We Are Family Foundation Celebration Gala 2.0

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Do not adjust your screens, this really is my first post in absolutely ages. I did intend to summarise every concert but the backlog is now massive and Bert time is scarce. So I've been chugging along doing the bare minimum on the Performances site which should come in handy when that write-up time arrives. Not sure when that or the next post will be though.

Shady is by far my favourite Trespassing song for the groove, the mood and the lyrics so when I heard that Adam would finally get to perform it with collaborators Nile Rodgers and Sam Sparro I got all waggly-tailed, to put it politely. But I didn't manage to follow it live as the Earth has the audacity to be so rude as to separate me from the gig by units of time zone rather than inches. Damn you planetary physics and space-time! *Shakes fist*

Watching the videos was a blast though, especially with fresh senses not having first endured a Mermish assault. Here's my playlist:



Adam receives a special We Are Family Foundation Unity award for being his fabulously badass self. Presented to him by Sam Sparro (now where have we seen that before?), he gives a slightly awkward-sounding speech, having a gentle dig the atmosphere probably because the crowd talked all through Sam's presentation.

Zips and leather aplenty, Adam rocks up for the opening number all in black understated chic (but couldn't resist a sparkly electric blue belt). He's joined on stage by Sam, Nile and his band, which includes some original members of Chic and the drummer for Let's Dance. After 50+ versions from the AI tour, I love hearing this arrangement that's so close to the original. This full band version sounds much better than the hollow light-rock AI ones, or the funkless electronic VH1 version. Sam appears to have trouble with his mic, which seems to be on near-silent mode for much of the time. There's only one natural showman though, even with his back to the crowd doing dorky dance moves, such as using an invisible towel to scrub his rear. When Adam comes in for the solos, his voice surprises me by its softness and it's very very sweet. Makes me realise how shouty the early versions were in comparison. It lends extra impact to the sparingly-used big high notes, making them even more goosebump-inducing.

Shady is the one I've been waiting so long for, and my expectations were that this would be a special one. After a number of close calls of being in the same place but different day last year, Adam, Nile and Sam would finally be united on stage for a performance. There's an endearing familiarity between them on stage, the banter beforehand like that between old friends. I can only imagine how enjoyable it must have been to create this together. I love the sound of the dirtier bass and Nile's funk guitar. The tempo is much faster and it really bounces along. Aside from Sam's sound issues, the vocals are perfect, backing harmonies great and that panting part is delicious enough to tip anyone over the edge. I spot the return of the flaily-arm woman (of Glam Nation DVD infamy) right at the front of the stage doing her thang but thankfully the arms aren't overly obstructive. The brass section adds some light jazzy pizazzy fun, with the instrumental section inducing stank faces and impelling hips to get a groove on. In keeping with Adam's penchant for mixing songs (Naked Love + 100% Pure Love, Pop That Lock + Smooth Criminal) there's an inclusion of En Vogue's Free Your Mind in the mix too. There's so much more energy and vigour on stage than previous renditions, but at the same time there's an ease and a natural chemistry as talented musicians just having a jam.

WWFM is next in the set and Adam is honoured that Nile is accompanying on guitar. It's a fast and very full-sounding version with more backing vocal layers than normal, a funk edge and more instruments. Even brass makes an appearance. It's been quite some time since the last studio-like arrangement and it's a joy to see them both swaying together in synch to the music.

The set concludes with a fast-paced Trespassing that follows closely along the lines of the album version including the electro elements. I don't think Adam's quite ready when the band starts up but he makes it on cue. I love Nile's contribution to this version with and can't help feeling that this is how it ought to sound. Adam ends up singing some of the harmonies and nails the vocals including a magnificent ringing glory note.

I feel that what we have here is a level above what's gone before and I'm a huge fan of the bassist as well as Nile on guitar. I like the mixture of male and female backing vocals and the double drum kit. The brass adds an extra dimension as well as providing depth and variety. The short set provides a glimpse of what could be achieved in a live performance with a different set-up and direction. I hope it gives Adam some food for thought regarding options with the band to experiment with, aiming for more adventurous and free-spirited performances. I get the feeling that jamming on stage is where the magic really happens for Adam. I think he's at his best when spontaneous; venturing, reacting and flowing through a performance, continually probing, testing and adjusting rather sticking to a rigid plan. Propelled by quality musicianship and feeding off the audience energy to push himself that bit further, Fantasy Springs is the epitome of this for me. The stage here is made up of a mish-mash of very different individuals but they just click, producing something so cohesive. From the costumes to the movements and presentation, I don't feel there's anything contrived and I think it's because he's with musicians who share an understanding and have the style and talent to flourish when given the freedom to express themselves. Because of this, I often wish Adam would lean more towards jazz and funk stylings, especially as he has so much soul. I think the flexibility suits him more than the structure of electronic or rock. I'd be happy if he could infuse more of those dynamic elements into his music both in the studio and on stage.

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Just as I was beginning to write this review, I unusually managed to tune in to one of Adam's twitter parties and threw a few speculative questions his way. I had to check several times to make sure my second ever reply was real:

@lambosessed that movie "THE PAPERBOY" was shocking. And really sexy.
— Adam Lambert (@adamlambert) February 3, 2013

I have yet to meet him so tweets are the only contact I've had. And I'm fucking thrilled! Not only about getting a reply but I getting "sexy" in it. I got a wink and extra info volunteered in my first ever reply so I'm privileged.

Rays of Sunshine London

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This is Adam's first UK Trespassing-era gig open to all and is part of a charity extravaganza for Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity. The line-up has lots of big name pop acts with a large proportion originating from TV talent shows.



The venue is the iconic Royal Albert Hall, home to many a famous concert. It's been a long-standing wish of mine to see Adam perform an acoustic concert there so I guess this comes close. He's back to looking dapper in an electric blue suit and tie with lots of sheen. I'm rather partial to that colour on him and he completes the look with some outrageous leopardskin boots. I think he has a bit of a Teddy Boy look about him.

Adam uses session musicians instead of his usual band and though they don't have the same on-stage rapport and energy, I think they do a great job. They even have all the clapping nailed for Trespassing. I can't really hear the backing singers but they alternate between high and low claps. Needless to say, his voice is on top form and he works the stage.

On saying this is his second UK concert, Adam seems to have forgotten about all the FYE era concerts. Oh Adam, how could you forget us! The set is only three songs long so he goes on to do a fine job on Cuckoo and NCOE. He never seems completely happy about the sound though. I would've loved for Shady to have been part of the mix. The next gig is at G-A-Y which I expect to be a completely different affair.

Crazy Time of Year

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Season's greetings everyone! And happy festival of rampant consumerism for all you jaded cynics out there! I hope you all have an enjoyable time no matter what you do. As a little something to say thank you for all your support, I've re-worked a classic Adam performance for you where I've enhanced the picture and stitched together the best shots from the three videos available. This ranks near the top of my favourite pre-Idol gigs and was one that nudged me off the precipice all those months ago, leaving an indelible impression.



A little thumbnail of Adam lined up with the dancers popped up when I performed that fateful Google search. This didn't look like Adam, didn't quite fit in with my impression of Adam at the time and I wondered whether he had a namesake. This matter was put to rest as soon as I heard that unmistakable voice.

From the wide-mouthed lick of the finger in the blue light, I could tell this was going to be one sexy performance. The bassline kicking in is dangerously seductive as Adam lazily rolls his head, stretching as if just waking up, preparing for round two, moaning in horny recovery. The clinging red trousers and vest not only reveal a lot of skin but also Adam's lithe figure amongst other things. His movements are a dance of sexual foreplay and I remember thinking that no straight guy moves like that. There's much focus on the crotch as he sits open-legged and grabs it like a handle to pull himself up with. He prowls the stage like a feline with dance moves that pay homage to Michael Jackson, Elvis and Britney. There's one part in the song where he's a little late coming in, but I love that imperfection because to me it shows that he's totally absorbed in the moment. Just seconds later, we get the crowning note with that astounding riff and just when I think he can't go higher, he hits me with the most incredible sustained and powerful belt. I remember my eyes just widened and I gasped completely awestruck by this bare-footed other-worldly creature who looked like a manga character and was armed with a supernatural voice. I loved the moves that followed. There's something extremely sexy about the neck roll followed by the grace of the pirouette and the lap-dancer gyration back into the chair. He's on fire, which in turn arouses us, the audience. After it's over, we see Adam out of the character, beaming back a smile that would guarantee he would always have his way.

This was one sizzling performance that cranked up the heat, turning me on and teasing me enough to be fucking begging for it by the end. I watched it over and over. This was the performance that told me about Adam's shape-shifting abilities, his sexuality, his swivel hips, his boldness, his boyish charm, his irresistible sex appeal, his talent, his shockingly perfect, powerhouse vocals. This was the performance that got me really excited about him, willing him to push it further on AI and freak people out, eager to see what he would do next. This was what seduced me into falling for him, tipping me over the edge and getting me committed to following him and obsessing about him all this time. He makes us all crazy, but there's something so pleasant about that space, no?

Happy holidays!

DOWNLOAD Crazy - iPod compatible mp4 40.1MB

Our Glitter-Spangled Star

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This must be one of the most eagerly anticipated videos of Adam's performances so far after that little teaser from Fox News. This is still only partial, but it's enough to become awestruck once again by the marvel that is Adam's voice. The precision of the pitch through the octave-jumping, the control, the dynamism, the power and the clarity of tone are just stunning stunning stunning. And the riffing is a superb touch which adds that little bit of glittery pizzazz for a star-studded occasion. It's impossible not to feel both moved and proud.



Now compare this to Adam's beautifully sombre and sensitive performance at the military base way back during his AI homecoming, sung in a lower key and without any of the show notes:



And let's not forget this incredible vocal from Burning Man, which is a sung with musical accompaniment in such a high key that Adam breaks in to 'Baa's half way through. It's zany, chaotic and hilarious:



Still have my fingers crossed for a full length video and a video of the duet from the ADL evening.