Coliseum swoons for Maxwell

MAXWELL, COMMON AND CHRISETTE MICHELE Concert review At: Richmond Coliseum last night Moments before Maxwell opened his show, a bevy of women strategically positioned themselves along the edge of a Y-shaped stage that stretched half the length of the Richmond Coliseum floor.

The coveted positions would come in handy in snapping photos of the handsome neo-soul singer on cameras and cell phones, or offering him bouquets or the occasional undergarment.

Dedicating his song "Lifetime" "to all the Virginia lovers in the house," Maxwell transformed the Coliseum into a mass of screaming, undulating female fans who dominated an audience of about 7,500.

He was more than ably assisted by a tightly percolating 10-member band that augmented Maxwell's passionate vocalizing with sinewy organ runs, pulsating baselines, and, of course, emphatically horny horns.

"I need somebody to dry me off," Maxwell said after one workout, drawing screams from would-be volunteers.

With a silky sexuality that brings to mind Marvin Gaye, Maxwell ran through a catalog of female-friendly hits that, judging from the audience, has multigenerational appeal.

Two huge screens provided video of band members and a female vocalist who, like Maxwell, looked sharp in dark suits and gown.

On the acoustic-guitar propelled "Playing Possum," Maxwell and band members ventured to the far ends of the stage, giving the Coliseum a more intimate feel.

"This Woman's Work" brought peals of screams, as Maxwell's plaintive falsetto engaged in call and response with the audience.

Earlier, Common drew from his own hits, such as "Go," "The Light" and "Come Close."

An athletic and youthful 37, he took the audience on a somewhat nostalgic tour of the rap universe, with stops at the Fugees, Biggie Smalls, Dr. Dre and the Digable Planets, among other artists.

Capping off this medley was a turntable-twisting workout by his talented deejay that included a scratched-out version of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel."

Common's amiable charisma and lyrical flow were undermined by a muddy mix that left him drowned out by his band.

Grammy-winning soul singer Chrisette Michele opened the show with a 30-minute set that included the crowd-pleasers "Epiphany" and "What You Do."

Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or .