Suzanne Vega

Posted by lissa (New York, United States) on 8 September 2007 in People & Portraits and Portfolio.

August 24, 2007, J&R's Musicfest at City Hall Park

It was a hot and sunny day. As I walked towards the park, I can see a crowd has formed around the stage. I did have to wait an hour and some minutes before Suzanne Vega performed. There were two other artist before her who I was not familiar with. The crowd empty out as the second artist ended his performance. I think they were different audience with different musical taste. There was at least a twenty minute wait as the equipments were being set up. Still there were many people and they cheered as Ms. Vega appeared on stage.

She was a redhead beauty in complete black with a sparkling band around the neckline of the shirt she was wearing, exposing her white, long arms. Her red hair, short and loose, shined in the overhead lights. It was almost dark, maybe seven o'clock. Surrounded by instruments and other musicians, Ms. Vega shined brightly with her sweet smile and her clear voice. She made a few jokes and notes about some of some of the songs. The crowd cheered as she started and ended each song. The speaker was extremely loud but I was standing a few inches from it - much too close.

As the evening got darker, she performed songs from her new album, Beauty & Crime and some from a few, maybe even a decade ago. Still they sounded like new. Ms. Vega's voice still very lively and fresh.

I had to stop taking pictures towards the end of the evening as my camera battery was running out. It seem to last only a mere eight hours. I did charged the battery the night before. Maybe I should have brought that extra battery but I rarely use the camera this long. I was taking shots all day. The last shots of Ms. Vega were all fuzzy but they have a nice effect to them. I guess some camera functions does not function if the battery is very low. That's why one of the image is blurry - I like that particular image anyway. I tried to preserve the battery length by turning the camera off and only turn it on when I see a moment that needs to be capture. Above are the better results before the battery died down.

Some tall guy kept blocking my way and I had to move several times and he almost step on me. He didn't even notice I was even there. Several times I cursed at him but got no respond. Being as short as I am (barely reaching five feet), I just couldn't get a decent spot to take shots. If only I was ten inches taller. But I did managed to get a few good shots even if everyone kept blocking my view. I tried to enjoy the music but I had to keep moving around to see Ms. Vega.

The sound quality - that is the speaker - was having problems on the last song of the evening which was "Tom's diner" done in the DNA remix style. The speaker beat out big boom sounds and Ms. Vega continued on even when she noticed the sound. I can't be sure what was going on but I did hear a booming sound from the speaker and even a sort of electrical short sound. I had to covered my ears as I was too close to the speakers. Ms. Vega managed to finished the song with a genuine smile and heartfelt thanks as she walked off stage.

It got dark and the streetlights got turned on. I walked as fast as I can across the streets to waited in yet another line to get my Suzanne Vega album signed. I had purchased the album in the afternoon before the concert. Other people had to buy their album, so I had save a little time. Still there was more waiting. It was surreal as all the shops were closed and the only one open was J&R's music department. There wasn't many people waiting but then I didn't stick around to see.

What do you say to a total stranger? I like her music but I was too star-struck to say anything but "Thanks" as she signed my cd booklet of the album. I think she said "Thanks." But I wasn't really paying attention. I think I was distracted by her eyes. What is there to say when you don't know the person? It was still a thrill to see her. I had seen her in the late nineties for her other album release but forgotten which album it was. She was beautiful then and still quite beautiful now. I saw a guy with a record of her Solitude Standing album. He was black and young, wearing all black. He also didn't said much as his record was being signed by Ms. Vega. I wonder what he was thinking as he doesn't appeared to be smiling, looking down as he walked away and out into the streets.

This entry is for Photohunt: music.