A Cause for Keys

Alicia Keys played the Nokia Theater in Times Square on Tuesday night. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor being injected with a dead virus would keep me from this show. Thankfully it wasn't raining or sleeting. Dead virus aside, Alicia Keys rocked the house. Ms Keys, in town to promote her forthcoming album and raise awareness for World Aids Day, took the stage with her 13 piece band and showed us how it's done. The concert was simulcast live on Youtube, although in the digital age, that isn't saying much. I was able to simulcast it live on Youtube from my press seat, but I didn't announce it.

Alicia ran through her hits like Fallin', No One, Superwoman, and added a few more that I didn't recognize but enjoyed nonetheless. She was joined by her opener, the new crooner Jermaine Paul. This guy has a little bit of Al Green in him, and a little bit of Tracy Chapman, and I don't mean that in a he-sings-like-a-girl way. I mean it in more of a when-he-plays-guitar-it's reminiscent-of-Fast-Car, way. Or maybe it was more like Richie Havens when he sang Freedom at Woodstock, take your pick.

Ms. Keys and Jermaine Du-Paul (that's his new nickname) sang their song, and then Alicia invited 5 people to Africa with her. Well, not right then and there, first you have to donate to her cause, then you have to go online and then fill out a form. After that, however, you are free to be chosen to join Ms. Keys in Africa to support her cause. You might want to get a shot first.

To close things up, she went into her new solo rendition of 'Empire State' because clearly people are sick of hearing her sing it with what's-his-name. It was at this very moment that some of us savvy media types conjectured if Mr. Brooklyn himself could find a way in his heart to perhaps make a surprise appearance and complete the duet. It was just a thought, so as Alicia broke into the original version of the song, who do you think wandered onstage? Oh (pause) My (pause) God, or for those you born after 1990, OMG! Jay-Z enters to sing his chorus, and the crowd goes wild. If this were pro wrestling, it would have been like Stone Cone Steve Austin coming out to smack Vince McMahon. If it were an adult movie it would have been like Jenna Jameson appearing on screen at any given moment. Whatever it was like, it was awesome, and props to both of them for putting on a great show for a good cause. Go ahead, text 'Alive' to 90999, and tell them I sent you.

Here's an excerpt from the show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgiSDrV-Ko