Undercover Presents
Paul Simon: Graceland
Jewish Community Center- San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
April 12, 2014
Paul Simon’s Graceland: Fire in the Kitchen
Just two months ago, I was waxing rhapsodically about Undercover
Presents as being the Best In Show in the Bay Area live music scene. While that still holds true, the latest
Undercover of Paul Simon’s Graceland, did not quite live up to the lofty standards that were set during earlier UPs of Joni Mitchell’s Blue or Sly and the Family Stone’s Stand. And though this could be an entire blogpost about the controversial, award-winning classic album and its controversies and award winning, I will resist the temptation. There's already plenty of That on the internets for those who are interested.
Despite the one or two disappointing performances last night, there was also plenty to celebrate, including John Vanderslice’s folky 'Graceland,' Diane Gameros’ latin jazzy 'Gumboots,' Afrofunk Experience’s afrofunky 'Under African Skies' and Guy Fox’s indie 'Crazy Love.' One of the big talking points of the UP Graceland
will undoubtedly be the Pacific Boychoir.
A supremely talented and much decorated choir of young boys who
performed a fairly faithful rendition of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s 'Homeless.' Also, much discussed, in a more negative sense, was the
experimental pop of Bill Baird who altered 'You Can Call Me Al' pretty much
beyond recognition. In the end, his
performance seemed like experimentation for its own sake. Walking
around in circles in a purple poncho while reciting a pizza order through a
distorted mic does not qualify as art, mostly it is just annoying.
While UP’s Sly The Stone Stand! was a nonstop high-octane party, UP Graceland was
more mellow and introspective. Not a big surprise given PSimon's more quiet, literate music. In fact,
the party did not really get going until after a kitchen fire set off alarms and caused the theater to empty out on to the street. Several of the musicians followed the crowd
outside and created an impromptu drum-circle while waiting for the all-clear from the SFFD to
go back inside to continue the show. Then,
for the final number, PS's '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,' members of the audience
flocked to the stage to dance and drink with the entire ensemble. A memorable evening to say the least. (Stay tuned for more UP including an encore of Stand at the Fox and the upcoming UP does Bob Marley.)
