Musky, husky, dark, mad cabaret
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Seeing Patti Plinko and her Boy at the Edinburgh Festival was such a treat. Her cabaret act, strumming mercilessly on the ukelele, whilst looking adoringly at her fellow artist, dressed in a boiler suite was earth shattering. Patti is husky and yelpy, refers to screaming songs out at the audience and is as at home playing whisky bottles as she is musical instruments. She wore modest 50s dresses with massive burgundy boots and, in one song, dressed at Sophia Loren (admitting her attire came entirely from Primark).
The stage was backed with a curious looking bamboo screen, with faded photos pegged up alongside lanterns and a picture of the Madonna surrounded by fairy lights. I loved it, even if it was slightly David Lynch.
To say the performance was energetic, was to do her down. Don't take my word for it, see for yourself. You will either love it or hate it, there is no middle ground. When the audience came into the tiny theatre, the three musicians were lying around on the stage and remained acting as if they were dead through the first song. Alternative, YES and wonderful. She may not be a classically trained musician, but, if I could live my life again, I would like to come back as Patti Plinko.
Posts
Saturday, August 22, 2009 11:06:00 PM
Uke! She's great!
Sunday, August 23, 2009 5:59:00 AM
Yes, loved it. I'd never heard of her.
I hate nothing more than perfect, plastic music. Give me the foibles of live, slightly barking passionate musicians any day.
Sunday, August 23, 2009 10:48:00 AM
GVH: Isn't she tremendous? I want to see her and Britney Spears on the same stage lol. I think PP would make BS spontaneously combust within seconds.
Oh, and the guitarist in the clip is wearing a gas mask. He like to remain anonymous, you see ;)).
She first performed in a dingy basement bar at last year's festival and now she's in the Assembly Rooms in George Street.
JJ Beattie: Have a look out for performances near you, she's more gilded, chipped enamel with sinister black swirls than she is plastic. I loved it when you said, "give me the foibles of live, slightly barking passionate musicians any day." That's exactly how I felt.
I relished her for being so down to earth. They admitted that they had smoked so heavily before coming on stage that they were totally puffed out by the end of the first song. Yet they still kept going with great gusto.
Monday, August 24, 2009 11:22:00 AM
I'd never heard of her either but I loved it too!!
I'll certainly keep a look out (although I might have to find someone to come along with me....I don't think I could persuade Chris!!)
C x
Monday, August 24, 2009 2:24:00 PM
Yes, but the boys have started wondering round saying "Cecilia Johnston, Cecilia Johnston" in wee Scotterish Noel Coward accents.
Sometimes, I can see where they get it from.
Love you're new header, BTW
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:51:00 AM
Carol: What a shame we can't go along together, we'd have a great laugh. Bobo and I are going to see another festival show, Camille, which is apparently very similar.
McBobo: I really didn't expect the boys to like her, but they do. I think the randomness and funny sound effects she makes really appeal to the younger, sillier audience lol.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:16:00 PM
Not quite my cup of tea. If I could live my life again, I'd prefer to be Fiona Apple. Or Sheryl Crow. And in a fabulous Primark ensemble, natch.
Thursday, August 27, 2009 6:55:00 PM
Nick: Primark is so you Nick, just think of all the outfit choices you would have.