Babs At The Vanguard!?

Chazro · August-7th-2009, 12:19 PM

Just read over at Drudge that Barbra Streisand will be doing a one-night only at the Village Vanguard. It's being touted as a return to her roots. She's even giving out 100 free tickets at her website. I'll tell ya what, a) I think it shows a lot of courage on her part, b) If it's recorded, I'll buy it, and c) can anyone spell 'hottest ticket in town'!? I know I'd love to be there!

me wag · August-7th-2009, 12:25 PM

Courage? Is she going to be naked or something?

Pete C · August-7th-2009, 12:26 PM

Her roots? Did she ever have jazz roots?

I'd pay good money not to be there

I was hoping Babs Gonzalez was returning from the dead for one-night only.

jazzy mary · August-7th-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

Her roots? Did she ever have jazz roots?

I'd pay good money not to be there

I was hoping Babs Gonzalez was returning from the dead for one-night only.

Pete! You are thinking the EXACT same thing I was thinking!! LOL!

CraigP · August-7th-2009, 01:30 PM

I remember reading in Miles' autobiography that Babs, then an unknown, was booked into the Vanguard and Miles was asked if he wanted to back her up! He said no, but IIRC Ron Carter and Herbie Hancock played with her.

I believe this time she's appearing with Braxton's Standards Quartet.

Jimmy Cantiello · August-7th-2009, 01:38 PM

Stolen from the Vanguard website:

"In what promises to be a once-in-a lifetime thrill for a hundred of her luckiest fans, Barbra Streisand will celebrate the release of Love Is The Answer - her new album of jazz standards and classics - by singing a selection of these songs at New York’s legendary Village Vanguard, where she last performed in 1961 as the opening act for Miles Davis."

Btw, if she's giving out a hundred free tickets, that means there's no way you can purchase a ticket even if you wanted to. I guess a hundred people would fit into the joint if everyone was shoulder to shoulder.

clinthopson · August-7th-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Pete! You are thinking the EXACT same thing I was thinking!! LOL!

Great minds occupy the same gutter.

VIBEr · August-7th-2009, 02:36 PM

I'm with Chazro on this one. I doubt that she'd be playing a gig there if she wasn't extremely confident that she could take it on.

Gentle Giant · August-7th-2009, 03:22 PM

Given the quality of her instrument, her amazing vocal chops, and her extraordinarily successful career that has already spanned a wide range of styles from show to pop to classical, I would think the only need for courage is if she still suffers from stage fright. Streisand can command any audience, any venue, any day of the week. Like her or hate her, she didn't get where she is by force of personality alone.

Mike Schwartz · August-7th-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

Stolen from the Vanguard website:

"In what promises to be a once-in-a lifetime thrill for a hundred of her luckiest fans, Barbra Streisand will celebrate the release of Love Is The Answer - her new album of jazz standards and classics - by singing a selection of these songs at New York’s legendary Village Vanguard, where she last performed in 1961 as the opening act for Miles Davis."

Btw, if she's giving out a hundred free tickets, that means there's no way you can purchase a ticket even if you wanted to. I guess a hundred people would fit into the joint if everyone was shoulder to shoulder.

Last I can recall the NYC_FD capacity posted in every public space is around 140 for VV

The remainder after the 100 fans will no doubt be entourage and selected guests.

Monte Smith · August-7th-2009, 05:55 PM

I just hope it is recorded and an audience member yells "Judas!" for the turn away from a lifetime of complete schmalz that a Streisand date at the VV could (but won't) herald.

Elliot · August-7th-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

I just hope it is recorded and an audience member yells "Judas!"

I don't believe you!
You're a liar!
(to the band: ) Play fu**in' LOUD!

bernard lyons · August-8th-2009, 12:39 AM

Her green room requirements will be interesting..one beer crate or two?

Gary Sisco · August-8th-2009, 01:53 PM

I feel sick.

Steve Reynolds · August-8th-2009, 06:53 PM

when Evan Parker visits NYC for 2 weeks in October - and plays every night at Stone, why isn't he booked for week at the so-called "vanguard"?

no matter what one's view of this great music that some call jazz, isn't he one of the few true living legends who has never been asked to that stage or any of the other supposed true jazz venues of New York?

Or do some still consider him not of this music?

Is there no audience at all anymore for the great improvisors?

I guess there isn't

damn shame - but as they say - especially lately - there is no scene really of any type - dumbed down forever, I suppose

except for the fact that a guy like me gets to see him at a place that will be only about the music

seeing him in duet with Milford Graves, George Lewis, Dave Holland, Chris Corsano, Susie Ibarra and with a trio with Mark Dresser & Gerry Hemingway will be one of my dreams come true - too bad the ears of the world and deaf to greatness.....

the fact of the matter is since no one but some here and there knows about guys like Evan - I will see him from 15 feet away with no distractions....

and if I can see Evan with the others I will as well - but 4 nights out of the 2 weeks is all I can probably do - I urge all who don't know to give it a night - I did some 10 years ago @ the Knit - and it really changed my perspective on the saxophone...and on what true focus and greatness despite everything is,,

I know for some now he is old hat, they are old hat, but they were never heard by any except some of us anyway - so I think he deserves something more than what he gets - 65 years old - I think still beyond brilliant - I guess I will see and hear for sure those first 2 weeks of October - but my guess is he is still Evan - maybe casual virtuosity - hard to be beyond when you reinvent the capabilities of your horns for some 30 years now - and few ever even approach what you can do or mean -

At The Vortex, baby

Sam · August-11th-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

. . . a lifetime of complete schmaltz . . .

Not everybody has to like what you like.

And her artistic choices, although they differ from those of posters here, have remained consistent for almost fifty years.

That said and meant, I don't plan to be there.

Paul B · August-11th-2009, 11:15 AM

Steve, I have a hunch once Lorraine passes, things at the Vanguard will change a bit; among other things, perhaps it will break the tradition of only booking week-long gigs, which would allow it to feature more adventurous players now and again.

In the end, though, it has to pay the rent and its staff, and so it sticks to the tried-and-true for the most part. It's still the best jazz club in New York.

cookie · August-11th-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

I was hoping Babs Gonzalez was returning from the dead for one-night only.

That would be most expubident.

I love Babs!

bigtiny · August-11th-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

Her roots? Did she ever have jazz roots?

I'd pay good money not to be there

I was hoping Babs Gonzalez was returning from the dead for one-night only.

Striesand got her start on the village scene at a time when Miles was playing around and Lenny Bruce was popular. So, it's roots in terms of location, not idiom =:-)

bigtiny

Monte Smith · August-11th-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Not everybody has to like what you like.

You don't say. Really? Then I expect my commentary isn't all that helpful. Damn.

Al in NYC · August-11th-2009, 07:16 PM

Didn't she actually start out at a jazz club in the Village? Though not the Vanguard I think, but someplace long gone. I remember Les Gruber telling us once that she was playing at "a real toilet in the Village" before he brought her to his swanky Caucus Club in Detroit where she really polished her act.

jazzy mary · August-14th-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B

Steve, I have a hunch once Lorraine passes, things at the Vanguard will change a bit; among other things, perhaps it will break the tradition of only booking week-long gigs, which would allow it to feature more adventurous players now and again.

In the end, though, it has to pay the rent and its staff, and so it sticks to the tried-and-true for the most part. It's still the best jazz club in New York.

I think they may own the building. I hope they don't change from the one week gig, it's practically the only club in town that still has artists from Tues-Sun.!

Paul B · August-14th-2009, 05:18 PM

They don't own the building, but from what I gather the landlord is very supportive of the club.

I agree the full-week stints are good, and I'm sure that will continue. But it does prevent up-and-coming talent from playing there. My sense is a Wed-Sun time frame would be better, allowing Tuesday night to be held for lesser-known players.

walto · August-14th-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

You don't say. Really? Then I expect my commentary isn't all that helpful. Damn.

No, it's OK. It turns out that everybody actually DOES like what you like--whether they have to or not. So your commentary will be helpful to those who are curious about their tastes or who just don't feel like listening themselves.

So, thanks, man.