Wilkommen Back to Cabaret

[Fraulein Kost has been caught sneaking sailors out of her room]
 All day, sailors in, out, in, out. God only knows what the neighbors think I run--a BATTLESHIP? --Fraulein Schneider

Sixteen years ago, I discovered the Kit Kat Club. I had my first glimpse at the revival during the 1998 Tony Awards. While many went crazy over Lion King, I wanted to know what was this burlesque-like, seedy world that a scantily glad Emcee and dancers lured me to. CD purchased and tickets bought, I felt like an understudy to every character in the show. I watched the movie and fell in love and in sadness with the characters. I could not wait to meet Sally Bowles and the Emcee.

A little background on the show itself. Cabaret takes place in a nightclub in Berlin in the 1930's. It's a time of confusion as the Nazi party is beginning to have more power around the country.

Along with the lovable, dark, and sensual Emcee, there is the sad character of Sally Bowles, a London-born Cabaret entertainer. Enter Clifford Bradshaw, American writer, looking for inspiration in Berlin, running from the truth of his feelings. There is the budding romance between Jewish fruit shop owner, Herr Schultz and boarding house owner Fraulein Schneider.
It's a story of love, loss, and the end of innocence.

Sixteen years ago, I saw Cabaret with Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson. I was awestruck. It was even more perfect than I imagined. There was so much chemistry on stage between the actors.

Sixteen years later, when I heard Alan would be back in his role at Studio 54, I was not going to miss the opportunity. To see an actor reprise a role after so many years is like, well, running  through a field of grain and then drinking the whiskey it produced years later. It's full of experience, waiting, being stepped on, and loved. Sadly, this reprisal would be about loss as well, as his original Sally had passed. But Sally's role would be filled by someone who could understand Sally, Michelle Williams.

 

With sixteen years of life behind me as well, I wondered how I would react, things in the show that once meant nothing to me, now would mean the world or have some significant reaction that my once young self would not understand.

 

 

 

After having a very busy three weeks at work, I decided that, since I am not a teenager, Miss Paula would have an adult dinner. I literally stumbled upon Gato, Bobby Flay's new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant on Lafayette Street in NoHo. I could have survived on just smelling the food. The wait staff was honest and very friendly. Do yourself a favor, treat yourself to this place. I've been to Bobby's other restaurants and Gato blows them all away. It's a sensory experience between the food, the gorgeously renovated space, and the people that come and go. It took me a few times to realize that the seat I was in sat directly in front of the kitchen. So the entire time, my back was to Bobby Flay as people would pass by and awkwardly say, there is he in blue, go get your mother. I would have loved to raise my glass of Nero D'Avola Cusumano to him for my heavenly 11 Layer potato with sage, white chicory salad, and halibut with saffron-tomato broth and couscous. There was no room for dessert.

 

Onwards toward my date with my past, I so happily passed paths with some friends from my husband's old firehouse. It was so nice to see you all Ladder 4!!!

 

It was definitely like facing yourself in the mirror. I thought about how young I was when I first sat in the sit at The Kit Kat Club. When those lights went out and I hear those first few notes and then Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome!

 

 

 

 Chills, memories, tears. It was perfect beyond perfection. First, Alan Cumming was not the young Emcee, what he gave to the performance was years of life experience. His young persona of 1998 was replaced by more of a enigmatic, omnipresent shadow watching every move of the characters.

 

 

Michelle Williams,  in her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles was stunning and brilliant. She made Sally into her own sad character. Her play off of my new Broadway crush, Bill Heck as Clifford Bradshaw was magnificent. Her blasé attitude towards anything political or permanent was in contrast to Cliff's inner struggle with his sexuality, hatred toward the political situation around him, and loss of the slight glimpse of hope of a future with Sally.

 

Frauline Schneider and Herr Schultz, played by Linda Emond and Danny Burnstein, were simply perfectly magnificent in their roles. Their parts were politically impacted as Herr Schulz is a Jewish man who wishes to marry German Frauline Schneider. The world became filled with very raw emotion and sadness as the once happy cabaret world around them crumbled.

 

 

I walked away loving Cabaret even more. It is a show that is timeless as it does capture something so very real about our world. It captures something we all want: freedom. Freedom to be sexual. Freedom to be in love. Freedom to be who we are. It also captures the sad time of our world where so many lost their freedoms because of who they were, how they worshipped, and who they loved.  

 

 

 

 



Cover Me

Just what is it that makes a great cover tune? Is it a great tune to begin with but covered by your favorite band? A tune you never knew exited simple done better? This blog is driving by an Aussie friend who posted that a band had covered one of her favourite (I will spell it this way because that is how Aussies spell it) songs and essentially - she felt they ruined it.

 

So my mind at first was going to write something about what makes a good cover song. But then I decided upon cover songs you might not realize are cover songs. The first would have been merely an opinion piece, I wanted something to make you go - wow, I never know so and so really write and performed that song first.

Red, Red Wine

 

By far, this usually shocks people the most. I actually bet my entire music reputation on this one once. No one ever knows that Neil Diamond wrote and sang Red Red Wine originally.

It wasn't until those crazy kids of UB40 decided to cover it that the song in their signature sound and took off.

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing Compares 2 U

The next song was written by Prince and performed by the band, The Family. While that song never hit the charts, it would be controversial Irish singer Sinead O'Connor that would capture the world with not only her performance, but the haunting video that went along with it. Nothing Compares 2 U.

 

 

Blinded by the Light

Bruce Springsteen originally wrote and performed the song made famous by Manfred Mann, Blinded by the Light.  In fact, it was the first song on the album Greetings from Asbury Park. Bruce's version was changed lyrically by Manfred Mann and also became one of the most popular misheard lyrics ever.

 

 

 

 

If Bruce had recorded it as he performed it in Dublin, this song might have been a hit for him originally.

 

 

Superstitious

 

The whole blues - rock world is very incestuous when it comes to songs. While Stevie Ray  covered it most don't know that it was Jeff Beck that helped lay down the track, Superstitious with Stevie Wonder.

 

 

Black Magic Woman

Not many get this one. If you say Black Magic Woman, most will say Santana. And most would be wrong. In 1968, it was Fleetwood Mac that actually recorded the song written by Peter Green and made famous by Santana two years later.

Me and Bobby McGee

Be honest - you have never heard of Roger Miller. I had never heard of Roger Miller.  You might have heard of Gordon Lightfoot (he did a version of this song as well). You've heard of Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin though.

 

 

 

Me and Bobby McGee is a song that was made famous after Janis' death. Kris Kristofferson has written more songs than you know and this is only one of the gems. It almost went to The Statler Brothers (yes, the ones whose song Flowers on the Wall appears in Pulp Fiction). But it was Me and Bobby McGee that has been covered time and again, making it one of rocks most famous songs.

 

This Must be the Place (Naïve Melody)

The Lumineers have been in heavy rotation and pay homage to possibly one of their influences, The Talking Heads, by covering This Must be the Place (Naïve Melody). Great news is that they take an already awesome song and don't destroy it.

 

And not messing up the song is really important because, David Byrne intended it to be a love song.

 

 

 Well, there you have it. Some cover songs that maybe you didn't know were cover songs, or didn't know who originally wrote and performed them. Have any that I didn't include? Send 'em my way.

Brave: ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage

So my zen-like Sunday morning was perturbed by this:

 

 

Where should I start? The title of this blog post is Brave: ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage. The very definition of the world brave does not discriminate between soldier, civilian, or act. While on the scale of things, yes, soldiers are brave. They risk their lives for our freedom and do it for little thanks and little pay. As the daughter, sister, and friend to veterans, I couldn't agree more that our soldiers are brave. I am also a friend and supporter to many in the LGBT community. However, when I saw this post, what struck me more wasn't that some think that an actress coming out in Hollywood wasn't as brave as a soldier serving our country, it was in fact, I thought, a slap in the face to our soldiers who have come out.

 

 

With the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell on September 20, 2011, many of our own brave soldiers were faced with what Ellen Page was: to face their own fears and know that their decision to be honest with both themselves and their community might alienate them, and worse, might cause them to endure bullying and outright hatred.

 

 

In fact, those soldier who endured through the DADT years, keeping their sexuality secret because they loved their job, they are brave.

 

 

In the end, the definition of being brave means many things to many people. By the definition alone it is the simple fact of having courage. Whether it's being open about your sexuality, fighting for our country, or like Special Olympian John Franklin Stephens, standing up to Ann Coulter about the treatment of those with intellectual disabilities. You are all brave in your own way.

 

 

 

 

 

Riase Your Hands to Rock

With great enjoyment and satisfaction I announce that a band actually decided to not only have a final tour BUT also agree to not ever tour under that name again. This makes me one happy music fan. I am sad to see one of my favorite metal bands come to that decision, but I would rather see Vince, Tommy, Nikki and Mick walk away from their dream on their own terms.

 

Even more than Guns N Roses, I do believe my new found enjoyment of the Dr. Feelgood album frightened my parents. Although I think my father was happy that I seemingly had moved on from glam metal and boys in makeup, they weren't sure if Mötley Crüe was a move in the right direction.

 

And like the obsessive music fan that I am, I had to buy all of their albums: Girls, Girls, Girls, Shout at the Devil, Too Fast for Love, and Theatre of Pain. And the songs that I fell in love with. Home Sweet Home was on the short list for song I played the most next to Every Rose Has It's Thorn at that time. I can understand the fear my family had. Their almost teenage daughter was listening to songs about death, living fast, sex, the devil and god knows what else. But I honestly was just at an angry almost teenage point in my life so I needed angry, question all authority music.

 

They'd already made quite the name for themselves by the 90's. Most thought they wouldn't survive to see another day, let alone make another album. Dr. Feelgood was the resurgence. They were back and stronger following many years of torturing their bodies and souls. I mean, how many times did Nikki Sixx die? You just can't keep doing that.

 

 

Most artists settle to tour into oblivion. I do believe that since the band had many iterations without Vince and Tommy (both due to sad circumstances) they realized that they wanted to finish as the family they started in 1981. I honestly think a final concert at the Whiskey would be ideal for a closure.

 

 

 

Whatever they decide, after thirty three years and nine albums, it's time. It is time for these men to walk away from the office and shut the door for the last time. Respect the legacy you leave for your fans and be proud that your survived some really stupid things. But, you've now actually grown into men that realize how fortunate you are. Best wishes on your final tour and looking forward to a memorable last round with one of the world's most notorious rock and roll bands. Thank you Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx, and Mick Mars.

Give Life Back to Music

 

 

 

 

So what is so important about some French dudes in space helmets winning Grammy’s up the wazoo? The fact that the Grammy’s recognize something other than assembly line, overproduced, created to only make hits – music. Yes, Daft Punk have been a force since the 90’s in the house music scene. Their first albums were produced in a home recording studio. Yes, they have won Grammys before. But Random Access Memory, released in 2013, seemed to catch everyone’s attention. Maybe it was who they joined forces with: Paul Williams, Nile Rodgers, Pharell Williams, Julian Casablanca, and Todd Edwards. And yes, you have heard of them before the Grammy's - if you Google the song One More Time, you'll recognize them.

 

Their live shows are an emersion into the music – complete with lights, storytelling, and yes, costumes. These introverts have openly admitted they do not want to be celebrities. This fact can also be in in their videos, which are usually animated.

 

Take a listen to the first song on the most recent album: Give Life Back to Music. Very simple message about taking music back to what is used to be - fun. 

 

You have to give Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter lots of credit. They usually don’t grant interviews and show up dressed as intergalactic robots.

 

And you 'll quickly see that they aren't just influenced by DJ's but by artists such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and -- well just listen, there is a lot of 70's influence.  

 

 

So what is so important about Daft Punk winning an award like Record of the Year :

 

 The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position. ...

 

Just like this duo took a chance and collaborated with musicians on a very experimental album, the Grammys took a chance by saying they showed artistic achievement. They produced an album not to make hits or win awards, but to give to their fans to dance and partake in a musical journey far different than going to an overproduced pop show. And yes, LCD Soundsystem, we all want Daft Punk playing at my house, my house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Just Felt Like Running

It seems surreal that only 24 hours ago, I was running through the streets of New York City. It exceeded every expectation I had of what it would be like to run the ING NYC Marathon.

My morning started off with a casual caravan of NYPD and FDNY runners being taken to Staten Island. That in itself was an honor. It was even more of an honor running with the Leary Firefighters Foundation.We all talked about how nervous we all were and how we were all convinced that we would forget how to run or our bodies would sabotage us somehow. Waiting - the worst part was the waiting. It was cold, windy and the longest two hours ever.

But, the waiting pays off. When you are called onto the Verrazano Bridge, it all hits you at once. This is the moment you've been training for. After the cannon blast, you hear the cymbal kicking off New York, New York and it is so hard to maintain composure. You laugh and cry at the same time and then you realize, you have to start running.

Crossing the Verrazano Bridge, which is the first two miles of the course, is spectacular. Seeing an NYPD helicopter at eye level, watching you safely cross the bridge in unforgettable. It's at this point that you realize that there will be so many more moments like this for you during the race. This is one of only a handful of times that there will be no spectators. First stop - Brooklyn.

 

Brooklyn is where the crowds begin. And to start off my Fourth Avenue Experience seeing my husband and friends was incredible!! Thank you so much!! And this is where the crowds and the music begin. Mile 3 is in Bay Ridge, my hood. And to see so many familiar faces is great! The bands along the route are also what keep you going. No iPod in this race for me. The Band's Ophelia kept me smiling at mile 4.

When I reached mile five, and passed the man running with a cross attached to his back, I started to have my Forrest Gump moment. In my head, Jackson Browne was singing, but the people of Fourth Avenue were cheering me on. So many bands along this part of the course. I heard everything from Billy Joel, the Rolling Stones and even Ozzy. And you cheerathoners, I have to say, when you see our names, you come up with some creative cheers for us - in all languages.

At Lafayette, you merge with your fellow runners into a narrow strip of energy! Not only seeing so many friends here, you see an entire congregation singing to you! Tons of energy through this part of the race. This might have been my favorite section of the run. Bedford Avenue through Hipsterville - was second. Incredible energy down these streets.

We were coming up to the 13 mile mark which meant we had conquered two boroughs. The jog up the Pulaski Bridge is rough, but you Queens residents made us feel very welcomed!  I was told it would be quiet, but I discovered the opposite. We had lots of support up Vernon Boulevard, onwards towards the Bridge. I was met with a surprise shout out from a friend right before the bridge - and it definitely boosted my spirits. Other than hearing Dead or Alive's You Spin Me Right Round, I heard some Tom Petty, Runnin' Down a Dream. Just like Mr. Sinatra's New York, New York, I will never hear this song the same way again.

I was warned about the next part of the race: The 59th Street Bridge. What makes this so difficult is the unseen incline that seems to go on forever. The silence on the bridge is almost un-nerving. But, after you hit the crest and the decline begins, you hear life again and see signs greeting you that Welcome you to Manhattan and to the last ten miles of the race.

First Avenue is made of rolling hills, but also thankfully, thousands have stayed to cheer you on. Bars upon bars of well wishers greet you along the way. Around 85th, I remember hearing I will Survive and had to start laughing because I all could conjure  up in my mind was the scene from The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Dessert. I must have looked like a mad woman laughing down the Avenue.

The Bronx meet you with bagpipers and the Willis Avenue Bridge. I am borrowing this picture from my friend Janice ... this is what the Bronx looks like to a body nearing "the wall". Thankfully, slowing down a bit until we reached the Madison Avenue Bridge helped. As Ryan Ruiz wrote in his Daily Run blog post on running the Bronx it's just  Left. Right. Left-right-left. And-a-left-and-a-right. Sounds easy but you know you're at the brink of mile 21 and back into Manhattan.

When I ran onto Fifth Avenue and was able to see the Empire State Building in the distance, I began to cry. It was the best sight I think I had ever seen. I was almost there. The run through Harlem was inspiring and the crowds were out, still cheering us on. Around Marcus Garvey Park, they were playing some Aretha, just enough to keep us on a good pace. for our final push to Central Park.

That final run up and then down Fifth Avenue is what you've trained for. You can taste the finish line at this point. The crowds were still so strong, and thank you to everyone single one of you, who called out my name and pushed me through to 90th Street.

We entered the park and now you can feel it. And my first comment was how absolutely gorgeous the fall leaves looked as our backdrop. I enjoyed running down Cat Hill but I knew that final hill was approaching at 72nd. And let me tell you something. I never realized how long Central Park South really is. I really thought at one point they had us on a treadmill that was going in the opposite direction.

But, finally, the towers of the Time Warner Building told me it was finally time as I made a right turn back into Central Park. We were met with the yellow line accompanying the blue line, to show support for Boston. Then you see the 26 miles sign, followed by signs to count down the final yards. And then you see the finish line. There are no trumpets and no bells, just the sound of all of those around you thankful to have finished. My dear friend was in the park and saw me finish. So happy to have her there taking the picture of me with my medal!!

What does it feel like - it feels like this:

 The day after, you feel like it was all a dream (well, depending on how well you worked on your recovery). The run down Fourth Avenue feels like you imagined it, and the Pulaski Bridge didn't feel too steep after all.

For the past 16 weeks, I joked that I was also married to the marathon. I have the most incredible, amazing support from my husband. He put up with me going to bed early, waking up even earlier, nerves, tears, and doubts. I could not have done this without his encouragement and support. Seeing him along the route was so special, since I knew he logistically had quite the feat ahead of him as well to catch up to me.

Friends and family, you too are such a support network for me. You listen to me go on and on about running. You give advice and also support when I need it most. It really does take a village to help a marathoner cross that finish line.

We Went Right On With The Show

Rockaway Beach Blvd - One month post Sandy.  PMCarlson2012

I don't even know where to begin. One year ago, we were faced with the unknown, only things we had practiced in drills and were taunted with Irene. One week I was training for the marathon and the next working marathon tours to help our devastated city. Time and again, our resilience was proven.

 

Personally, three things that got me through the most. First, the support of all of you and friends on social media. You checked in and  sent out updates.  You passed along the word of where and how to donate. You sent me music, jokes about hipsters and reminded me to sleep. More importantly, you asked "how can I help?"

 

From Australia, England, Scotland, TriBeCa, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Philly, Seattle, Albany, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and from runners, music lovers, and givers - thank you!! Jill P, you sent me this and I can't thank you enough. This is THE song that makes me so thankful and know how blessed I am. It was such a special performance from The Avett Brothers. http://www.metatube.com/en/videos/158499/The-Avett-Brothers-with-the-Brooklyn-Philharmonic-Perform-I-and-Love-and-You-On-JK-Live-show/

Second, music. Music was that blanket at 3am when I slept feet away from those working with the hospitals, my therapy on the subway to clear my head, and a much needed night of enjoyment at the 12-12-12 concert. So many artists from NY and NJ were impacted by this storm that music was the only thing they could offer to help. It was also these same musicians that weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. So many helped to rebuild, feed and visit those affected.

 

Third, okay you know this answer. Without my loving husband, I would not have gotten through this. Granted, we saw each other maybe three or four times in one month since he too was helping in the affected areas. But your encouragement was felt and without that, I would not have made it through.

 

 

One year, so many memories and lessons learned. It made me a stronger person, a harder worker and apt to slow down and enjoy the moment a little more. The final chapter of Sandy for me is almost here, as next week, I join 40,000 others to run the NYC Marathon. Maybe I had to earn the marathon, to really appreciate it. Well, I think I have and I am ready. See you out there New York City.