Music & Concerts

Torch and twang

Lauper covers vintage country classics on new album

Published

9 years ago

May 19, 2016

Chris Gerard

Cyndi Lauper, gay news, Washington Blade

Cyndi Lauper goes country on her new album ‘Detours.’ (Photo by Chapman Baehler)

As a proud child of the MTV generation, if you had told me back when “She Bop” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” were ruling the airwaves that this lady with the wild orange hair and chirpy voice would some day record a country album, I’d have thought you’d overdosed on pop rocks.

But over a long and impressive career that stretches well beyond just those early pop hits, Cyndi Lauper has explored a wide musical range and on “Detours,” she plants her colorful flag firmly in stylistic territory that seems a world away from the songs for which she’s best known.

Her first country album, “Detours” is clearly a labor of love for the singer, who has said in interviews that she grew up listening to country divas like Wanda Jackson, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. She also makes the connection with early country to the blues and R&B melting pot that ultimately led to rock and roll. Lauper and producer Tony Brown (who’s worked with a veritable Hall of Fame roster of country legends) decide to go for a very crisp and polished sound throughout the album, hurling these decades-old songs into the present. Recorded in Nashville (of course), Lauper and Brown bring in a mix of younger players and veterans of the genre and take on a dozen covers, most of which will be very familiar (well — to those of us past a certain age).

Lauper’s voice is as versatile and strong as always, and suits the mixture of upbeat barnburners and torch-song ballads that she’s chosen. She opens with a jaunty take on Wanda Jackson’s classic 1961 single “Funnel of Love,” which Lauper uses from the very beginning to illustrate the kinship between classic country and melodic pop. “Detours” keeps the upbeat tone going, a swing number made popular in 1945 by Jimmy Walker. Lauper’s take, with harmony vocals by Emmylou Harris, is endearing.

There are no shortage of classic country ballads to choose from, and Lauper picked some great ones for “Detours.” Her expressive voice shines on “Misty Blue,” a versatile standard that’s been a hit at various times for artists in pop, R&B and country. Lauper’s take on Skeeter Davis’ classic country waltz “The End of the World” is reverent and heart-felt, showing — as she does throughout the album — her respect for this material.

Willie Nelson duets with Lauper on another country slow-dance, “Night Life,” a bluesy gem that he wrote and originally recorded 56 years ago. Marty Robbins’ old-west 1963 ballad “Begging to You” sounds like it was written for Lauper, who steers her voice directly into the country idiom with genuine feeling and authenticity. She sounds as much at home singing alongside sweet fiddles as she did 30 years ago surrounded by spritely synthesizers.

The two Patsy Cline numbers, “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “I Fall to Pieces,” seem almost too-obvious of choices, but Lauper handles the venerable material with grace and ease, delivering lovely vocals over crisp and breezy accompaniments. Less successful is Lauper’s collaboration with Jewel, “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.” Listening to Jewel’s yodeling is like someone jamming a screwdriver in your ears while chugging curdled milk. Not pleasant, but the gods invented the “Are you sure you want to delete this?” prompt for occasions just such as this. Press yes.

She makes up for the album’s one blight with the beautifully solemn finalé “A Hard Candy Christmas.” Lauper harmonizes with the great Alison Krauss on the iconic holiday gem from “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and creates a recording destined to make holiday playlists many years into the future.

“Detours” is not a novelty album or a cynical marketing ploy. It’s charming and nostalgic, but with a fresh vibe that will hopefully bring these decades-old songs to a new round of listeners.

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Kylie brings ‘Tension’ tour to D.C.

Performance on Tuesday at Capital One Arena

Published

4 weeks ago

April 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Kylie Minogue visits D.C. on Tuesday.

Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.

The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”

Music & Concerts

Busy season for live music in D.C.

Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring

Published

2 months ago

March 14, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Cynthia Erivo plays WorldPride in D.C. on June 7. (Photo courtesy of World Pride)

One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.

In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.

MARCH

Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.

The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.

If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.

APRIL

Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.

Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.

The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.

Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.

DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”

The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.

MAY

Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.

Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.

Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.

The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.

JUNE

Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.

Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.

Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.

Music & Concerts

Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation

International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue

Published

2 months ago

February 27, 2025

Jaylon Curry-Hagler

The Kennedy Center (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.

Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.

The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.

“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”

The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.

“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”

WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.