"Not quite enough of Lady Gaga". A review of @HB show on May 30th.

[asana15 16,648]

And yet the show itself, which ended just after 9:30, gave too many reasons to want more. No slight on Bennett, who needed about 20 minutes of warm-up before hitting high notes without too much rasp – by the time of a silken, saloon-style reading of Duke Ellington’s “Solitude” halfway in, he was in powerful form – but Gaga was the real star here, and not simply because of her feathery 21st-century flapper ensembles or the interrupting shout-outs she received from the crowd.

Her stage time, however, felt limited. With Bennett repeatedly left to sing trios of overly familiar tunes, allowing Gaga time to change into another outfit, the diva ultimately delivered only four songs on her own and made a baker’s-dozen appearances in all, amounting to less than half of a 29-song, 100-minute set.

That’s all the more frustrating considering her solo spotlights were the evening’s standouts, outshining the almost de rigueur standing ovations Bennett garnered for impressive finishes on “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Her first turn alone showcased a sultry version of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” laced with bossa nova lilt, and a playful handling of “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” with an infectious giggle inserted after the line “men are not a new sensation.” Later moments, though, were knockouts: She handled Cole Porter’s achingly beautiful ballad “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” with bittersweet phrasing that could only come from actual yearning, while “Lush Life,” that monument to dashed hopes and crushing heartache, fit her as perfectly as the pasties on her exposed breasts beneath a red fishnet top.

In those moments, she owned the material, deftly navigating each in an unmistakeable voice largely free from its inspirations. That had the audience justifiably riveted, and it was shining proof that Gaga’s foray into traditional pop shouldn’t be seen as a lark or merely another persona-tweaking slice of performance art. She can indeed embody these classics with chops and spirit that measure up to many of her foremothers.

“Let loose, Hollywood!” she insisted after channeling her inner Judy Garland and then putting on her thickest NYC accent for a breezy rendition of their album’s title track. She might have followed her own advice: A remarkable, multifaceted talent, Gaga nonetheless has reined herself in too respectfully for this project, despite the curve-clinging and cleavage-bearing wardrobe she paraded here as if she were Marilyn Monroe on a Paris runway.

It’s admittedly cute how she twists a few lines to make ’em s-xier and heartwarming how she coyly teases Bennett during their most intimate duets; the admiration between the two is genuine, even smile-inducing, and there’s nothing awkward about the results. In that sense, their success together is a small triumph, a perhaps final patch of modern cool on the master’s highly decorated coat of arms, and a spiffy badge of respectability on Gaga’s already estimable résumé. Short of Streisand touring with Bublé, we may never see anything quite like it again.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/gaga-663748-bennett-time.html

[2007 5,291]

I'm touched  my queen :heart: 

[Dangerous Man 9,245]

She's over after ARTPOP they say yet the praise never ends. The Creator of music is here to stay and slay hunties.

 

 

[Swan Heart 7,382]

I'm so proud of her...

[Lassex 1,169]

Gaga slays everyone with her voice, isn't it obvious by now? But I think it's understandable that Bennett does some solos too, because it's not only Gaga's show. Gaga's young and powerful voice overshadows Tony, so it's fair to give him some space. Both of them deserve to shine!

[GagaMyBlood95 9,915]

I've read the whole thing, beautifuly written. I am so happy and proud of Gaga, this is a huge acomplishment for her or for any pop star actually  

[Rino 5,120]

Gaga deserves every bit of praise in the world!

slay  

[Diamond Heart 4,400]

I love that so many people are recognising the talent in her voice :)

[Jester 6,306]

The praise

I'm so proud of her

[warhol killah 8,673]

yey go Gaga

[HausOfNena 1,712]

Slay Well deserved, Gaga!  

[Curunir 7,510]

grammy to grammy

slay to slay

praise to praise

[Slojo 51]

If Gaga did a couple less costume changes and talked a bit less between songs she would be able to fit a few more songs in to the show. That way we get more of her.

[Bloody 64,631]

Gaga Buble Streisant Germanotta tbh.  

[Didymus 34,379]

Brilliant.

I'm honestly starting to wish she doesn't stop making jazz for a while. Really looking forward to that Cole Porter album now