Friday June 16, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 24 |
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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Where It's At |
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| Where It's At : Out artist Andy Bey heats up Jazz Alley with cool vocals; Calexico on the verge of stardom at The Showbox | ||
| by Lorelei Quenzer
- SGN A&E Writer
Seattle Gay News presents the Andy Bey Quartet Tuesday-Wednesday, June 20-21 - 7:30pm both nights Dimitriou's Jazz Alley - Call for reservations: 206- 441-9729 or visit www.jazzalley.com / $21.50 If life even resembled fair, vocalist Andy Bey would have become a household name many moons ago. A quick listen to his 2004 Grammy-nominated album, American Song, is all the proof you'll require: it's packed full of standards, like "Satin Doll" and "Prelude to a Kiss," and each sensitive interpretation is blissfully original. Unfortunately, great vocalists - and lovers of vocalists - are not guaranteed fair in this lifetime. This time the fuzzy end of the lollipop points directly at American Idol's latest runner-up, Katharine McPhee, who, at twenty-freaking-two years of age, rocketed past youngsters Jamie Cullum, Jane Monheit and Peter Cincotti as the poster child for "original" versions of jazz classics. Puh-lease. One rendition of "Over the Rainbow" does not a diva make. Props, McPheever-ites, and all that, but call me back for a listen after Kat's recorded an album of standards that's anything like Bey's American Song, with ten equally finely-tuned and exquisite gems. Hrmph. After a lifetime of rubbing shoulders with jazz's greatest artists, I still can't believe that American Song was Bey's first - and so far only - nod from the Grammy's. The "out" singer - and I'm still talking about Andy Bey; sorry, gals - is easily the jazz world's most soulful vocalist, yet he remains largely an "unsung" hero to the masses. His velvety and earthy voice wraps around lyrics like slow molasses around a thick stack of pancakes. In a sexy, breakfast-in-bed way, not a saccharine Mrs. Butterworth-y one. In addition to Bey's Grammy nomination, 2004 brought him the winning vote for male jazz singer of the year by the Jazz Journalists Association for the third year, um, straight. Now that's more like it! You'll have to hear his silky, soothing sounds yourself when you join him pre-Pride for an evening at Jazz Alley you won't forget. Bey, on piano, will be joined by Paul Meyers (guitar), Kiyoshi Kitagawa (bass) and Vito Lesczak (drums). I'm looking forward to trying Jazz Alley's updated menu: maybe the smoked salmon cakes, or the shrimp with papaya salsa. Pair Bey's smooth vocals with a tart lemondrop martini, and I think it will be a perfect summer evening. See you there! - L. Quenzer Pre-concert CD recommendation: American Song, featuring "Midnight Sun," "Caravan" and "Lush Life." Calexico with Eric Bachmann and Salvador Duran Wednesday, June 21 - 8:00pm The Showbox - Tix at TicketsWest outlets or The Showbox box office (cash only) / $18 If your last years in college were in the early 90's, then Calexico is probably the biggest little band you never heard of. Despite my general mistrust of the college alt-rock scene (The Walkmen, anybody? No? I don't blame you), I was delighted to "discover" Calexico's blend of pedal guitar and blaring mariachi horns with a surfer aesthetic. Think "Wipe Out" meets "Once Upon a Time in the West." Only to find out that my little brother, six years my junior and over a decade younger than me in his musical tastes, had a claim to planting that flag himself. This may be your last chance to get up close and personal with the boys from Calexico, before they hit the big time. After their stunning performance at the Moore with Iron and Wine back in October - their 2005 collaboration, In the Reins, made the Billboard 200 - and with their current release wowing critics, longtime fans and newbies alike& well, is it any wonder that, after nearly ten years of indie-label slogging, Calexico may be on the verge of becoming an overnight sensation? Seriously, am I the only person who saw the short-lived CBS series "Love Monkey"? Clearly, or it wouldn't have been so short-lived. Well, the lead character, an indie record producer, had a Calexico poster on his living room wall, I kid you not. CBS also featured Calexico and Iron and Wine on the Late Show back in January; I'm waiting for Calexico to complete the CBS trifecta and appear on Letterman. If that's not a sign of imminent stardom - or the impending apocalypse - I don't know what is. As much as I love their albums, Calexico has a knack for sounding even better live than they do on CD. Last year's concert was number two on my top ten list; let's see if they can top that performance. No pressure, guys. They'll take the stage Wednesday, joined by Eric Bachmann of Crooked Fingers and flamenco singer/guitarist Salvador Duran. - L. Quenzer Pre-concert CD recommendation: Garden Ruin, featuring "Roka (Danza de la Muerte)," "Lucky Dime" and "Deep Down." |
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