It’s a Family Reunion!: The Tony! Toni! Toné! Just Me and You Tour

Photo Credit: David “Odiwams” Wright

Bands come and go, form and separate, break up to make up, leaving behind songs that permanently dictate memories for us. In the 70s it was commonplace to see a funk or soul band but R&B became a genre of mostly solo sport leading into the 80s, and 90s. Yet when Tony! Toni! Toné! appeared on the scene, these men forever changed the trajectory of R&B. The only other true R&B band that would develop during that time frame was Mint Condition years later. I remember as a youth thinking, Raphael Saadiq, D’Wayne Wiggins, and Timothy Riley were all actually named Tony but an inside joke led to a sound that is synonymous with black love. Tony! Toni! Tone! not only had classic albums, but classic soundtrack singles, back when soundtracks were still a thing. Covering this gig wasn’t just an assignment, it was witnessing history in real-time. After 25 years, this iconic band would be performing together, and we would be present and accounted for. 

DPAC is a large venue and beautiful couples and well-dressed singles spilled out from every door. We had to lock up our phones (a move I totally support), taking up some time to get inside but considering it was all pretty fast-paced.  When I tell you, from the rafters to the floor it was PACKED! 

I entered the auditorium and was greeted with the sounds of “It Never Rains in Southern California,” which surprised me to hear them pulling out a major hit so early. Yet Durham needed zero warming up period, as people were already on their feet swaying and singing along.  Raphael had his brownish shoulder-length locs loose, donned in a satin pinstripe suit. Tim had on this dope brocade yellow and green jacket but D’Wayne was killing the fashion game with the top hat and beard, on a brightly colored stage design that fondly made me think of the “It Feels Good” video. Aromatics solidified the vibe, compliments of the sweet incense stick placed in D’Wayne’s guitar.  This is how artists that still understand how to create an entire experience, move.  Not only were you getting sight, and sound, you were getting scent to complete the feeling. It was like coming home to see long-lost family. That felt confirmed when Ray asked,  “Do we have any Day Ones in the house?” 

For us, that means the “Who” album!   These brothers did a gut wrenching acapella rendition of a snippet of “For The Love of You” that leads me to a huge sticking point about this tour,  why it can’t be missed. The band! I miss the days when I was able to read the liner notes and discover what musician did what, and help me understand why I was now obsessed with them.  The hands that picked this band though?-had to be guided by Christ himself because musically, I was in awe of how they sounded hitting those notes.  The harmonies of….I can’t call them background singers because those sorts of voices don’t adorn backgrounds, were gorgeous.  I immediately recognized saxophonist Kenneth Whalum on stage, and my literal favorite drummer, Daru Jones.  Picking a band of stellar musicians is something only ANOTHER stellar band of musicians could do, and the brothers outdid themselves with this tour.  

The Day Ones were treated to “Little Walter,” and “If I Had No Loot,” complete with an animation of Ice Cube rapping his sampled bar, ‘And You Can New Jack Swing On My Nuts’ from “The Wrong Nigga To Fuck Wit.” They even did the video choreography! 

Next was “I Couldn’t Keep It To Myself,” a song that I feel shows off how sick these dudes have always been with writing music and arranging. Watching D’Wayne groove around the stage and switch guitars brought me such joy. The happiness was palpable. You could feel that they were not only happy to be in their natural element, doing what they do best but in their element doing it with EACH OTHER. They would catch each other’s eye with a look and laugh, and in that moment you would smile too and wish you knew the inside joke being shared. Like I said before, coming home to family. 

    Now because of the no phones rule, I was literally taking notes on pen and pad during the concert but I will totally admit, I lost my pen for a sec because when D’Wayne went silent, then played that classic guitar intro for his song “Whatever You Want,” I was out my seat, decorum be damned. How can you have so many intricately arranged hits from one band?! It went from there to “Slow Wine,” and then “Loving You.” “Loving You” has always made me think of Earth Wind & Fire but this live version was….. soul-stirring. The harmonies were still crazy of course but the rhythms were a bit slower, and deeper. The slower cadence made the lyrics hit harder, and Kenneth’s sauce all on the sax solo as it rode out and ended with a haunting piano solo (shout outs to their pianist!). Gold star for impeccable set curation, but also I now cannot get that version of the song out my head. 

Now you know they had to perform “Still Ray,” “That’s All I Ask of You,” and Lucy Pearl’s “Dance Tonight.” Sidebar, LaToya London bodied Dawn’s part on “Dance Tonight” so before you ask, yes you do need to Google her and join her fan club. 

Listen, by the time the concert was nearing the end, the venue was hot and we were all sweaty from dancing, me included. I had resorted to using my notepad as a fan. Thus it was keen timing when they did a beautiful video dedication to Director John Singleton before going into a jazzy “Just Me and You.” Their guitarist, Chuck? I told y’all, hands of Christ! This man tore down that guitar solo and had me like, seriously where did they FIND these musicians?

The quiet reverence, dimmed lights, and seductive intro was a once-in-a-lifetime feeling for their hit “Anniversary.” It was love embodied. Couples were dancing and singing to each other, and it was touching. 

Finishing with “It Feels Good”  hammered the whole sentiment home. Their music has always felt GOOD.  This whole show felt GOOD in my spirit. Seeing the brothers take the center of the stage and hold hands before exiting made my heart sing. Let’s be real, it was a moment many of us thought we’d never get to witness again. The crowd was instantly on their feet, cheering. Raphael, Tim, and D’Wayne laughing, and smiling at each other as we basked in the glory of their charisma and talent is a sight I don’t think I’ll soon forget.  Come and get your love and see this tour.