...nwood...

I try not to post too much by the same artist, but it would be wrong not to make some mention of Sufjan Steven's performance at Zellerbach last night. The quantity of artistic expression was daunting. Sufjan was joined by members of the Pacific Mozart Ensemble which included 6-8 strings, a five piece brass section and a twenty voice chorus. There were somewhere around 36 people on stage for two solid hours of music. This show resembled more a symphonic pastiche of overtures and laments than a rock concert. Adding to the theatrics, the instrumentalists all paraded on stage wearing hybrid bird-butterfly costumes. Sufjan looked mystical and angelic as he rocked back and forth while playing guitar - wings flapping behind him in slow motion. In another pensive moment at the piano with bowed head, his wings folded forward suggesting...bear with me...reverse metamorphosis to traumatic experiences of a larval childhood.

Photo: Sara Hana: http://flickr.com/photos/sarahana/

The second tune of the evening was my personal favorite The Man of Metropolis Steals our Hearts. With the video screen trumpeting the Superman logo the voices soared into the chorus celebrating the "Man of Steel, Man of Heart"...and [fade up house lights] arm-loads of 3-foot-tall Superman blow-up dolls were dumped on the audience from the balcony. (The smell of new plastic inflatables lingered for a few songs...reminding me of...well, nevermind.) A similar appearance of inflatable (squeaking) Santa Clauses came late in the show during That was the Worst Christmas Ever!

Photo: Sara Hana: http://flickr.com/photos/sarahana/

I don't have time to go into detail about the music itself, but some high points included the new 10 minute epic Majesty, Snowbird and a particularly passionate rendering of Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head!, an ode to Sufjan's birth city.