It’s a balmy eve in LA. Perfect for the Bowl. KCRW presents World Festival. Tonite it’s Diva Night: Adele, Chaka Khan & Janelle Monae.

Patina delivered to the box. For a buck twenty-five I should have higher expectations but hey, I’m happy for the pork shank. It’s ‘aight. Better than last year. But the desserts are terrible. Is it really possible to make a crappy chocolate cake? Apparently. Advice: BYO picnic basket or takeout from somewhere decent. But the show begins and we’re pretty happy about it all.

Janelle Monae is black and white and read all over. Smart intergalactic cosmic sensory aural experience worked so hard that you just can’t ignore her. Janelle Monae is a smart one: infusing her sound with a distinctive vibe that’s quirky and engaging. This we like.

Just chatted with Tom Schnabel. We watched Jason Bentley announce Chaka Khan together. Bentley’s a pro. Surveying his market the way a cheetah looks over the savannah. Admirable. I love Tom though. He’s done so much for the LA music scene. Schnabel’s a treasure, really.

Chaka Khan’s covering for Etta James, who’s out ill. She’s gotta helluva band. A big woman with dark red curls. Owning it as she takes the stage for a medley of best hits. I’m mixed. She sounds great. Smooth. But it’s also Bar Mitzvah music at its finest. Duality. Makes for a good night out. For sure.

Back to the show. Chaka Khan looks strapped into her wardrobe. Must have taken a team to wrap her up like that. She’s got the crowd workin’ and I guess I forgot all the great groovy tunes she’s responsible for. And although I jest, I’m in awe of her thing. It’s real.

Adele is full of apologies. Sort of an awkward big thing, she takes the stages with an uneasy presence. As if she knows that she’s a bit of a misfit. Adele apologies that she’s going to forget her lyrics. Adele says sorry for her shoes, and goes barefoot. There’s a human quality that makes her part of the audience, and in control of it at the same time.

But, then she opens up and blasts that god gifted voice and it all over. No apologies required for that. Dead on pitch and key, a surprise with her heavy welsh accent. Superb timing. And she does forget the words tonite. This is a big show for her dnd she knows it. The audience is loving her nonetheless. So am I.

Thanks KCRW for this summer Sunday night out at the bowl.