The girl can’t help it.
Even though Beautify Dempsey, a junior at Penn State, snagged tickets to last Thursday’s John Legend concert at Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, Pa., she told a writer for The Daily Collegian Online that she was “mad” that she had a floor seat. She wanted to be among those who touched Legend as he strode through the audience.
“I think some of the songs are for the clubs,” said Legend just prior to that show in support of his latest release, “Evolver.” “Some are a bit more for the bedroom.”
With his sultry voice and smooth, handsome looks, Legend has always donned the role of sex symbol, and his latest album underscores that title. This time out, though, he’s ramped up the tone a bit, moving a bit away from soft candlelight and into more a more overtly sexual style. Although the shift seems in keeping with the growth of the artist, he claims it didn’t spring from any master plan.
“I just want to make some great music,” said Legend. “I pick out producers I want to work with and even then you don’t know what you will get. You take what comes.”
In this case, it’s another elegant album containing part club music, part romantic tunes. Bits of soul, funk and work by top-notch guest rappers including Andre 3000 and Kanye West are sprinkled throughout.
“I think music is fun right now. I am enjoying lot of what I am hearing on the radio,” he said. “Pop music in a good place, and there’s more interesting rap coming out, more than a few years ago. … Music is better than it has been in a while.”
In a way, mixing it up a bit on this album is Legend’s way of joining what he thinks is a pretty cool party to boost popular music. A self-confessed club guy, he seems to look forward to walking in the door and hearing a DJ spin his tunes. On the other hand, it’s a safe bet that some clubgoers will play a few other Legend songs when they return home.
“Lots of R&B dudes promise opulent nights of ecstasy, but Legend is so classy that these fantasies seem like real journalism,” wrote Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone. “Aspirational babymaking music doesn’t get more skillful than this.”
IF YOU GO
John Legend
» Venue: Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore
» When: 8 tonight
» Details: $73
» Info.: 410-547-SEAT; www.ticketmaster.com
