"A Pryor Experience"

Last night, I attended an MS benefit concert in Baltimore. Star of the show was Rain Pryor, daughter of the late Richard Pryor.

The 'one-woman show' was a collaborative effort between Rain and the Keith Killgo Jazz Quartet in the style of Jazz Cabaret. Keith served both as bandleader and music director. The Quartet presented some straight forward jazz complete with requisite riffs. The audience seemed most impressed with solos played by Anthony on tenor and alto saxes.

Rain's comedy combined elements of life with her father and life as a new mom. She poked fun at the cultural differences between life in LA versus Baltimore, as well as discussing physical changes to her body since the birth of her daughter, Lotus Marie.

Having portrayed Billie Holiday in The Billie Holiday Story and Ella Fitzgerald in Ella, Meet Marilyn, Rain draws upon her study of some of the greatest female jazz artists of the 20th century. I particularly enjoyed "I'm beginning to see the light" as sung by Ella Fitzgerald and "Everything must change" as sung by Barbra Streisand. But overall, Rain's style reminded me of Bette Midler with her jazzy mezzo-soprano voice.

One unfortunate aspect of the show had to do with the sound engineering. As my friend Sharon was able to procure front-row seats, I had ample view of the side wings of the backstage area in addition to the performers on stage. Just off stage left was the sound engineer himself controlling the lights and maintaining the mix. Perhaps if he had been positioned in the back of the auditorium, he would have realized that the band level was too high and that Rain's level was too low coming through the low speakers upstage.

Since I was so close, I could hear Rain belting it out (not struggling, but full voice) above even the speakers, however those in the audience farther back reported having difficulty hearing Rain. This was something which should have been addressed in a sound check or adjusted immediately during the show.

I'm happy to report that I enjoyed myself and that my Sweetie averted being nearly coerced into singing during the encore. Although I haven't witnessed it, I'm told that he has participated in karaoke and Sharon confirmed that fact. Maybe someday.

So I leave you with this thought:

Everything Must Change
Everything must change
nothing stays the same
everyone must change
no one stays the same

the young become the old
and mysteries do unfold
cause that's the way of time
nothing and no one goes unchanged

there are not many things in life
you can be sure of
except rain comes from the clouds
sun lights up the sky
and hummingbirds do fly

winter turns to spring
a wounded heart will heal
but never much too soon
yes everything must change

the young become the old
and mysteries do unfold
cause that's the way of time
nothing and no one goes unchanged

there are not many things in life
you can be sure of
except rain comes from the clouds
sun lights up the sky
and butterflies do fly

rain comes from the clouds
sun lights up the sky
and music
and music
makes me cry

(lyrics by Bernard Ighner)