hooves on the turf

Once the gentle rain subsided on Sunday evening, the sun brought a warm glow to Central Park’s Summer Stage. It remained there until sunset, making it possible for a continuously growing throng of Yael Naim fans to stream in without having to battle nature in addition to long lines. Paris-born Israeli songstress Yael was a yellow fruit bursting with gems of tunes birthed at her tiny apartment, some sung in French, others in Hebrew and English. She played with a band of four, including drummer David Donatien who was credited as her musical partner; a bassist, and a fellow on accordion who at one point impressively raced his fingers on the piano; Yael switched between a guitar, a ukulele and the piano.

The hit song “New Soul”, of the MacBook Air commercial fame, was reserved for pretty much the end of the show (second from last), and it was evident through the set that even without it, here was a truly exciting new act with a voice that soared any way she pleased, and making music with the most pleasant of attitudes. But from the story she told of how “New Soul” came about—realizing that despite early identification with an old soul, which is a soul that has had previous lives, this was definitely her first time on earth—it certainly sounded like she was meant to write the song sooner or later.

Not that I can recall all of it, but I was indifferent towards her cover of “Toxic”—the Britney version might be better for what it’s worth, and I say that without sarcasm. I loved Yael the best, however, when during the encore, out from a slower version of “New Soul” popped somewhat of a rap version. When told that the show had to stop (strict rules from the park), she scrambled for a perfect ending, which was found when she asked two sides of the crowd to sing two different parts, and, in the end, to hold the first note. It was pretty, and shining with a sense of closure.

Another highlight of the evening was Piers Faccini, who with a drummer played his own set before Yael Naim went on. The man has a voice made with stuff that makes dreams. Also of French origin and a speaker of at least three languages, he helped Naim with a few songs, and both singers proved to be adept at what we in South Asia refer to as ragas, a style of singing they interspersed quite intuitively in their own. South Asian mothers would be proud.

But the band I went to see was Herman Dune, and they are up next on this blog. I will also see if I can post any Faccini music.

Central Park Summer Stage
June 22, 2008

All pictures are by me, except: #2, #14 and #15 are by Kashish and #3, #4, #5, #7 and #8 are by my dad who clicked on my camera once I smuggled it to him, since my “first three songs only” privilege had expired by the better part of the show.