Janet Jackson at the Sydney Opera House, Saturday 5th November, 2011.
Reviewer rating:
Rating: 25 out of 5 stars
Janet Jackson
Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, November 5It is the dream of many an artist to play at the Sydney Opera House; to soak up the atmosphere of performing in one of the world’s iconic buildings and, for those used to playing enormodomes, a chance to let everyone get a decent look at them in a relatively intimate setting.
These factors certainly ring true with Janet Jackson, a pop star who, impressively, became one of the world’s biggest despite starting her career in the shadow of arguably the greatest ever, her brother Michael.
Advertisement: Story continues belowFor this tour, promisingly subtitled “Number Ones: Up Close and Personal”, she has dedicated a particular hit to every venue. Runaway, the song chosen for Sydney, not only namechecks Australia, its video, screened as an introduction to this show, features a classic shot of the Opera House.
The stage ostensibly set for something special, Jackson then gave us a nuance-free show she could have, and probably has, done in arenas all over the world: all dry ice, rigorously choreographed dance routines and song medleys rehearsed to such an extent that even her “spontaneous” laughter at certain points didn’t convince – let alone the issue of how much she was singing live.
Most disappointing of all, while we were closer to her than we ever might have hoped, there was little personal about any of it.
Without breaking character, she scowled her way through the breathless first act of upbeat ’80s R&B (including faithful takes on Miss You Much and Nasty), before softening for the near-laughable ballads of the second (heaven help those who not only learnt but still remember the lyrics to Let’s Wait Awhile).
After screening a showreel of clips from her acting career, things improved briefly as the effervescent, breezy melodies of Escapade and When I Think of You fought through a sound mix evidently unused to dealing with this kind of bombastic set. But still there was little in the way of genuine human connection.
Some might argue that I missed the point of this show. I would argue that Jackson did.
Janet Jackson plays her final show at the Concert Hall on Tuesday.
Comments
11 comments so far
Disgraceful review. Why review a singer you don't even like?
You reviewed Chris Cornell recently but I think all his songs and Soundgarden's songs are atrocious and near-laugable. But I wouldn't be the best person to review that gig. You should do the same with who you review.
Sean | Five Dock - November 07, 2011, 1:52PM
Well George, you had a very different experience from me. I was there Saturday night and thought she was AMAZING! Her band was fantastic, the dancers were great and Janet gave an amazing performance. This is the third time I have seen her live (twice in the 90s). I think the crowds reaction says it all. The Opera House was packed and everyone was on their feet screaming, shouting, clapping - the place went nuts for Janet! So, 2000+ happy concert-goers VS one reviewer. Good for you Georgey-boy.
Bea - November 07, 2011, 5:46PM
I think Janet Jackson's career is way past the point to even bother to mention she was in the shadow of Michael. Evidently her voice wasn't 100% on Saturday hence the cancellation on the Sunday, but she still was as professional an entertainer as she's always been. And 'near-laughable' ballads? Fans are reminiscing over 20 years of her music, I'm sure most of us there were enjoying the fact we could sing along with her, despite how relevant you might think her 20 year old song might be today.
Raych - November 07, 2011, 5:57PM
I agree - what a disgraceful review. You mentioned nothing about how she captivated the crowd and had everyone dancing and wanting more. As a journalist you are required to give an unbiased view of what actually took place - without emotion.
The concert was fantastic - and yes - everyone remember the words to most of her songs! Go Janet!
janet fan - November 07, 2011, 6:52PM
I reckon that George Unpronouncable has a good knowledge of Janet Jackson's repertoire and he can spot a bit of lip syncing from the Opera Hous bleachers.
Ms Jackson has clearly the stage presence of a muppet but I understand that her charismatic connection with her fans reached a new high when she didn't turn up for the next concert.
Spidey's Wild Ride | Newtown - November 07, 2011, 9:07PM
I find it funny how in your review you written "rigorously choreographed dance routines". Have you ever thought that her fanbase love that? I am a Janet fan because of her dancing. I went to her concert to see her "rigorously choreographed dance routines" That is what i look for in a janet concert. I grew up being in awe of her dancing and i know all of Janet's dance moves. Janet inspired me to want to be a dancer. Not MJ. I am not a MJ fan but I am a JJ fan and I would be very disappointed if she didn't do her signature dance Moves!! For Us Janet Fans. it is Awesome to know that she is doing her signature dance moves and iam looking forward to Tuesdays show and watching the Audience do her signature dance moves with her!
FunFunFun - November 07, 2011, 11:14PM
My hubby and I went to the concert and agree with your review. We were excited indeed, having scored the tickets early. The room was electric with fans, but the fact that she came on late and the sound of the band overshadowed the volume of her voice was unforgivable in a venue such as this. Yes the crowd was buzzing, but Jackson did not support this with a superlative performance. Everyone had fun, but I felt that it was because they were there in the Opera house and Janet was there in person, rather than because musical greatness was being made. It was a reaction to the fame and being able to sing along with favourite songs rather than due to a great concert (And boy have there been some great concerts in recent years)
Posing and staring at the crowd without humility is also very hard for this aussie to take.
I Love Concerts, but this one was flat | Australia - November 08, 2011, 7:35AM
George Palathingal I feel his approach was not professional in fact he sounded uneducated. His comments did not display someone who can put personal feelings aside and write a review on a topic. This looks to be a racial attack as so many artists cancel tours all the time but they don't seem to cop this type of grief. I don't blame Janet Jackson for cancelling her tour as she didn't receive the hospitality she should of, but Kim Kardashian was paid millions to be here considering she is talented and famous for????????? go figure!
In conclusion good on you Janet for cancelling your tour!
aml1988 - November 08, 2011, 9:17AM
aml1988, regardless of your opinion on the concert, you really shouldn't be making comments about a journalists lack of education. Try using a comma, perhaps.
I also don't see how this review could be considered a 'racial attack' on Janet Jackson, and I think that whenever an artist cancels a tour there is always a significant (and probably justified) backlash.
Regarding the concert, I thought it was OK, but wasn't blown away.
drh | mebourne - November 08, 2011, 10:13AM
For those people who are lucky enough to see JJ Tuesday 8 Nov ... I hope you enjoy the show.
My friends and I were unfortunate enough to have reserved Sunday tkts. I thought she was a seasoned performer to at least show herself to her fans instead of cancelling one hour before the show and not replacing it with another ... so to those who saw her on Saturday 5 Nov ... at least who witnessed her perform.
I still appreciate her talent but I'm utterly gutted that her show was cancelled on Sunday without a replacement date!
Luveely | Sydney - November 08, 2011, 4:32PM
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/up-close-but-not-personal-20111107-...
No comments:
Post a Comment