“Believe the myth,” Esperanza Spalding told an audience of more than 1,300 on Tuesday night at Helzberg Hall. “I do.”
She was referring to the portrayal of royalty in fairy tales, but Spalding may as well have been alluding to her unlikely ascent to stardom. Her first headlining appearance in Kansas City since claiming the title of best new artist at the 2011 Grammy Awards was sensational. Backed by a youthful 11-piece band, Spalding displayed impeccable musicianship and stagecraft in a mesmerizing two-hour performance.
“Hold On Me,” another of the 10 selections from the recent album “Radio Music Society” performed Tuesday, revealed two additional aspects of Spalding’s enormous appeal. The first portion of the piece was squarely in the torch song tradition. Sultry swing gradually gave way to free-form improvisation. The seamless transition between these old and new approaches exhibited Spalding’s unique vision.
“Land of the Free,” the quietest song of the evening, was also its most powerful. Accompanied only by an organ as the song began, Spalding sang about a man who was wrongly imprisoned. It was one of several pleas she would make for tolerance, social justice and environmental causes. An engaging conversation between Spalding and vocalist Chris Turner served as an imaginative introduction to “Black Gold.” Turner suggested the song made him “feel empowered and hopeful.” It is a good bet that the uplifting piece had the same effect on much of the audience.
Not all of Spalding’s original material is as strong as “Black Gold.” Songwriting may be her sole weakness. An exquisite rendition of Abbey Lincoln’s “Throw It Away” as an encore served as a reminder of the sort of great songcraft that Spalding has yet to master. It is not the only obstacle Spalding faces if she is to achieve even greater renown.
“They don’t let people like us on the radio these days,” Spalding said.
The formidable talent Spalding demonstrated Tuesday will almost certainly allow her to clear such hurdles. She is, after all, music royalty.
Did some of the negative posts in the Kansas review scare off your photog(s)? Would have been nice to have seen a pic or two of the lovely Ms. Spalding. Has to be much more photogenic than Steve Walsh at this point.
Posted by: pellboy | October 10, 2012 at 01:29 PM
Well at least he didnt waste the frist 2 paragraphs of the review by blathering about what her her back drop loked like, or talking about history, so maybe the comments section helps him write a better review. As for the photog, she is over-worked and needed a rest. Hopefully the Star gets a nice reply for its "concert photog wanted". No offesne to Sue i just dont want her to be over worked.
This type of music seems more in the reviewer's tastes and thus gets a predictably good review. It seems there is nothing he likes better than the "quietest song of the evening, was also its most powerful" or "She was referring to the portrayal of royalty in fairy tales" type of sounds. Which is fine, to each his own.
It seems BB may have been damaged by one too many rock fests, which is too bad.... but oh well... maybe it is time for the Star to line up a new reviewer(or two)(who will work for cheap) who actually like rock and roll, not just mellow fests, and no otm, not you.
Posted by: Maxwell | October 10, 2012 at 02:34 PM
I never read the reviews of my reviews because if they are good, they depress me because they are never full of enough extravagant praise and if they are bad it they depress me because they are depressing.
Posted by: Critic | October 10, 2012 at 04:09 PM
Maxwell, may I suggest Geordan to cover the Knuckleheads shows? He has already demonstrated his natural talent for writing entertaining and informative reviews.
I also recommend that you cover the concerts at the Crossroads. Sweet! To compensate you for your efforts, you will be rewarded with a couple of front row tickets to the Lady Gaga concert. Of course we look forward to your review of that show as well.
It is clearly a win/win situation!
Posted by: onthemark | October 11, 2012 at 11:43 AM
I only have one thing to say
to you MR smarty pants, otm!!!!
Have you heard the new Stones song released today?
The Rolling Stones -- Doom And Gloom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPFGWVKXxm0
Caution it is not mellow fest music, so you might need ear plugs.
Posted by: Maxwell Smart | October 11, 2012 at 04:23 PM
Hey, that new Stones song Rocks! Sounds like a classic Mick/Keith tune that would be even better live. Speaking of things that Rock, I've laid my current mellow music aside for a day or two to listen to the new KISS CD, "Monster." They have always been one of my musical guilty pleasures and by God, if the new album doesn't rock all the way through. Think what you want about them, but KISS have stepped up for their last two records. They aren't going to change the world at this stage of the game, but they sound pretty good if you don't listen to their juvenile lyrics too closely. Anyway, if the Stones can release an album full of songs like this, that would definitely be a good thing.
Posted by: Geordan | October 11, 2012 at 05:00 PM
Saddly The Stones are only doing 2 new songs and adding them to the 50 songs greatest hits package "GRRR!"
I give them a pass for this.... hell they have given me so much for song long.. and never did the fake breakup/final tour BS like bands do... actually like KISS did. I went to KISS's farewll tour, I paid up, sat close, it was good... but I hold people/bands to their word and as far as I am concerned the Eagles and Kiss no longer exist.
If bands want to market like that, to sell more tickets, it costs them (with me anyway) in the long run. Not mention how I write off people who do stupid TV shows... Ozzy will never be the same to me.... and as for whats-his-name tongue guy from KISS, he was dead to me long ago... his dumb show proved it.
Not to poop on what you said G,
I am happy you like it, and I have heard others say good things, but I am hard headed... and I hold bands to their words....
and I respect that The Stones have never sold out/said "this is it"... they may have allowed newspaper writers to say it... but they never did.
Love me some Stones!!!
Posted by: Maxwell | October 11, 2012 at 05:35 PM
Have also loved the Stones forever, Maxwell. I even watched "Gimme Shelter" on DVD for the umpteenth time a month or so ago. I mentioned this at the end of last year, but the Live in Texas DVD recorded in 1978 (released last Fall) was awesome and it is essential, as it also includes the scorching coke-fueled (allegedly) Saturday Night Live appearance back when "Some Girls" came out. They played three songs together, instead of breaking them up like the show always does and played "Beast Of Burden," "Respectable," and "Shattered," and it remains, for me, the best live performance in that show's long history, and that includes Neil Young's explosive performance of "Rocking In The Free World."
If you haven't seen that Stones performance, seek it out (it's probably on YouTube or Hulu, etc.), as it is Rock & Roll the way it's supposed to be done. It's as if The Stones were telling the Punks that they were still around and weren't going anywhere. It also proved that Keith Richards was just as Punk as, say, Johnny Thunders. Hell, there wouldn't even be a Johnny Thunders without Keef! As for KISS, I grew up with them and bought all of their records back in my youth, but do find Gene Simmons to be pretty repulsive, although his kids seemingly turned out pretty normal. Go figure. But when Gene talked sh*t about Kurt Cobain after he died, I wanted to track him down and punch him out.....and I'm a pretty nice chap 99% of the time.
Posted by: Geordan | October 11, 2012 at 08:15 PM
.....oh, and I apologize for helping derail a thread about Esperanza Spalding. I missed this show, but saw her KC debut at the Folly Theater a few years ago and she was pretty wonderful.
Posted by: Geordan | October 11, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Yeah Gean can be an idiot... remember when he wanted everyone to go ballistic on their fans for downloadlng... telling fellow artist to sue to their fans to the Nth degree of the law... what a joke...
To this second the only people who care about downloading are already millionaires.
You can bet I have seen that SNL performance... it is famous and ragged... story goes that they partied waaaaay too hard with some (infamous) cast member the nights before... although they did do some pretty solid performances in rehearsals... see one here of them here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSIjHIWWr2g
And stayong on topic, this one time, at band camp, Mick Jagger thought Esperanza Spalding, looked hot
Posted by: Maxwell | October 11, 2012 at 08:54 PM
I bet that Esperanza Spalding would want me to show this one too, it is Part 2 of the SNL rehersals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUdQTCCselA
Posted by: Maxwell | October 11, 2012 at 09:09 PM
Interesting that you thought that Stones SNL performance was the greatest Geordan. Like most posters here, I respect your opinion so I guess I need to go back and watch it as I recall it being horrible. In fact, rumor had it at the time that one of the reasons Mick went back several months later and performed with Peter Tosh was to make up for what he thought was an abysmal performance with the Stones.
Speaking of classic SNL performances, the Band's performance on their last tour with Robbie also ranks up there. SNL gave them 5 songs. And of course I agree about NYs RITFW performance. One of the best television peformances by any artist ever.
Posted by: NEW | October 12, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Just my opinion, NEW, and not stated as fact, although you know that. I just guess that the unhinged aspect of that Stones performance is what made it stick in my memory. If Mick thought that was abysmal, I'm wondering how the band could have been any better than they were on that night. A cleaner, more professional version of those songs wouldn't have been half as entertaining. Mick is usually pretty animated on stage and he was even more so during that performance. To each his own, but I found that performance to be pretty wild for a band playing on live television. "Respectable" and "Shattered" bristled with an energy that felt like they were bashing it out in a club as opposed to the stadium shows those guys are used to.
But SNL back in the day was cool (I still record it most weekends, although only a skit or two are even remotely funny these days) and many of the musical artists stood out. The Band, of course, were wonderful. I remember the frantic Elvis Costello performance where he aborted "Less Than Zero" after the band began playing and launched into "Radio Radio." I remember being wowed by Kate Bush's American TV debut on SNL, and The Specials blowing me away during their debut. Tom Petty's early appearances. Nirvana, Gary Numan, The Kinks, Mink Deville......I watch it now and see the likes of One Direction and Karmin and wonder if an actual band will ever be allowed to let loose on that show again.
Posted by: Geordan | October 12, 2012 at 01:54 PM
I remember that Stones appearance on SNL aired after the Royals v Yankees playoff game....didn't Mick lick Keith's face? Pretty shocking at the time but a truly unforgettable appearance.
The most unforgettable SNL show I saw was DEVO. Pretty sure they did Mongoloid....I called my best friend that night and we were both amazed at what we had just seen....unlike anything I ever saw...the anti-Jethro Tull, REO Speedwagon stuff that was being fed to us back in the late 70's. I've loved DEVO ever since. Wish they'd come back here and do non-festival club show.
Posted by: Country Jesus | October 12, 2012 at 03:22 PM
How could I forget Devo?? You mention them being an alternative to the usual 70's Arena Rock and I do remember taking a lot of crap for liking them and The B52s when both bands first came out. The B52s first SNL appearance, in which they performed "Rock Lobster" and "Dance This Mess Around" was also something that felt new and totally different from almost anything happening in Rock at the time. I liked all the tried and true bands you were supposed to like back then, but the whole Punk/New Wave thing was an extension of the possibilities of what Rock Music could be. Many of my Nugent-loving friends didn't see it that way until much later, when gateway bands like The Cars and The Police made it OK to explore bands outside of the KY102 realm of "Rawk."
Posted by: Geordan | October 12, 2012 at 03:51 PM
Mick licked Ronnie's face, it was funny
Posted by: Keith | October 12, 2012 at 04:59 PM
The B-52's were a great live band back then. Wish I would have seen them.
Posted by: Country Jesus | October 14, 2012 at 04:59 PM
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Posted by: supra pas cher | October 22, 2012 at 04:02 AM