During the late Winter/early Spring of 2003, a handful of live shows of interest to the LGBT community could be found on stages across the country. From Margaret Cho to Ellen DeGeneres and from Linda Eder to Erasure, there has been almost something for every queer person. One of the most eagerly anticipated of these shows was the solo concert debut by Annie Lennox, at the Shubert Theater April 1, and it is safe to say that she did not disappoint.
Projected on a scrim, in an eye-pleasing font, were the words 'Solo 2003,' driving home the point that Annie Lennox was going to be performing live without longtime Eurythmics band-mate David A. Stewart. As the theater went dark, and blue and purple lights cut through the manufactured smoke, Lennox's five-piece backing band and three female backing vocalists took the stage. Annie Lennox then entered to a standing ovation, wearing a double-breasted black leather car-coat length coat and a black scarf around her neck, her short, bleach blonde hair covered by black-knit cap at a jaunty angle.
The first song of the evening was an uplifting version of 'Money Can't Buy It,' from 1992's Diva. 'Have Mercy On Me,' another song from Diva, followed, and Lennox waved her hands in the air like a woman testifying. Under the leather coat, she was wearing a short-sleeved, sheer brown blouse with shiny and reflective pieces sewn into it. Her ill-fitting black slacks were decorated, below the calf, with buttons on the outer seam.
The whole house was on their feet as Lennox tore into 'Little Bird,' her voice strong and her body moving with the beats. The next song was a new one from her forthcoming J Records album Bare, which ends with the line 'that is everything I have to say.' To the contrary, Lennox clearly had more to say, as she performed 'No More 'I Love Yous'.' With the audience still on their feet, and clearly in the mood to dance, Lennox sang 'Walking On Broken Glass.' Lennox appeared to be enjoying herself onstage, dancing when the spirit hit her. When I commented to my partner that she danced like a middle-aged woman with rhythm, he complimented her by saying that she looked like 'a cool middle-aged woman with rhythm.'
With a small spotlight cutting through the smoke, Lennox sang another new song, which changed tempos midway through, and contained the lines 'Where is my comfort zone/a simple place to call my own.' You might have thought that her comfort zone was on stage as she effortlessly segued into the mid-tempo 'Honestly,' another new song. For this song, a string of bare light-bulbs hung above her head, illuminating the diva from a different angle.
Her dramatic rendition of 'Cold' (also from Diva), with its gospel flair, earned Lennox another standing ovation. As the band left the stage, the word 'Pause' was projected on the scrim, and a baby grand piano was wheeled out onto the stage. Lennox addressed the audience, telling them about the tour being her first solo excursion. She said that she writes all of her songs on piano, and as she seated herself on the piano bench, confessed that she was getting over her fear of playing in public for the tour. Her piano and vocal rendition of 'Here Comes The Rain Again' was truly something to behold.
The band and backing vocalists returned for an empowering take on 'Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves,' in which each of the backing vocalists had a solo. At the end of the song, Lennox declared, 'Independent! Liberated! Yes!' After a group effort such as this, it was the perfect time for Lennox to do the band introductions. A pair of Eurythmics songs, 'Who's That Girl?' and 'You Have Put a Chill In My Heart,' preceded 'Don't Let It Bring You Down,' a song from Medusa. 'Wonderful,' my favorite of the new material, sounds like a vintage soul tune, and it came next.
For 'Would I Lie To You?,' Lennox removed her hat and threw herself into the number, which ended the set.
For the hard-rocking encore, Lennox changed into a sleeveless silver top and ripped into retro favorites such as 'Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This,' 'Missionary Man' (which was a clue on Jeopardy earlier in the week) and 'I Need A Man.' Returning to the stage for the second and final encore of the night, in a long, supple, dark leather coat, Lennox rewarded her devoted fans with a stunning rendition of 'Why.'
