Last Thursday night, July 20, I went to see “A Night of Symphonic Hip-Hop featuring Common.” This was at Heinz Hall and the performance was with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO). I had heard that Common was coming to Pittsburgh but wasn’t really interested – I love Common as an actor but wasn’t familiar with his work as a rapper. A good friend suggested that we go, and I have publicly said I am going to do more things without my camera. In short, more social events where I am not working. She purchased the tickets and then a day or two later I got a flyer with a discount code. Thursday night we met and went to the show. There were many empty seats, it seems that a lot of people did not know that Common was coming to town or did not understand what his appearance would be like with the PSO. Our seats were four rows from the stage…I would say very good seats. Keep in mind I am not familiar with Common’s music and I am waiting for him to do something that sounded familiar. I looked around me and people were up out of their seats and seemed to know every word he was saying. People were running up to the stage trying to touch his hand and taking selfies with Common in the background. I must say he was very accommodating.
At one point a small gospel group came out, I believe they were from Pittsburgh, I noticed that Nikki Smith-Porter was a member of the group. This group did two selections with Common, the last one they did was the song, “Glory.” That, I really enjoyed. I asked my friend what rap song Common is best known for. She told me it was, “Sorry Miss Jackson.” I’m like, “OK, well do you think he will sing that?” Then her brain freeze thawed out and she told me that he did not do that song – it was Andre 3000 that sang that song. I cracked up. Both of us are over 60 years old.
I said to myself, “I better read the program and see what this man is about.” His first major label album was “Like Water for Chocolate” and his first Grammy Award was in 2003, winning best R&B Song for “Love of My Live” with Erykah Badu. He won a second Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Southside” featuring Kanye West. Common won a Golden Globe in 2015 and the 2015 Academy Award for Best Original song for his song, “Glory,” from the 2014 film “Selma” in which he co-starred as Civil Rights Movement leader James Bevel. I would say that his acting career has really taken off. He has had significant roles in “Smokin’ Aces,” “Street Kings,” “American Gangster,” “Wanted,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Date Night,” “Just Wright,” “Happy Feet Two,” “New Year’s Eve” and “Run All Night”. My favorite was “Just Wright.”
Patti Austin will be with PSO on Oct. 20-22. Mark your calendar.
(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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