art and life
I don't know exactly what's going on with me lately. Seems I've become increasingly sentimental and much more prone to tears than ever before. I've just read two very worthwhile books, both of which had me tearing up and sometimes spilling over. Now I don't generally do that too often with books. I can only remember a few that have so affected me, the most recent being The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (a truly excellent novel that I highly recommend). These last two culprits, while both very good, are not of quite the same calibur, although I would recommend both as enjoyable and fulfilling (translation: some literary merit, more than guilty pleasures). The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler is a poignant look at those marriages we've all witnessed--the ones that endure even though both parties seem pretty well miserable. My own parents' marriage could easily have been described in that way until the last ten years when things have taken a decided turn for the better. The other is The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson. The story is told through letters from Olivia Hunt, a Hollywood executive wanna-be, who is struggling with every aspect of her life, including work, romance and her sister's sudden battle with leukemia. as its title promises, it rings true, and the adventurous are outstanding, and, at times hilarious, at times heartbreaking. Both novels made me reconsider the things that I value and the way I am living my life. In my humble opinion, that makes them art and well worth the last several days of my time.Last night hubby and I went to see Angie Aparo at Smith's Olde Bar. We had first discovered him as the opening act for Edwin McCain (we're not really fans--a friend had extra tickets, so why not?) What was most impressive was how Aparo's crystalline voice with its incredible range and emotion actually SHUT UP the usual chatty crowd at Chastain. For those unfamiliar with this long-time venue in Atlanta, Chastain is a social event. People bring tables, candles (some candlelabras), gourmet take-out, and fine wine. Conversation is pretty much a constant throughout any performance (so much so that many a performer has refused to perform there after his/her first taste). I had never seen the entire place go hush, and I have been many times. But for Aparo, it did (McCain was not so lucky).
Back to last night. Smith's is the complete opposite of Chastain in many ways--it is indoors, it caters to a generally younger crowd, no food (at least not where the music is) though plenty of drink if you're willing to pay top dollar for your alcoholic beverages. Just a shabby little place with duct tape on the carpeting that claims to seat 300 but only sports chairs for about 30. Still, we were excited at the prospect of seeing Aparo again, having been blown away by his voice at Chastain. What we didn't realize was that Chastain Aparo is very different from Smith's Aparo.
The first few songs were a shock. Loud, in-your-face rock, with drums crashing and guitar screeching, so loud, in fact, that often Aparo's voice was lost in it all. After only 4 songs, hubby was ready to go, but I insisted that we tough it out a bit. After all, we'd already endured the retro (but to what real purpose?) noise of Red Letter Agents, Aparo's opener. They played a full 11 songs (yes, I counted). We owed Angie at least as much.
I am happy to report that our diligence paid off, as Aparo gradually came back to the style that had so endeared him to us before. With songs like "Springtime," his haunting and superior version of Elton John's "Rocket Man" (still our favorite), "Wonderland" and "The American," we saw glimpses of the affecting vocal stylist that had wowed the crowd at Chastain. My question is, if it is so very clear what you are good at (i.e., Aparo's gifted songwriting and vocals, sans heavy metal), why insist on doing that which makes you even more of a conformist and which, in fact, detracts from the very talent that makes you special? Ah well--still, a good time was had by all (except perhaps the young couple hubby had to chastise as they loudly flirted through the acoustic and mesmerizing "Rocket Man" while, once again, everyone else was silent).
posted by lit lover at
3:56 PM
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