Posted on 09/15/2008
When the Gza performs Liquid Swords you can rest assured its not going to be an “85 affair.” Taken at face value you have one of Wu’s most persistent standard bearers performing one of the top ten albums of all time. On stage the Genius’s precise flow and artfully detached story telling combined with some of the RZA’s best work illustrated why we all love Liquid Swords. Not that too many people in the full house at NYC's Fillmore Theater (formerly Irving Plaza) this past Friday night needed to be reminded that the GZA is the Wu’s best storyteller, and arguably their best lyricist.

But the Wu always goes the extra mile and this night was no exception. Cappadonna’s ill (but too brief) opening set got the crowd salivating. The GZA took the stage with a swagger that is the antithesis of the modern MC. To me his brilliance lies in the fact that he places the emphasis on the message, not the messenger. He is the best MC with no chain I ever heard. The Hip-Hop gods were smiling upon us that night and four of the eight surviving members graced the stage. This seemed like no small feet given the presence of divisive videos and rumors that have circulated recently.

The Clansman in attendance made for a united front as they not only came together to recite classic material from Liquid Swords, but also to perform highlights from throughout the Wu catalog. My moment of Zen occurred when Raekwon unexpectedly breezed through to bless us with “Incarerated Scarfaces.” Rounding out the guest spots were the RZA, Master Killer, and Killer Priest, whose “B.I.B.L.E.” has to be the best song not featuring the artist on whose album it appears.

The only hiccup was when the GZA performed his newer material, which isn’t trash, yet pales in comparison to his second album. Led tonight by one of the best storytellers ever, the Wu-Tang Clan seems to be transitioning smoothly to elder statesman status.

- C Benz.

Watch the video for "Shadowboxin'/4th Chamber" off Liquid Swords below