Regarding the Adam Lambert concert in Hollywood

[Editor's note] It's no secret that I like to indulge in the greatness of the greats whenever affordable. (See: Tina, Bette, & Donna). But that kinda greatness casts a big shadow. So big that often times I find contemporary music and the "artists" who produce it to be less than satisfactory. Music, like everything else, seems to be mass produced and sold at the lowest common denominator nowadays. If Kesha--dollar sign omitted on principle-- is the future of pop music, then the world is in heap big trouble.

But thankfully, America found Adam Lambert.

Last night, my pal Franc and I went to see Mr. Lambert on his Glam Nation tour at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. An entertainer through and through, the sold-out show was an amazing spectacle of talent and bravado. With a voice that could make even the oldest of lady fans shake it (more on this later), Mr. Lambert was every bit the rock star one expected him to be.

Opening the show with "Voodoo," in a fringed jacket and feathered top hat, Mr. Lambert wasted no time in getting the crowd on its feet. The fun didn't stop all through "Down the Rabbit Hole" and Idol favorite "Ring of Fire." Indeed, the fun didn't stop until Mr. Lambert stopped. And thankfully, that didn't happen until he diligently sang everything from his debut album!

Much as I love everything on that album exactly as is, the best performances were the ones whose arrangements were changed. "Aftermath," for instance, was remade into a tender acoustic version of itself. Stripped of a boisterous band, the song centered solely on Lambert's beautiful vocal range. Likewise, "Soaked" showcased Mr. Lambert's penchant for making the lyrics of a song emotional and haunting. (See: video below). On the whole, every song was delivered with a level of talent that could rival even the most seasoned of veterans.

And while Lambert's greatness came as no surprise, the kind of people who came to see him sure did! The audience was packed with women of a certain age, in full Lambert regalia, covered in body glitter. Walking in, I quickly realized that I was but one in a legion of glittery memaw's. One of which, (pictured to the left) was all to happy to spread her Lambert love 24/7...

All that said, top hat's off to Mr. Lambert for saving the musical world from the shallowness it's been suffering from. Last night he made me want to listen to music again.



P.S. Videos of last night's concert can be found here.

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