Review: Chrissie Hynde at The Beacon Theatre NYC

Even if you had no idea who Chrissie Hynde is, when she took to the stage at New York's Beacon Theatre last night, you would realize you were experiencing a first-rate rock star by her presence alone, not to mention her passion and talent when it came to the music.

Her 2014 solo album, Stockholm, is one of my favorites this year. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2014/06/chrissie-hyndes-stockholm-syndrome.html
Much of this concert included live versions of the songs from Stockholm and it was a joy to hear.

Ms Hynde is best known for fronting The Pretenders, the band she's been in since its inception. Coming out of the '70s punk era, The Pretenders have always had their own distinct style of rock'n'roll, and Chrissie paid homage by singing some of that group's classics: "Kid," "Back on the Chain Gang," "Talk of the Town" and "Don't Get Me Wrong." Mostly, though, she was there to promote her new album, backed by her band.

Stockholm's Phil Spector-influenced  production of  "You or No One" was nicely brought to us live, as were the night's renditions of the album's single, the sardonic "Dark Sunglasses," "Like in the Movies" and "House of Cards."

Chrissie Hynde, like Debbie Harry (who came out of the same era), is one of our coolest current rock icons, and it was nirvana in New York at night to see her perform on her first-ever solo tour.

Chrissie Hynde's Stockholm Syndrome

Incredibly, Stockholm is Chrissie Hynde's first solo album after well over 30 years fronting The Pretenders. She is the Queen of Cool and I wondered what attitude and fresh approach she might bring to this much anticipated effort that was released commercially on June 10. What new side of her professional self might we discover in a bold, new outing of her own?

The rock & roll diva co-wrote the album's 11 songs with Bjorn Yttling and a band of Swedish musicians. I was instantly gripped by the catchy pop quality of the tracks. "You or No One" opens Stockholm and it had me bopping my head and shaking my hips in a New York minute. That was followed by the album's first single, "Dark Sunglasses," a canorous criticism of being rich and famous by someone who is both yet earnestly seems to eschew celebrity's material trappings. The third track, "Like in the Movies," is another mid-tempo ballad put across beautifully, as the musical arrangement embraces Hynde's iconic vocals.

Perhaps more variety of material and more range might have improved the overall quality of the album. By the time I reached the end, I had the feeling that it stayed within its comfort zone and might have been a bit more adventurous. That said, it is refreshing to hear Ms Hynde working outside her usual band, offering her fans a distinctly quality product composed of striking, original material. Stockholm has more artistic integrity than 90% of the pop music produced these days.

Stockholm refers to the location of the recording session, not to the name of any song from this album. It is released on the Caroline International label.

Diva Dish: Inaya, Idina, Zhana, Maya, Mariah & More!

What a week this was for diva birthdays! Stevie Nicks, Cilla Black, Gladys Knight, Kylie Minogue, Melissa Etheridge, La Toya Jackson, Scary Spice (Mel B), Idina Menzel. Idina's rendition of "Let It Go" was # 2 on the last Billboard club chart (with Cher's "I Walk Alone" right behind at # 3).

Of course, the tragic news this week was that of poet/activist/playwright Maya Angelou's passing. What a life this woman led! What brilliant people she befriended, and what an inspirational personality for the world. Of course, Westboro Baptist Church intends to picket her funeral. There's a special place in hell for those people, I am sure.

Mariah Carey received an Icon Award from the World Music Awards, and performed at the ceremony on May 27th. On the 29th, she was reluctantly (it appeared) videotaped by paparazzi (or was it really a p.r. team?) when she left the Fresh Air Fund at Chelsea Piers and headed home via subway. In a sparkly blue gown.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/mariah-carey-subway-new-york_n_5417056.html?utm_hp_ref=mariah-carey

Bette Midler's NY Restoration Project collected over $1 million when the beloved diva threw a benefit at Grant's Tomb. (Ullyses S., honeys, not Cary). Thank you, Bette, for your concern for our environment. Mayor Bill De Blasio showed up to place stong political support for the project.

June 10th is the release date for Chrissie Hyndes' new album. This diva can do no wrong and I so look forward to hearing this.

Most rousing song on the dance floor now is "Let the Music Lift You Up," by Matt Consola and LFP featuring fabulous diva vocals by the amazing Zhana Saunders.

And tonight, May 31, NYC Pride will kick off with the supreme Diva of House, Inaya Day. Will be there at Icon in Queens to report!

PRETENDERS - 2000 Miles

Chrissie Hynde is, perhaps unarguably, one of the great female voices of rock'n'roll ever. From the very moment she burst onto the scene with The Pretenders, she was a rock star. So cool, so self-assured, tough yet tender, gutsy and real; yet a great rock poseur, too.

"2000 Miles" aches with a trance-like melancholy. A heartbreaking holiday pop number for Christmastime. In her Salvation Army costume, Chrissie resembles Lene Lovich -- and Stephanie Powers! -- while she shakes a tambourine like Stevie Nicks on quaaludes.

Below, the original 1983 music video from MTV's heyday.