I've witnessed performances by Tony Bennett, Deborah Brown, Joyce DiDonato and Bettye LaVette this year. Lalah Hathaway out-sang all of them at the KC Live stage in the Power & Light District on Sunday. About 5,000 people attended the free concert.
From the vocal trickery of the Grammy-winning "Something" to the emotional histrionics of the big hit "Forever, For Always, For Love", Hathaway's repertoire allowed her to demonstrate that she's among the best vocalists in popular music.
Poor Ruben Studdard didn't stand a chance against Donny's daughter. He and Hathaway shared a band. The concert was successful in part because the needless ambient noise I complained about in my review of Eric Benét's recent concert in the same space was blessedly silenced on Sunday.
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I reviewed the 18th & Vine Jazz & Blues Festival.
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Paul Revere has died.
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Flying Lotus's stunning new album You're Dead! is equal parts hip-hop, jazz and electronic music.
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Jason Moran's All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller RIYL: Meshell Ndegeocello, high concept, Joni Mitchell. Here's a recast rendition of "Ain't Misbehavin'.
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It was nice to see the longtime There Stands the Glass favorite Lazerbeak support Lizzo on the Late Show with David Letterman. (My notes on Lizzo's 2014 appearance at the RecordBar are here.)
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Mark Kozelek has jokes.
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Bill Frisell's new surf-oriented Guitar in the Space Age is RIYL: The Ventures, baby boomers, Steely Dan.
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The self-titled album by Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn is wondrous. RIYL: banjer, Raymond Fairchild, no frills.
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My selections among the recently nominated candidates for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in order: Chic, N.W.A., Lou Reed, Kraftwerk and War.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
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