the past.
On “Oop, Oop’s de Dop” Isaac Hayes showed the crowed he was not crippled by his disability and stood up and rocked to the music as he performed this lively song. Another favorite of the crowds was “Soul Man” which Hayes performed with vigor was quite the hit.
The long awaited moment came when Isaac Hayes performed the beautiful “I Stand Accused” which went over extremely well with the audience. Of course next up was the inevitable theme song from ”Shaft”.
On this number Isaac Hayes conducted the band himself and they did not miss a beat. It was a very fitting end to a fabulous concert at the Birchmere.
