Sunday, September 23, 2007

The Gayest Concert Ever

In a disappointing tone I must say the Rufus Wainwright doing the Judy Garland Carnegie Hall Album at The Hollywood Bowl concert---was rueful.

The LA Philharmonic was sublime. It’s like the codgers in the orchestra were just waiting their whole lives for this night. They were as smooth and alive and clean as a tight ensemble, yet they were a whole orchestra. Amazing musicians.

But poor Rufus. He was not up to the task. He did keep apologizing. Frankly, it was as if he said at a bar one night, all drunk, “I can make a movie. Watch me.” And then he went ahead and it turned out to be the worst thing ever made.

Rufus couldn’t hit the notes. He cracked all night long. He could not act the songs. He behaved as if it was torture just getting the songs through his chords. By the end of the concert, even a visitation by Lorna Luft couldn’t really do much. Not that one thinks Lorna could. The evening devolved into a family living room fest with his sister singing and his mother at the piano and Rufus croaking out some more old standards.

It was sad. Someone should have stopped him.

There is a lot of stuff that happens because someone has a certain stature. His or her senators should keep a very watchful eye.

1 comment:

Buzz Stephens said...

Speaking of Judy Garland, this week over at The Judy Garland Experience they are featuring Judy's complete concert from August 23, 1967. The very same concert where Miss Joan Crawford pulled herself up onto the stage to bask in some of Judy's audience love. They are also featuring the episode of Good News where Joan tries to sing with Judy! And if that isn't enough Joan Crawford there are also highlights from her 1973 appearance at Town Hall.
Wait, that's not all. Along with other Judy audio tidbits there is also a rare concert from Lee Wiley, and ultra rare tracks from the long forgotten voacalist Beverly Kenney.
If you haven't become a member of The Judy Garland Experience yet, don't you think it's about time?
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/thejudygarlandexperience/