Laurie Anderson is in London for four nights to perform her latest work, Delusion, at the Barbican. The Evening Standard says "Anderson drew us into her dream-like world and fed us stories, poetic anecdotes, observations and meditations" through to the "bold, exciting ending." The Guardian, Times (UK), and Financial Times each give it four stars. She spoke with the BBC about the show and her new album, Homeland, from which will sign copies of a limited-edition vinyl single on Record Store Day, Saturday.
Laurie Anderson is in London this week for a four-night residency at the Barbican Theater, where she will perform her latest piece, Delusion. Performances began last night and run through Saturday.
For the full length of this 90-minute show, says the Evening Standard, "Laurie Anderson drew us into her dream-like world and fed us stories, poetic anecdotes, observations and meditations." Reviewer Sue Seward says the various elements multimedia event came together as a cohesive piece: "Haunting shrieks, folk-like drones, multiple voices and merging colours constantly matched the sensational visuals racing across the screens and on to the sofa where Anderson sat."
That "dream-like world" of Delusion comes to a rewarding conclusion, for which, says Seward, Anderson has crafted "a bold, exciting ending to a multi-sensory experience."
Read the complete concert review at thisislondon.co.uk.
---
The Guardian gives the "affectingly personal" piece four stars. "Ranging from quizzical to sorrowful to wry, Anderson's stories feel at once diffuse and acute, meandering across thoughts and images, then pulling up sharp with an acerbic epigram," says reviewer Maddy Costa. "The soundtrack has this energy, too." Read the review at guardian.co.uk.
---
The Financial Times gives it four stars as well saying Anderson, "expert storyteller that she is, she works her magic, and the piece, with
its contradictions, shafts of insight and splinters of wit lingers with
you, long after the event, like a powerful dream." Read more at ft.com.
---
The night before the opening performance, Anderson appeared on BBC Radio 3's Night Waves, on which she spoke with host Matthew Sweet about the very personal roots of Delusion. You can listen to the episode online at bbc.co.uk.
She had appeared on BBC Radio 4's Start the Week on Monday to discuss the residency as well as her forthcoming Nonesuch release, Homeland, due out June 22. Anderson speak a bit about Fenway Begamot, the male alter ego who appears on the album. That can also be found at bbc.co.uk.
Speaking of Bergamot, he has now joined the world of social media and is now on Facebook. To follow all the latest news from the man featured on the cover of Homeland, become a fan today.
---
While in London, Anderson will make a rare in-store appearance at Rough Trade East this Saturday to celebrate Record Store Day. She will be there to discuss Homeland and to sign copies of a limited-edition 12” single featuring the album track "Only an Expert." The single also includes the non-album track "Pictures and Things," featuring Antony Hegarty. "Only an Expert" was given its first on-air play last weekend when she visited Jarvis Cocker for his Sunday Service show on BBC 6 Music, for which Anderson also read a story about her beloved dog Lolabelle. That show is also available online at bbc.co.uk; the segment begins about an hour and 13 minutes in.
- Log in to post comments
