Andrew Budgell

Review: Janet Jackson "Number Ones"

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:41:56 -0500

Janet Jackson “Number Ones”
Long overdue look back at an incredible career

Long overdue, “Number Ones” is Janet Jackson’s first greatest hits album since “Design of a Decade 1986/1996”, which was released in 1995. Record label politics made me wonder if a comprehensive collection of Janet Jackson’s greatest hits would—or could—ever be released. (Janet originally signed with A&M, then moved to Virgin for the “janet.” album, and then to Def Jam for 2008’s “Discipline”.) But comprehensive is what exactly what we’ve got here with “Number Ones”, which is a worthy look back at one of the most successful recording artists of all-time.

The album, which is in chronological order, begins with “What Have You Done For Me Lately” from the 1986 album, “Control”. While Janet had had already released “Janet Jackson” and “Dream Street”, it was “Control” that established Jackson as a superstar, propelled to that level by hit makers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. After that the hits kept coming with albums including the socially conscious “Rhythm Nation 1814”, “janet.”, the album that explored Jackson’s sexuality, “The Velvet Rope”, which Janet recorded during a bout with depression, and “All For You”, which explored her fun side. It’s amazing just how fresh these songs still sound. This is helped All of the songs from these albums have been digitally remastered to a very high standard. Songs like “Rhythm Nation” have never sounded better. Everyone has their own opinion as to why Janet’s last three albums, “Damita Jo”, “20 Y.O.” and “Discipline” have not been received as warmly by the public, but all three spawned number ones and are of course are included here.

I appreciated the fact that Janet’s number one collaborations with other artists, including “Diamonds” with Herb Alpert, “The Best Things In Life Are Free” with Luther Vandross, “Scream” with her brother Michael, and “What’s It Gonna Be?” with Busta Rhymes are included here. This is an extra incentive to purchase “Number Ones” since none of these singles have appeared on any of Janet’s own albums.

The album concludes with one new track called “Make Me”. The disco inspired song is infectious, and is a return to her lighter, more fun roots and whets the appetite for what we can expect from Jackson’s next studio album, due out in the first quarter of next year.

While these compilation releases often spark debate on what should have been included—or left off—I think most of Janet’s diehard and casual fans alike will be completely satisfied with “Number Ones”. The only thing that could have made this release better would have been the option of a deluxe package with a DVD of all of Janet’s iconic music videos. However, that’s just a slight quibble and “Number Ones” is truly a comprehensive look back at one of the greatest entertainers of all time and some of the best pop music ever recorded. It was worth the wait.

Review: "Britney Spears: The Singles Collection"

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:36:00 -0500

Britney Spears: The Singles Collection
Great music; largely unnecessary collection

In 2004, when Britney Spears released her first greatest hits collection, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative, many scoffed. Why, after only four studio albums, would Britney release a greatest hits record? However, I defended her. Love her or loathe her, few artists have churned out hit after hit quite like Britney, and evidently a solid album’s worth of greatest hits.

It’s now five years later and Britney is releasing her second hits package, The Singles Collection. This time around I am less than enthusiastic. Don’t great me wrong, her music is still great. But in the five years since the first collection, Spears has released two studio albums: Blackout (the album I consider to be her greatest work) and Circus, its decent follow-up. However, do only two additional albums warrant another hits collection? Perhaps, but what we are given here is a below par effort.

The lead single to promote the album, “3” is another infectious pop track from Britney, one that debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, that’s pretty much where my enthusiasm for this release ends; “3” is the only new track. That being said, my biggest gripe with this release is that her entire catalogue of singles isn’t even represented here. Forgotten singles include “Sometimes,” “Lucky,” “From the Bottom of My Broken Heart,” “Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know,” “My Prerogative,” and “Break the Ice.” If all of Britney’s singles were included this would have been a 2-disc set. A 2-disc set would have provided the perfect opportunity to include unreleased songs such as “Love Is (A State of Grace)”, thus making this set worthwhile to owners of the previous hits album.

In the end this is a collection of songs that actually includes only one more track than the previous hits collection. While these songs have been digitally remastered, I highly doubt that would benefit some of the newer songs. I recommend this release to fans that didn’t get around to purchasing Britney’s first greatest hits. Like I said, the music is great. But for the rest there is little incentive to buy this. To me this seems like a decision to gouge Britney’s fans during the holiday season.

Book Review: "How To Be A Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor In Hollywood"

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:20:00 -0400

How To Be A Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor In Hollywood by William J. Mann

William J. Mann’s excellent new Elizabeth Taylor biography, “How To Be A Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor In Hollywood” is now available from Amazon and other booksellers! I was fortunate enough to be sent an advance copy of the book and I can assure all Elizabeth Taylor fans that this is an enthralling read from start to finish. Mann, author of the critically acclaimed Katharine Hepburn biography “Kate”, details how Elizabeth created the blueprint for fame that is used by today’s stars. The book is meticulously researched to provide readers with the behind-the-scenes of the behind-the-scenes story of how Elizabeth Taylor and her team created the quintessential Hollywood movie star. So many individuals who were previously just ignored as footnotes in previous Taylor biographies are paid special attention here and we realize just how instrumental they were in establishing Elizabeth’s unparallelled career. This is a book that is not to be missed!

Also, be sure to check out Amazon for a small video interview with Mr. Mann on “Movie Star”.

Concert Review: Beyoncé's "I Am... Tour"

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:03:00 -0400

July 20, 2009
Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto

As the sun was setting Monday night at the Molson Amphitheatre, a true star lit up the night sky. The curtain had parted to reveal the silhouette of 27 year old superstar Beyoncé Knowles, standing in a signature Sasha Fierce pose. For what seemed like minutes the superstar soaked up the thunderous applause before beginning her set with the 2003 song that launched her solo career, Crazy in Love.

With the inclusion of Crazy in Love at the beginning of the show, there was worry that perhaps the I Am… Tour would simply be a rehash of 2007’s acclaimed The Beyoncé Experience. But it wasn’t.

Still, if you were one of the lucky ones who saw that tour live or on DVD, you might think that this latest tour, with its less ambitious set list, is a bit of a comedown. Perhaps now that her status as a touring act is solidified, Beyoncé decided to do a more manageable, yet still very impressive show.

Upbeat songs like Naughty Girl, Freakum Dress and Get Me Bodied helped to get the party started before a trio of slower songs from her latest release, I Am… Sasha Fierce were showcased. Ave Maria was beautifully performed with an excerpt of Sarah MacLachlan’s Angel. Beyoncé also employed another excerpt from a Canadian singer later in the show: You Oughta Know by Alanis Morrissette during the hit If I Were A Boy.

One of the few missteps of the evening was when Beyoncé opted to use the infectious Sweet Dreams in a video interlude between songs rather than perform it live. The track, which is Beyoncé’s latest single, was a real departure for the singer with its electropop feel. It would have been interesting to see how she would have performed and interpreted the song live.

Probably the biggest highlight of the night was the performance of Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). The song—and especially its dance!—has become a cultural phenomenon. If you didn’t know that, a compilation of YouTube fan clips (including Justin Timberlake doing his own version on Saturday Night Live) got the crowd going.

The popular ballad Halo concluded the set. Beyoncé used the song to pay tribute to her idol, the late Michael Jackson. A touching moment came when home movies of young Beyoncé, excited about attending her first Jackson concert, were played.

Beyoncé, like her idol, is a star who is clearly here to stay. If anyone dared question that, all they had to do was look around at the capacity crowd which was filled with people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds. Beyoncé, like another idol of hers, Cher, is a performer who manages to unite all sorts of people, if only for just an evening.

Yes, Beyoncé is here to stay.

Reading to Write

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:31:00 -0400

I am desperately trying to hone my writing skills. I honestly think one of the best ways to do so is by reading. Being an English Rhetoric and Professional Writing major, I’ve read my share of great literature. Or at least I was supposed to, anyway. Now I’m finding it imperative that I read the as many of the “greatest books ever written” in order to become a better writer.

I’ve just started Gone with the Wind. Being a massive fan of the 1939 film, I first tried to read it when I was in about ninth grade, but I became overwhelmed with the sheer size of the thing, put it down and never picked it up again. Until now. Sometimes I feel that I am too much a product of a dumbed down society where we are limited to 140 characters in a Tweet. Is that why still, close to a decade on, I am struggling to get through all of the necessary character development with Margaret Mitchell’s tome? Perhaps. Anyway, please stick with me. I think I’m going to blog about this process of immersing myself in many of the greatest books of all time.

Michael Jackson: Never Can Say Goodbye

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:46:00 -0400

I’ve tried to write this blog several times now and just can’t quite seem to come up with the words to suggest how the death of Michael Jackson has impacted me. Mostly I feel emptiness and sadness for the man who I have adored since I was a kid. I’m saddened that one of the world’s greatest entertainers was taken from us so close to the beginning of his triumphant return to the stage in a 50 concert residency in London. I also find myself saddened for a man whose life was seemingly robbed of him and “sold for gold” at such a young age. This will be focused on for years to come, so I don’t want to now. But most of all I’m saddened for his children, family and friends who have lost such a bright light in their lives. Most of all I’d like to get into just why Michael Jackson was such an important entertainer, but I simply do not feel qualified to do so. I can say that my feelings are summed up in that famous Jackson 5 song, “Never Can Say Goodbye”. Thankfully, his music survives so I, and the rest of the world, won’t have to.

Farrah Fawcett: A True Angel

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:37:36 -0400

Farrah Fawcett

Just moments ago the news broke that Farrah Fawcett has died at the age of 62 from cancer. My admiration of this woman doesn’t come from her iconic turn on “Charlie’s Angels” or even her other notable roles. Instead, it stems from her willingness to use her celebrity to bring awareness to anal cancer, a type of cancer that is rarely mentioned. When Fawcett was diagnosed in 2006, it was clear that the media would not allow her any privacy in this very personal ordeal. At one point medical records were leaked. Still, Fawcett maintained her strength and detirmination and even allowed cameras to document every grueling step of her battle. She had no intention of releasing the footage publicly, but realizing the awareness that would stem from doing so, the hours of footage were woven into a documentary called “Farrah’s Story” that aired recently on NBC. Watching this documentary, her strength and unfailing optimism during this dark period in her life proved to be especially inspirational. She gave anal cancer a face and thrust it into the public consciousness. While her bright smile will be missed desperately, Farrah Fawcett’s courage will live on and continue to inspire and save lives.

Carol Burnett: Laughter & Reflection

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:20:00 -0400

Carol Burnett

In comedy, try as you might, sometimes the most meticulously prepared sketch can’t quite live up to the spontaneous, off-the-cuff humour that can seemingly creep up out of nowhere. That was often true on The Carol Burnett Show, when Burnett would “bump up the lights” and take questions from the audience. Sure, such sketches as “Went With the Wind” or Nora Desmond were brilliant, but it was Burnett’s ability to provide quick and witty responses to some peculiar audience questions that made for some of the most memorable television.

With that premise Burnett has been touring with the show “Laughter & Reflection,” where fans of all ages get to ask the TV icon anything. The laughter rarely let up during the 90 minute show at Toronto’s Massey Hall which seemed to fly by. Burnett was asked all sorts of questions about her legendary career, including working with Elizabeth Taylor in the 1983 HBO movie, Between Friends. “She was a hoot,” said Burnett. So much so that the two legends have been friends ever since.

One of the funniest stories Burnett told was of filming reshoots on Annie. She had to redo part of one of the film’s musical numbers from the point where she walks out of a closet. That sounded simple enough, but Burnett had recently had a chin implant. Worried about upsetting the film’s director, John Huston, she told him she’d be walking out of the closet with a chin. Without missing a beat he told her to walk out “looking determined.”

The most emotional part of the evening came when Burnett paid tribute to her Carol Burnett Show co-star, Harvey Korman. “He made me better,” Burnett said. “He was like a brother to me.”

Four decades after the premiere of The Carol Burnett Show, for many Burnett has come to feel like family. With “Laughter & Reflection” Burnett gave her fans an incredible evening that we won’t soon forget. Perhaps most of all she reminded us that there is a huge void of intelligent humour on television, one that isn’t likely to be filled anytime soon. Not unless there is another Carol Burnett out there, but that hardly seems likely…

The Tony Awards

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:23:00 -0400

This past weekend the Tony Awards honoured the best on Broadway this season. And what a remarkable season it was. Even with the economy doing so poorly, Broadway has never done better financially. Earlier this Spring I was lucky enough visit New York and see three shows (33 Variations, Exit the King and Blithe Spirit), each of which garnered at least one Tony nomination. Earlier I had planned to review each of them individually, but time got away from me and instead I will discuss each of them here.

When it was announced that Jane Fonda would return to the Broadway stage after a nearly half century absence in Moisés Kaufman’s 33 Variations, it came to many as a surprise. In her stage return Fonda played Katherine Brandt, a dying woman who spends her last days trying to understand why Beethoven was compelled to create 33 variations of a simple waltz. Out of the three shows that I saw during my New York trip, this one was my favourite. I was impressed by Fonda’s ability to effectively portray the disintegration of her character’s health. Sadly Fonda did not win the Tony for Leading Actress in a Play, but bravo to Jane for a triumphant return to the stage after all these years. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait so long to see her again.

Jane Fonda in “33 Variations”

My least favourite show I saw was Exit the King. I felt Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist comedy was long, drawn out and boring, but redeemed itself near the end. However, Geoffrey Rush, who took home the Tony for Leading Actor in a Play, was a marvel. Watching Rush was a master class in acting. It was also a treat to see the wonderful Susan Sarandon and Andrea Martin act onstage.

The highlight of the Tonys for me was Angela Lansbury’s win for Blithe Spirit. This was her fifth, tying her with Julie Harris as the actor with the most wins. Lansbury is acting royalty, having had success in film, stage and television. However, it’s hard to believe that between her 3 Oscar nominations and 18 Emmy nominations she never took home a statue. The theatre world has shown more appreciation: Lansbury has gone home with the Tony nearly every time she has been nominated—the only time she didn’t win was in 2007 for Deuce. This latest win, for her role as Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, was the part that fans had been patiently waiting for. Her participation in this production completely eclipses the show itself. She is, after all, one of the leading Grande Dames of the Broadway stage. When you’re watching Lansbury onstage you get the impression that the 83 year old legend is enjoying every minute. She’s also grateful to be there: in the past Lansbury has said just how difficult it has been to find film roles. At one point there was even talk of her returning of returning to the small screen but nothing came of it. Here’s hoping the attention from this latest triumph changes that or at least prompts the Academy and Emmys to her the adulation she deserves.

Angela Lansbury in “Blithe Spirit”

I’d also like to mention Liza Minnelli’s win for Best Special Theatrical Event for Liza’s At The Palace. While I didn’t get to see this on Broadway, Liza has been touring with a similar show for the past few years, which I was fortunate enough to see in 2007. The show is largely a tribute to her beloved godmother Kay Thompson and the show Kay did with the Williams Brothers. If you ever get to see Liza onstage, don’t hesitate: GO! Liza Minnelli is a vulnerable performer who goes for broke and bares her soul with every performance she gives.

Something tells me that Broadway’s upcoming season will have a hard time competing with all of this legendary star power…

Diane Keaton: Unique Lives & Experiences

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:29:00 -0400

Diane Keaton, “Unique Lives & Experiences”
April 21, 2009, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto

In today’s world of celebrity obsession, it’s becoming increasingly rare to get to know the real person behind the celebrity facade. With their every movement analyzed and exploited, celebrities are desperately trying to retain a part of themselves that hasn’t appeared on TMZ. However, Diane Keaton, in her talk for “Unique Lives & Experiences,” managed to invite her audience into her private world to gain a better understanding of who she is.

Diane Keaton has never been your average celebrity. Woody Allen called her acting a “nervous breakdown in slow motion.” Winning the Oscar for 1977’s Annie Hall, Diane Keaton has made a career out of playing slightly neurotic characters. However it was apparent early on that the evening would not centre around her famous roles. It would be more about the people and experiences that shaped her as a person.

Listening to hear speak, one gets the impression that Diane Keaton has become very comfortable in her own skin. But she admitted that she wasn’t always so secure. Keaton’s mother encouraged her to express her individuality through fashion, something that Diane was initially reluctant to do. Looking at the woman standing in front of me wearing a polka dotted skirt overtop of black tights, it was easy to see that her mother’s advice on that particular subject had stuck.

Keaton’s relationship with her mother, and the all too often unexamined relationship’s women have with their mother’s in general, was the theme of the evening. Keaton admitted that since her mother’s passing she has been going through her things to gain a better understanding of the woman who had such a profound effect on her life.

But her father’s impact was evident, too. Shortly before his death he told her that he wished he had done more in his life and hadn’t worked so long doing a job he didn’t like. While the words didn’t have an immediate effect on Keaton, they did stick with her. She has tried to become more fearless in her life. It seems to have worked. At an age when most women become empty nesters, Keaton adopted her daughter, Dexter, and then later a son, Duke. Showing off home movies of her young family, it’s easy to see that they, too, have made Diane Keaton more comfortable in her own skin. Luckily for us, comfortable enough to share her own unique lives and experiences with her adoring public.

Long time, no blog

Fri, 01 May 2009 13:00:05 -0400

It’s been ages since I’ve posted here! Let’s face it, is anyone really all that surprised? Anyway, I will be posting a HUGE update soon on the following: Britney, NYC, Jane Fonda in “33 Variations,” Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon in “Exit the King,” Angela Lansbury in “Blithe Spirit,” a taping of “Martha,” and talks with Mary Tyler Moore and Diane Keaton. I’d also like to do some sort of a tribute to the late, great Bea Arthur who I got to see at her last performance of her one woman show. She was one of a kind and will be missed terribly.

I’m also on Twittter! I swore I’d NEVER join, but when I heard the news that the star of stars, Dame Elizabeth Taylor was tweeting, well, that went out the window. So check me out there, too: http://twitter.com/andybudgell

I just got two of the hottest tickets around: Beyonce’s “I Am… Tour” in Toronto and Dame Helen Mirren and Dominic Cooper (“Mamma Mia” and “The Duchess”) in “Phedre”. I’ll also be seeing the great Vanessa Redgrave this fall in a benefit performance of “The Year of Magical Thinking.” I can’t wait to see all of these incredible performers.

Concert review: Madonna

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:47:00 -0500

Disenchantment with Madonna?
Toronto, October 18, 2008

Photo courtesy of the NY Daily News.

I’ll never forget seeing Madonna live for the first time in 2004 on her Re-Invention Tour. There are certain things in your life that you never forget, and that evening was one of those experiences. When she emerged in a full on Yoga position, I was entranced: Just a few feet away from me was the Queen of Pop. I was in the presence of true royalty that night.

Since that evening I’ve seen Madonna again (in 2006 for the Confessions Tour) and since then I’ve been lucky to see many great performers on stage. When I bought my tickets for Madonna’s latest extravaganza, the Sticky and Sweet Tour, it was almost a non-event. Gone was the frantic excitement of trying to secure tickets I felt on the two previous tours. In 2004 I was worried that my parent’s were going to kill me after I put a $300 ticket on their credit card when I was told to spend no more than $150. In 2006 the ticketing system crashed due to demand and the Montreal show sold out leaving me without a ticket. I then bought a ticket for Chicago instead. I ended up selling that after I found a lone ticket for the Montreal show. I lost a great deal of money but I didn’t care. I was going to see Madonna again! This time I bought my ticket and that was that. Was I disenchanted with Madge?

Sure, this new show is gorgeous looking. The show began with a massive screen displaying a video of a Willy Wonka-eque candy manufacturing plant, which began separating into almost an accordion, revealing a smaller screen, which rotated to reveal the Queen of Pop herself. Sitting on her throne with one leg draped over one of the arms, she started with the infectious Candy Shop, from her latest release, Hard Candy. No, it wasn’t the grand entrance she made on the Confessions Tour, but it was still pretty good.

Next up was The Beat Goes On, a fairly forgettable track also from the new album. I’ll admit that while I didn’t care for Hard Candy overall, those tracks did sound much better live. In the first nod to her back catalogue, Madonna did a rock remix to one of my favourite songs, Human Nature. This new remix removed all the naughtiness of the original, and quite frankly, I was bored. I spent more time staring at the background video of Britney Spears being trapped in an elevator. I have always questioned why Madonna is often compelled to re-invent her songs to an almost unrecognizable level.

One instance where this actually works is Vogue. Setting her famous dance track to the music of Hard Candy’s first single, 4 Minutes, and employing Techtonik dance moves, it was perfection and easily the most memorable song of the evening. I think the fact that the song used a beat that the audience new well allowed the updated track to resonate with the audience. But as the track reverted back to the music of the original classic for the last few seconds of the song, it resonated even stronger with the audience. As fun as the remix was, we all loved the reminder of the original masterpiece—even if it was fleeting.

I’ve been harsh on Madonna for not doing enough oldies in her show. I was wrong; it’s a fairly good mixture of old and new. The problem I have is why she recycles to keep songs like Music, La Isla Bonita, and Ray of Light on the set light. We’ve heard them countless times on previous tours, and it would be great to give other songs their time to shine. Even Hung Up, from her last album, should have been replaced with something unexpected. Yes, this is the point where someone will remind me that Janet Jackson does the same songs in all her shows, but with Janet she really gives you everything you could hope for. Madonna is very selective of what she performs, and to get the same few over and over is disappointing.

The three Hard Candy songs that shone the brightest live were She’s Not Me, Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You and Miles Away. Madonna was joined by the ghosts of her past for She’s Not Me. Dancers dressed as Madonnas as the Marilyn inspired Madonna from the Material Girl video are roughed up by the real Madge as she rips pieces of their costumes off, symbolically telling the audience that those relics belong in the past. This, like her desire to remix her old songs, proves yet again to her audience that she’s of the present. She’ll never be like Cher, who takes her fans back through her music and fashion of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Cher has no problem dusting off her old fur vest and boots from the 60s, or the naughty Turn Back Time outfit from the 80s. People waiting for Madonna to don her cone bra again someday will be disappointed. It just ain’t gonna happen folks.

For Devil Madonna was atop a piano, trapped inside a circular video screen at the end of the catwalk. It was very theatrical and perfectly executed—even if Justin Timberlake used similar staging for his FutureSex/LoveShow. My other favourite, Miles Away, was dedicated to “the emotionally retarded,” again sounded great live.

The smash hit, 4 Minutes didn’t translate to a great live performance. The show closed with Give It 2 Me. This song, Madonna’s second single off the new disc, fared much better, and actually turned out to be a good finish.

I was prepared to write a negative review for this show. No, Sticky and Sweet wasn’t as good as her last two shows, and yes, I was disappointed that some of the oldies were reworked to a point were they were almost unrecognizable. But you’ve got to hand it to Madonna. Unlike so many other artists, she is constantly re-inventing her image and her sound—even if it is a tad contrived at times.

The Affair of the Necklaces (and a Dress!)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:14:00 -0500

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Ontario Museum. It was my first visit to the museum in since I was a kid. I remember my parents taking me nearly ten years ago because there was an exhibit of Egyptian artifacts on display. This visit was just exciting and lavish: lots of diamonds, and even a dress owned and worn by the infamous last Queen of France: Marie Antoinette.

I wandered around the museum for a little while before heading to the two exhibits that were of most interest to me. In truth I wanted to head straight to the diamonds and Marie’s dress, but I decided to hold off on that for a minute. Instead I headed to the third floor, which is primarily filled up with furniture from various eras, from English Regency to Art Deco. There were so many pieces I love, including the most stunning antique chandelier I’ve ever seen. Then it was time for diamonds.

The exhibit was called The Nature of Diamonds. Apparently this exhibit has toured all around the world, and is just now getting to Toronto. The exhibit included “digging into its geologic origins, how it is mined, its cultural significance in art, literature, and ornamentation, and its numerous uses in modern science and technology.” Frankly, I could care less about any of that, so I headed straight for the Gem Vault.

The Gem Vault was just that—a giant freestanding vault plopped down in the middle of the hall. As you bypass the strict looking security guards you can walk into the vault from either of the two entrances, and immediately make eye contact with the Incomparable Diamond—a 407.48 carat diamond. It was sort of displayed like a Faberge egg. I hate to say it, but it really didn’t impress me. Sure, I wouldn’t turn it down if someone offered to give it to me, but it just looked like a huge rock. Nothing special, even though it is extremely valuable.

What did impress me, and took my breath away, was the jewelry. Such pieces as the Cartier shoulder brooch (fashioned in 1928 and previously owned by Elton John), the Princess Mathilde Corsage ornament (made with 2,600+ diamonds), the Question Mark necklace (made by Boucheron in 1890), and the Bandeau. The latter piece was one of my favourites. I was really intrigued by it, and wasn’t exactly sure how it was worn. Apparently it was designed in 1920 by Cartier Paris to compliment the short hair that was en vogue and worn by the flappers. It was stunning.

1. Incomparable Diamond 2. Cartier shoulder brooch 3. Bandeau

My one disappointment was that hidden inside a vault, these pieces never really got the chance to shine. I’ll never forget seeing Dame Elizabeth Taylor in person for the first time. I immediately noticed the big rock on her finger. Even in a darkened ballroom the ring cast a glow that shone like a spotlight on her hand. Even knowing her jewelry collection inside and out, I had no clue which piece she was wearing. I had to wait until I returned home and was able to see the press photos from the event to discover that it was the 33 1/3 carat Krupp Diamond.

As I said, these pieces need to be worn in public where they can really shine. Under such limited lighting the pieces aren’t at their best—they need to be able to reflect the light and really show their brilliance. Next it was finally it was off to see what I really came for: Marie Antoinette’s dress!

As I approached the Gallery of Textiles & Costumes, located on the fourth floor, I immediately noticed a very small, yet elaborate dress enclosed in Plexiglas (or something similar) in a dimly lit room. Surely that couldn’t be it? As I got closer, I told myself it wasn’t. Yes, it was elaborate, painstakingly embroidered by a seamstress long ago, but it was so tiny. It looked like a gown created for a child. Above it read “Antoinette”. No, that must be a mistake I thought. I had previously seen the podcast which outlined all of the painstaking work that went into keeping the dress looking its best, but I couldn’t remember if this was the same dress from the video. As I walked around the enclosure, I noticed a screen that played the podcast. Sure enough, after viewing the podcast again, it was confirmed that this was indeed the dress.

1. Marie Antoinette’s dress

I don’t mean to say that I was underwhelmed by the dress—it was simply stunning (especially the train)—but it was just so small. Being a fan of Marie Antoinette, I had seen both the 1938 and 2006 films, both equally lavish depictions of one of the history’s most intriguing women. Perhaps it was larger-than-life portrayals by Norma Shearer and Kirsten Dunst, or maybe it was the massive snow white wigs—but on screen Marie Antoinette in both films seemed to tower over the men. It was so petite. I think we all believe these legends must be giants or something.

From a friend I learned how lucky we are that this dress survived the Revolution. Apparently nearly all her clothing was burned at Versailles. What a shame that we don’t have more artifacts like this dress to remember her by.

I felt so privileged to see these fascinating diamonds and Marie’s dress in person. All were reminders of bygone eras (France in the 1700s, the flappers of the 1920s) that will sadly never be duplicated. However thanks to the Royal Ontario Museum they were able to come alive again—even if just for a fleeting moment.

Links
The Nature of Diamonds: http://www.rom.on.ca/exhibitions/special/diamonds.php
Marie Antoinette’s Dress (podcast): http://www.rom.on.ca/media/podcasts/display.php?id=73

Concert review: Janet Jackson

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:10:00 -0500

Miss Jackson’s Still Nasty
Toronto, September 28, 2008

Alright, I’m going to say it flat out before it becomes very apparent: This is going to be an extremely biased concert review.

I’ve been a fan of Janet Jackson since I was 11 or 12 years old and first heard the infectious “Together Again”—written for a friend who died of AIDS. Ever since then I’ve followed her career more closely with each subsequent album she’s released.

Janet hadn’t toured in seven years. She came close for Damita Jo and 20 YO, but neither panned out. So when the Rock Witchu Tour was finally announced last May, I was ecstatic. A Janet concert was so close I could actually taste it.

When Janet tours, she doesn’t disappoint. She pulls out all the stops and truly gives her fans what they want. The Rock Witchu Tour was no different. Janet actually set up a phone line for her fans to call in with suggestions for the tour.

From the beginning of the show it was apparent Janet took her fans suggestions to heart. As two giant “J’s” glided across the stage, smoke began enveloping the stage and fireworks were set off. As the smoke became less dense, the petite figure of one of the most influential artists of the last three decades was revealed.

As Janet began The Pleasure Principal, fans new and old alike knew they were in for a treat. Janet next tore into two other songs from Control, the album that put her on the map in 1986: the title track and What Have You Done For Me Lately. All three songs used their original choreography. Some have criticized Janet for this. For me, I would have felt cheated if she had used new choreography for these songs. Unlike Madonna, Janet’s choreography is as iconic as the songs themselves. To switch it up would be disappointing.

Next up was Feedback. This was the first single off of Janet’s latest release, Discipline. The song was a modest hit, and the crowd all erupted into applause as it begin.

After removing the outer-galactic ensemble she wore for the first set (I believe all the costumes were designed by Versace), Janet changed into a sailor’s outfit for snippet of You Want This (a fan favourite never before performed in concert), as well as Alright, and Miss You Much. From what I understand, Janet’s previous concerts were all variations of the her famous janet. tour. Alright, saw Janet ditching the Zoot suit she usually wears for this number—which exemplified just how different this tour was from the others.

The next set was Janet’s ballads—which saw Janet wearing a ruby sequined gown (which, surprisingly, worked well with her hair which was piled high atop her head and teased out into a Mohawk). This is one of the only times during the show where Janet did no choreography. A well deserved “break”. The songs were terrific live. Sure, we’ve all heard Come Back to Me, Let’s Wait a While, and Again a million times—but somehow, hearing them in concert brought an entirely new and very emotional dynamic to them. We were all reminded that Janet can take some cliche subjects and really elevate them to pure pop perfection.

Next was one of my favourite parts of the show. Recent dance tracks like So Excited, So Much Betta, All Nite (Don’t Stop), and Rock With U stood tall alongside one of Janet’s signature dance songs, Nasty. Janet then tore into Together Again, which surprised everyone. Usually the song that finishes the show, Together Again gave Janet a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Not even Madonna got a reaction like that during her Sticky and Sweet show. In fact Janet’s show trumped Madonna’s in all aspects except for Madonna’s sleek and sophisticated background videos (read background videos, not to be confused with music videos) and massive, moving screens. I’ll admit, those made Janet’s look amateurish in comparison.

Janet continued to delve into her back catalogue, including a medley of songs from her overlooked first two albums, Janet Jackson and Dream Street, as well as all-time favourites such as Escapade, All For You, Got ‘Til It’s Gone, and That’s the Way Love Goes.

The most controversial part of the show came when Janet walks out onto the catwalk, surveys the audience, selects a willing participant, and then proceeds to strap him into an S&M contraption and “discipline” him. This portion of the show was eliminated from the Detroit tour stop as the state does not allow sex acts to be simulated on stage. Believe it or not, but when Janet was selecting her guy, she stopped right in front of me and stared me up and down for a good thirty seconds. A wave of shyness came over me so I didn’t jump up and down. I have a feeling I’m going to regret that for the rest of my life…

Janet wasn’t finished after getting her freak on. She came back with fierce performances of Black Cat, If, and Rhythm Nation. For an encore Janet performed a potential hit single called Luv off her latest album—an album that had it been backed properly could have had more longevity.

The last song of the night was Runaway. The song is about traveling all around the world and coming back to the one you love. It was the perfect ending to the most perfect concert I had ever been to. The past few years have been a roller coaster in many ways for Janet, but no matter what, she can return to a public that can’t get enough of her—and as the song goes, we just know we’ll have a good time.

Book review: "Home" by Julie Andrews

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:07:00 -0500

Home Sweet Home (April 3, 2008)

When it was announced that Home, Julie Andrews’ much anticipated memoir would only cover until she began Mary Poppins, I was initially disappointed. But as I began delving into Home, I realized the detail she was able to afford her early years by doing so allowed a story to unravel that was absolutely absorbing; something that likely been comprised had Home chronicled her entire illustrious career. I was very ignorant of Julie’s early career, thinking it essentially began with My Fair Lady on Broadway. What I didn’t know was the dark lonely childhood lived in poverty during the war. Unlike Elizabeth Taylor, Julia (as she was originally named) did not have the luxury of seeking refuge elsewhere, and was forced to remain in a very bleak and dark London; many nights spent huddled in one of the city’s Underground stations with her mother and her new stepfather who she despised. Weekends spent with her father in the countryside provided fleeting moments of happiness for the young girl.

As she grew a little older, her stepfather discovered that she had an extremely powerful singing voice, and she was quickly enrolled in lessons. In no time she was shoved onstage to entertain crowds alongside her parents in dusty old music halls across England. Julie, known as the “pigtail prodigy,” became the centerpiece of the act, much to the frustration of her jealous stepfather, who was an alcoholic. In Home, Julie intimately remembers her early days spent touring around England during the dying days of vaudeville. As interest in the family act begins to dissipate, Julie appears in Christmas pantomimes and on the radio, and catches the eye of producers who are mounting the Broadway production of The Boy Friend, a recent musical hit there on the West End. By the end of Home, Julie is the toast of Broadway, originating the lead roles in My Fair Lady and Camelot, and is to begin work on the film that made her an icon, Mary Poppins.

In Home, the story of Julie Andrews’ early career tumbles out a rapid pace, all the while displaying grace, wit, humour, and surprising honesty. It was quite clear to me just how meticulously researched Home actually was. As this book took ten years to complete, I doubt we’ll see another so soon—although I pray I’m wrong. I’d love a follow-up just to know what happened in the lives of Dad, Mum, Pop, Aunt Joan, etc. after the book’s completion. The characters are that endearing. Home is one of the greatest memoirs I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It’s not hard to know why Julie Andrews and her films have become such an important part of our lives. Bravo, Julie. Bravo.

My first blog entry. Sort of.

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:02:00 -0500

I signed up for a Tumblr blog a few months ago after becoming a fan of my friend Blayr’s blog here. I think they are simple, and a lot more fun than the others out there. However when I tried to log into my account this evening, it didn’t recognize my e-mail address. I have two e-mails, and neither of them worked when I tried to retrieve my password. Hmm…not sure what happened there!

At any rate, I hadn’t blogged since the end of August, and at that point I’d only made two entries, so I guess it’s okay that I start over. Here you will find book, concert and film reviews, as well as opines on anything I feel like.

Here’s hoping it’s not another two and a half months before I blog again. I’m going to start off with a review I “penned” for Julie Andrews’ memoir, Home, as well as my three latest concert experiences: Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Tina Turner.

Enjoy! I’m not sure how this place we’ll evolve, but I hope you’ll stick with me and find out.