Singers deliver the soul in styles all their own

Angie Stone and Anthony Hamilton served soul by the pound Thursday night at the Silk & Sandpaper Tour at the Midland Theatre.

Toshi Kubota warmed the crowd up with “Breaking Through” and “Shadows of Your Love.” Despite his concern over being a Japanese soul singer, the audience was more than satisfied with his sweet falsetto.

Although some people thought Angie Stone would close the show, she kindly let us know she and new soul sensation Anthony Hamilton rotate that privilege.

Just as diva-lightful as she wanted to be, Stone took the stage at 8:30 p.m. dressed in a fuchsia poncho and glittery jeans, her Afro glistening.

Her 75-minute, 13-song set kicked off with “I Wanna Thank You,” and since Snoop couldn't be there, she had THC come out and kick a verse instead. From “What You Dyin' For” to the spine-tingling “Makings of You,” her message was one of self-love. She had all the ladies on their feet during “Wish I Didn't Miss You,” and she put some sexy on “Stay a While,” “My Man” and an extended super-steamy version of “Touch It.”

By the time she got to her classic hit, “No More Rain,” the audience members were out of their chairs and singing along for “Brotha” and the fabulous finale, “Before I Let Go,” by Maze.

A dapper Anthony Hamilton strutted on stage just after 10 p.m. in a fedora, sporting a freshly shaved face, and opened the show with “Since I Seen't You” and “Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens.” All hands were in the air.

His 55-minute, seven-set song was short, sweet and chock-full of electric soul. From the infectious “Lucille” to the intensity of “I Tried,” Hamilton was pouring every drop of his heart out. But nothing was more touching than “Charlene,” his current hit single about the woman he lost.

The final 10 minutes of his show were dedicated to an Al Green-influenced version of “Coming From Where I'm From.” The only thing that could have been better is if he would have delivered the other five tracks on his album.