“Strength Of A Woman,” hip-hop soul define Mary J. Blige’s Ravinia debut

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Flying high from a headlining slot at Essence Festival in New Orleans, Mary J. Blige made her Ravinia debut with an empowering show centered around the “Strength Of A Woman” and a backlog of smashes that led to her coronation as “The Queen Of Hip-Hop Soul.” She may be 25 years removed from the boundary-shattering “What’s The 411?” breakthrough, but in the interim, the nine-time Grammy Award-winner and double Academy Award-nominee only accelerated as a singer, songwriter and entertainer who for 100-minutes dispersed her talents and wisdom to those watching inside the pavilion and listening on the lawn.

Mary J. Blige was at her boldest pairing the soulful ballad “Not Goin’ Cry” with the chilling “No More Drama,” especially when she raised a fist in the air as a rallying cry for all her fellow fighters in the audience.

Despite coming off a painful divorce, Blige wasn’t afraid to talk about the “Changes I’ve Been Going Through,” but also made it clear she had “Enough Cryin’” and that no one but God could be her “Everything” anymore. In between, she dusted off so many R&B singles some had to be shortened, but never at the expense of the unbreakable spirit that came alongside “Real Love,” “Be Happy” and “Share My World,” all backed by a five-piece band and three background singers.

As the Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” cued up “My Life,” Mary J. changed out of her pictured ensemble and re-emerged in a black body suit and brimmed hat, continuing to belt up to the heavens. She kept on kickin’ it old school with “I’m Goin’ Down,” “I Never Wanna Live Without You” and “You Gotta Believe,” though also emphasized the current with “U + Me (Love Lesson)” and “Thick Of It,” plus the Chicago reveal of the even fresher disco revival “Only Love.”

Blige was at her boldest pairing the soulful ballad “Not Goin’ Cry” with the chilling “No More Drama,” especially when she raised a fist in the air as a rallying cry for all her fellow fighters in the audience. She may sport some battle scars, but thankfully emerged “Just Fine” with the dance moves to match, while the percolating “Family Affair” hinted how she feels about her diverse and fiercely-dedicated fan base who all knew they were in the presence of royalty at Ravinia.

For additional information on Mary J. Blige, visit MaryJBlige.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Lost 80’s Live” (Jul. 29); “E.T.” with Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Aug. 1); “Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark” with Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Aug. 2); Whoopi Goldberg (Aug. 3); David Foster (Aug. 5); Angélique Kidjo and Femi Kuti & The Positive Force (Aug. 6); Steve Martin and Martin Short (Aug. 12); Michael Feinstein and Kristin Chenoweth (Aug. 14); “Vertigo” with Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Aug. 15); Earth, Wind & Fire (Aug. 17); Cake and Ben Folds (Aug. 22); Sugarland (Aug. 23); The Beach Boys and The Righteous Brothers (Aug. 24); Trombone Shorty’s “Voodoo Threauxdown” (Aug. 26); Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (Aug. 28); John Hiatt & The Goners featuring Sonny Landreth (Aug. 30) and Culture Club & Boy George, The B-52’s and Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey (Aug. 31-Sept. 1). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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“Strength Of A Woman,” hip-hop soul define Mary J. Blige’s Ravinia debut

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