The Doors of the 21st Century
Sunfest
West Palm Beach, Florida
May 2, 2004
Palm Beach Post review
SunFest radiates with quality music
By Charles Passy, Palm Beach Post Arts Writer
Monday, May 3, 2004
WEST PALM BEACH -- Pick an idol, any idol.
SunFest's final-day edition put a variety of stars -- past, present and soon-to-explode -- on its three stages. The Sunday lineup played to the festival's something-for-everyone approach without negating quality, particularly in the case of a couple of afternoon acts.
The pick of the day had to be South African world-beat legend Johnny Clegg, making a rare appearance in South Florida on the 10th anniversary of his country's embrace of democracy. Clegg's afternoon show, which was capped by a surprise appearance by Palm Beach's resident musical great, Jimmy Buffett, offered a soulful demonstration of what happens when you mix South African rhythms with rock 'n' roll showmanship.
This wasn't world music watered down to suit a mainstream sensibility. Rather, it was a humble folk expression turned into a telling cross-cultural statement, both lyrically and musically. As he sang about his country's history of strife and its sheer natural beauty, Clegg seemed as much an instrument of peace as a musician. But the songs became all the more potent because the tunes have been retooled in a contemporary pop framework. It would be great to see SunFest bring this artist back.
The same goes for Joss Stone, the up-and-coming British soul diva. And given Stone's age -- she's a mere 17 years -- it's likely she'll have a chance to return. With her husky voice and play-it-cool demeanor, she understands what too many contemporary female singers (Britney, Christina, etc.) don't -- that true sexiness comes from within. Her afternoon set, which included her current hit, Fell in Love With a Boy, was all about focus and restraint. This is a career that should go very far.
But in a literal sense, the real idol of the day appeared closer to evening time. Ruben Studdard, the American Idol champ from last year, took to the stage around 5:30 -- and it seemed almost everyone who voted for him over Clay Aiken was there to show their continued support. (Note to SunFest: Next time you book someone this insanely popular, please put them on the larger stage. The closest many could get to Studdard was about two blocks away.)
Still, the live version of Studdard didn't always radiate the easy charm he showed on TV. He often pushed too hard vocally, robbing his "Velvet Teddy Bear" aesthetic of, well, the velvet. Instead, Studdard emphasized a more driving, R&B sound, with an occasional ballad thrown in. Such an approach, however, did put the "fest" in SunFest: And Studdard's versions of songs made famous by the Bee Gees (How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?) and the Carpenters (Superstar) were undeniably solid.
The evening closed with a return appearance to the area by the Doors of the 21st Century. For some, the Doors without Jim Morrison makes about as much sense as Journey without Steve Perry (oh wait, that was SunFest's Thursday edition). But the group, which still includes original members Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar), manages to just about pull it off thanks to Ian Astbury (formerly of the Cult), a singer who does a decent job of approximating Morrison's mystical presence.
If anything, the band's set, featuring such classics as Break On Through, Love Me Two Times and People Are Strange, was stronger than the one they delivered a year ago at Sound Advice Amphitheatre.
Perhaps that because in a festival setting, particularly on the final day, folks aren't about to question the authenticity of it all. They just want to rock. On that count, the Doors delivered.
(thanks, Tony, Don & Dan)
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