Boston Concert Review on Chris!Fans embrace Chris Brown’s groove

robert e. klein for the boston globe
Chris Brown wowed the crowd Sunday night with his mix of R&B and soul. (Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe)
By Sarah Rodman
Globe Staff / December 8, 2009
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Sending your articleYour article has been sent. E-mail| Print| Reprints| Yahoo! Buzz| ShareThisText size – + Any baggage that fans might have carried about Chris Brown’s personal life they checked at the curb outside the House of Blues Sunday night.

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It's Chris Brown's turn, but who wants to listen?
CHRIS BROWN
At: the House of Blues, Sunday
For the duration of his wildly energetic, hourlong performance, contemplations of the R&B star’s assault on former girlfriend Rihanna earlier this year were suspended. The sold-out crowd showered Brown with affection, happy to lap up the slinky funk and lilting pop soul that have been his professional signature. His name may be forever linked to the assault, but this “Fan Appreciation’’ tour proves Brown’s career isn’t over. Whether his third album, “Graffiti,’’ out today, pushes him to that next level of stardom, which the 20-year-old was poised to achieve, remains to be seen. But as the complete live package he remains a strong entertainer.

As a vocalist Brown has always been good, if not particularly unique. He wisely did most, but not all, of his singing live Sunday night, including several a cappella flights on tracks like “No Air’’ and “Sing Like Me’’ to reinforce the strength of his voice. The ecstatic vocal ad libs - over the accompaniment of a DJ playing tracks and a live drummer - at the end of his frothy “With You’’ found Brown particularly in the moment, singing with closed-eye fervor.

But it’s as a dancer where Brown truly dazzles - and why he gets a pass on the passages where he lip synchs or uses backing tracks. Gliding, popping, locking, twirling, and heaving his body from spot to spot with lines both fluid and impossibly robotic, Brown is a real natural wonder. His dancing, alongside four male dancers, made mediocre tracks like “I Can Transform Ya’’ into electrifying live moments and only amped up the enjoyment of dance-floor catnip like “Run It!’’ It’s as if he can’t put a foot wrong.

Almost. Brown’s sole misstep came when, prior to performing a raunchy ballad, he referenced his former girl-friend by saying, “Y’all ladies know the boy is single, right?’’

Anyone who thought this was in poor taste was likely outnumbered, judging by the gleeful shrieks of the predominantly female crowd.