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M U S I C
Where opinion becomes fact. Bitches.
Confessions of a Jazz Groupie
Five Nights With Nellie Mckay
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Just Five Nights?!
In the past, I've made no secret about my admiration for Nellie McKay, the sheer number of articles abot her on this site (2) should be evidence enough to support such a fact. With such adoration towards a musician comes a natural tendency to see said songstress in the flesh perhaps once or twice or over a dozen times in the span of two years.
The following journal is intended to be a document of my anticpated five night trek during Nellie's fall '07 tour in support of her latest album, Obligatory Villagers.
Because I've waxed so eloquently about the girl in the past, this journal is intended to be more conversational in tone and not a representation of my usual pompous self.
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When There's No More Room In Hell, The Dead Will Play The World Cafe
As an attendee at Friday night's Nellie McKay performance at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA and owner of my own domain, I feel it is my responsibility to write something about the evening, but considering this was my 11th time seeing the girl in concert, having (gladly) traveled cross country from Southern California to do so, you can probably guess what I would say. In short: she was lovely, radiant and even a touch moody, but I wouldn't have it anyother way. It's a good thing the songs weren't half bad either.
Although she will be playing several nights in California over the next two weeks, I was coaxed into flying out to Philly by fellow Nellie-philes whom I had first met during her Carnegie performance in April. I'm usually fairly leary about meeting anyone, much less people on the internet, however these folks turned out to be some of the nicest, friendliest people anyone could hope to meet and it was with this that I decided to take flight to Philly.
As I reflect upon the night's performance, I find that I am almost at a loss for words to describe the event, afterall there are only so many synonyms for the word genius. In this respect, the night was not unlike anyother show, but something special did occur at night's end that was noteworthy and made the whole evening for me. At the end of her set proper, Nellie decided to take leave of her piano and stand in the middle of the stage, sans any instrumental accompaniment to perform Zombie to a pre-recorded track. She moved, stretched and shimmied as if a crooner from a bygone era. It was equal parts brave and silly and a reminder of just why I anticipate each of her performances as if it was my first.
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In A Sentimental Mood
San Francisco's The Independent is a veritable hot house of today's best music but screw it this journal is about Nellie McKay and, let's face it, she's the only thing that matters in today's music scene.
Nellie's performance on October 4th was the second time in about a week that I had seen her perform live, but it felt like an eternity since the last. She is truly that unique performer whose shows always seem too short, no matter the length. She's always leaving her audience wanting more.
San Fran was the perfect venue for her, outside of her native New York. The crowd that had gathered at The Indie was anxious and fevered. When she finally tok the stage, applause errupted and the adoring adulation seemed never to stop. The first song she performed wasn't an original but rather a cover of Duke Ellington's In a Sentimental Mood. The performance was the perfect way to begin her set and was one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard performed live-by anyone. It struck the perfect emotional chord and already made me nostalgic for the evening before it even began. As always, her activism was a huge part of her concert, proudly displaying a very visible "stopcolumbia.org" banner behind her. While I support the causes she champions wholeheartedly, I feel it best to allow said site to inform and educate about the plight the people of Harlem face with the university's reckless use of eminent domain for a private project that serves only to benefit the institution.
On a side note, the next night back in L.A. I had the opportunity to catch Metric with Crystal Castles at the Music Box. While performances were both charged and brilliant, Crystal Castles in particular, I felt a kind of emptiness. It wasn't just that I wasn't watching Nellie McKay perform, it was the realization that as talented as these performers were, they lack that certain something that makes Nellie our most important talent. And what, dear readers, is that certain something? If only I knew.
(This entry left intentionally blank-draw your own conclusions.)
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Nellie is my Lakers
After three nights seeing Nellie McKay perform in Philadelphia, San Fran and San Diego, it was nice to finally be able to check her out during the current tour within reasonable distance from my home. Unfortunately, said location happen to be Los Angeles and Largo.
It took me awhile to finally warm up to L.A.'s famed cozy concert hall-cum-night club, but it seems after many visits in the past I may finally have an appreciation for Flanagan's liquor and dinner extortion racket. Yes, the food and drinks are over priced for the quality given but the venue treats the talent right and that goes a long way in my book.
I'll just cut to the chase with my thoughts on this show-it was great as usual. Nellie looked stunning in technicolor yellow, the songs were spot on, blah, blah, blah. Fuck it. The one thing you need to know is the girl played In a Sentimental Mood again. I can't stress how incredible her version of this standard is and how desperately I want her to record this song proper. Just amazing. On to night two.
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Stairway to Heaven
Even though I walked into this evening knowing that this would probably not be the last time I see Nellie perform live, perhaps not even the last time this year, my anticipation was still greeted with sadness. I think it may have been because I realized I had been a part of something special these past two weeks. She rarely tours and only infrequently plays the west coast, making these last nights all the more bittersweet.
More to come...