Wednesday, August 26, 2009

"Shatter My Image with the Stones I'd Throw"

Ask and you shall receive... from someone else.

A few people asked for a recording of my performance this past Monday in Flip Flop and my good friend Aaron from Go Away I'm Reading took a little video of "Jolene."

Thank you so much Aaron. Hope you guys enjoy it. And if you do, let me know. I haven't watched the entire clip yet. I have an extremely hard time watching myself on film and/or listening to myself.

Watching this clip, I cringe at every pound I've gained, every fey gesture I make and every sibilant "S" I utter. I described my video self to Philip a few minutes ago by saying, "I'm a house. I'm a really, faggy house!"

I know it's not that bad. I'm just being hard on myself (don't say it). It's the Bette Davis in me.

On one of her last appearances on "The Tonight Show," Bette Davis told Johnny that, early in her career, when she would watch herself in the dailies, she would cry. She would cry because she thought she was so ugly.

But years later, sitting on Carson's couch after the stroke that left her looking like one of the trees from "The Wizard of Oz," Ms. Davis said that she now watches those same pieces of film and realizes that she was, "the best damn looking woman in Hollywood!"

So, hindsight may be 20/20, but if you're lucky, there's a ton of Vaseline smeared on the lens.



Thanks again to Aaron for the video. I greatly appreciate it.

12 comments:

Aaron said...

It was my pleasure! You all were fab. I wish my camera hadn't putzed out so early, or I would have loved to catch your duet with Paul. That was marvy also!

Anonymous said...

I finally get to see Stephen sing. And it makes you sexier than ever. Damn those lucky Chicago boys...

My adventures said...

Fabulous!!!

Anonymous said...

Loved it! Thanks for sharing. Looks like a very fun night!

Polt said...

Should we ever end up in bed for a night of drunken debauchery, I want you to sing to me exactly like that. Well, without the guy playing guitar in the background, that might be a bit too creepy.

Great job. Love it!

HUGS....

philip said...

To Stephen: Great. As always. You're the only person who can sing cabaret and not make me want to break out the razor blades.

To the guy in the second row wearing a shirt with cut-off sleeves: If this is what you wear to the theatre, I'd hate to see what you wear to a barbeque.

Thank you, Jimminy Glick.
P.

Jim A. said...

Philip, FYI, the guy in the cut-off sleeves was one of the Sidetrack bartenders behind the bar that night. Working the guns for tips, I guess.

Thanks for two great performances, Stephen. I've had "Enough is Enough" in my head for days!

DBB said...

Well, who knew, you're cute, and you can sing. If you knew how to bake a pie, I'd leave my husband for your. Who by the way says he knew you waaaay back when.

Raechelle said...

Fantastic!
I have goosebumps.

You can read a person's blog and email with them, but you just don't really know them until you see them on video.

You're such a cutie!

TD said...

Bravo, Stephen! By far the most compelling rendition of that song I've heard.

Well done, sir!

Java said...

Ya' know, I've never heard that song before. What? I live under a rock.

Honey, I think your performance is fantastic. I didn't see too many fey gestures. And you certainly aren't "too gay." Please! I really wish I could have seen it in person.

Thank you, Aaron, for capturing it for posterity. Or something.

RG said...

That was AWESOME!