Morgan James Reckless Abandon Tour

On September 28, The Broward Center for the Performing Arts welcomed singer/songwriter Morgan James to the Amaturo Theater as part of her "Reckless Abandon" tour promoting her newest album.

Morgan James is the best singer that you've probably never heard. She is, hands down, one of the best singers of her generation based simply on pure vocal ability. When you add in the emotional depth she brings to her performances; she is a superstar powerhouse worthy of worldwide celebrity. It hasn't happened yet, but it will.

She opened her concert with "Up in Smoke" from her latest album "Reckless Abandon." This soul fueled up-tempo number, co-written by James, was a great opening song. It gave the audience an immediate taste of the evening and showed off James' ability as a "blue-eyed soul singer."

She followed that with "Hunter" from her first studio album of the same name, that was recorded for Epic records in 2014. "Hunter" has more of a smooth R&B sound, reminiscent of Beyonc� or Mariah Carey.

The third number brought us back to the current album with the heart-wrenching ballad, "You Thought Not." This song is a powerful breakup lament, and James filled the theater with emotion from backstage to the back of the hall. The heartbreak was palpable.

James admits that she likes sad songs, but she strayed into happier territory for the sexy "Bring Yourself to Me," which was a perfect lead-in for "Making Up for Lost Love" which is both a happy and sad song at the same time.

The happiness, of course, can't last forever and she followed with the ballad "Ransom." This song, about a lover who extorts emotion, has some powerful lyrics. "I paid and I paid, but you killed me anyway" express in words all the pain and heartbreak that James expresses with her powerful, soulful voice.

In this era of somewhat disposable music, James is an "album-oriented" songstress, who works hard to make her studio recordings into complete, real and heartfelt portraits of emotion. She succeeds with both of her studio albums, and she brings that same feeling to her concerts.

For an emotional respite, James next gave us a selection of cover songs, beginning with a cover of Mariah Carey's "Emotions." Lots of people can cover Mariah Carey, but few can do it with the high notes as James can. She pointed out at the end of the number that she sang one section the octave lower than Carey does on the recording saying that she was envious of Carey's ability but then she proceeded to demonstrate the phrase the octave up and it was brilliant.

Next up was a cover of the Allman Brothers' "Melissa" and Tina Turner's "I Can't Stand the Rain." James demonstrates that she can switch styles and genres with ease. James continued with her own composition, "Jenny" from her new album.

The next two numbers, "No Faith" and "Say the Words" are two different pictures of the end of a relationship. The first song is from the perspective of someone who has moved on, while the second is from a woman still in the deepest part of heartbreak and pain.

James then promised the audience that she did, indeed, write happy songs and proceeded to sing "Drown," which despite its title, is a sexy, non-heartbreak song.

For her next song, James presented us with her cover of Prince's "Call My Name" which was the lead single from her first studio album with Epic records. James brings the song her own flair to the song while still paying respect to Prince.

For the final song of the concert, she performed the title track of her new album "Reckless Abandon," which is a hand clapping, toe-tapping, rousing number in the tradition of Aretha Franklin and Etta James.

For an encore, James gave us a fun cover of Peter Gabriel's seminal '80s hit "Sledgehammer." James brought her own spin and powerhouse vocals to this oft-heard song and made it something new and exciting.

James' band for the concert deserves more than an honorable mention. Doug Wamble on guitar, Roy Dunlap on keyboards, Jeff Hanley on bass and George Sluppick on drums provided expert accompaniment for James. They were a smooth ensemble who were obviously enjoying themselves.

If you've never heard Morgan James, she's easy to find. She has one live and two studio albums available from all major retailers, she has a very active YouTube channel that releases a new video nearly every week (check out her full album cover of Jeff Buckley's "Grace") and she has frequently performed with Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox.

While it's great to have James on your computer screen or in your playlist, nothing compares to the experience of hearing her live. So, by all means, like her videos and buy her albums, but when she comes to a concert venue near you, make sure you buy tickets and experience her voice in person.

Morgan James performed on September 28 at the Broward Center, 201 SW 5th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. For tickets and information, visit browardcenter.org. For information on Morgan James and her upcoming performances and projects, visit morganjamesonline.com