Ready for Freddie at The Arena Theater

For all of us,sophisticated, urbane, hip, grown folks that love good R&B music, soulful sounds, love songs about love not simply the love making act, and have found something lacking in today's music scene...weep no more. Your silent prayers have been answered. The good news is simply this, it is time for us all to get "Ready for Freddie". Freddie Jackson is BACK, and as he said recently..."I never left". This was most apparent at the October 3rd show at the Arena Theater in Houston, TX.

Now, for all those who will claim they already know Freddie - let me warn you, you may not be in the mood to learn, what you THINK you already know. This is NOT just another "old school" vocalists trying to pay his bills and ride the wave of sentimentality on the current R&B tour schedule. Freddie Jackson is the real deal. Twenty plus years of music industry knowledge and pure GOD given talent have not been forsaken nor wasted...this balladeer has, like fine wine gotten better with time. Freddie Jackson, his background singers and band took the stage at Houston's Arena Theater and gave the faithful all they were looking for and then some.

Entering the intimate circle in the round theater to an appreciative crowd, dressed in immaculate white on white, looking like time stood still and even better - stripped of his trademark "baby fat" roundness of the past, Freddie who has shed about a good 70 pounds strode on stage lean, mean and in full control of his scene.

This was music truly for lovers only...good music lovers that is. Freddie Jackson is fully aware of his legacy and his role in the canon of R&B music. With so many recent loses in the world of soul music, Luther Vandross and Michael Jackson at the top of the list, the question has been asked by many in the industry who will step up, show us what we been missing and the word came back..."Get Ready for Freddie".

Others have put their bid in, names like Charlie Wilson, Howard Hewitt, Peabo Bryson, Aaron Hall, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and of course "BOBBY!!!" But from I witnessed on stage at the Arena Theater on October 3rd, 2009 - Freddie has the class and style to put not just his voice on display but the whole genre of R&B music in the proper perspective.

It is said that there is no bigger shame to have talent and to waste it, Freddie Jackson spoke to the audience not just about his journey but the journey we all have been on, wanting, needing something we can feel, respect and treasure. He talked about his early beginnings not as a songwriter learning the craft of the well placed lyric in front of the perfect melody. He spoke about the industry and it's pitfalls, an industry that tried to create the illusion of a rift between him and his friend Luther Vandross. Freddie Jackson gave personal insights on life lessons he got from Patti LaBelle, McFadden and Whitehead and others, and like the wise elder statesmen he has become, offered pearls of wisdom to the young "wanna be's" out there reminding them that - "it's good to be able to go to the bank, but it is better to possess riches that the bank cannot take away". That is true wealth.

Oh yes, and there was the MUSIC....with 9 number one hits and many more chart toppers the evening was full of great music and even better memories. Creating musical magic with the likes of "Rock Me Tonight", "You Are My Lady", "Have You Ever Loved Somebody", "Tasty Love", "Love Me Down" and the rocking "Jam Tonight"...it was Freddie not Howard Hewett (with whom Freddie Jackson shared the bill as opening act) that made this a "Night To Remember". Mr. Jackson is on full tilt with his "For Old Times Sake " Tour and believe me when he comes to your town...just "Be Ready" 'cause Freddie sho' nuff is!