![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Feb. 19th, 2007 11:28 pmLast night my parents took me along to see Cleo Laine & John Dankworth. As ever, what an absolute treat!
I grew up listening to her music (among other artists) and have had the privilege of seeing her live perhaps four or five times, once with the incomparable Mel Tormé. I have several of her albums myself, but seeing her live is always special, as she is a consummate and warm performer. She and Dankworth (her husband as well as her partner) have forged a musical bond that is so deep and meshed as to be almost supernatural, and one can tell by watching that there are a thousand little jokes going on as the concert progresses. I believe she has a four-octave range.
This event was somewhat bittersweet, however, as both of them will be eighty this year (not that they look it!). As my father said, it will probably be the last time we see them live. On the other hand, they're booked every month of this year for performances; slowing down may not be on their minds.
Can you imagine working with someone for almost sixty years? Not to mention, being married to someone for almost as long--they'll celebrate their golden anniversary next year.
I think my favorite of her many pieces is her duet with Dankworth's alto sax, when they do his version of Mozart's "Turkish Delight". It's one ongoing, ever-changing musical joke that showcases both their incredible skill and their ability to read each others' minds. I've heard her do it live once (and what a moment that was) but I also have it on CD on a concert album. All the better for me, because I can hear the audience's reaction and it never fails to tickle me.
Come to think of it, it's not that surprising that modern pop bores me. *grin*
I grew up listening to her music (among other artists) and have had the privilege of seeing her live perhaps four or five times, once with the incomparable Mel Tormé. I have several of her albums myself, but seeing her live is always special, as she is a consummate and warm performer. She and Dankworth (her husband as well as her partner) have forged a musical bond that is so deep and meshed as to be almost supernatural, and one can tell by watching that there are a thousand little jokes going on as the concert progresses. I believe she has a four-octave range.
This event was somewhat bittersweet, however, as both of them will be eighty this year (not that they look it!). As my father said, it will probably be the last time we see them live. On the other hand, they're booked every month of this year for performances; slowing down may not be on their minds.
Can you imagine working with someone for almost sixty years? Not to mention, being married to someone for almost as long--they'll celebrate their golden anniversary next year.
I think my favorite of her many pieces is her duet with Dankworth's alto sax, when they do his version of Mozart's "Turkish Delight". It's one ongoing, ever-changing musical joke that showcases both their incredible skill and their ability to read each others' minds. I've heard her do it live once (and what a moment that was) but I also have it on CD on a concert album. All the better for me, because I can hear the audience's reaction and it never fails to tickle me.
Come to think of it, it's not that surprising that modern pop bores me. *grin*