Janet Jackson at Chicago Theatre

 In the more scaled-down setting, Jackson brought a warmth and a passion that wasn’t always evident in stadiums. The set started off with a remote urgency, heavy on hits from her 1986 breakthrough album, “Control,” and its 1989 follow-up, “Rhythm Nation.” Jackson was again clearly relying on a recorded vocal track and her three back-up singers to carry the performance as she went into aerobic overdrive. Her personality again seemed to be missing in action.
      
        Then she loosened up, even laughing during “Alright” as her six dancers flung limbs in impossible directions and Jackson followed suit. The moment seemed to free her up, and the show was stellar from that point on –  the best Janet Jackson performance I’ve covered in 20-plus years.