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Music spun in reverse in Oregon Cabaret Theater's 'History'
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| Submitted photo: Performing in the Ashland’s Oregon Cabaret Theatre production of “A Brief History of White Music,” are Shelese Franklin, left, Dante Maurice Sterling, and Teanna Berry. |
By LEE JUILLERAT: H&N Regional Editor
Early rock and roll singers, from Elvis Presley and Pat Boone to the Beatles and Rolling Stones, took songs originally done by black performers and created “cover” hits.
In some cases the often provocative lyrics and rhythms were sanitized, or “whitinized” of sexual references. Other songs, such as “Hound Dog,” were refashioned.
In “A Brief History of White Music,” the fall production at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, the musical turntables are spun in reverse. A trio of black singers takes music written and made popular by white artists and spice them up with a touch of soul and rhythm and blues.
It’s a fun concept. The transformations of two early Beatles hits, “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” are remarkable. As in last year’s excellent film, “Across the Universe,” the new interpretations give the songs depth and greater meaning. Christopher George Patterson, who serves as director/choreographer and performer, gives “She Loves You” a soulful Luther Vandross feeling. Even better, he reinvents “Hold Your Hand” as a tender love song. Patterson, Teanna Berry and Shelese Franklin take John Lennon’s “Imagine” and inject a nice touch of bluesy moods.
Some of the songs shine because of their silliness. “Leader of the Pack” is done as a burlesque, while “I Got You Babe,” the signature Sonny and Cher hit, is a hilarious romp with Berry and Franklin visually and vocally mimicking the duo.
“Love Me Tender/Can’t Help Falling in Love,” two Elvis hits, are merged into a soulful tune. But it’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” as done by Berry, that takes on entirely new trappings as a sizzlingly sensual torch song.
“Brief History” reinterprets moldy oldies by singers and groups from an increasingly distant past — Connie Francis, the Mamas and Papas, Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Buddy Holly, Petula Clark, Lulu, and Manfred Mann (“Do Wah Diddy”).
The reinventing of oldies doesn’t always work — there could be more touches of Aretha Franklin, and less of the Fifth Dimension.
Much of the show’s success stems from Patterson’s often dazzling choreography, unusually excellent lighting and staging and the expressive personality of musical director Darcy Danielson, who becomes a fourth cast member.
The nightly performances may vary slightly because Shelese Franklin alternates with Kristina Nicole Miller and Patterson rotates with Dante Maurice Sterling.
‘History’ performances
“A Brief History of White Music” is the fall offering at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland. Directed by Christopher George Patterson, “History” was conceived by Dee Dee Thomas and David Tweedy with revised musical arrangements by Rick Seeber. It is performed Thursdays through Mondays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 1 p.m. through Nov. 2. For ticket and dinner reservations call (541) 488-2902 or visit their Web site at www.oregoncabaret.com.
In some cases the often provocative lyrics and rhythms were sanitized, or “whitinized” of sexual references. Other songs, such as “Hound Dog,” were refashioned.
In “A Brief History of White Music,” the fall production at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, the musical turntables are spun in reverse. A trio of black singers takes music written and made popular by white artists and spice them up with a touch of soul and rhythm and blues.
It’s a fun concept. The transformations of two early Beatles hits, “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” are remarkable. As in last year’s excellent film, “Across the Universe,” the new interpretations give the songs depth and greater meaning. Christopher George Patterson, who serves as director/choreographer and performer, gives “She Loves You” a soulful Luther Vandross feeling. Even better, he reinvents “Hold Your Hand” as a tender love song. Patterson, Teanna Berry and Shelese Franklin take John Lennon’s “Imagine” and inject a nice touch of bluesy moods.
Some of the songs shine because of their silliness. “Leader of the Pack” is done as a burlesque, while “I Got You Babe,” the signature Sonny and Cher hit, is a hilarious romp with Berry and Franklin visually and vocally mimicking the duo.
“Love Me Tender/Can’t Help Falling in Love,” two Elvis hits, are merged into a soulful tune. But it’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” as done by Berry, that takes on entirely new trappings as a sizzlingly sensual torch song.
“Brief History” reinterprets moldy oldies by singers and groups from an increasingly distant past — Connie Francis, the Mamas and Papas, Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Buddy Holly, Petula Clark, Lulu, and Manfred Mann (“Do Wah Diddy”).
The reinventing of oldies doesn’t always work — there could be more touches of Aretha Franklin, and less of the Fifth Dimension.
Much of the show’s success stems from Patterson’s often dazzling choreography, unusually excellent lighting and staging and the expressive personality of musical director Darcy Danielson, who becomes a fourth cast member.
The nightly performances may vary slightly because Shelese Franklin alternates with Kristina Nicole Miller and Patterson rotates with Dante Maurice Sterling.
‘History’ performances
“A Brief History of White Music” is the fall offering at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland. Directed by Christopher George Patterson, “History” was conceived by Dee Dee Thomas and David Tweedy with revised musical arrangements by Rick Seeber. It is performed Thursdays through Mondays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 1 p.m. through Nov. 2. For ticket and dinner reservations call (541) 488-2902 or visit their Web site at www.oregoncabaret.com.
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Susan wrote on Jun 24, 2009 1:26 AM:
Yes, there were a lot of crossovers and covers, and it's so good to see Afro-American singers now properly recognised. I love blues and rhythm and blues. It's because of Elvis that I have explored this music and have bought many CDs which should benefit the original singers. "