Patti LaBelle Slips a Notch in Bowl Opener

As an audience member, you always feel embraced by Patti LaBelle. She has such a disarming, down-home manner that it’s easy to forgive her for any kind of transgression. Like forgetting the words to one of her most recent hits or having to rely on sheet music to help her through three other songs.

LaBelle wasn’t exactly at her best as she opened a three-night engagement on Friday at the Hollywood Bowl. Playing for the first time at that venue, she was hampered by sound problems, causing her to groan and say, “I see I’ve got my work cut out for me tonight.�

Some of her hard-core fans also had a trying time. Their vocal outbursts of support for their favorite diva were met with admonishments to shush by huffy occupants of the season boxes.

All of this made for an evening that never kicked into high gear. Backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, LaBelle tried gamely to make an emotional connection with the crowd. She succeeded with “Over the Rainbow,� mostly because it’s hard to remain unmoved by the passion she always brings to that standard.

At 52, LaBelle looks terrific, and she possesses one of the warmest spirits in all of pop music. Long after Friday’s missteps at the Bowl are forgotten, LaBelle’s overall brilliance as a performer will be what her fans remember.