Sweltering Culture
Attending concerts at Central Park SummerStage is both a thrill and a test of endurance. Many artists would not otherwise be discovered by mainstream audiences other than by those who gravitate to the park during the seasonsuch last years as Israels Idan Raichel Project, who won over many new fans with their mix of Middle Eastern sounds with pop sensibilities.
Enjoying the concerts is not for the faint of heart, however: Long lines, eye-bulging temperatures, overpriced drinks and rowdy fans can make for an uncomfortable experience. But dont let that scare you away: Its a pleasurable way to spend weekend days (and nights) with friends or simply on your own.
This years lineup, once again, is diverse enough to please all crowds, but the organizers also focused on local acts that have gained national attention, such as the amazing Bronx-born soul singer Stephanie McKay (June 13) and the trans-generational indie faves, Vampire Weekend (June 14). World Music fans will appreciate the work of Israeli classically trained pianist-turned-folksinger Yael Naim (June 22), who scored a hit in Europe with her cover of Britney Spears Toxic reworked as a sexy piano ballad.
Latin artists have always had significant presence at SummerStage, but this year the schedule shows an impressive array, including Mexican singer Julieta Venegas, avant-garde metal band Plastilina Mosh (both on July 12 as part of the LAMC), Cuban-American salsa master José Conde (July 13), Brooklyns own Pistolera (August 9), Tex-Mex alt-rock trio Los Lonely Boys and one of the biggest acts in the jam-Latin scene, Los Lobos (August 14).
After a period featuring little-known acts, Brazil is well represented this time around with the presence of Maria Rita Mariano (August 10), one of the biggest stars in that countrys contemporary music scene. The daughter of pianist/arranger Cesar Camargo Mariano and the late Elis Regina, she has made her own mark by singing pop-flavored songs with a jazzy feel, being backed simply by piano, acoustic bass and drums. On her third CD, Samba Meu she shifted gears a bit by recording a selection of sambas written by various new Brazilian songwriters.
Also hailing from the land of Jobim, Dance Brazil (August 1) is credited with introducing capoeira, the famous dance/martial art that combines elements from African and Brazilian beats with carefully crafted moves that are often showcased at Union Square and other parks around the city as the weather warms up.
Its not easy to follow in the footsteps of a legend, but Vieux Farka Touré (June 28), the son of the sadly departed Ali Farka Touré, carries his fathers torch with honor. On his 2006 self-titled debut, he displayed his own musical talent and guitar technique, which earned him a place on the recently released In The Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2, where he took ownership of Bullet The Blue Sky.
The West Coast–based Dengue Fever (July 5) combines elements of Cambodian disco with psychedelic rock, resulting in a musical mix that is both familiar and moving. Founded by keyboardist Ethan Holzman after a visit to Cambodia in 1997, they started out playing to an indie-rock crowd, and over time they began to go out into the World Music market. Vocalist Chhom Nimols has a high-pitched voice that complements the songs perfectly. On previous discs, the band only featured tunes in Nimols native Khmer but began to include tunes in English on their latest release, Venus On Earth.
Whether serving as bandleader or sideman, theres nary a genre Harlem-bred Taj Mahal (July 28) hasnt covered in his long career. Hes collaborated with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Muddy Waters and Ry Cooder and explored Caribbean, Latin, zydeco and jazz, all powered by his solid blues foundation. His willingness to extend his musical boundaries and work independently has paid off: He was honored with two Grammys for Best Contemporary Blues Album, one in 1997 (Señor Blues) and another in 2000 (Shoutin in Key).
In addition to the music, spoken word and dance acts, there will also be several screenings, including The Harder They Come (starring Jimmy Cliff, July 10), and The House of Tom-Mundo, Monde, Mondo (August 10), a documentary on the life of bossa nova innovator Antonio Carlos Jobim directed by his widow, Ana Jobim.