Music

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Grace Jones, The Roundhouse, London

(Rated 4/ 5 )

Reviewed by David Taylor

Slave to the rhythm: Grace Jones in action

DAVID SANDISON

Slave to the rhythm: Grace Jones in action

I can safely say that there aren't any other gigs I've witnessed when the highlight of the evening involved a 60-year-old semi-naked woman hula-hooping in a glittery cat mask. But you wouldn't expect anything less from disco diva-cum-style icon Grace Jones. Last year saw her back in the charts after a self-enforced two-decade exile from the recording studio, and tonight is the first of three London shows that bring to the close her eight-date UK tour to promote the new album, Hurricane.

The anticipation in the Roundhouse is palpable, and indeed, a large part of the audience appear to be die-hard fans from the Eighties who have been craving to catch a glimpse of their goddess in the flesh ever since. There's as much fancy millinery and expensive footwear on display at the bar as at a catwalk show. Ms Jones appears a (fashionable) hour later than billed, posing atop a platform in a feathered hat, wearing a corset and revealing legs that would look fantastic on a 20-year-old, let alone someone with a son in his twenties. She launches into a slow, smouldering version of "Nightclubbing" as the platform descends to stage-level, before slipping into the wings for the first of the many costume changes that take place after every song. Hidden from view, she regales her adoring masses with risqué monologues: "First I'm gonna blow you softly, then I'm gonna blow you hard."

With a new Philip Treacy creation carefully positioned, it's back to centre stage to rejoin her accomplished six-piece band and backing singers for the first of the tracks from the new album, "This Is". It's warmly received.

For the rest of the show, Grace continues to intersperse the old with the new, serving up polished versions of classics, "My Jamaican Guy", "Demolition Man" and "La Vie en Rose", alongside new offerings, "Well, Well, Well" and "William's Blood". The last one, the best track on Hurricane, sees Ms Jones gyrating under a red spotlight, and belting out the autobiographical track with real passion. It's pure theatre and receives rapturous applause.

"Pull Up to the Bumper" sees the Amazonian singer turn her back to the audience, cheekily shaking her near- naked bottom to the beat and wolf whistles from the crowd. A rather sanitised, staged stage-invasion then occurs, allowing some of the beautiful young things at the front to preen alongside their heroine, while ticker tape cascades down. If there is to be one criticism of the show, it's that the staged elements are not quite bold enough. Maybe a bigger budget would produce the truly awe-inspiring event that she is quite clearly capable of.

But back to that hula hoop. The singer keeps the pink fluoro piece of plastic gyrating for the length of "Slave to the Rhythm", not skipping a beat. It's impressive stuff. She follows this with the title track off the new album, facing off to a huge wind-machine that billows her costume behind her. A perfect finale and a cracking return to form. Welcome back, Grace.

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Comments

staged invasion?
[info]vauxhall1964 wrote:
Thursday, 29 January 2009 at 01:58 pm (UTC)
in what way was fans getting up on stage 'staged'? Knowing some of the lucky ones to make it I can assure the reviewer it wasn't orchestrated with the individuals before hand.
well well well
[info]krismuskiller wrote:
Saturday, 31 January 2009 at 05:24 am (UTC)
i am stuck in the states without a hope to see the tour.AAAAHHHHHHGODDAMNIT!!!!!!!!!
So, any and all info from the shows is a treasure, thanks
grace jones concert
[info]olavollesson wrote:
Saturday, 31 January 2009 at 08:51 am (UTC)
l must agree this was not a staged invasion, people were let up on stage, only a certain number, people being pushed back when it got out of hand.
But then who would not have have wanted to party with the party girl herself.
Many people, including myself have waited over twenty years to see "Our icon", and we were not dissapointed! What a show! What a woman!With a body that a woman thirty years younger would envy!
A brilliant time was had by all, on both sides, you could see Grace enjoyed heraelf amongst her fans, her "Family". Welcome back Grace, it's like you never were away!
woah
[info]dandan7 wrote:
Saturday, 31 January 2009 at 01:10 pm (UTC)
what a fantastic concert I nearly got to the stage but could not quite make it no way was it staged,however she was just a few people in front of me so I got a great view unbelievable. I went last night and was amazed at GRACE WHAT A WOMAN. The outfits were amazing pure Grace almost alien like for the opening track then devil like for the devil inside. Not a dud track but if I had to pick out my favourites LOVE IS THE DRUG, LA VIE EN ROSE, DEMOLITION MAN, PULL UP TO THE BUMPER, WELL WELL WELL, but really all were great PHEW still exhausted
DAN DAN THE BIGGEST GRACE JONES FAN!!!
Amazing Grace
[info]glammerchick wrote:
Saturday, 31 January 2009 at 04:35 pm (UTC)
BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT, FANTASTIC NIGHT, WHAT A WOMAN!
[info]davidbr1 wrote:
Saturday, 31 January 2009 at 08:45 pm (UTC)
I can't help feeling that the author of the article would have been happier seeing the likes of Madonna, who rely on a much bigger budget to offset for their lack of talent. It's nonsensical to criticize an artist because of budget constraints. When I go to a concert I want to see the singer actually sing. Grace Jones IS truly awe inspiring, even at the Roundhouse.
'...not quite bold enough'??!!
[info]socpbro wrote:
Sunday, 1 February 2009 at 11:12 am (UTC)
I think the reviewer and I must have been at different gigs. The minimal but effective use of props and staging kept the focus on La Diva Jones, and there's not much bolder than Grace herself in full swing! And personally I do think it quite would be quite bold to wear even one of the fabulous ceations which adorned Grace during the evening, let alone one for every number. As for turning your own head into a virtual mirror ball and blasting it with lazer light which shatters into a million shards with your every move to fill the auditorium, once again I'd be tempted to descibe this as, er, bold! I can't remember the last time I left a show desperate to go straight back again the following night, which sadly was not to be.

GRACE YOU WERE STUPENDOUS!!! Come back soon.
Ms. Gracew Jones
[info]minniefloyd wrote:
Sunday, 1 February 2009 at 06:16 pm (UTC)
I love Grace, she is unique, fun, and still is young... Keep up the good work Grace Jones.. God Bless.. I wish i could get one of the chocolate Grace Jones
Welcome back Grace!
[info]geales wrote:
Saturday, 21 March 2009 at 11:14 pm (UTC)
Hi, thanks to Mr.David Taylor for this review. Well said! Inimitable! Unsurpassed, I would add! What a wonderful Voice she has! I also loved the Picture Gallery from review Andy Gill from 18 june 2008.
If there is a photo Album Book to be published soon! Here's a hard to find Magnetic photograph! Photo nr.4 'Grace at Cannes Film Festival 1986' has it all. This is Sweet, Cute Grace Jones Portrait! Also seeing her in the Video 'Slave to the Rhythm' where she has that great Expression on her face! Cute! It's repeated twice at - she says: Love to the Rhythm! And there's also that commercial for Honda Scooters with Adam Ant! Also cute when she says: it's Fun and It's Sexy! Yes, she really is! See for yourself! Welcome back Grace!
Deluxe-Edition NIGHTCLUBBING!?
[info]geales wrote:
Tuesday, 24 March 2009 at 04:36 pm (UTC)
In May 2006 (source Wikipedia) It was announced (Universal Music): A Double Deluxe CD edition of NIGHTCLUBBING should be released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this keynote Masterpiece! This never happened! Why?
Grace's Movie
[info]geales wrote:
Monday, 6 April 2009 at 12:18 pm (UTC)
Grace the Movie, soon! Got to be in it: This image: in I'm not Perfect- the video- massage-machine-tool moment - She's got that Orgasm-expression on her face! Woohwaahw! The two VAMP-Characters- the stripper and the girl without make-up KATRINA at the end of the video 'Love Bites' The last part at the Bathroom with Ruby Wax- Grace goes: Sure the Hell... etc in a fatty American Accent! and then just before looking back in the mirror, freeze on her Wonderful Smile! Photographs: also first class this photo taken at the US-Open Tennis on Super Saturday (see:www.contactmusic) Also some of the finest to find on this German - FAZ.NET - look for the article 27 oct 2008 by Johanna Adorjan- here's 16 pictures gallery- photo 9 Bei der Berlinale 2004 and photo 13 mit extravagantem kopfschmuck are to sweet! I also enjoyed the article: A Pop Diva reveals all from Sat.6 Dec 2008!

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