In what some thought was a risky move for by FCA, four time Grammy Award winner k.d. lang brought her perfect pitch to Fairbanks to launch the 2011~12 season.  The result more than vidicated the decision. k. .d. lang launched her career with a blend of country-rock styling and a playful punk-like attitude, but it's her voice that makes her stand out. 20 years after she burst onto the music scene that flawless, smooth-as-silk voice, continues to impress audiences and critics alike throughout the entertainment world.  Now Fairbanksans who attended the season opener know why.

"Folks who missed this show should be kicking themselves." - Wickersham's Conscience

The FCA is proud to be presenting the unique insights of Wikersham's Concsciousness in review of past concerts this season.  Here's the first installment:

 

k.d. lang

Wow.

k d lang and her band, the Siss Boom Bang, came to Hering Auditorium Thursday night as the opening act of  Fairbanks Concert Association’s 2011-2012 season. lang blew the doors off the auditorium, and probably damaged the roof. She was simply that good.

It wasn’t a matter of mere decibels, although lang’s recent turn to a more rock-oriented music certainly offers decibels. No, it’s about lang’s voice, which is simply extraordinary. To quote the staid London Times, “Her gorgeous voice is a versatile weapon of mass seduction.” Her cover of Leonard Cohen‘s “Hallelujah” brought a spontaneous standing ovation from the usually sedate FCA crowd. That’s not the first time, of course; lang’s performance of the song at the 2005 Juno Awards brought the audience to its feet for a two minute long standing ovation, too. And she performed it for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, to an audience of millions. But seeing her live takes it to a whole new level. WC has attended hundreds of concerts, and lang’s performance of “Hallelujah” ranks in the top ten songs WC has heard live.

WC understands that lang is controversial in some circles for her forcefully held views, androgynous looks, style and strong personality. But that has nothing to do with her superb music. lang addressed it briefly at the concert, with a sly reference to “freaks.” But it has nothing at all to do with her music. Which is simply outstanding. Or her sultry, earthy voice, which is mesmerizing.

In addition to an astonishing voice and vocal style, lang is also an amazing show person. She dominates that stage. Even during instrument solos by her fine band, it was hard to not watch lang. It’s not just a matter of charisma, although lang has buckets of charisma. It’s a matter of stage presence.

All of lang’s songs were good, but there were a few others that were nearly as good as “Hallelujah.” In partciular, the last song of the set, “Constant Craving,” was breathtaking. The band is very, very good; they were tight, flexible – moving among instruments throughout the show – and energetic. Special props to the drummer, Fred Eltringham, late of The Wallflowers, for outstanding work throughout.

lang has ten albums, four Grammys, numerous Junos (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) and many other honors. But she is one of those rare artists who records amazing albums, but who is even better live. Sure, it was a little disappointing that she didn’t perform Roy Orbison’s “Crying,” another breath-taking, show-stopping number, but the artist picks the set list, not the crowd, and lang’s selections were excellent.

Folks who missed this show should be kicking themselves. If you won’t take WC’s word for it, download one of the live versions of lang’s “Hallelujah” and see what the excitement is about. An amazing artist, a terrific band and a truly memorable concert.

Special thanks to Ann Biberman and the Board of FCA for breaking out a little bit and taking what some might see as a risk on an artist like k d lang. Well done.

For more provocative opinion, read Wickersham's Conscience.