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, Amazing Grace Jones runs rings around divas
Martha de Lacey, London Lite 28 Jan 2009
Few people can hula-hoop flawlessly for five minutes. Fewer still can do it on a podium, sporting a catsuit and mask. Practically none can do it simultaneously belting out muscular, new wave world disco (Slave To The Rhythm) to 3,300 awestruck viewers. Certainly there are no such multitaskers aged 60. Oh wait, there is one, her name is Grace Jones.
And that's exactly how she made the Roundhouse's collective jaw drop an extra half inch during the encore at the first show of a three-night Camden residency, as part of her rather spectacular Hurricane tour showcasing her 10th studio album.
Ever the diva, Jones left the audience dribbling for more than half an hour before proffering an entrance. Even sound engineers began shrugging shoulders in the direction of the bewildered crowd, largely comprising bespectacled, besuited, middle-aged glamourati. Suddenly, a low, sinister growl. The wafting, deep purple stage curtain collapsed and there she stood, menacingly, suspended 50ft above her band in an open crane cage, prowling the ledge and surveying her people like a hungry animal.
"Welcome," she purred seductively before bursting into the throbbing Nightclubbing. "Tonight I'm gonna blow you softly. Then I'm gonna blow you hard. Mmmm, I think you're ready." But was anyone ready for one costume change per song with only a black, strapless swimsuit and sheer tights as the staple base for cloaks, capes and fur; a ferocious collection of hats ("They're my crowns"), or green lasers recalling the latest tour of Bjˆrk, another mesmeric artist you could never call simply "a singer"? It wasn't a concert so much as theatre and we weren't her audience so much as her subjects.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (7)
The day after this staggeringly entertaining concert friends were calling me and thanking me for getting tickets, as they felt that they had witnessed a real event! Rarely have I ever been unable to stop thinking about a show that amazed, rocked and left you feeling ecstatic. Thank you Grace!
- Mike Smith, London, 04/02/2009 12:11
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Absolutely stupendous - The concert was fantastic, great voice, musicianship, and theatre. How can she look so fantastic? She had the audience in the palm of her hands. I understand how people felt about the wait but it was worth it. She is second to none.
- Pollard Lucien, London, 30/01/2009 13:45
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Oh My god!! I have seen some amazing gigs, but absolutely no one can beat Grace. She is truly stupendous. I saw her at Meltdown, which was brilliant, but we were quite a long way back, so to see her up close at the Roundhouse was incredible. Her body is so fantastic, her face so sculpted and iconic. I actually did spend half the night with my mouth open in awe !!
I recommend searching for her old video 'One man show' for people who haven't seen it, it shows what a true star she is.
- Cath, London, london uk, 29/01/2009 21:51
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although she was in great form and had the audience in the palm of her hand, i did feel she was let down but the stage design. maybe if she had more money to spend on it.
- Mark, London, UK, 29/01/2009 16:51
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The amazing Grace concert was just that, amazing! It was truly beyond what I would have expected from one of the original 70s disco queens. Her energetic performance was truly mesmerising from start to finish. Sexual, fleshy and "dirty" in language too, none of this got in the way of the high quality of the incredible performance that we witnessed; this was Grace Jones "reborn", and coy inhibition (still!) isn't her thing! Despite the predictable late start (say no more!) the choice of song and visuals worked like clockwork and I left feeling totally entertained and uplifted by the experience. I rarely feel this way following a concert, but this was not an average concert.
- Vernal Scott, London, 29/01/2009 16:42
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One of the best concerts I have EVER been to. She was AWESOME!
- Matt, London, 29/01/2009 14:23
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It was an absolutely fantastic concert. The sound was brilliant and although she started a little bit late this was to be anticipated from a Diva.
- Martina, Cambridge, 29/01/2009 10:03
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