Quirky diva of neo-soul says a lot with a little

Erykah Badu, fresh from two Grammy nominations for her latest single, "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)," played the first date of what she called her "Frustrated Artist Tour" Sunday night at a packed Showbox. Backed by an eight-piece band, including male and female background singers, she created a sensuous, soulful mood, singing mostly spiritually tinged ballads that had the packed house swaying in unison, and often singing along.

The high priestess of neo-soul, who hasn't been heard from much in recent years, was without her trademark mile-high head wrapping — opting instead for an Afro wig, then a green bandanna and finally a baggy knit cap, also green (matching her backless dress) — but she still projected an exotic look, with gold bracelets up to her elbows and decorative tattoos encircling both upper arms.

She told the adoring audience that she was on tour partially to get inspiration for new songs for an upcoming album. She asked the audience for creative energy, and stretched out her hands to receive it. She also played one new song, a bittersweet ballad about one of her favorite subjects, a love that went astray.

Although she has a fine singing voice, Badu didn't sing much in the conventional sense. She moaned and sighed and hummed, and harmonized with the other singers, in a form of scat that she used to set a tone and feeling. Even her own last name came up in the scat singing. She used lyrics sparingly but dramatically, often with themes of love or spirituality.

She did her big hit, "On and On," and other songs from her 1997 debut album, "Baduizm," which sold in the millions, as well as cuts from her "Mama's Gun" album of 2000.

She thrust her arms in the air and danced within the small space she had on the crowded stage, bending slightly and arching her back, like African tribal dancers. After an hourlong set, she returned for an extended encore of "Bag Lady," the strangely lighthearted song about the serious subject of homelessness.

The show was opened with a set of ragged but sincere R&B from Cody ChesnuTT and his band, consisting of a drummer and bassist. The short set was made up of songs drawn from the two-disc CD he recorded in his bedroom, "The Headphone Masterpiece." A song from it, "The Seed," which was featured in the set, is getting radio airplay and has been recorded by The Roots, the acclaimed rap group. Young ChesnuTT was obviously excited about joining Badu's tour, and kept telling the audience about how his faith had brought him to this point. He even had the crowd chant "faith" along with him.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com.