Ever-Beautiful and Soulful Patti LaBelle Performed Live in Concert at Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Soul sensation Patti LaBelle performed live last night for more than 1,200 admiring fans inside Muriel Kauffman Theatre at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The elegance and aura of the downtown Kansas City venue created the perfect setting for such a spirited singer. For 90 minutes, LaBelle took us through a catalog of beloved songs spanning more than four decades and reaching as far back as the chart-topping song “Lady Marmalade” (1974) with her former band the Bluebelles. However, the set consisted largely of tunes from her later career plus some covers, and was absolutely nothing short on her sounds of the 1980s. She opened the evening with a rousing rendition of the synthpop hit “New Attitude” (1984) followed by the No. 1 R&B single “If Only You Knew” (1983), both of which helped launch her as a mainstream solo artist.
Patti LaBelle Setlist at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on March 17, 2017
“New Attitude,” “If Only You Knew,” “If You Asked Me To,” “Why I Love You” (Major cover) “Love, Need and Want You,” “Stir It Up,” “Somebody Love You Baby (You Know Who It Is),” “Since I Don’t Have You,” “When You Talk About Love/Love and Happiness,” “On My Own,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Total Praise,” “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” (Michael McDonald cover) “Lady Marmalade” (Bluebelles cover), “Over the Rainbow” (Harold Arlen cover) and “You Are My Friend”
Through her soulful tunes and comical stage antics, LaBelle uplifted the audience of hundreds and sweetly placed them in a cozy little spot directly on cloud nine. She even brought Heaven the rest of the way as she took everyone to church and the crowd soared to its feet during a heartfelt interlude praising the Lord. The night closed with an encore performance of “You Are My Friend” (1978) from her self-titled debut album, giving reverence with a video collection to those you have come and gone, but left their enduring marks. With support from her stellar 10-person band, including three impassioned back-up singers and an energetic piano player, her steadfast voice swept everyone away and continued to tug at their heartstrings until the final note and the curtain dropped.
