Janet Jackson: Nokia Theater – NY, NY 2/26/08

At midnight last night, Janet Jackson zealots lined up outside of the Virgin Megastore in Times Square to purchase Janet’s new release (and 10th studio album) Discipline. The payoff from that midnight meandering was guaranteed entrance to the Nokia Theater down the street for a special taping of Janet Jackson performing on ABC’s Good Morning […]

At midnight last night, Janet Jackson zealots lined up outside of the Virgin Megastore in Times Square to purchase Janet’s new release (and 10th studio album) Discipline. The payoff from that midnight meandering was guaranteed entrance to the Nokia Theater down the street for a special taping of Janet Jackson performing on ABC’s Good Morning America…at the crack of dawn (or 7:00am). The conga line to the venue wrapped around the block and then some, but nobody seemed to mind. It’s Janet Jackson after all. The show started promptly at 8:30, since it wasn’t a real concert per se. Minutes before the performance, front row position holders saw a silhouette of Janet through a slit in the curtain and demanded that she tell them she loved them and to wave if it was really her. Apparently she did both, since the crowd lost their minds. The stage looked similar to the “Feedback” video set, as Janet emerged in a suit like her “Control” days (but in a much smaller frame). “Feedback” opened the short concert, followed by “That’s the Way Love Goes” and “Rock With You” off Discipline. It seems that after all these years, Janet still hasn’t lost her touch. Her dancing could put Ciara to shame even still. Perhaps a dance-off is in order. Following the final note in “Rock With You,” fans waited around hoping for an encore, but this is daytime TV, remember? After a few awkward minutes, Good Morning America weatherman Sam Champion held a short interview questioning the motives behind her “Rock With You” song, considering her big bro had a hit of the same title. Janet turned on the diva and told him this had nothing to do with Michael. The Champion got down on his knees and said “I’ve just been Disciplined.” Hmmm. In all, it was three songs in the key of Janet well worth the early commute.