In the busyness of the past few days, I neglected to mention that Rick Bowes and I went to see Laurie Anderson's new show Homeland at the Rose Theater, Tuesday night.

Rick and I haven't talked about it so I don't know if he liked it but I always love whatever she does--I just wish she did more of it more often. I believe I've seen most of her works including the epic United States. She did a benefit right after 9/1l and it's possible that the most recent performance was The End of the Moon in 2004, inspired while she was the first artist-in residence at NASA.

For those who aren't familiar with her work, she's a "performance/multimedia artist," although her work has used fewer props over the past decade. It's always political and to me always entertaining. She sings in her own voice and speaks sometimes in her own voice and sometimes in an artificially created male voice. She plays an electric violin. She tells stories. Stories about America and its place in the world. During this 1 1/2 hour (no intermission) performance she had two female back up singers and four musicians, all excellent. The music ranges from electronic to middle eastern infused, smooth as silk or scratchy strings, eclectic percussion and keyboard. Also an accordion, although I didn't hear it separate from the rest of the music.

Lou Reed joined her and the band for one piece and although he seemed a little uncomfortable, it was nice to see them working together.

C'mon Laurie--I want to see more!

From: [identity profile] timcasewalker.livejournal.com

Re: Laurie Anderson


I'm envious -- I adore Laurie Anderson's work. Her album "Strange Angels" is one of my favorites, and that scene in the one film where she's waltzing with William Burroughs took my breath away. A dynamic, important artist who always has something interesting to say to us.

From: [identity profile] nickcato.livejournal.com


Ellen you just broke my heart---I LOVE Anderson and had no idea this show was happening! YYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

From: [identity profile] temporus.livejournal.com


My sister-in-law worked with her on a project. If I'm recalling this correctly, this project might have been the last professional filming done in the Towers before 9/11. I think it was this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362821/


From: [identity profile] ellen-datlow.livejournal.com


Oh. I have the album but never saw it. Unfortunately, it's not on netflix. Oh well.

From: [identity profile] temporus.livejournal.com


Hmmm....if I can track down a copy (we might have one, or my sister-in-law might) I'll be happy to loan it to you.

From: [identity profile] deliasherman.livejournal.com


We're going tomorrow night. Or at least, Ellen is going, and I'll be there if Amtrak can be more or less on time for once.

Ah, well. It's in the hands of the Theatre Gods.

From: [identity profile] ellen-datlow.livejournal.com


Let me know how you like it (you'll get there on time, I promise!)

From: (Anonymous)


I was very happy to see it but I really want to have the album whenever that becomes getable. The Anderson voice and delivery are as amazing as ever.

You wrote:

"Lou Reed joined her and the band for one piece and although he seemed a little uncomfortable"

I think it's just him. He's always been an uncomfortable stage presence. While he was onstage Anderson, her band and back-up singers ("The Laurietts"?) played very tightly in support of his lead.

I look forward to the general release of Schnabel's film of Reed's Berlin.

Rick Bowes

From: [identity profile] ellen-datlow.livejournal.com


Yes, I want the album, too.

I'd never seen him live before--wait a minute--wasn't he in a collaboration with Wm Burroughs and some other artist of The Blue Rider at BAM's Next Wave festival several years ago? I'll have to go check...

I'm sorry I missed the live performance--I'm sooo annoyed that Liz and Paul didn't tell me about it before they attended it in NYC (sniff).

From: [identity profile] ellen-datlow.livejournal.com


Hmm. Googling it, it might have been The Black Rider with Tom Waits... Oh well.

From: [identity profile] stephenhsegal.livejournal.com


Laurie Anderson is my hero and my inspiration. There. I said it.

We found a nifty video interview with her on YouTube.

From: [identity profile] ellen-datlow.livejournal.com


Yes!
Very nice--if only the sound was synched up with everyone's lips :-)
.

Profile

ellen_datlow: (Default)
ellen_datlow

Most Popular Tags

Powered by Dreamwidth Studios

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags