This performance is one for the ages! Of all the video performances on You Tube, this live performance in DC captured Anita Baker at her absolute best,in her prime. I don't think the audience knew exactly what a timeless and all time powerful performance they were witnessing. This version of "Watch Your Step" is a tour de force. It sends goose bumps down my spine each time I hear it. The power, conviction,and the pouring out from the depths of her soul can be felt after all these years. It is a masterpiece that even she agrees can not ever be duplicated. That is the definition of true greatness. Thank you Anita Baker for contributing the kind of timeless music that will live on for generations to come
One of my most favourite moments in the history of recorded live music. Breathtaking, spine tingling, moving, transcendent and a masterclass in singing and leadership as she both loses and finds herself in the music and brings out the best in herself others. Truly amazing.
She absolutely TORE IT UP! 🤩 A truly electrifying performance. But can we also get a mention for that sax player....he worked that sax to within an inch of its life!😁 The backing singers...the whole band in fact were tight as hell! This is PROPER music! The likes of which we seldom hear today.
Let her know stick with the Real Diva , and don't let me bring Tina Turner or the Queen of Queens with R.E.S.P.E.C.T She would Lock it Down , its coming .
Got damn! The slow burn build is genius, band is cooking, back-up singers on point, but nothing matches this quintessential soul singer's mastery and emotion. Nuff said.
ANITA HAS PEOPLE SHOUTING AND MOVING IN SPIRIT IN THIS SONG. She is a stone-to-the-bone sanger and this is PURE CHURCH and PURE JAZZ and PURE SOUL...and PURE! My God, sometimes watching this performance takes me ALL THE WAY OUT!!!!!!
This is hypnotic! EVERYTHING in this video is on point! I absolutely adore her singing but her dancing is equally as good. I'd pay 100.00 just to see her sing this song like this again. However, as she says, it will never be done exactly the same again so I guess we'll just have to be satisfied with the video. I'm 70 years old and she is the ABSOLUTE BEST singer I've ever heard. I wish we had more songs like this one.
Oh sweet Jesus- this is AMAZING. It's just....unbelievable. She was talented beyond belief. She's channelling something....I dunno, but it just feels like she's tapping into something. I mean, what else explains THAT performance? And the climax is just.....WOW. This is the first time I've seen this, and when she ad libs the end of her song (and dances her ASS off) I was getting chills. I wanted to get up and dance with her! Could teach new artists what it means to be truly talented
Agrees! Music is spiritual! So chanelling is highly likely. And notice her eyes are closed, she has to close them to feel and connect. It really takes you into another dimension. Sometimes you get a dopamine high as well.
The instruments possessed her. completely took over!!! The way she made it back to that 🎤 though .. so smooth.. just amazing.. my favorite performance..
This the most stunning performance of a great song by a brilliant artist at the peak of her career. It's my favorite song on You Tube. The singing is breathtaking and then she moves!!
Stunning - she nails this to the wall and some - that call and response with Gerald Albright’s sax is superb. Just impossible not be moved once she goes supersonic!!!! Rapture is a perfect album and she has one of THE great voices. Her moves are pretty damn good too - and she wrote the song dammit!! Talent to burn and the complete artist!
One of THE best live performances that I have ever seen and heard. I had this LP. I nearly wore the vinyl off listening to it. This track was one of my favorites in fact. This live performance is even better, LOVE it!
I first saw Anita on her RAPTURE tour...opening for Luther on his ANY LOVE tour. RAPTURE is a classic...and WATCH YOUR STEP is my favorite song....right up there with LEAD ME INTO LOVE. Her intro...wow! Hard to believe that she wrote this when she was 16 y.o... God Bless Ms. Anita and many thanks for her talent.
She's preaching to whoever it was doing the wrong thing,telling you,you better be careful you'll fall and hurt yourself one day! That song is so true,because what goes around comes back around so be careful how you treat your lover or anyone for that matter! Love all Anita Baker songs! A true fan!
I grew up with this kind of "letting go" when you feel the spirit upon you. I always LOVED this lady's singing, expression, and writing. She is a very special human and I feel blessed to have been allowed to love her music.
If this song don’t reflect on a time of heartbrokeness. Maybe miss spelled. But you can relate. I first heard this song in 1986. Still a teenager. Just loved her album and voice. And her passion. Life lessons. I pray you grow from them.
4:28......TOOK HER DOWN MEMORY LANE.......then the holy ghost or whatever you want to call it took over and we are blessed to witness such a talented performance......sang it Anita
WOW WHOA DEEPLY FELT SOULFUL PERFORMANCE! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ANITA BAKER. WHEN I SAW HER LIVE IN MIAMI TEN YEARS PLUS AGO WATCH YOUR STEP WAS ON THE RAPTURE RECORDING HOWEVER SHE CHOSE NOT TO SING WATCH YOUR STEP THAT EVENING. WHAT A TRAGIC LOSS FOR ME TO ME ANITA BAKER IS SIMPLY PERFECT IN ALL HER SONGS. TUGS STRONG AND PULLS STRONG AT MY HEART AND SPIRIT; I LOVE ANITA BAKER; THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS AWESOME PERFORMANCE OF A REAL CLASS AND AMAZING SINGER AND COMPOSER.
Anita, you're wrong, this moment will never be gone. Thanks to RU-vid I have it forever! Sheer Class. I wore out the VHS video of this back in the day.
cokobrowne Took me a while to understand what she meant. As a singer, Anita will never sing a song the way it was written twice. It's literally different. She can find a key from any range and insert her magic. It's a bad ass beautiful thing.
every now and then in this world u will get lucky r maybe bless to catch some one at their best this is one of those times a vocal angel at work Anita Baker this performance tantalizing
Anita... you wrote this song at 16. Over the years it grew and grew and do you know what Lady? It still applies today. Had to search this one out and listen to it over and over and over and over...... Thanks a million for the post.
H O. L. Y. I have LOVED this woman's music since 1987. How can ANYONE, I mean, ANYONE be sitting in their seat at this point in this concert??? There is no way in hell I would not have stood, danced, moved, cried and been glowing throughout this entire concert. The woman is a once in a lifetime talent - so glad to have found her music back then - she meant and still means so much.
My exact sentiment. Not even gravity would have been able to hold me down. My soul would have floated out of my seat if my body did not move. With ya all the way bud
Her voice goes of and just tears my heart apart,pure goodness,this is real singing this is not just opening your mouth and thinking you can sing,this is absolutely knowing u can really sing.Thank you Anita.
Wow, what an electrifying performance, i felt as if she meant every word of this song. There are certain artists that can raise their game and show exactly what they are capable of in a live setting, and Anita Baker takes this track to a higher level than i thought possible. Fabulous voice, warm and beautiful personality, and the lady can dance too :-) Thanks for posting.
Never will I forget the first time I met Ms. Anita Baker Madison Square Gardens NY while on tour w/ Ms. Shirley Murdock. It was then I learned that Shirley and Anita went to school together in Toledo Ohio.
Boom! Anita smashed it out of the park and somewhere out of the country. I've heard it's still orbiting the planet.. Ms Baker taking it to church and back, the only way she knows! If you ain't feeling that, you ain't got a pulse!
Just watched this video again for the gazzillionth time....cried at the emotions and pure magic that takes place when the sax player grooves with her every move.🤗🤗
Can't get enough of this performance. Unique and outstanding. Love Anita Baker. Her singing is just a delightful experience. I could listen and watch this a million times. Wow!!!!
Anita you no what you are doing so keep it coming I’m disable but still trying it will get beater I need a great life I have it just beater keep doing what you doing make me and others feel good good job
This has been a favorite song of mine for years but I just ran across this live version now. I could not figure out what in the world she was talking about at the beginning until I saw the video. WOW !!!!
Ok, I am late to the party on this video, but not only do I love that song to begin with, I LOVE this performance. Amazing by Anita! Yet, that sax player BLEW IT UP! Geez!!! That was one hot performance. I completely agree with the comments, starts slow, simmers, burns! The entire band was spot on with this performance. This is magic.
Anita...all things take time..even bad has to pass..but we get stronger than we ever been with the Lord's grace...may you have the peace in your quest and we are here..waiting for your return..you never left you know..love you girl:)
