New Lauryn Hill underwhelms crowd

An hour into her performance at Seattle's waterfront Tuesday night, Lauryn Hill finally gave her fans what they wanted: a song they recognized.

Hill's acoustic rendition of "To Zion," from the Grammy-winning 1998 album that made her a star, was like a shot of energy to the sold-out crowd at Pier 62/63, which could otherwise best be described as mellow.

But "To Zion" was the exception in a 90-minute acoustic show that drew almost entirely from Hill's most recent — and most puzzling — album, "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0," a no-frills affair in which she denounces fame and scorns the industry that made her a superstar.

("To Zion" was an interesting choice, given that Hill has publicly criticized herself for exploiting her son, Zion, by making him the subject of a song.)

The R&B star was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd when she walked onstage, looking casually glam in a crimson-colored hat, brown leather jacket, flared pants and boots. The celebrity who once traveled with an entourage of musicians, stylists and backup singers this time brought only a guitar, a box of tissues, baby powder and two bottles of water.

Accompanied by her guitar, Hill opened with "Mr. Intentional" from the new album, then seemed amused when fans continued to cheer as she rubbed powder on her hands between songs. Seated alone center stage, Hill was at turns chatty, preachy, passionate and relaxed in an intimate, unpolished performance that might have been better suited to a coffeehouse.

"If you're offended by this song, well, it just confirms the truth," she sang in one the show's highlights. "Your reality is completely self-ordained and self-produced."

Deep or self-indulgent? Critics have generally favored the latter, deeming Hill's recent work a "fascinating failure" and an "ego trip."

As for this audience, the crowd's energy level — which was high at the start of the show — dropped along with the sun into Elliott Bay. By the time Hill returned to the stage for a three-song encore, people were filing out. Those who complained when Hill announced she wanted to "slow it down" clearly didn't read the fine print when they bought the $56 tickets — it was, as advertised, an acoustic show.

There was a vague feeling that fans should appreciate the new Lauryn Hill, the Lauryn Hill-With-A-Message. But it's a safe bet most everyone secretly (or not so secretly) was hoping she'd break into "Doo Wop (That Thing)" or "Everything is Everything."

That didn't happen.

Fans looking for songs they could dance or sing along to had to settle for the opening act. The Philly-based Roots included covers of Nirvana, Nelly and Busta Rhymes tunes during an energetic hourlong set.

Pam Sitt: 206-464-2376 or psitt@seattletimes.com.