From trying to determine what kind of assholes would mug Ray Davies or shoot Marc Cohn to why Robert Smith doesn't smile even when he's happy and why I'll never be Tawny Kitaen, last night's show was not to be missed. Unless of course you missed it in which case I'll try to catch you up here.
The big comeback after three years was supposed to take place last week but instead occurred last night. I'd been battling a chest infection and hacking cough the whole week and wasn't sure how I was going to pull off two hours of singing. But I was more concerned with re-entering the space where I saw my friend dead on the floor just a week prior. I didn't enter the theater in a good mood but after receiving loving sms's and calls from people who were on their way and snagging a giant Starbucks (I love it and I'm not ashamed...well a little ashamed...but that's neither here nor there) I went to my (kick ass!!!) dressing room and started to sing. After that I was good to go. I think sometime we just need to push ourselves ahead.
The lights were dim so I couldn't see jack. I do know that I don't think there was anyone I knew in the first row. That was cool for me because I don't know where they heard about the show. I was also really stoked that it was the largest Czech/Slovaki/Russian/Ukrainian turnout I've ever had. I asked at the beginning how people would like it to go linguistically - 50/50% EN/CZ or English and translating when it was called for? I got a general grumble (literally) and requests for English. At the end of the night I was informed that the people in the back didn't speak any English so now I know in the future not to ask but instead request a show of hands for those who may be too shy to participate.
The first act was as follows:
Whitesnake - Here I Go Again (I did not have a car as a prop)
Survivor - Eye of the Tiger (Not Jimi Jamison's Survivor but it'll do)
Schubert - Ave Maria (What's to be said about that?)
South Park (Eric Cartman) - Kyle's Mom's a Stupid Bitch in d minor (Yeeeeeaaaahhhhh...)
Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (Steve, I'm always single for you)
Cure - Friday, I'm in Love (It was Sunday so I was decidedly un- in love)
Jane's Addiction - Jane Says (Great one)
Prince - Purple Rain (Feels really weird without the heartbreaking guitar solo but still...)
Tracy Chapman - Talkin' About a Revolution (And damn are we ever!)
The second act went like this:
Aneta Langerova - Voda ziva (One of my favorite Czech songs)
Sir Mix-a-Lot - Baby Got Back (I said I retired it but I lied)
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child of Mine (Amazing that after all that classical training I actually do a decent Axl)
Marc Cohn - True Companion (The great song I share with my baby daddy)
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way (Can we just talk about how hot Lindsay Buckingham is?)
The Sound of Music - The Lonely Goatherd (No one wants to go to the zoo with me because every time [EVERY time] I pass the mountain goats I sing this. And don't stop.)
Shakespears Sister - Stay (Freaky ass video but you know I eat that shit up)
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (Probably the most exhausting song of the thousand - but always a blast to do)
And then there was the medley:
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer
Don McClean - American Pie
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
No Doubt - Don't Speak (3 requests for this!!!)
Laura Branigan - Gloria
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Duran Duran - The Chauffeur
Puccini - Madama Butterfly - Un bel di (2 requests for this)
Alphaville - Forever Young
Andrea Bocelli - Con Te Partiro
Beatles - Twist and Shout
Boney M - Rasputin
AC/DC - TNT
Blondie - One Way or Another
Tom Jones - Sex Bomb
Air Supply - All Out of Love
Golden Girls Theme Song - Thank You for Being a Friend
Roxette - Fading Like a Flower
Bon Jovi - You Give Love a Bad Name
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
George Michael - Father Figure
Irene Cara - Fame
Annie - Tomorrow
Christmas - Jingle Bells
Grease - Hopelessly Devoted
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
Weeds Theme Song - Little Boxes
Czech Christmas - Narodil se Kristus Pan
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Extreme - More Than Words
Cyndi Lauper - I Drove All Night
Billy Idol - Dancing with Myself
Blondie - Call Me
Alanis Morrissette - Ironic
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
It was an emotional night for me after having waited so long to do this again. I thanked them there but I'd like to thank in this space as well all of my friends from way back and people who supported the show years ago for hounding my ass and encouraging me to get back on the horse. And I'd like to thank all of my new friends - the ones I've met since giving birth who've never heard me sing and despite not knowing whether or not I totally suck have been behind me 100%. I'd probably still be curled up on my sofa in a comfy robe wondering where my life was going if it hadn't been for them. And then there's Joost.
And MAD friggin props to Matt Terrell from SPIN International for this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-H2iEFyIlc
So if a fun time was indeed had by all then please spread the word!
Many, MANY thanks!
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