Last night I attended the 14th Annual Tibet House Benefit Concert directed by Philip Glass. With so many artists across so many different musical styles, each performing only a few songs, the result gave the impression of an eclectic variety show, disorganized and messy in spots but still fun.
The show opened with a musical blessing from a team of monks, replete with those Tibetan long horns, cymbals, and throat singing. Then bluesman Keb' Mo' sang a couple of blues songs, accompanying himself with just his guitar, and he was wonderful. I heard Bright Eyes for the first time, and found his voice a little grating, and his behavior a little too silly -- while introducing the next artist, Nawang Khechog, he fumbled on the name, broke out giggling, and ran off the stage.
I'll quickly sum up the rest of the acts: Nawang Khechog played some Tibetan flute; Yo La Tengo, whom I'd never seen live before; Philip Glass's theme from "The Hours,"; David Byrne (Talking Heads) and a string quartet; a quick Kinks tribute punk medley; and Benin-born Angelique Kidjo, who got the whole seemingly-staid crowd up out of the chairs and dancing. Then there was the requisite crazy finale, with everyone on stage trying to play together -- Philip Glass dancing alongside Angelique Kidjo, David Byrne, and Keb Mo. A pretty crazy evening.
Posted by cce at February 26, 2004 05:12 PM | TrackBack