Photos by Andy Argyrakis

When singer/songwriter Brian McKnight released the soulful “Exodus” in 2020, it was said to be his last original studio album ever, though thankfully, he hasn’t ruled out new single releases whenever inspiration strikes.

Even so, it was as if he announced a farewell tour, prompting not only a headlining appearance at Ravinia and a Chicago R&B Fest slot at Wintrust Arena, but a whopping four solo shows at the beautiful City Winery, all of which are either sold out or have a low ticket alert.

Throughout Tuesday’s early evening opener, prior to a late show and another double header on Wednesday, November 24 (all of which require masks, plus proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test), the more than 25 million album-seller, actor and reality TV star showed just how iconic he’s become with danceable grooves and sultry ballads that stretched back to the early 1990s.

Switching between backing tracks, keyboard and acoustic guitar, McKnight got to as many as the unbelievably intimate opportunity allowed, wasting no time tackling the likes of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing,” the quiet storm of “Anytime” and the gorgeous “The Only One For Me,” all wrapped in his warm and super smooth delivery.

Additional covers included Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love,” and later, a segment saluting lost legends such as Michael Jackson (“Rock With You”), Luther Vandross (“Never Too Much”), Prince (“The Beautiful Ones”) and Whitney Houston “(I Have Nothing”).

In between, McKnight proved to come pretty close to that royal company thanks to his own sad songs medley culminating in “6, 8, 12,” multiple audience request opportunities and the call and response countdown of “Back At One,” which will easily go down as one of the greatest love jams ever written.

Of course, there was still room for “One Last Cry,” the future classic “Nobody,” and to borrow the title from a fellow recent cut, a revelation that he “Can’t Say Goodbye,” which considering how triumphant this open-ended City Winery set turned out, keeps McKnight’s concert possibilities endless, even if his long player days wind up being done.

For additional information on Brian McKnight, visit Facebook.com/BrianMcKnight.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Brian McKnight (Nov. 24); BoDeans (Nov. 26-28); Tommy Casto & The Painkillers (Nov. 29); Clare Bowen & Brandon Robert Young (Nov. 30); Sarah Potenza & Katie Kadan (Dec. 1); Keller Williams (Dec. 2); Erthe St. James (Dec. 3); Matt Bellassai (Dec. 4); Dan & Megan Rodriquez (Dec. 5); Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball of Gomez (Dec. 6); Andy McKee (Dec. 7); Kindred The Family Soul (Dec. 8-9); Steve Kimock & Friends (Dec. 10); Chicago Philharmonic (Dec. 12); Morgan James (Dec. 12); Jose James (Dec. 13); Allen Stone (Dec. 14); The Empty Pockets (Dec. 15); Shemekia Copeland (Dec. 16); Robert Glasper (Dec. 17-18); Kurt Elling (Dec. 19); Michael McDermott (Dec. 20-23); Terisa Griffin (Dec. 26); Frank Catalano & Jimmy Chamberlin of The Smashing Pumpkins (Dec. 27); The Gufs (Dec. 28); Freddie Jackson (Dec. 29) and Los Lobos (Dec. 30-31). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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