Have you ever seen a Tricky show?  Or should I ask, have you ever experienced a Tricky show?  Because there is a difference.  Despite the claims of extreme shyness, Tricky is a true on-stage artist.  Unlike most musicians on scene, Tricky doesn’t just perform before an audience but rather allows his raw emotions to seep out of his body and paints it onto the stage.

            Along with his five piece “orchestra” (bass, guitar, keys/DJ, drums, and a female vocalist), Tricky starts off the show with his back to the audience as his band plays instrumental.  He’s not being rude but, in a sense, he’s letting the audience know that the music created wasn’t really for them but for his own self reflection and, as if looking through a peephole, he’s letting us in on it.   His female vocalist begins to sing in a soft, melodic voice backed by the slow groove of the band.  Finally Tricky turns to the audience and grabs hold of the mic.  His leg shakes and trembles as if he is going to explode.  Then in a low, monotone voice he speaks poetically matched to his vocalist song.  And as the music crescendos, so does he.  It’s symbolic.

            Rock.  R&B.  Blues.  Reggae.  Funk.  Trip Hop.  Punk.  It’s all fused together in his music.  A crowd pleaser entitled “Puppy Toy” comes from his latest release Knowle West Boy.  People sway to and fro to the bluesy riff.  Tricky also gives a nod to XTC with his smooth and soothing version of “Dear God.”  He points to each of his bandmates conducting his orchestra when to extend their solos.  The finale song “Overcome,” the most popular track off his first release Maxinquaye, is Tricky’s respectful bow to all his fans.  And as he turns his back to the audience, he ends the show the way he started. . .or at least you think so.

            By demand of the crowd, all players are back on stage for an encore.  Most bands or artists may play a song or two.  This was now another full set.  This time, edgier and harder.  The female vocalist now gives her version of Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.”  Instead of being a performer, Tricky jumps off stage into the audience and begins to cheer on his bandmates.  It’s a free-for-all.  Finally security gets him back up and he begins thrashing around the stage, tangling the mic chords and sings controllably into both mics.  He starts thumping the mics onto his heart and continues singing aloud, letting his people know, this is him raw.

            All five senses say its music, your sixth sense knows its art.  Most people won’t understand it, but those that do experience it.