Get Me Bodied

Saturday was a pretty hectic concert day for one Jaded Insider left in New York.

First, we hit the Microsoft's Zune Live at the BBQ concert, essentially under the Brooklyn Bridge. As we sat on the grass overlooking the Manhattan skyline and played checkers, Cham, Master Ace, Brand Nubian, Large Professor, the Clipse and J. Period performed. It was pretty well attended (though we think they lost a lot of folks to the Microsoft's intricate RSVP process and Toronto's Caribana festival) and, man, it was sweltering!

But the Clipse, our two favorite brothers, made up for it with a fresh-out-of-jail performance by Roscoe P. Coldchain. We were wondering where he'd been! Guess he messed up a few lyrics on "Cot Damn" and asked the audience for a do-over. We let him have it -- he did just "bun" out of the clink (as rapper Plies would say). Unfortunately, we left during Large Professor's set and before Brand Nubian and LL Cool J –- we had to hit Madison Square Garden for Beyonce's performance. However we heard LL tore it down, especially with the ladies.

As critics we can be pretty, well, jaded. But if Beyonce Knowles did not put on one of the greatest and most professionally stunning shows we've ever seen…! Now we see why she sold all those records!

"I found out today that 'B' Day' hit the 5 million sales mark worldwide, and I want to say thank you for that," Beyonce said to the screaming MSG crowd.

Opening the show with "Crazy in Love," which flowed into her rendition of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," Bey had at least seven sparkly ball gown outfit changes. Our personal favorite was the flesh-tone unitard featuring rhinestones on the chest, sleeves and on her behind, kind of like a diamond diaper. Next was "Baby Boy" which flowed into Chaka Demus & Pliers' "Murder She Wrote" and Sister Nancy's "Bum."

In between sets, her robust female band entertained us with impromptu asides like the pianist's "Flight of the Bumble Bee" or the bassist playing "name that tune" with the crowd. After Bey blew out "Dangerously in Love" she bravely handled Jill Scott's "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)" and, while no one will ever sing it like Jill, Beyonce definitely put her stamp on it.

But the joke of the night had to be during "Flaws & All" where Bey smiled as she sang "you catch me when I fall." And no, she didn't fall down the stairs during "Ring the Alarm."