Music Day 4: Solange

This one was a nice surprise. We’d rolled in to Buffalo Billiards to close out the week with the much-talked about Black Joe Lewis, and ended up getting an opening set from Solange (Beyonce Knowles’ sister). Backed by a funky band and two backup singers, Solange delivered a highly enjoyable R&B/funk show that borrowed heavily from the girl groups of the ’60s. With her backup singers dancing in unison behind her, Solange cut loose with a dancing style that was part Tina Turner, part Diana Ross, and part vintage Axl Rose. The set slowed down when she performed her MTV-successful modern soul ballad, but for the majority of the set, she was cutting loose (even jumping into the crowd at one point, much to the dismay of her numerous — and large — handlers). Hopefully, Solange won’t be talked into giving up this aspect of her career (although it’s obvious the better money is in slick new-fangled R&B).