SOUNDTRACK: ROSA DíAZ-Tiny Desk Concert #433 (April 17, 2015).
I find Díaz’ voice a little unsettling. This surprises me because I usually like voices that are unconventional. But I find her singing to be perhaps too vibrato filled? Too emphatic maybe? It is especially harsh when set off against the beautiful backing vocal of cellist Daniel de Jesús.
I like the sentiments in Díaz’ songs, like “Beware Of Men Who Don’t Remember Their Dreams” but I don’t like the way she sings it–especially the end. The second song is sung in Spanish. “Lloronsito” is a term of endearment usually used for women, but says she dedicates it to the male crybaby. I prefer this song, perhaps because it feels more natural in Spanish?
“Daddy Said” has a more bouncy melody. Again there’s some great lyrics, but Díaz really lets loose. The notes say that she is passionate and that’s clear, although I fear that she kind of goes overboard. Maybe it would sound better if there were more musicians to really get into it with her? But it’s not like her voice is bad. At a few points she and Daniel harmonize beautifully.
I just didn’t love this set.
[READ: April 11, 2015] “As Flies to Wanton Boys”
This is an excerpt from Kunkel’s play Buzz.
In the excerpt there are three characters: a college girl (who is conducting an interview), Tom (the playwright being interviewed) and Tom’s wife who we hear on the answering machine.
The college girl wants Tom to talk about his thoughts about the state of American drama. But she notices that he seems preoccupied. And he is. He is very upset about the flies in his house (his wife called the exterminator and she will be mad that there are still so many in the house). Well, actually she is not legally his wife.
He says he’s not a fascinating subject today. She keeps trying to drag information out of him. He wants to know why people will listen to long boring interviews on the radio but not plays. Even the girl says she doesn’t go to plays. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 