POP MUSIC REVIEW : LaBelle in Top Form at Universal

Patti LaBelle is capable of exuding an expansive, larger-than-life quality on stage and Thursday at the Universal Amphitheatre she was in top form: kicking off her high-heel pumps, tossing her fur stole out to an ecstatic fan to wrap around himself for the duration of her two-hour set but sassily warning, “Just make sure you give it back, boyfriend.”

But apart from the glitzy gown changes, the lung-busting exuberance and the not-like-the-girl-next-door hairdos you’ve come to expect from LaBelle, there was a touching, vulnerable quality to her when she told a packed house that this was going to be a tough Christmas for her. Her father had recently died after having been debilitated by Alzheimer’s disease and for the third time she had lost a sister to cancer.

Not many entertainers would have shared such personal matters with an audience. But there is nothing stand-offish about the relationship LaBelle has with her followers. Whether stepping down into the aisles to share bear-hugs and kisses or good-naturedly playing along when five young men climbed up on stage during “Lady Marmalade”--and came that close to stealing the spotlight--LaBelle seemed as enthralled by her audience as they were by her. LaBelle gives a lot on stage and she appeared strengthened by what her fans gave back in equal doses.

Opening act James Ingram performed his set aided by back-up dancers who wouldn’t have looked out of place alongside Bobby Brown. Downplaying his balladeer image, Ingram’s performance was long on energetic, dance-oriented style.