Tag Archives: Chaka Khan

An Evening With Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan - The Kings TheatherЧака Кан американска певица

日本語

Formerly Loew’s Kings Theatre, The Kings Theatre is a historical theater in Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Opened in 1929 and closed in 1977, the theater sat empty for decades until a complete renovation was initiated in 2010. The theater reopened to the public on January 23, 2015. Diana Ross was the featured artist for the gala reopening performance on February 3, 2015.

On February 19, 2016, almost one year later, the Kings Theater featured the legendary Chaka Khan.

Chaka Khan Concert Review

The Chicago-native Diva came on stage wearing a sexy burgundy-colored tunic with a wide black belt around her waist and black thigh-high boots over black tight pants.

The Queen of Funk heated up the theater packed with the rather mature audience with a set that spanned her greatest hits. She started off the soul/disco hit by Rufus and Chaka,  “Do You Love What You Feel,” one of her last hits before fully going solo.

Oh, boy did she sing her heart out! One thing I love about her show is that it’s no gimmick,  no props, no dancers, just her great voice.

Ms. Chaka Khan once mentioned that she didn’t like the Prince produced song “I Feel For You,” as it features Grandmaster Melle Mel on the classic Ch-ch-ch-chaka-chaka-chaka Khan rap which annoys her. But she sang just to touch on material that her more loyal fans would recognize.

Before she finishes the half set of her performance she said to the audience, “Something broke and I have to fix it,” then went off-stage. Puzzled three female backup singers and the band stayed behind to give the crowd some jazzy intermission instrumentals.

After for a while Ms. Khan finally came back on stage with black shiny outfit and the same black pants but no boots. She is getting laidback and went on singing her beautiful rendition of “Papillon (a.k.a. Hot Butterfly).”

“This was composed first as an instrumental. What’s his name……., oh yeah, David Foster wrote the lyrics, “ she introduced her next song then started to sing “Through The Fire.”

The song was sampled by Kanye West and “Through The Wire” became his breakthrough debut single.

The performance also includes jazzy “Funny Valentine,” the 1995 hit from the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack, the sultry 1975 number one R&B hit “Sweet Thing,” and the 1974-hit written by Stevie Wonder “Tell Me Something Good,” followed by the LGBT anthem “I’m Every Woman.” Chaka Khan was supposed to end the night’s performance with her 1983 number 1 R&B chart signature hit “Ain’t Nobody” but due to her costume malfunction the show was cut in short. She walked off the stage abruptly.

2 black guys behind my seat started shouting, “You didn’t sing ‘Ain’t Nobody’, ‘Ain’t Nobody’,” then they started to sing off key. Not the great way to end the perfect night…..

It’s funky Brooklyn after all. Good Night!

Evening with Chaka Khan

Friday, 2/19

The Kings Theater

1027 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, New York

 

D’Angelo Returns to TV With New Track at BET Awards

D’Angelo at BET Awards 2012

READ IN JAPANESE

D’Angelo Returns to TV With New Track at BET Awards

At Sunday night’s BET Awards、D’Angelo played his first television performance in 12 years. The R&B singer kicked off the performance with his hit “Untilted (How Does It Feel)” before joining his band behind the keys and jumping on to a new track, the funky “Sugar Daddy.” Stars including Common and Beyonce clapped along to D’Angelo’s spirited “Sugar Daddy” as the singer leaped, kicked and screamed.

D’Angelo is set to perform on July 6th at New Orleans’ Essence Music Festival, and he will play Jay-Z’s Made in America festival in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend. Questlove recently revealed D’Angelo has recorded around 30 new tracks over the past few years, and he hope the singer will release the new material soon.

Frankie Beverly featuring Maze were honored with the lifetime achievement award, and they were serenaded with performances by Tyrese, Faith Evans and Joe.

Kanye & Jay Z

2012 BET Awards: Beyonce, Chris Brown, Kanye West and Jay-Z take home trophies; Whitney Houston’s mother gives emotional tribute

West, who was up for seven awards, was the top nominee. Beyonce was the second most nominated act with six. She won video director of the year (along with Alan Ferguson) and best female R&B artist and thanked the genre and her female influences.

“I fell in love with music by listening to R&B. It’s the core of who I am,” she said, giving special thanks to Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige and “Whitney Houston, my angel.”

When she lost video of the year to Jay-Z and West, she playfully hit her husband and laughed. The joking continued: Moments later, as West was giving his acceptance speech, Jay-Z interrupted him and said: “Excuse me Kanye, I’m gonna let you continue, but …,” and the audience erupted with laughter, recalling West’s infamous interruption of Taylor Swift’s MTV Video Music Awards speech a few years back.

Chris Brown was also a double winner. Kevin Hart — who hosted the awards last year — also won for best actor, Big Sean was named best new artist and Wale and Miguel’s smooth hit “Lotus Flower Bomb” won best collaboration.

The tone of the night fluctuated frequently, as the show shifted from hotly anticipated performances to solemn moments to irreverence. Usher performed his groove “Climax,” and Nicki Minaj sported a blonde wig with pink tips as she performed the songs “Champion” and “Beez In the Trap,” which featured 2 Chainz.

Cissy Houston’s tribute to her late daughter was the emotional highlight of the BET Awards.

Mariah Carey opened the tribute with memories of her friend. She was followed by a moving number by Monica. Brandy, heavily influenced by Houston, sang two of the late singer’s hits. Chaka Khan blazed the stage with “I’m Every Woman,” which Houston remade. Gary Houston, Whitney’s brother, also performed.

Whitney Houston‘s mother gave a rousing performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” that left the crowd in tears, including Beyonce and Melanie Fiona.

The live broadcast featured some of the biggest stars in the music world, including Jay-Z and Beyonce (who won best female R&B artist), Nicki Minaj (the recipient of the best female hip-hop artist award), and Usher.

BET Awards 2012

Mama, I Wan To Sing – The Next Generation ママ、アイ・ウォント・トゥ・シング 最長のロングランを記録!

Elijah Lewis

Mama, I Want To Sing – The Next Generation 2012

Read In English

ママ、アイ・ワント・トゥ・シング、最長のロングラン!

Dempsey Theater – 127 West 127th Street (bet. Lenox & 7th Aves), Harlem, NY 10027  MAP

ハーレムのゴスペル魂は永遠に受け継がれてゆくのです。

「ママ、あたし、どうしても歌を歌いたいの!」と叫んだ少女、ドリスは約30年を経た今も健在。1983年初演の ゴスペル・オフ・ブロードウェイ・ショー、「Mama, I Want To Sing」はさまざまなアーティストに歌い継がれ、なんと前シーズンより作者ヴァイ・ヒギンセンの実の娘、ノエル・ヒギンソンが主演、地元ハーレムはもちろん、全世界の人々を魅了しています。

2月25日、待ちに待った「 Mama, I Want To Sing」春のシーズンの幕開けです。外はまだ真冬の寒さですが、デンプシー・シアターのドアを開けると満員御礼、汗をかいてしまうほど熱気に包まれていました。ハーレムの住人全員が集まってしまったかのようです。正面ステージの前のピットにミュージシャンが待機、右端に設置された架空ラジオ局(WBLSなのは明らかなのですが……)のブースにOn Air という赤いライトが灯りヴァイ・ヒギンセンのナレーションが始まります…….。第一幕ではあどけないドリス・トロイがパパ、ウィンター牧師の教会の聖歌隊のメンバーに加わることを許され、ゴスペルが会場いっぱいに響き渡ります。パパもママもシスター・キャリーもみんなゴスペル・シンガーです。ソウルフルなヴァイブがみなぎります。Amen, Sweet Jesus, Good Lord………コール&リスポンス、日曜日の教会を彷彿とさせます。

Sister Carrie Sings

第二幕はスターとして成長したドリスが登場します。ポップの世界で大成功を収めたドリスですが、ルーツであるゴスペル、神への感謝を忘れることはいちどもありませんでした。1963年、一世を風靡したドリス・トロイの名曲、「ジャスト・ワン・ルック」を姪のノエルがみごとに歌い上げフィナーレのゴスペル・メドレーで頂点に達します。ウィンター牧師役のタイロン・フラワースは十代からのキャスト・メンバーで、日本公演にも同行したベテランです。ママ役のベティーナ・ペノンも貫禄十分、シスター・キャリー役のサンドラ・ハフも好演、そして、聖歌隊のディレクター役を務めたエライジャ・ルイスが最初から最後までテンションあがりっぱなしのエネルギッシュなパフォーマンスで盛り上げてくれました。

Vy and Knoelle

ハーレム126丁目にあった父親の教会で育ったヴァイ・ヒギンセンは同じブロックに「スペル・フォー・ティーンズ(Gospel For Teens)」という非営利団体を設立し、歌を志すティーンたちの音楽指導にあたっています。ゴスペルといっても宗教ではなく、音楽を基礎から勉強するという意味合いのほうが強いそうです。ここで勉強した若者は実力を認められれば様々なチャンスを与えられます。ヴァイのプロデュースする「ママ、アイ・ワント・トゥ・シング」に聖歌隊として出演しているティーンのほとんどがこのプログラムの出身です。ステージで音楽ディレクターを演じているエライジャもGospel For Teens の卒業生です。

Doris Troy – Just One Look

1982年、まだ正式にオープンする前の特別パフォーマンスでは、テレビの子役で売り出し中のティーシャ・キャンベルがドリス役を演じたり、ロンドン遠征公演ではシスター・キャリ−役をシャカ・カーンが熱演したりとさまざまなアーティストが参加しています。

過去にドリス役を演じたアーティストは以下のとおり。

1982                           Tisha Campbell

1983                           Desiree Coleman

1984                           Octavia Lambertis

1985                           Lynda McConnell

1985                           D.K. Dyson

1986 – 1990             D’Atra Hicks (妹はモータウン在籍したことのあるタラル・ヒックス)

1987                           Ramona Keller

1988 – 1990             Noreen Clayton

1989                           Sharlene Nelson

1992 – 1996               Stacy Francis

2004 – Present        Ahmaya Knoelle

1988年にはゴスペル・ブームに乗り日本でも興行、当初5週間上演の予定があまりの反響に追加公演が相次ぎ、11週間に延長されたという音楽ファン必見のミュージカルです。日本の音楽業界の重鎮、湯川れいこ先生もご覧になり、「こんな素晴らしいミュージカルは見たことがない!」と大感激されたそう。それを機会に作者のヴァイと湯川先生は大の仲良しになったそうです。

毎週土曜日4時30分開演、途中15分の休憩があります。チケットは35ドル。10人以上はグループ割引があります。近くにソウル・フードのメッカ、「Sylvia’s」やシェフ、マーカス・サミュエルソンの「Red Rooster」など有名レストランもあるので日本からのお友達と一緒に、またはご家族連れでお出かけ下さい。

Spring Season: Saturdays at 4:30pm 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28

Dempsey Theater – 127 West 127th Street (bet. Lenox & 7th Aves), Harlem, NY 10027  MAP

http://www.mamafoundation.org

1963年、全米だけでなくヨーロッパでも大ヒットしたドリス・トロイの「ジャスト・ワン・ルック」のオリジナル・ビデオはこちらをご覧下さい。

伊藤弥住子

English

Mama, I Want To Sing – The Next Generation 2012

Mama, I Want to Sing: The Next Generation, the acclaimed revival of Mama, I Want to Singthe 1983 musical based on the life and times of singer Doris Troy – re-opened at The Dempsey Theater in Harlem on February 25.

People who missed the show in the 80’s are excited about seeing it now, people who saw it in the past will enjoy seeing it again. While the story line is the same, the presentation is exciting, hip, popping, and full of energy.

Mama, I Want to Sing has played to hundreds of thousands of people of many cultures, races, and faiths. The show has touched the hearts of audiences around the world through its universal story and rousing music. The show works well no matter where it plays because the story is timeless and the music is inspired!

Mama, I Want to Sing: The Next Generation tells the story of a talented young gospel singer who embraces secular music, despite the strong objections of her mother. As a tribute to many of the African-American singers who rose from church choirs to stardom during the 1960s and 70s, Vy Higginsen based the musical on the life of her sister, Doris Troy, whose 1963 hit “Just One Look,” launched her to international fame.

The cast of Mama, I Want to Sing: The Next Generation features Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson as Doris, Bettina Pennon as Mama, Sandra Huff as Sister Carrie, Tyrone Flowers as Reverend Winters, Elijah Ahmad Lewis as Minister of Music and Vy Higginsen as The Narrator.

The show also features performers from Ms. Higginsen’s Gospel for Teens, a program of the Mama Foundation for the Arts, Ms. Higginsen’s School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts, which has grown to be a highly respected and influential program for youth between the ages of 13 and 19.

Previous Cast Members Who Played Doris

1982                           Tisha Campbell

1983                           Desiree Coleman

1984                           Octavia Lambertis

1985                           Lynda McConnell

1985                           D.K. Dyson

1986 – 1990             D’Atra Hicks

1987                           Ramona Keller

1988 – 1990             Noreen Clayton

1989                           Sharlene Nelson

1992 – 1996               Stacy Francis

2004 – Present         Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson

Pass the legacy of gospel music on…….

Tickets

$35 general admission

$30 groups of ten or more

$30 students and seniors

Spring Season: Saturdays at 4:30pm 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28

Dempsey Theater – 127 West 127th Street (bet. Lenox & 7th Aves), Harlem, NY 10027

http://www.mamafoundation.org

For theater parties and group sales information (10 or more tickets), please call the Mama Foundation for the Arts at 212-280-1045.