So Bittersweet: Freemasons & Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the NYC Pride 24th Annual Dance on the Pier

Posted on June 27, 2010 by CenterOrch

Heartbreak, make me a dancer!  Pride weekend in New York always brings fun and surprises.  This year, OurSceneTV asked me to meet up with this year’s Pier Dance featured performers: Russell Small and James Whiltshire, the incredible UK DJ duo who make up Freemasons and British pop sensation Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Together, they were the headliners at this year’s Pride Pier Dance.  Hurray for Gaydar.net for making it possible for them to play NY Pride.

Freemasons
I first saw Freemasons last summer when they made their U.S. debut on Governor’s Island.  It was just when their remix of Whitney Houston’s “Million Dollar Bill” was exploding.  They were great.  The 2010 Pride Pier Dance marked Freemason’s second New York gig.  When I spoke with them Saturday atop the swanky new Trump SoHo, we talked about the significance of playing Pride, and the three musical hats they wear: writers/producers, remixers and deejaying clubs and event all over the world.   It’s cool how they can write/produce or remix a song and then be able to go out and play it to their fans.  Good news for Freemasons fans, they are looking to launch a geography-neutral portal for their music and remixes.  Watch out for it.

I really liked James and Russell.  Very nice guys.  I envy them for being able to collaborate with so many female artists who inspire me: Whitney, Kelly Rowland, Kylie, Beyonce.  But it’s their latest muse, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, that have brought Freemasons a lot of good fortune.  Starting with “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)” in 2009 (see below) and most recently, Sophie’s latest single, “Bittersweet,” which Freemasons co-wrote and produced.   I’m a fan of both songs.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Who doesn’t love the song, “Murder on the Dancefloor” from back in 2001.  She’s been an active solo artist for 10 years, beginning with DJ Spiller’s “Groovejet.”  Since then she’s commanded the dancefloors of Europe and around the world with hits like “Music Gets the Best of Me,” “Get Over You,” “Catch You” and “Me and My Imagination.”  Now she’s back with her fourth studio album, Straight to the Heart.  When I met her, she told me it will be a very “dancey” record.  I love a girl who knows her sweet spot.  Performing at NYCPride’s Pier Dance was her U.S. debut.  When I asked if she has ever played the States, she simply replied, “Never.”  What a treat it’s going to be for everyone at the party, and she’s the surprise guest (though I did see that she tweeted about her coming to NYC with the Freemasons).

Pier Dance
Here’s how it works:  it started around 5:00 p.m. on the Sunday of Pride weekend, and goes until 10:30 p.m. or something when the surprise artist makes her appearance and then fireworks cap off the evening.   So I begin to migrate from the myriad of rooftop parties I have attended throughout the day and responsibly stop by Pop Burger with a couple friends so that we don’t go to the dance on empty stomachs.  Smart.

Then we make our way to Pier 54 on the Hudson around 7:00… giving us plenty of time to dance, have a few drinks, you know, the drill.  As I walk up, I hear “Murder on the Dancefloor.”  Wait.  What?  She’s already performing?  Oh no, now “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer).  What?  I have to go back to 14th Street to get my freakin’ wrist band?  “Heartbreak” is over.  HUGE, sustaining roar from the crowd.  I have totally missed Sophie Ellis-Bextor at Pier Dance.  Needless to say, I was heartbroken.  The silver lining?  Who’s the surprise guest then?  Is it the rumored Katy Perry?  We’ll see.  When I did get in, I got a beer and got over missing Sophie and danced the night away to a great Freemasons set, including some of my favorite remixes of theirs:  “Greenlight” by Beyonce, “In My Mind” by Heather Headley, and “Bittersweet” by my girl Sophie.

As the night came to an end, Freemasons exited and who’s the surprise guest?  ’90s disco diva Ultra Nate.  Really?  Really.  Let’s play a new segment on this blog, “Really. With Brian and Ted.” International recording artist, model and a U.S. debut by Sophie’s on at 7 and the woman who covers Pointer Sisters songs is the headliner?  Really.  I can report that Ultra did not get a sustaining roar from the crowd that Sophie did.  Oh well.  At least I had the privilege to meet them all.  I have the lucky proof below.  Check out me in the sack with the Freemasons and (not in the sack – she’s married) with the stunning Sophie Ellis-Bextor.  Let’s just hope she returns to the States to promote her new record, out in August.  Look for it!

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My Face is Smiling: James Taylor and Carole King at Rock Center

Posted on June 18, 2010 by CenterOrch

This morning I was up before Starbucks opened.  You know there’s only one reason I would be up that early — free gig!  My new friend Gerald hooked us up with VIP passes to see James Taylor and Carole King play the Today Show’s summer concert series at Rockefeller Plaza.  Having had drinks on the roof of the new Ink 48 hotel the night before when I got the invitation (incredible New York moment, btw); how could I pass on another great Big Apple experience to see two musical icons live and up close.

King’s Tapestry album dropped (1971) a year after I was born (1970), and Taylor was a staple of the 1970s.  Let’s just sum it up in numbers.  King has released 20 solo albums and penned or co-written 118 songs that have climbed up and down the Billboard Hot 100.  On the qualitative side of the equation: “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” “The Locomotion,” “A Natural Woman,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”  Simply incredible.

She has teamed up with long-time friend and collaborator Taylor for the Troubadour Reunion Tour, marking the anniversary of when they met and the first time they played the legendary Hollywood venue together in 1970.  Oh My God.  All this means I’m 40, but I digress.  Taylor also made it big in 1971 with his first number one hit, King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.”

This morning they played the Today Show and I got to watch the sound-check and rehearsal.  First of all, what an operation this show is.  It’s my first Today Show concert.  Together they played “Up on the Roof” and “Your Smiling Face” twice.  It’s amazing to see these two be so comfortable on stage and to think they’ve been doing for song long.  Needless to say, the crowd skewed a wee bit older than me, but I’m certainly old enough to appreciate the legacy they leave behind.  I would have stayed for the full, live concert, but I had a meeting I had to get to.  Besides, how New York fabulous is that?  Move on to a productive day or hang out in the heat with 1,000 tourists.  And, scene.

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20 Years of Bloodletting: Concrete Blonde at Webster Hall

Posted on June 12, 2010 by CenterOrch

Four songs come to mind that define my first year in college: “Candy” by Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson, “Love Shack” by the B-52s, “Groove is in the Heart” by Deelite, and “Joey” by Concrete Blonde.  I remember sitting around the Pink House (where I lived) with my fraternity brothers singing “Joey” at the top of our lungs.  Concrete Blonde is back together to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their eponymous 1990 album, Bloodletting.

When reading up on the band before the show, I discovered that R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe (another rock idol of mine) suggested the name Concrete Blonde for the band’s name.  It represented the contrast of their rock roots and introspective lyrics, and it was also a derogatory term for Sunset Strip hair bands of the 1980s.  So, in case you were ever wondering, now you know.

Front woman Johnette Napolitano is fierce.  I thought she looked rough when she came on stage, but when I found out that she’s 55-years-old, I changed my tune.  A hard core rocker chick at heart, Napolitano has one of those voices that can haunt you.  A lot of women lose their voice as they age, but this woman can still wail.  While I’ll admit I’m not a hard-core Concrete Blonde fan, I really did enjoy the show.  They opened with “Bloodletting: The Vampire Song” (from Interview with the Vampire) and “Joey.”  That’s all I wanted to hear, but wound up liking almost everything they played.  Rock on CB.

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I’m Not Your Toy, Elly… La Roux at Terminal 5

Posted on June 7, 2010 by CenterOrch

I’m so fortunate to witness the growing force that is La Roux.  It’s taken a year, but the British electro-pop duo is finally making their mark in the U.S., mostly propelled by increased club and radio play of “Bulletproof.”  I missed their late 2009 gig at Santos Party House, but caught their February 2010 show at Webster Hall.  Tonight they’ve moved on up to an even bigger venue, Terminal 5.

When I covered their show then, I compared La Roux to ’80s synth-pop duo Yaz, and I stand by that observation.  After seeing this show, I’m even more infatuated with front woman Elly Jackson.  Completely androgynous and not a fan of mascara or eye make-up, she’s an enigma.  I’m a fan as La Roux has been on heavy rotation on my iPod since October.  Check out the video for “I’m Not Your Toy,” which features Elly’s signature coif.  “It’s all forced love and affection. You don’t like me, you just want the attention.  I’m not your toy.”  You sing it, Elly.  I couldn’t say it better.

Tonight La Roux opened with “Tigerlily” and then “Quicksand.”  Elly welcomed the raucous New York crowd and beamed that after playing here over the last 10 months, “we’re finally ‘liked’ here.” Her parents were in the crowd to witness the love, as well as a mystery man who Elly proclaimed her love for (I later discovered it was David Burn of the Talking Heads, whom she met that night).   Perhaps the most special guest was the other half of La Roux, her co-writer, co-producer and keyboardist Ben Langmaid.  Ben does not tour with La Roux, he’s a behind-the-pen, behind-the-keys studio guy, and she tours with other musicians.  Then Elly asked if we were ready to dance and then came “I’m Not Your Toy.”  Joy.

What I liked about this concert is that it brought out the softer, more vulnerable side of La Roux.  I love their ballads, “Armour Love” and “Close My Eyes.”  Both highlights of the evening.  My other favorite moment was an brilliant synth cover of the Rolling Stones “Under My Thumb.”  Very cool.  She also played an acoustic song that’s not on their album, but was really beautiful.  It was nice to see her sit down and just pick at her guitar while she delivered her signature “oooohs.”

La Roux went on to cover almost every song off their album, except one of my favorites, “As If By Magic,” which still eludes me after seeing them twice.  But what they did play was solid.  “Colourless Colour” was a lot of fun, as was “Growing Pains.”  By the time Elly got to the final songs of the night, “In For The Kill” and “Fascination” I could really tell she was struggling to keep her voice.  I don’t know if she was sick or she just pushed her voice too much at the start of the show, but I felt bad she could not hit some of the notes for their best known songs.  Fortunately, the crowd didn’t care, and I neither did I.  She was working it and sang her face off.  For the encore, “Bulletproof.”  Crowd went mad.  I’m sure her parents were proud.  I’m definitely looking forward to what La Roux brings us next.

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Basia’s Still Brilliant at Highline Ballroom

Posted on June 5, 2010 by CenterOrch

My friend Anita and I got to Highline Ballroom a little late to see the ’80s and ’90s samba-jazz-pop sensation Basia Trzetrzelewska, known as just Basia, so we had to sit a row or two back on the balcony — so not my style.  But it was ok.  This was a seated affair with dinner and drinks.  I had never seen Basia live before but friends of mine saw her at Chastain Park in Atlanta in the ’90s and had only positive reviews, so I was excited to see her.

I swear she emerged in the mid-’90s with her debut album, Time and Tide, but apparently, I lost seven years of my life because it actually dropped back in 1987.  Her music is lovely, and I love her because she has an affinity for Brazilian samba, jazz and swing music.  It’s the kind of music that’s perfect for a day alone at that little weekend bungalow you have on Fire Island.  Ah, sigh.

She and her band started promptly at 8 p.m. (a second show was at 10), and she did not disappoint.  She covered all her best known songs, “Cruising for a Bruising,” “New Day for You,” and “Promises.”  She also played a few songs off her latest and fourth studio album, It’s That Girl Again.  I love a little self-deprecating humor in my artists.  New songs I liked were “If Not Now Then When,” which she opened with, and “Blame it on the Summer.”

Other highlights were “Astrud,” which is an homage to Brazilian great, Astrud Gilberto.  Gorgeous song.  “Drunk On Love,” “Yearning” and of course the Polish songstress’ big showstopper, “Time and Tide.”  Basia still has some beautiful pipes, backed by her long-time partner and collaborator, Danny White, and a pair of twin sister back-up singers from an island in the Indian Ocean whose voices perfectly blended with Basia’s.  She is just another example of the diverse array of musical artists who turn me out.  Great stuff.  Get her Clear Horizons compilation album to hear the best of Basia.

Filed under: Basia | 1 Comment »

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