Blige brings a world of pain to her fans

RALEIGH -- Ladies, this one's for you. Let's say you've had it with the male of the species. Your latest relationship has ended badly, and it's his fault -- again. You're tired of feeling sad about it, so now you're ready to move on to mad.

Not to fear, Mary J. Blige is here. And not only does she feel your pain, she's put it to song. Equal parts Tina Turner, Lucinda Williams and Reba McEntire, Blige elevates the role of Wronged Woman to a female-empowerment trip of thermonuclear intensity.

For the men, Blige's Sunday night show at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek felt like being behind enemy lines. Wonder what women say about us when we're not around, guys? That's pretty much what this show was like, except the conversation consisted of thousands of women screaming along with Blige on every word.

Where Blige is all about pathos, opening act Robin Thicke is far more easy-going. Thicke trades in shock value, in that he looks like he should be singing at fraternity mixers with a collegiate a capella vocal group. But he's got a dynamite old-school R&B falsetto, even though it was hard to hear him thanks to a poor sound mix.

Most of his 40-minute set came from his 2007 breakthrough, "The Evolution of Robin Thicke," capped with a letter-perfect cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." One could imagine Blige laughing bitterly at such a sentiment.

Blige's current tour is a fairly epic undertaking, with about 20 backup musicians including a string section (an exact count was difficult because a barricade hid some of the players). Blige rose up as the band played, resplendent in black leather and shades as the video screen behind her lit up with an explosion.

The show's opening stretch was one long medley of often-truncated versions of current and past hits, all of which drew delirious screams of recognition. But the most enthusiastic cheers were for the middle section, when a curtain dropped to hide the band and Blige sat alone on a spotlighted stool to sing and testify.

Blige came across as a fool for love who just can't seem to help herself. If she's angry at her man, she's even angrier at herself for not wising up.

"If you want us, guys, accept us how we are!" she hollered, introducing "Take Me As I Am." The song titles told the story: "Good Woman Down," "You Gotta Believe," "Not Gon' Cry," "Hurt Again," "No More Drama." During the latter song, lightning flashed on the video screen.

She did do the occasional happy-in-love song, including "I Found My Everything" (accompanied by wedding pictures on the big screen as Blige sang). And her message was ultimately one of hope, of persevering and believing in yourself.

Still, there's no denying that her rush comes from rage.