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Antony & The Johnsons
http://www.antonyandthejohnsons.com/
Last week
we received a promo copy of the CD "I Am A Bird Now" by Antony & the Johnsons.
I hadn't heard any of his music before, but my brother had raved about his
vocal performance as part of the Leonard Cohen tribute gala at the Sydney
Opera House in late January ("Came So Far For Beauty"). Ronald said
that Antony and Rufus Wainwright both knocked
the socks off the audience.
It was
just last Saturday that I read a very positive review by Noel Mengel in Brisbane’s Courier Mail (in the BAM section)
and when I listened to the album the next night I could understand fully why
people are impressed. Antony has an absolutely unique and
emotive voice. His music is also beautifully arranged and produced and his
lyrics are deeply personal and honest (and confronting - especially the
domestic violence themed "Fistful Of Love").
"I Am
A Bird Now" is dedicated to the memory of his friend Page, who appears
inside the CD cover, as the featured model. Most of the lyrics from this CD
also speak of transgender experience, with "My Lady
Story" from the FTM view - "My lady story is one of
annihilation, my lady story is one of breast amputation..."
Antony is described as having a rugby
player's build, and the voice of an angel. His gender identity is clearly
male, but there are few references to whether he might be transgender
himself. Ultimately of course that shouldn't matter to anyone but Antony,
however the following article suggests it's a matter of fact:
http://www.lbunion.com/currentissue/article_reader.php?focusissuedate=2005-03-14&articleid=145&allissues_chkbox=
(excerpt): That guest was Antony, who humbly swirled
into the haunting song’s refrain: “All these beautiful boys / Tattoos of
ships, and tattoos of tears.” The transgender pianist got his break while on
tour with Lou Reed, when the former Velvet Underground frontman
demanded of his crowd in so many words: “You’re going to listen to this guy
sing.”
I believe
that the best thing about Antony as an artistic phenomenon, is that he is being valued and accepted for
being 100% his talented self. Visit the website for Antony
& The Johnsons and read the rave reviews by
the press, including:
“Musically, their sound is really simplistic:
just three string players, a bass guitar and drums. But listening to Antony's
voice is like hearing Elvis for the first time: two words and he has broken
your heart... when he sings it is the most exquisite thing that you will hear
in your life." - Laurie Anderson (from The Times, London, U.K. September
29th, 2001).
I trust
Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, and I trust my own ears and heart. I know
they’re right. Antony deserves every accolade coming his way.
I expect
that transgenders will find special significance in
a lot of the lyrics that seem to be leaving some reviewers a bit baffled,
while none the less impressed. It's good though that critics and listeners
who are won over by his vocal talents are also making a real effort to understand
the anguish, struggle, hopes and joys of which he is singing.
"I Am A Bird Now" is
the most beautifully dramatic album I've heard since Lou Reed's "Berlin"
(1973). That recording also strongly featured piano - and a voice that was
hauntingly captivating. So fitting that Lou is there for this creation. Rufus
Wainwright also shines with his equally distinct styling. We were blessed
with an intimate performance from Rufus in February 2005, and we also welcome
a return visit from Antony (&
The Johnsons).
Review of Antony & The Johnsons live at The Tivoli, Brisbane on 17th January 2006
Last night I
congratulated the audio engineer after the show - they really did sound as good
as their CD (if not better).
It's not always rewarding to go to The Tivoli and endure their sometimes cramped
seating while running the risk that some high-haired strangers might totally block
your view of the performing artist. But this was a live performance experience to cherish (and I could see everything).
My brother had shouted me a ticket - so my review comments are completely without bias:
Last night I was privileged to be part of a sold out (700 person capacity) concert at Brisbane's Tivoli by Antony
& The Johnsons with fellow New York support act CocoRosie.
This was one of the most lovely sounding concerts I've
been to in years and the performances were equally impressive. The audience
was totally tuned to the stage - showing utmost respect for the artists. You
could hear a pin drop in the quieter passages.
As Antony & the Johnsons
closed their set the standing ovation, from the whole audience, was immediate
and humbly received. It's an extraordinary experience to witness such a big
event in which the main artist is someone who is so honest about their
transgender qualities, and is embraced for all of who they are.
From the first time I heard Antony's voice on CD (a promo copy sent to
us at 4ZZZ) I was hooked - and he is very consistent. I read a SMH review of
the first of his Sydney Festival shows last weekend, and you'd have to think
that the reviewer saw a different band. God knows what his expectations were,
but my impression of the Brisbane show was that CocoRosie
set a standard and style for the evening which Antony
& The Johnsons complemented perfectly. The Johnsons are shit shot musicians by the way - the
ensemble was incredibly tight in each song and they are complex arrangements.
CocoRosie's show was an equally impressive
combination of precisely delivered ethereal music coordinated with video. Their vocals evoked in me the
image of Janis Joplin singing lullabies.
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