Photos by David Pulliam/The Star
"Hallelujah," indeed.
k.d. lang's spellbinding interpretation of the Leonard Cohen song Friday night at Starlight Theater affirmed her status as today's premier saloon singer. She made another convincing case: that she inhabits the same rarefied realm of immortals like Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole.
Lang was half of an inspired double bill with Lyle Lovett. Both are quirky, highly stylized artists that have strayed far from their Nashville-oriented debuts of the late '80s.
"We were part of that crazy new country scene they were talking about," Lang recalled. She and her excellent four-piece band touched on country, but they also easily shifted between cabaret, folk, jazz and torch songs.
Lang's vocal range is massive, but it's the coloring, dynamics and investment of raw emotion that make her immaculate voice one of the most dynamic instruments in popular music.
It was shown to intoxicating effect on "Wash Me Clean." In addition to "Hallelujah," songs from 2004's "Hymns of the 49th Parallel" included a ravishing take on Neil Young's "Helpless" and a hypnotic interpretation of Jane Siberry's "The Valley."
Lang is a charming entertainer. She engaged in carefree dancing worthy of a 5-year-old on a sugar high. The audience of about 2,300 loved it.
"I did notice that you have a refined sense of choreography here in Kansas City," Lang laughed.
It was distressing to see many latecomers and Lovett partisans initially treat Lang as an anonymous support act. But even the most insensitive in attendance quickly realized that Lang's performance was something extraordinary.
She concluded her hour-long set with a heartbreaking version of Patsy's Cline's "Three Cigarettes and an Ashtray." Even as she paid loving tribute to one of her primary sources, Lang soared far beyond Cline's original sterling performance.
The hearty standing ovation Lang received seemed to be motivated by equal parts delight, gratitude and awe.
"It is a privilege to get to stand on the same stage as k.d. lang," headliner Lyle Lovett said early in his set.
His show didn't match Lang's memorable performance, but he satisfied fans with two hours of off-kilter chatter and music. He sometimes seems like Garrison Keillor's troubled Texas cousin.
Lovett's 17-piece band was so large that Starlight's enormous stage seemed cramped. The usual stalwarts were on hand, including guitarist Mitch Watkins,
vocalist Francine Reed, bassist Viktor Krauss and cellist John Hagen.
A number of ringers were added to the mix, including drummer Russ Kunkel and primary members of the Muscle Shoals horn section. In full swing mode, the all-star band conjured Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. Lovett mixed and matched the remarkable assemblage of talent for each song, frequently dispatching entire
sections of the group.
It reveals a great deal about Lovett's confidence in himself and in the patience of his audience that he played a full hour before offering any of his most familiar material. Nonetheless, the first 60 minutes were riveting. Highlights included a set of bluegrass -- he called it "the dark side of country music" -- and a delicate new song best described as "chamber folk."
Somewhat shopworn songs like "I've Been To Memphis," "This Old Porch" and "Church" dominated the second half of Lovett's show. The material was rendered fresh by the formidable band. The extended soloing on "She's No Lady" was especially remarkable.
The band ran through "Kansas City" during Lovett's encore. It was a nice try, but Lang owned this town Friday night.
OMG, kd!
Went to see Lyle, came home digging through my old cassettes for "Absolute Torch and Twang".
She can really bring it, and she really brought it. I'm still going through that phase of "Did I really see that?" I did, I did.
WOW!
Lyle wasn't too bad, either!
Posted by: NotDave | July 07, 2007 at 09:21 PM
OMG...I felt like I had a religious experience at this concert. What a wonderful evening at Starlight.
Posted by: hanky panky | July 08, 2007 at 11:56 AM
I sat in the orchestra, near the front and to the far right of the stage, and the sound for Lyle was HORRIFIC. For what these seats cost, I expected better sound. Could barely understand the vocals and there was WAY too much bass and feedback. Went for Lyle, but have to say that k.d. stole the show!
Posted by: SuzyQ | July 08, 2007 at 02:43 PM
k.d. Lang is the white female version of Luther Vandross for me. Perfect. When I told my wife I was taking her to see k.d. and Lyle she was surprised when I told her Lyle was headlining the show. It should have been reversed. An hour for Lyle and 2 for k.d. I thought the sound was fine for both but I was back center. I came up front to take a few pics and could hear you'd only be getting stage sound. I thought the pacing for Lyle was slooooooow. I nodded off a couple of times during the set and finally had to get up to walk around for the last 2 songs. His range gets boring and monotonous. I did like that Sweet Pea Atkinson was singing background with Lyle. He of Was(not was) fame and Boneshakers, with guitar wiz Randy Jacobs.
Overall a great show but k.d. is someone I'd actually follow town to town.....
Posted by: Wadkc | July 08, 2007 at 05:34 PM
Almost perfect experience for me. If they had only sung at least one song together it would have been complete.
Posted by: rhonda | July 09, 2007 at 09:07 AM
Wasn't she something!? Not too many people on the planet can do that. After listening to five cds and seeing her perform on t.v., it was revealing how much power she has live.
BTW, I was the comedian how shouted the straight line, "Who does your choreography?"
Posted by: JumpinJack19 | July 10, 2007 at 11:37 AM