Blessed with one of the richest, most powerful voices in modern R&B, Jill Scott kept it real at the Lyric Opera House last night. She's on a national tour through mid April in support of her latest album, The Real Thing: Words & Sounds Vol. 3. The album, released in September, is largely underwhelming with one-dimensional production and lyrics that too often slip into banality.

But onstage, Scott and her 11-piece band added more zest to the new songs, which were loosely inspired by the Grammy winner's recent divorce. Noticeably slimmer these days, Scott looked regal in a downhome way. She wore a simple, floorlength black gown; the make-up was minimal. And her honey-brown natural hair looked freshly cropped.

Her nearly two-hour set stuck mostly to  the new album, which meant that there were too many midtempo cuts in the middle. But Scott's stellar vocals, illuminating stage presence and humorously profane stage patter were treats.

If you didn't catch her packed show last night, the Philly neo-soul queen will be performing at the Lyric tonight and in Washington at Dar Constitution Hall March 9 -15.

Associated Press photo of Jill Scott from a November show in Philadelphia