SLY STONE AT BB KING'S IN NYC, NOVEMBER 20, 2007

On the 20th of November I went to NYC to see my funk inspiration, Sly Stone in person live at BB Kings on 42nd street. I flew from Nashville to Baltimore, spent the night at a friends house (Anthony Wellington, bass tech for my brother, Victor) and we drove to NYC to see the show.
My main purpose for writing this is to set the record straight or at least add a fresh perspective
..... I did not see the first show, so I cannot speak on that one. I had heard all the bad news about Sly's demeanor and lack of time actually on stage. His mumbling into the mic, etc
Buuuut....the show that I saw was nothing like that! I saw the 2nd show. It did start about an hour late. I had a spot that was only maybe 4 feet in front of him. When he walked out, the crowd went nuts. He seemed like he was having a lot of fun. There was lots of love coming from the audience and he was very responsive to it. His voice sounded good. I was happiest about the fact that he seemed to all be there, not high, not inebriated, not detached but feeling the crowd and vice versa. In fact, when he saw the club giving people a tough time about taking pictures he said, "...take all the f**king pictures you want." He was shaking hands with people down front (I got my handshake too!) There were people moved to tears. I did not see anyone that did not have a good time. Granted, I did not see the entire audience But after the show I did not see anyone who did not look like they had a good time.
So in parting, when you hear the awful reviews about Sly Stone at BB Kings on November 20, 2007...know that they probably were not talking about the second show. I for one thought that the show was worth every dime that I spent.

Joseph Wooten aka Hands of Soul

Take me to the water
before the well runs dry.
Let me see the light
Before I close my eyes.
Use my inner vision
so that I can see
I'm a man on a mission
A warrior at peace.

Help me to be righteous
while I break the rules.
Let me lose my temper
while I keep my cool.
Live no fabrication
so I can just be me.
Thrive on Liberation
so I can just be free.

Let me be a leader
leading from behind.
Help me keep my focus
While I expand my mind.
Always stand up when I fall
but never break my neck.
Always speak what's on my mind
but never disrespect.

Help me push the limits
While I stay in bounds.
Keep my head up in the clouds,
My feet on the ground.
Let me see the future
but respect the past.
Help me hit like rock and roll,
but be smooth as jazz.

Take me to the water
before the well runs dry.
Let me see the light
before I close my eyes.
Use my inner vision
so that I can see.
I'm a man on a mission
a warrior at peace.

Take me to the water Before the well runs dry. Let me see the light Before I close my eyes. Use my inner vision So that I can see I'm a man on a mission A warrior at peace.