Saturday, July 22, 2006

I Was Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

Ok, (drum roll please), not to diss my wonderful sister and Blogger pal Sue, but the REAL reason I traveled 10,000 miles was to attend the:




Rufus Wainwright has a mystical connection to the late, great Judy Garland. On June 14 and 15 he wowed his beloved fans at Carnegie Hall (yes, the majority of them well- off gay men) and sang the entire “Judy Garland Comeback Performance” – the same performance she gave at Carnegie Hall in April of 1961.

Before the show I spotted Antony of Antony and the Johnsons and an old MTV VJ…I forget his name. I ran to the ladies’ room and did a little jig, realizing that the best thing about going to a Rufus concert at Carnegie Hall is: NO LINE IN THE LADIES ROOM! Woo hoo. (Ok the same can be said for a Who show, really).

I had nosebleed seats when my heart really wanted to be closer, but I treated my sister (ok dragged her,kinda) so I had to buy two tix.
Still, I was thankful to be at such a momentous spectacle, and even happier not to be alone, as I often am when I attend Rufus’ shows!
I was very very happy, as you can see (Jen took this pic w/her cell phone so, the resonance isn’t so hot).



I was tearing up during the intro/overture, pinching myself to make sure it wasn't a dream. And OMG what an orchestra! The sound...mwah. It was heavenly, and that was without Rufus!
Then on he walked and sang "When You're Smiling" and really truly, his voice has never sounded better. Big, velvety, it filled the entire hall, I kept picturing it emanating like a globe - it reached the ceiling. Global, think global. (ok I guess I got that off a bumper sticker).
I thought my heart would burst, I really did. Yeah that sounds over the top, but I was in this blissful state that is very hard for me to describe. At one point in the show, I realized that I forgot where I was (as in Carnegie Hall, NYC, USA, earth).Talk about a Zen experience. It was transcendent, maybe like having a religious experience. I don't know how anyone could have left there not believing in God, because I felt like he was channeling the Divine. I'm not exaggerating.
He even stopped a few numbers because they were too slow. I love that he has the guts to do that and why not? Do it right, right?? He's a perfectionist but I'm glad he is!

Rufus sashayed, shook his booty and even threw in a few knee slides (being a true Divo/Drama Queen, naturally). He even wore a top hat at the beginning of the second half:








Some funny highlights: Rufus introduced his mom, folk singer Kate McGarrigle, and she walked onstage, clad in a gold lame (Elvis-like) suit carrying a banjo. Rufus detests the banjo…and he deadpans: “Deliver us from Deliverance.” She was joking, of course:



Kate accompanied Rufus to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which he sang while sitting on the edge of the stage. It was beautiful, of course:


The encores were a real treat, and Kate returned to accompany Rufus on piano again, and for one song (I forget which one) he said, “Mom! I need more of an introduction that THAT” and then, not missing a beat, she said,” Oh, do you want the Philip Glass version?” hee hee!

Another funny moment was when Rufus returned for an encore ("Get Happy") wearing a Fedora.
After the song, Kate said: "Ah, Rufus, you're supposed to be Judy in that hat, right?"
Rufus: "Yeah..."
Kate: "Oh. I was thinking it was more Michael Jackson."







Rufus’ sister Martha returned for her encore and Rufus embarrassed her by acting like a 5 year old: “Hey sis, it’s like we have our own Judy TV show for Mom! Which song should we play for her?!” Martha covered her face with her hands. I don’t think she was acting! When she had finished one song (she sang a total of 2 encores), Rufus hopped off his stool and said, “Ok! My turn! (Yeah you REALLY have to be a Rufus freakazoid to get all this. Laura, you understand, RIGHT???)
Rufus loves his dear sister Martha:






Of course I love Rufus to death, but can I just say that, besides my two favorite songs If Love Were All and Alone Together, Martha was a major highlight. OMG- her voice, delivery, emotion, heart - I just can't find the words. I think Martha could easily pull off a concert of standards, and I wish she would. Of course she can't do "the Judy Comeback" again, but honestly, her voice and her unique style are made for the interpretation of standards. I love her own songs, but she really shines when she sings songs like Stormy Weather and Someone to Watch Over Me (she performed both that night). The most important aspect of singing is to make the audience believe that you are feeling every word that you are singing, and in that respect, she is closer to Judy than Rufus, BUT I think she has an advantage being a woman. (!)
She never looked (or sounded) more beautiful:





I couldn't believe how quickly the concert went! I was counting the songs at the beginning, saying to myself, "aw, only 23 songs left..."




I was SO excited about meeting other Rufus Wainwright Message Board members. We were having cell phone problems, but miraculously,after the show I finally met Jody and her husband Joh from New Jersey. They are the sweetest, cutest couple on the planet. I hope I can meet up again with them (and drag my husband next time). I envy Jody because Joh likes Rufus as much as Jody. Lucky girl - and she knows it.
After the show we met some other board members (Yasmin, Emilie, Cindy and Jennifer). Rufus has the BEST FANS on the planet. Really wonderful people. (Well, besides Rachel Fuller, of course).
Jody, Joh, Jennifer and her sister along with myself and my sister were waiting by the stage door for awhile after the show. When Rufus didn't surface, that was our cue to head for the bar...my intuition told me that after a drink, he'd appear, so we went back and sure enough he did. My sister is pretty clever and figured out which door he'd come out of (not the main one but one to the side) so we were far from the crowd but close to him!
He signed my beautiful poster, but there was no time to get a word in edge wise. My poor little tiny sister got swept up by the mob that attacked him from the other door (within seconds). It was a little scary for her!

I felt badly because I had been chatting with Rufus’ cousin, Lily Lankin (daughter of Anna McGarrigle), and then Rufus appeared and in a microsecond I was like, poof, right there with my poster in his face! (not really but you know what I mean). After he signed my poster I did go back and apologized to her - she's so sweet I'm sure she understood! She even asked my name and shook my hand. Then I saw her dad, Dane Lankin who was standing next to her, and he introduced himself and shook my hand! They're the nicest people. What a family.

It must be kismet (?) that I waited so long to post this, because a few days back, Jody sent me a picture of all of us that appeared in a Sunday supplement to the Uk newspaper, The Guardian called Observer Music Monthly. It’s a picture of Rufus SIGNING MY POSTER!

Voila:


Me (again!) :

And Jody (in the black cap, holding her camera):



Jen and I before Hurricane Rufus:


Joh got some great shots of Rufus:








THANK YOU RUFUS FOR A NIGHT THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!


(Please note that photos used here were posted on the rufuswainwright.com message board. Many thanks to those who posted them).

25 comments:

ginab said...

I had nosebleed seats

You are so darn funny SueJoy! How neat you were so close and what a generous show by the sounds of everything. I do like Rufus. I see he was pretty shy of a piano. Hmm.

Very nice of you to treat your sister!

-g+bb

lryicsgrl said...

WOOHOO for Rufas!

Great picture, and what a great story...to be told for many years to come. Anyone seeking autographs, should consult you first...you are the best!

lryicsgrl said...

btw, RUFAS IS GORGEOUS! YEOW! I meant pictures not picture, as in ALL pics are great.
Martha is STUNNING, I had no idea!!

ok, bah bye!

Vallypee said...

What a fantastic night you had, Sue..I mean WOW! All this incredible talent and then you get to meeet Lily, her Dad and also have Mr R himself signing your poster! You must have been over the moon. How incredible too to have Kate and Martha singing at the same concert. Gorgeous photos of Martha too...and the others. What a night. I can feel your excitement and enthusiasm!

Anonymous said...

I freaking love Rufus and the chemestry he has with his family. . .

I freaking love Judy and the fact Rufus covered her.

I freaking love you!

So much freaking love,
L

NYC TAXI SHOTS said...

hope the cabbies treated you well rufus's show got great reveiws i think he is working on somekind of classical music project next at lincoln center

Suesjoy said...

Gina! I honestly did have nosebleeds...the photos were nicked from rufuswainwright.com (RW Message Board) but I did say that at the end of my post. ;)

lzygrl - Rufus loves signing autographs, so I don't feel badly about getting one from him!

Hey Val - Yeah it was a pretty amazing night. I'm just sad I missed Martha. I assumed she had left before Rufus. I really wanted to say hi to her too.
I'm going to read your memoirs today...in between packing that is!

I love you too L!!! Talk to you soon!

NYC Taxi - Yes the taxi drivers were VERY good to me - especially the one who took us to Carnegie Hall. He navigated his way through a really horrendous traffic jam and we made it on time (I was sweating it!). His name was Yule, so I kept saying, "Thank Yule!" I think I was annoying him though!
Yup Rufus has been commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera to write an opera...a classical opera, that is!
Maybe Rachel could arrange it!
:)
Thanks for visiting y'all!

Delbut said...

Wow, good stuff Sue. Is rufas single/ i so want him in my shed LOL.

only waiting for this moment... said...

UH UH BUH BUH BUH babbaba daddadda uh uh bo bah duh........

:-O

I am officially brain dead. This is THE COOLEST POST I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!

Thank you SO SO SO SO SO SO SO much for coming to tell me about it, dear girl~!

Nabonidus said...

OMG...rendered speechless by the stunning good looks of Rufus and Martha.Pass the dna, please. ;) lol

Fleur de Bee said...

You look HOT !!!

E.L. Wisty said...

Oh Sue, I'm so happy for you, knowing how much Rufus Wainwright means for you. It's really special to experience something like that, something that will stay in memory for the rest of the life.

I only have one album by Rufus, Want One. I have to say that so far I have a bit of difficulty with it. Some of it is great but some is a bit too dramatic for me. But well, perhaps it's a matter of getting used to.

Doesn't stop me from being happy for you!

Maria

Anne-Marie said...

Wow Sue,
what a fantastic night you had! Thanks for all the great pics and the review.

Cheers,
AM

lryicsgrl said...

OK, Where the Fackn H are you? (this said in jest, and only to let you know, you are missed....)

We have so much to catch up on. You can always use the Myspace private message box, if your email still isn't working. AH, didn't think of that, did you? I'm good, I know it ;)

So happy for you to be back in San Diego, enjoy!

Koos F said...

Brilliant post, Sue.
All the pleasure and excitement shines through your words.

If I needed converting to Wainwright (and McGarrigle) you would do the job.

Metalchick said...

Hi Sue,
Just dropping by to see how you're doing.
I could've swore that I left a comment here a while ago, anyways if I did, it would've said; It looks like you and your sister had a lot of fun!

lryicsgrl said...

Those Mexicanos are muy loco. You can't look like a 20 something's Mother. But, wait, alas, we actually COULD be a 20 somethings MOTHER>>>>YIKES!

Ah, eff em! You look fabulous darling, and if Rufas wasn't so "happy", your hubby would be in T R O U B L E!

Anonymous said...

Suesjoy, great post and sounds like a real night to remember. I'm impressed with your wide taste in music. That's rare and refreshing. The contest was very odd, though I wouldn't have won anyways because I was missing the "it's a " part. But as a pretty savy cyber dude, I can't explain what happened there. Very strange. Oh well, great posts, I'm talking your blog now, though I'm sure your posts are quite fabulous too. Great pics. That's pictures.

lryicsgrl said...

WAKE UP!!!!!

I want to see pictures, tho, I don't have a clue who you are talking about? Awe, you know me, in my suburban bubble....fill me in, sista!!!

I hope we get tickets!!! Can you believe I am WORKING on friday??? Yes, I am really in the FASHION industry now. So, my profile, isn't a lie anymore...tee hee!

Ring my bell......xo

grace said...

Hi Sue, just stopping by to say a hello. Hope all is well in your world..............grace 8/12

lryicsgrl said...

Sue,
I left you a message....I am done with work on Wednesday, and the girls don't come home until sunday.....so give me a call. I am so sad you aren't coming, but I certainly understand.

xo
sue

Anne-Marie said...

Hi Sue,
Rumour has it it's your birthday, so Happy Birthday, darling!

Cheers,
AM

lryicsgrl said...

They say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you

You are viewing lyrics of Birthday by THE BEATLES from the album The Beatles (The White Album) at LyricsAndSongs.COM

Ah
Ah
Ah
Come on
Come on

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party

I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (Birthday)
I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Dance yeah

Oh
Come on

I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (Birthday)
I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Oh dance! Dance

They say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you





If the above are not the lyrics to (Birthday) by THE BEATLES Would you kindly report the error ?

The Lyrics above are the lyrics to Birthday and are (absolutly correct)
The Lyrics above are to Birthday and are (Mostly correct, Yet...)
The Lyrics seem to be the lyrics to Birthday But they are (Wrong)
The Lyrics above Are not even close to the lyrics of Birthday they are (Very Wrong)
The Lyrics above are (NOT) the lyrics to Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sue!
I go with these lyrics are mostly correct. What do you think?

Hope you had a great day!

xo
Sue

grace said...

Not sure when it was your birthday. Happy Birthday! Haircut?, sure - right now would be OK. x Grace

Gina said...

How fun, so glad to see you enjoying yourself! And wow, with all those amazing photos I notice most of all, that YOU are so very beautiful.