SOUNDTRACK: ALA.NI-Tiny Desk Concert #643 (August 14, 2017).
ALA.NI is a London-born, 
Paris-based singer who draws inspiration from her uncle, a British ’20s and ’30s cabaret star by the name of Leslie “Hutch” Hutchinson. She writes her own songs in the style of the standards he sang.
ALA.NI is sweet and funny and very charming. She exudes calm and grace as she stretches and waves her long limbs and fingers. It’s mesmerizing. And her voice sounds amazing. The blurb notes:
The singer asked us to record her set using her vintage RCA Ribbon microphone, which she carries around in a small briefcase between shows. It’s a security blanket, a bit of visual branding, a statement of stylistic intent — and, not for nothing, a big reason ALA.NI’s voice carries with such warmth and intimacy.
“Cherry Blossom” sounds terrific. The guitar is gently echoed and her voice is soft and delicate but incredibly right on. You could easily imagine hearing the pops and clicks of old vinyl behind her.
Between songs she is chatty and funny. She raves about the NPR gift shop, “I got some beeswax paper that I can wrap my sandwiches in.”
She says that “Ol Fashioned Kiss” is about kissing. She plays an acoustic guitar which she uses mostly for percussion in the beginning, but then she adds some gentle strums herself. It’s a simple, old-fashioned bluesy song. She does a lot of scatting. And as the song comes to its natural ending, she says tells her guitarist, “no no keep it going, there’s too many toys here.” She plays all kinds of things on the desks—a small drum set, some other percussive thing and even the cow mooing can.
“Suddenly” sounds like an old song–it’s so hard to believe these are new. And then comes
Darkness at Noon is a powerful old-fashioned sounding song that opens. “We agreed to end this love affair.” It’s chilling and gorgeous.
When the song is over she introduces her guitar player, “this is Marvin Dolly on guitar. It’s actually Marvin’s birthday today.” She leads everyone in a version of Happy Birthday she hits some amazing high notes while everyone else sings along She turns as the song ends, “wow you all can sing as well.”
What a delightful person with such an enchanting voice.
[READ: June 25, 2017] “Why Aren’t You Laughing”
Sedaris has become a lot more reflective in his later writing. There’s still humor to be had, but for the most part this is a sad tale about his mother.
He begins by talking about the plainness of the North Carolina house he shares with Hugh (he calls Hugh his boyfriend, although I thought they were married). He says even the theater manager at the box office he performed at knew what their house look like: “spread out over four levels and paneled in dark wood like something you’d see on a nineteen seventies TV show.” Hugh liked to point out that the pint of the place was the view.
The title of the piece comes as he says he is signing his name on tip-ins for his books while Hugh reads the final draft of the manuscript. Depending on Hugh’s reaction or silence David would shout Whats so funny? or Why aren’t you laughing? (more…)
I Just Read About That... 