Attention is particularly due for those new to her charms. This Grammy-winner for Best New Artist (over Lady Gaga, no less) has a voice to raise rafters and set souls alight and her fierce talent is amply evident on her two albums, with “Chasing Pavements” and “Running In The Deep” being her best known songs Stateside so far and ample proof of her abilities.
In this timely SATURDAY SPECIAL we sample Adele’s music videos - including the stunning visuals in “Chasing Pavements” and her cover of Bob Dylan‘s “Make You Feel My Love“ - as well as live performances - such as the spellbinding and elegant “Somebody To Love” on the Brit Awards earlier this year - in addition to her Grammy Award acceptance speech, a four-way comparison of different takes on “Rolling In The Deep” - and much, much more.
Ship (& Voice) Laid Bare
Not since Amy Winehouse has such an idiosyncratically affecting, singularly emotional and palpably moving vocal instrument come upon the music scene - and the comparison between the two young, bluesy, pop-star Brits is far from a coincidence - and here we have the new r&b queen, Adele. While Amy has been away, Adele has swiped the crown of r&b/pop/blues chanteuse - or, if you prefer, r&b/pop/blues croonette - right out from the “Back To Black” multi-Grammy winner‘s surgically-enhanced nose. Amy supposedly will be making her grand Mark Ronson-produced return later this year after an excruciating near-five years away from the scene, but she has some fierce competition on pretty much her home turf now thanks to the many charms of Adele. Why even compare them, though? Must we? While Amy Winehouse had a grittiness and earthiness that Adele seems to exude effortlessly, whereas Amy so often affected such a vibe in an over-the-top and (some would say) obnoxious manner. Adele is truly polished and committed to her craft whereas Amy came from the Janis Joplin mold of wildly erratic and occasionally brilliant - along with everything else that comes along with it. Indeed, Adele is a consummate professional and whenever she steps on a stage the audience is made immediately aware that they are in the hands of a born performer. Though she has had some off nights (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE certainly wasn’t the best US debut), when she is on there are few better in the music world or on Broadway. She’s got something truly, truly special in that big voice of hers - plus, she brings so much actorly dedication to each and every performance, making her voice paint the picture and illustrate an entire world before our ears. Additionally, the mere fact that she is outperforming Lady Gaga herself in iTunes sales and YouTube hits says a lot about her staying power - so, hitch your horse to this wagon. And, anyway, Broadway baby or pop music junkie, the bottom line remains: the girl can write a damn good love song and put it across in performance like a stalwart pro. That alone puts her ahead of most - if not all; besides the odd Gaga and Beyonce - in the music business today. I mean, have you listened to the radio recently? Thought not. Whether or not you knew Adele before this instant, there is a moment coming up seemingly born of the very spirit of Dionysus (the god of theatre (as well as other things) - Adele’s “Somebody To Love” at the Brit Awards. It is bliss.
Setting The Sails
First, check out the video for “Don’t You Remember”, recorded live at Largo, as the perfect entrée to her soul-bared and achingly sensitive singing style and the intimate and poetic nature of her lyrics - as well as how well-married they are to the genre-defying but decidedly bluesy and theatrical sound of her music. If you don’t remember her, you will certainly never forget this - or her - now!
Gold
Going back to her beginning - at least on these shores - check out the riveting and surrealistic music video of Adele’s first US hit single “Chasing Pavements” from her Grammy-winning debut US album. After this, you’ll want to follow her career forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment