I attended the benefit concert for Operation Smile featuring Jessica Simpson at the Xanadu at Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ.  The evening started off great!  The doors opened on time and Jessica was to start at 8:00 p.m.  We were seated in our seats that were chairs directly next to each other.  There was no room at all to cross your leg to move an elbow, nothing.  We were all sitting like sardines.  To top it all off, the venue stunk like urine and cat piss!  It was horrible.

At about 8:30 p.m. Jessica Simpson walked out on stage.  She opened the set with "I think I'm In Love", which was absolutely amazing.  The voice that comes out of that little body is unbelievable.  She looked very nice, but yet casual.  She followed that song with a song she wrote for her father when she was getting married, "You Don't Have To Let Go" and "I Have Loved You".  MTV was recording this special benefit concert and she began to mention how tomorrow was her 1 year anniversary. "We made it" she yelled!  She spoke on how her next song was her first single and it was all about celebrating making love and how at midnight she and Nick were going to be doing just that, celebrating making love for one year.  She broke into "Sweetest Sin".  To follow that absolute loving song, she talked about how her next song, "When You Told Me You Loved Me" is a break-up song that is hard to sing.  It is a sad song that she played over and over during the months that her and Nick Lachey, of 98° were apart.

There was a break in the set where she explained about Operation Smile and how she raises money for this foundation.  Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families.  Together they create smiles, change lives, heal humanity around the world.  At this time, she auctioned off a hat that started at $500 and closed for $2100, but the couple that won gave $2500 cash for the hat!  This was the time that Nick Lachey came out and was one of the bidders of the hat!  Donald Trump was introduced and gave a donation of $25,000.  They then played a video on the big screen about Operation Smile, which was very moving and sad.  After the video stopped, Jessica sang "The Greatest Love Of All" by Whitney Houston.  I never thought I could hear that song done by another performer and enjoy it, but Jessica hit all the notes and all the right ones.  It was a very touching moment after seeing the video and hearing that song.  There were a few teary eyes in the audience, me included. 

The song on the set list was her new single "With You", which she explained how she just finished the video for this song and how she makes fun of herself in the video.  The song was absolutely beautiful.  I had never heard her new album, In This Skin before this evening and I have to admit, I was running to the store as soon as possible to pick it up!  "With You" has got to be my favorite song out of the whole evening.  To follow that song, she had an audience member come onto the stage.  The audience member, Alex, whom looked like he was about 13 years old was amazed and in shock.  Jessica began to serenade him while singing "I Wanna Love You Forever".  Alex did not know what to do.  It was rather amusing and at the same time, probably the best night of his life thus far!  Jessica closed her set with what she said was her biggest hit, "Irresistible"  in a rock mix.  The audience was on their feet and completely rockin' out to the song.  The hard drums the great guitar riffs, it was amazing.  I have to admit, if Jessica went into the rock genre, she would be AMAZING!  You can definitely feel that she was enjoying herself and rocking came very easily to her!

Jessica walked off the stage at 9:40 p.m.  The concert was a major success.  She raised a great deal of money for Operation Smile and she got to introduce her new album and songs to her fans.  Although she did a mix of old songs from her previous 2 albums, Sweet Kisses and Irresistible along with the new songs, I felt a little short changed.  She only performed for a little over an hour.  Although she was incredible, I couldn't help feel a little disappointed.  I guess I will have to wait for her headline tour!

Please check out Jessica Simpson's Website to find more information on this incredible singer.  Be sure to go to Operation Smile to make a donation and find out more information on this great foundation!  Make a child smile!