HEM, Paul Oakenfold, American Babies and the Boston Pops

So after the whirlwind week of Bonnaroo to Telluride Bluegrass, ST was fortunate enough to arrive back in our hometown of Boston and head straight from the airport to Symphony Hall for an eclectic and elegant night. Usually Symphony Hall is not the first place you'd think to catch such a amalgamation of music, but with the exception of the opening piece from Westside Story the 96 piece orchestra of the Boston Pops took their chops into new more modern territory. The series which in the past has featured Guster, Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann and My Morning Jacket is known as Pops On the Edge, and the for good reason.

(Josh Jackson Editor of PASTE, Sweet Talk, Paul Oakenfold, Lora Kratchounova from OurStage)

The night really began with a premiere of Nico Muhly's piece, Wish You Were Here, which he categorized as the musical equivalent of a "cartoon postcard from Bali", which is apt because I was thinking a hopped up Road Runner dressed in a sarong was going to flatten conductor Keith Lockhart any minute. Needless to say it was refreshing to see the Pops dip into some more interesting musical pockets.

(Sally Ellyson of Hem & Sweet Talk)

This was then followed by another eye popping premiere, that of Felix Brenner's modern orchestral piece Travelacoustica featuring drummer Andreas Brobjer, with a live remix done by world renowned DJ Paul Oakenfold. Although the Oakenfold's sound was a bit too low in the mix, it was mesmerizing to see how the effects and loops of the piece interacted with a traditional string and horn section, plus who doesn't love a good kettle drumming now and again.

(Bob Hoffner of Hem, Dave Bryson of Son Volt, and Fran Roja)

After a change of gears intermission with Boston's very own singer songwriter, Mieka Pauley, the Brooklyn based and Sweet Talk favorite HEM strolled on stage. Although the band was a last minute replacement and thus had very little time to prepare with Lockhart and the Pops, Hem's music is designed for just such a collaboration so the rust came off quickly and easily.

(Josh Jackson, conductor Keith Lockhart, Sweet Talk, Bob Haffner from Hem, Dave Bryson from Son Volt)

This was a close your eyes and fall into pastoral bliss type music for the most part. Listening to Sally Ellyson's voice echo through the historic room was emotionally exhilarating for it seemed natural and foreign at the same time. I know this sounds bizarre but it reminded me of the scene in the Blues Brothers where Cab Calloway goes from pork pie wearing southside bluesy street hustler to white tailed, slick haired, band leader over the course of "Minnie the Moocher". Anyway, the overall effect was exquisite.

(Chris Pureka and friend)

In celebration of the evening PASTE and OurStage threw an after party where more spice was added to the musical melting pot. In the beautifully restored Cabot Room of Symphony Hall all the nights performers gathered to hear another local singer well on her way to national acclaim, Antje Duvekot. Her powerful and commanding voice highlighting her lyrical prowess won over the room filled with other notables such as Sam Bigelow, Chris Pureka, members of Son Volt, The Everyday Visuals, and OurStage fan favorites American Babies, who ended the night with typical panache and aplomb. The veritable cherry on top to a wicked pissah Boston pahty. Go Sox.

(Lora from OurStage, with American Babies Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger)

Comments

[generic viagra]

Seems very interesting information containing this page but specially this HEM, Paul Oakenfold, American Babies and the Boston Pops

[Round and Brown]

Seems very interesting information containing this page but specially this HEM, Paul Oakenfold, American Babies and the Boston Pops

[Buy Online Rx]

Think of the low cost of this effort. It costs them--at most--one beverage to get my survey answers. Their real investment will be in the analysis. And, by the way, they've now got my email address so they can communicate again with me.

[generic viagra]

I'm glad that you meet you're friends after all, the Tornado in Bonnaroo was a disaster of great proportions.

[cash advances]

Hope it won't happen again. That day is also fun.