New Edition Back On Tour: Solo Favorites: Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Bell Biv Devoe, Johnny Gill

New Edition has reunited for a summer tour.    All 5 of the original members plus Johnny Gill (joined midway) are playing all of the hits, dressed to the nines, and bringing back thirty years of N.E. memories for crowds nationwide.   Here's my favorite song solo from each:
"DON'T BE CRUEL"  BOBBY BROWN

The most successful of the band as a solo act.  Love "Roni", "My Prerogative", "On Our Own", .... but you can't help but sing along to this one!

"STONE COLD GENTLEMAN"  RALPH TRESVANT ft Bobby Brown

Ralph was known for his smooth as silk slow jam vocals.   "Sensitivity" and "Do What I Gotta Do" are great examples, but this club favorite featuring Bobby has such a great party groove!

"POISON"   BELL BIV DEVOE

The lesser three of the band teamed up as a new group.  "I Thought It Was Me" and "Do Me" were under consideration but "Poison" is possibly the best New Jack Swing song ever.   I dare you to not sing along!

"LET'S GET THE MOOD RIGHT" JOHNNY GILL

I used "My My My" on my Valentine's Day blog so let's go with another slow burner, the ultra-romantic "Let's Get The Mood Right".   Johnny's attempts at uptempo were decent but his strength was his ability to eke out every ounce of emotion in his candlelight classics.

Princess of Crunk: Ciara, New Editon, new DMX

"PROMISE"    CIARA

Ciara exploded onto the music scene in 2004 with the mega-hits  "Goodies" and "1-2 Step".   She was originally branded the Princess of Crunk but her style has become more contemporary R&B now.   This incredibly beautiful video captures Ciara's innovative dance moves, her breathy baby-making vocals, and Ciara looks as sexy as ever.   I saw Ciara during her first tour in St Pete at the Last Damn Show, you could sense right away she would be incredible.

"I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU"  NEW EDITION

From their reunion CD in 1996, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, BBD, and Johnny Gill got back together for a masterful CD.   "Still In Love" was the first single and it features the classic NE harmonies backing Ralph's amazing falsetto voice.   Sadly the tour to support this CD resulted in rivalries and the band quit again after the tour.  Johnny, Ronnie, and Bobby have toured together recently as have Bell Biv Devoe, so who knows if $$$ and nostalgia brings them together again soon.

"LAST HOPE"     DMX

Earl Simmons, aka DMX, promised a new CD for 2012 and released a video in late 2011 to whet our appetite.  DMX has had his share of incarcerations, police run-ins, and drama.   Yet throughout it all, DMX always included prayers, positive message songs on each of his CD's.   He has changed a lot through the years and is currently a pastor.   I can only imagine how those church services go!   "Last Hope" describes his struggles and transformation.