Meshell Ndegeocello, Cassandra Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Femi Kuti, Rashaan Patterson and Bilal all performed at the star-studded "You Rock My Soul" benefit concert last night at New York's Carnegie Hall.

Meshell kicked off the night with an inspired performance of "God, Fear and Money" off her new CD Cookie. She remained on stage and played during much of the show, but unfortunately she didn't sing much of her own work, instead playing backup for other artists she directed.

And direct she did! Meshell worked her butt off, not only performing but also directing the band and the sound man throughout the night. I've seen Meshell three or four times in the past year, and I always love her style.

Each of the artists performed only one song during the evening and there was no finale tune to bring them all together. Femi Kuti played sax and sang. Rashaan Patterson grooved on stage as he sang. Stephanie Mills was greeted like the top bill when she entered the stage at Carnegie Hall in her designer blue jeans.

Bilal was the true treat of the night. He sang his hit song "Sometimes" with enough emotion and physical energy to make you believe every word that fell from his lips. After a 20-minute intermission, I discovered that he was sitting in the row behind me with his mother.

The other treat for me was listening to Cassandra Wilson sing "Love is Blind."

The event brought out plenty of well known figures in the community to support GMHC's client services work for HIV/AIDS and featured a short film depicting GMHC's work. I was also pleased to see Tracee Ellis Ross from "Girlfriends," comedian Caroline Rhea, and Free from BET's "106th and Park" as hosts for the night.

Not everything was great about the show. The spotlights occasionally missed their targets, and the sound boards didn't always cue the right microphone, but most of the audience seemed to take it in stride for the opportunity to support the cause. Icon Lou Reed also made a surprise appearance and sang one song, for which the audience politely applauded.

The evening ended with an after party on the east side, but I headed off to China Grill for dinner with friends instead, and we sat at a table next to NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw.

It was a fun night. I'm glad I went, and I would definitely go again.

© Copyright 2002 by Keith Boykin.