John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's gender-bending, heartbreaking musical soundtrack, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, has already become something of a cult classic, particularly with indie-rockers, so Wig in a Box: Songs From and Inspired by Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which features artists ranging from Yoko Ono to They Might Be Giants, brings the phenomenon full circle. Hedwig's mix of punk, glam, pop, and sweet ballads leaves plenty of room for interpretation, and fortunately the cast of artists that participate in this project have strong enough musical identities that the album doesn't devolve into a karaoke party for hipsters. Even though Wig in a Box does have its share of pleasant-enough renditions, such as Rufus Wainwright's and Jonathan Richman's versions of "The Origin of Love" that bookend the album, and Imperial Teen's synth-poppy take on "Freaks," the collection has more than enough great performances to make it worthwhile for Hedwig fans, as well as fans of the artists here. Many of the best performances make the most of the fluidity of gender and sexuality that Hedwig and the Angry Inch revolves around: Sleater-Kinney and Fred Schneider's "Angry Inch" uses Corin Tucker's ferocious wail to depict the horror of Hedwig's botched sex change operation, and Scheider's bitchy delivery for bon mots like "I was bleeding from the gash between my legs -- it's my first day as a woman and already it's that time of the month?" Frank Black's "Sugar Daddy," which sounds like some twisted relation of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," is one of the album's most vibrant songs, reclaiming some of the Pixies' subversiveness as Black enthuses about "the thrill of control" and snarls, "You buy me that dress and I'll be more woman than you can stand." Black's former bandmate Kim Deal scores another of the album's highlights on the Breeders' "Wicked Little Town," which captures the tentative, elliptical beauty of Title TK in a wonderfully warm and intimate performance. Ben Kweller, Ben Folds, and Ben Lee's response version of the song is nearly as good, with Kweller's vulnerable singing playing Tommy Gnosis to Deal's Hedwig. The Polyphonic Spree and Spoon are responsible for two of the album's best, and most different moments, with the Spree's ecstatic version of "Wig in a Box" suiting both the song and their style to a 'T', and Spoon's "Tear Me Down" recalling the tension and fury of the Who and the Rolling Stones in their prime. Yoko Ono and Yo La Tengo's "Hedwig's Lament / Exquisite Corpse" strikes a similar chord, moving from ghostly, nearly alien vocals and music into fierce punk. On the other hand, They Might Be Giants' bittersweet "The Long Grift" makes nearly as much impact with a lot less volume. The collection's new songs, Robyn Hitchcock's tense but sweet "City of Women," and John Cameron Mitchell & Stephen Trask's "Milford Lake," also go in a surprisingly subdued direction. The album's only true stumble is Bob Mould's dance version of "Nailed," which tries to take the song's eroticism in the clubby direction of his latest work. While it's not entirely successful, it is unique. Fortunately, nearly all of Wig in a Box is both unique and successful, and considering that its proceeds go to the Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk School, a place of learning and counseling for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, the album's cause and its music are both worthwhile. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi
Label: Off Records
Deborah Martin and Jill Haley Release 'INTO THE QUIET' Album
by Blair Ingenthron
- May 27, 2023
Into The Quiet is the second collaboration between electronic ambient visionary Deborah Martin and renowned English Horn player and Oboist Jill Haley. Their previous album was 2021's The Silence Of Grace, a pastoral collection that received numerous accolades including Zone Music Reporter's list of Top 20 albums of the year.
Sylvie Courvoisier & Cory Smythe Release New Album 'RITE OF SPRING - SPECTRE D'UN SONGE'
by Blair Ingenthron
- May 20, 2023
With The Rite of Spring – Spectre d’un songe, two of contemporary music’s most vital and innovative pianists – Sylvie Courvoisier and Cory Smythe – interpret and converse with one of the 20th century’s landmark compositions. On this breathtaking new recording, released May 19, 2023 from Pyroclastic Records, Courvoisier and Smythe perform Igor Stravinsky’s striking two-piano rendition of his iconic Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), followed by a bold new Courvoisier composition that draws inspiration from Stravinsky as a launchpad for investigatory improvisation.
THE GUAVA TREE, A New Bilingual Musical For Young Audiences, Releases Cast Album
by Blair Ingenthron
- May 20, 2023
The official cast album for The Guava Tree / El Guayabo, a new bilingual musical for young audiences, is available digitally on all platforms. With book and lyrics by Diana Grisanti and music by Emiliano Messiez, the musical premiered at the renowned Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado in 2021. It toured across the Southwest and was seen by more than 40,000 students.
Listen: Matthew Scott's THE JESUS YEAR: A LETTER FROM MY DAD Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- May 19, 2023
PS CLASSICS, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, has announced the release of the debut album from actor-singer Matthew Scott, who has been lighting up the Broadway stage since making his debut in Jersey Boys.
Author Mike McHale Launches Monthly #DinoDogzDonates Program
by Blair Ingenthron
- May 13, 2023
Mystery Mike McHale and DinoDogz have announced the launch of their new fundraising program, DinoDogz has previously raised funds for various charities including WORTHY OF LOVE, TUESDAY'S CHILDREN and BELLA AND BUDDIES ANIMAL RESCUE through the sales of their first book DinoDogz: Eggzellent Adventure which is the first in a series.
Video: Patrick Pacheco Opens Up About Putting Pen to Paper with Chita Rivera
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge
- May 09, 2023
She was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero—until the entertainment world renamed her. But Dolores—the irreverent side of the sensual, dark and ferocious Chita—was always present center stage, and was influential in creating some of Broadway most iconic and acclaimed roles, including Anita in West Side Story‚ the part that made her a star—Rosie in Bye Bye, Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. In this video, watch as co-author Patrick Pacheco chats with Richard Ridge about the new memoir!
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