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May 11 2011

Why films on TV in their original widescreen ratio is good for you

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Elly Roberts reviews

The Trouble With Being Myself Gyrating Natalie Renee McIntyre, has made a big name for herself as the wacky Macy Gray. Her recent appearance at Summer Pops Liverpool turned into one big party. For 1hr 45mins, the New York-based singer held court in majestic fashion with her inimitable off the wall manner. Dressed in a lilac satin suit, huge Afro wig, she pouted and paraded for the entire night. Whipping up the crowd comes easily to Macy.There again, she doesn’t have to do much to get a reaction. As she hit the stage, the crowd went ballistic. From the opening Sex-O-Matic, a funk drenched pulsater, everybody was moving and grooving. That’s what most people did all night as the atmosphere reached fever pitch. This was the second time I’ve seen the lovable Macy – and it was a more confident performance. With a reworking of her Manchester Apollo (7 June 2002) set and some extra songs, she consolidated her credentials as the world’s leading contemporary Soul diva. Fame came late for the 33-year-old single mother of three. She began singing Jazz standards in local LA bars, and in 1994 she recorded an album for Atlantic Records which was never released.

Experimenting with her own sound, she fused R&B, Hip-Hop and Funk eventually winning a deal with Epic Records. The result was her triple platinum CD On How Life Is, which yielded the hit single I Try in late 1999. Since then the big hits have eluded her, but strong albums have kept her cult status alive. 21st Century Soul with attitude with achingly directed lyrics prove there’s plenty of talent behind the showmanship. Added to that, her high pitched larynx delivers a unique earthy rasp. Four songs in, she introduced herself, "My name’s Macy Gray, and this is my band. Only trouble is – we don’t know who you are!". She then embarked on a name-shouting exercise asking each section to call out their names, which turned up the atmosphere even more. The crowd pleasers were spread through the night - When I See You, Psychopath, a medley of Caligula and Call Me, the stirring Demons - which was mixed by Fat Boy Slim, and Still. A trashy interpretation of Lennon’s Give Peace (A Manic Depression) was the worst part of the night, but she made up for it closing the main set with a chunky tribute to Debbie Harry with a ‘ Rapturish ‘ Blondie. The encore brought a great Feelin’ Good (Nina Simone), the storming Sexual Revolution and a rousing I Try. Thrown in for good measure, as she did two years ago was singalong Oblivion, as the lyric cue cards helped everyone raise the roof (a la Bob Dylan – Subterranean Homesick Blues video). This was a real blast and a breath of fresh air in a pop world that has sunk to its lowest point ever. Sensational performance in every way.

Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.

As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.

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