Searching for the perfect song for this post I stumbled upon this jewel. You can decide for yourself if she’s honoring or poking fun…
Aretha Franklin impersonating Mavis Staples, Gladys Knight and Diana Ross
Last night, I had the good fortune (and nearly available funds) to see ARETHA FRANKLIN in concert! It/she/the band was awesome. Sure, she’s older (69) and possibly still ailing (unexplained surgery nearly a year ago) but she is an undeniable DIVA!!! Her voice is still a force to be reckoned with and she has no problem owning her stage. She brought us up, down, closer to the Lord, into bed with a lover and out of a tough situation all in an hour and a half. About to two-thirds of the way through, Aretha sat down at the piano. Shocking, I know. Like most from her era, singers were also expected to be musicians and/or songwriters. Basically, Aretha did what few “singers” today can do – actually PERFORM. There was no dancing or light shows, costume changes or theatrics. She sang, the band played and the audience cheered. So simple, so raw, such a lost art…
2011 has been the year of the diva in Austin. Gladys Knight (calm and smooth delivery on a stool), Diana Ross (5 costume stages and vocal flair) and Aretha Franklin (turn the AC off, okay now turn it back on and put my purse under the baby grand) have all stopped by. If you want to extend it to the men, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder have also graced us with their presence. Sadly, Smokey’s ticket prices were beyond my financial capabilities but the other king and queens of classic R&B and soul were phenomenal. As a music fan/lover/obsessor, nothing’s better than seeing your idol(s) in their element – live. I think we often forgive our contemporary stars’ raw vocal talents (or more appropriately, lack of) for radio-friendly songs and eye-catching imagery. I believe we’re missing the point – Music is supposed to move you and singers are supposed to remind you why you should only sing in the shower…
As you may know, I am an amateur songstress. I would NEVER compare myself to the music giants mentioned above. Their talents are undeniable while mine are more subjective. BUT my baby skills have largely been influenced by these masters of their crafts. They influenced both me and my more contemporary influences. Despite cramped seats, late starts, no A/C at the request of the artist and menacing storm clouds at an outdoor concert, each simply delivered. I was in awe and so happy I didn’t miss the opportunities to see these music greats live.
At these and most concerts I attend, there’s an “Encore” period. Yes, this is pretty standard. (However, I’m secretly waiting for the show when the artist doesn’t come back out and we just hear the tour bus start up or the crowd agrees to remain silent just to see what happens…) I realize this extended applause and chanting for the artist to return to the stage is something everyone just expects now but I can’t imagine that not being the most fulfilling sound for an artist. (Sure, “I love you”, “I do”, and “Dada” are great but I mean professionally.) In my limited music career (ha, I wish I could really even call it that), applause is the sweetest sound imaginable. (Maybe ca-ching or “and the Grammy goes to” would sound better but…) I’ve never sung because I considered myself to be amazing but because I love creating (or interpreting) and sharing. It may not be good but it’s mine. And if you think it’s good, we can love each other. 🙂
I may be a bit strange (shocking) but I’m rarely nervous before I perform. I do my best to stay calm and indifferent. “Well, if I do well and they like it, that’s great. If not, oh well.” I imagine that attitude is both a result of trying to reassure myself and reminding myself this is not my career. While, I had fantasies as a child (teenager/20-something, let’s just be honest), I knew the chances were slim to none anything would come of it. So I never really pursued it and stayed “realistic”. I got a four-year degree in something (at least a little) more secure and entered the general workforce. The most creative thing I do now is… Actually, I’m at a loss in my current job but whatever. My job is a relatively standard desk job. I’m not really creating anything or connecting with anyone on a level beyond the 9 to 5.
But when I sing, I do. I can see people reacting to the music their hearing. If it’s a cover, you could hear “Oh yeah” and “I love this song”. They then listen to see if I do the song (or the original artist) justice. When it’s original, the connection is harder but not impossible. In the end, if they like it, they’ll let you know. It’s a simple, potentially brutal, process. If you like me, make noise. If you don’t….crickets.
I don’t think any manager, customer, colleague or attendee could thank me in a way so deeply impactful as cheering. (And I’m not hoping applause becomes a standard way to show appreciation in cubicles…) “Good jobs” are greatly appreciated and not to be shunned. But you applaud a musician because you appreciate their natural skill (sure it can be honed and perfected but it’s natural nonetheless) and want to thank them for sharing it with you. Maybe it’s counter-intuitive but there’s something about being thanked for a natural skill, as I see them to be more intimately connected to who you are, than for an ability, that’s been learned. That’s probably weird. Oh well.. That awkward moment between the start of you final note and possible applause is the exact moment my nerves come flooding back, minutes, hours or days worth. That final exhale could bring me to my knees if I let it. Thank God for standard, polite applause.
Needing Patti and Chaka to tour soon,
Jo’van
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