Lady Gaga: A Talent for All Boroughs

March 28, 2017 by Al Pereira

Never one to do things on a small scale, it’s no surprise that Lady Gaga chose the New York Mets’ 42,000-seat venue baseball stadium to stage a pair of shows this summer. Still, only a small fraction of the more than two million callers who flooded the request lines when the shows were announced will be able to attend. That said, Gaga will own that “other” borough on August 28-29 and we here at Brooklyn Roads salute her.

Lady Gaga at the Super Bowl LI piano / photo by Al Pereira

I was fortunate enough to see her in person at Super Bowl LI in February, where her commanding halftime performance helped to boost the telecast into the top five of all time. If you weren’t one of the 111 million who were tuned in to the broadcast, here’s some of what you missed.

Lady Gaga Romps and Stomps at Super Bowl LI / photo by Al Pereira

Lady Gaga started her night in the heavens, descending to the stage on wires. Then after romping and stomping through a number of her hits, she stood at her piano, alone, which is where she truly shines. The wild outfits and flashy dance routines are compelling, but underneath it all, Ms. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta of Manhattan is an incredible singer with a wounded heart that beats during ballads.

Lady Gaga Gets Underway at Super Bowl LI / photo by Al Pereira

After years of shocking the public into seeing what her latest fashion train wreck might entail, she shifted back to her roots, dueting first with no less a celestial being than Tony Bennett before gliding back into her domineering singer-songwriter persona. Her latest album, Joanne, is, like all her other releases (and her choppy dance moves and public statements), an inclusive event and one that is welcome given the current national climate.

Her Super Bowl performance began with a subtle protest — singing a bit of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” which may have been lost on some (though not on Woody’s granddaughter Sarah Lee Guthrie nor folk icon Tom Paxton, who both reportedly lauded Gaga’s effort). She then progressed to a stage full of glittery and slightly awkward participants. The message was, “We’re all in this together” — which is always the story with Lady Gaga.

It’s a shame that she’s only going to do two nights in our sister borough come this summer. Here’s hoping that a residency at MCU Park or Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk is in her — and our — future. We’ll be “Dancin’ in Circles” until that happens.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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