The Wu-Tang Clan – Granada Theater – Dallas, TX – December 10th
Ok so I knew what I was getting myself into by going to this show. Its well documented here in my blog about my love/hate relationship with the Wu-Tang Clan, between the brilliance of the recordings to the bafflingly dysfunction in the production of their live show. Its become part of the landscape, “Who’s gonna show up? – Will Meth be there?, Man no way the RZA will show”. These quotes are for real and and on everyone’s mind. What bothers me is that is doesn’t seem to bother people enough to stop supporting them so they will have to do something about it. Or maybe their just hopefuls like me that maybe this time is the one that works.
On bended knees and hats in hand they released a press statement promising that this tour would be the one where they finally get their shit together and that every living member would make the show.
…and the it started…no less than two weeks after this commitment, the RZA backed out of the tour and by the time the tour had started, so did Method Man.
I was already committed to going and I kinda wanted to make up for missing Inspectah Deck a few weeks previous.
But once the beat for Bring Da Ruckus started up, all that ceased to matter. And the crowd — steaming and sweating, nut-to-butt, mostly white and easily the most jam-packed I’ve ever seen the Granada — shouted along with every word. It was a mess in the same way the best parties are.
Another highlight was a cameo by Erykah Badu, who stepped on stage long enough to soak in the roar of approval from the crowd but sadly didn’t touch the mic. Still, the moment was enough to add to the love-fest, family reunion vibe. As did the appearance from Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who led the group through verses of Shimmy Shimmy Ya and Baby I Got Your Money in tribute to his father. Which might be why the group’s sorta-sincere cover of the O’Jays Family Reunion went over so well.
Setlist:
Bring da Ruckus
Shame on a Nigga
Clan in da Front
Da Mystery of Chessboxin’
Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta Fuck Wit
Reunited
One Blood Under W
Triumph
Ice Cream (Raekwon)
Bring the Pain
Family Reunion (The Ojays cover)
Tribute to Old Dirty Bastard –
Shimmy Shimmy Ya
Got Your Money
Liquid Swords (GZA/Genius)
Duel of the Iron Mic (GZA/Genius)
The Fourth Chamber
Protect Ya Neck
Da Rockwilder
C.R.E.A.M.
All in all it was a pretty freaking good show, especially compared to some of the bullshit I’ve seen them pull in the past. And for real, only an ingrate wouldn’t be completely satisfied with the version of Wu that rocked the house for an hour and a half.
