"I have to tell you I've just farted" Sinead says, interrupting one of her most beloved songs "Three Babies" mid-lyric. No, actually, Sinead didn't have to do anything of the kind. But she chose to and managed to pull all her loving fans right out of the number.I have no problem with fart jokes, or Tourettes syndrome, or Sinead, My problem is something like this: in 500 BC, you didn't, human's did…n't, eat or perform really any bodily functions in public because we were meant to be divine creatures and the mechanics of our body, brought us back to our animal basics. If you are a Jungian, you are aware of archaic memories, so through the past couple of millineum these prejudices have continued. The problem is: Sinead is in the business of musical transcendence, by referring to bodily functions she breaks the song in half
If that was the only problem with Sinead's set at Highline Ballroom Friday night, the final night of a two coast four night mini-tour in support of her excellent new album How About I Be Me (And You Be You), I'd take a little Tourette's Syndrome in return for the honor of her singing… it wasn't.
1. Sinead had laryngitis and considering that you could well have canceled, I appreciate her effort. But I don't have the best ears in the world, and she sounded off to me on any number of songs.
2. She overplayed the new album. I love the new album fine but to play 8 out of the 10 songs? And then skip on "Madinka"?That's stupid.
3. That leather outfit? She is a beautiful middle aged woman and wearing a skin tight leather catsuit ain't helping the cause.
4. She kept stopping the set to ask what was next. EH? I knew what was next, all I did was download it from setlistfm, since it was EXACTLY THE SAME AS THURSDAY, except for a final recitation of a prayer from the Monks of Limerick, Ireland. the set was like a car that kept stalling, when it ran it was fine, but the sputtering annoyed.
Sinead is great but she didn't manage the concert very well. It seemed to be veering off course even though it wasn't: there was a distracted air about it. And yet, the last three songs before the encore were tremendous, the first song "Take Off Your Shoes" ("you're on hallowed ground"0 was forceful and passionate. Whenever Sinead got into it, she was terrific. The cellist and flute player were both first rate. Sinead mentioned how 'Nothing Compares 2 U" reminds her of her late mother (it's the countdown at the start, I'm guessing) and dedicated it to Whitney's kid.
Better still, the first song of the encore, "VIP" is a throwing down of the mantle so powerful it should give not just the musical community, certain an avowed Christian like Bono, who is absolutely a target, might be embarrassed by this verse: "to whom are we exactly giving hope when we stand behind the velvet rope, or get our pictures taken with the Pope, like some sick April Fool kind of joke". Sinead sings it, it is over six minutes long, accompanied by an organ with a Church, or is that dirge, like echo of three notes, an archippago?, repeated over and over. The best song on the album, one of the best songs of the year and… not the best song of the night because a terrific "The Lamb's Book Of Life" beats it a little. The only time she really works out her Rasta jones.
All the new songs are at least good and a couple hover near greatness.
And Sinead, for all her weirdness, is a serious musician and I am happy I snagged a billet.
But I have seen her several times in several places, and this is the only time I felt ill at ease, it is like a woman tittering near orgasm but not able to come. She never went over the edge, she didn't manage to get us off. No, not on the singalongs to "Nothing Compares"and "Last Days", no not even on "VIP" -a song that may be considered one of her masterpieces at some point.
I remember watching her at Beacon during her heavy Rasta phase, covered from head to toe and singing spirituals and she managed to be perfect. I don't know why she missed it Friday night.
Grade: B+