TransVocalizers — “Kiki & Herb Will Die For You” CD review

Kiki & Herb Will Die For You CD review
Kiki & Herb (Justin Vivian Bond and Kenny Mellman)

Earlier this year, in fact back at the start of the year in January, an interview with Justin Vivian Bond appeared in this column. A review of v’s album Dendrphile was presented in February, and Bond’s most recent project, Silver Wells was also reviewed in July. During all the background research that it took to make for interesting columns, the mention of a previous act of Bond’s, Kiki & Herb, was made.

For those who are possibly unfamiliar with Kiki & Herb, the act was a duo that featured Bond as an aging, alcoholic lounge singer named Kiki DuRane, and Kenny Mellman as Herb, Kiki’s gay piano player. They developed quite an extensive fictional biography that had the characters in their 70s, and were either ready to die or to keep touring.

Bond and Mellman began working together in 1989 and put the Kiki & Herb act together while in San Francisco in 1990. As such, they have toured both the U.S. and Europe extensively. Their first album release was a Christmas project entitled Do You Hear What We Hear? in 2000. The project that we’re reviewing now, Kiki & Herb Will Die For You At Carnegie Hall, was recorded live during a one night only show on September 19, 2004. It is a two disc set and is comprised of mostly original material, extended monologues from Kiki and some bit’s and pieces of popular tunes.

On the first disc, one of the standout tracks is A Lover Spurned. This is almost a theatrical play in itself, and Kiki’s spoken part about being the odd-lover out, is worth the price of the project.

[mp3t track="A_Lover_Spurned.mp3" title="A Lover Spurned” bold=”y”]

Keep in mind that the concept of political correctness was just getting up and running in 2004, and Kiki holds nothing to be sacred or politically correct at all. She takes shots at a wide variety of targets, including Grace Kelly, Jews, cruise ships, Billie Holiday, President Bush, the war on drugs, the Vietnam war, silence, beatniks, and Christianity in general. Another good example of going after everything and anything is the spoken word intro, Yasaweh, which comes before the song Has Anyone Ever Written Anything About You. While the liberal use of the word “retard” might be even more offensive to some than anything else Kiki says, it’s another example her ability to go after anyone. While the monologue itself is somewhat convoluted, it does have a point.

[mp3t track=”has_anyone.mp3″ title=”Has Anyone Ever Written Anything About You” bold=”y”]

Another standout track on the first disc is I Was Meant For The Stage. This is probably Bond’s most dynamic vocal delivery at this point in the show. This is followed by No Children, a sort of theatrical show tune, a duet with Mellman that carries on the theme of death that seems to permeate the project.

Before going on to disc two of the set, this would be a good time to discuss the aforementioned theme of death that weaves its way throughout the project. The title alone, Kiki & Herb Will Die For You, only scratches the surface. Bond as Kiki presents a version of the duo’s history that spans decades and includes everything from major tours to stints on cruise ships. The fact that they’re getting older is never far from the character’s mind. In the insert that accompanies the CD package, there is a brief bio, written by Doug Wright, entitled On Two Lifetimes Spent Dying. The fact that Kiki And Herb had been around seemingly forever and probably would remain working for a long time is best summed up in this paragraph from Wright’s bio:

“…Kiki and Herb tragically outlived their own fleeting stab at fame and fortune, only to become has-beens, come-back addicts, great lumbering dinosaurs, galumphing through the wreckageof American Popular Culture, feeding on the sorry detritus of other, more talented acts than their own, forced to endure an ever-dwindling twilight of one-night gigs in cheap dives, selling the occasional blood pint, and restraining orders, often filed by audience members they didn’t even know. Unable to die in life, they died-again and again-on stages stretching from Pittsville to Piscataway.”

On disc two, there is a brief moment from The Pina Colada Song, which leads right into Institutionalized. This contains yet another brilliant monologue and stage presentation that is truly chaotic yet manages to hold the entire thing together. There is one unforgettable line in the song: “save me from the enemy, myself.”

Another standout on the second disc is The Revolution Medley. Once again, very chaotic, sort of a rambling presentation that somehow manages to work and draw the live audience into being a part of the insanity that is Kiki And Herb.

Throughout the duration of the project, bits and pieces of other songs are often used as set-ups for something else. When Doves Cry, The Windmills Of My Mind, are good examples. Bond/Kiki does include well known tunes such as Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Those Were The Days in their entirety and they work well within the context of the evening.

One thing that held my attention throughout the two disc set was Kenny “Herb” Mellman’s piano playing. He is an excellent musician. The timing between he and Bond is remarkable. It’s either the result of incredible chemistry, long hours of rehearsal, or a combination of both.

Mellman has the ability to always provide the proper musical platform for Bond’s theatrics and monologues, as well as the vocals. The intensity rises and falls perfectly. The background music that Mellman produces reminds me of the few times I’ve seen a silent movie with great mood setting piano or organ. Mellman is most definitely a gem of a musician, and obviously very underrated, considering his timing and chops.

Kiki & Herb Will Die For You At Carnegie Hall is an interesting look at a moment in time during the careers of both Bond and Mellman. Since that time, they did go on hiatus for a while, but it didn’t last long. Since 2005, they’ve been touring and have been presenting shows in the New York area as well. DVDs are also available.

While the presentation of Kiki & Herb….Carnegie Hall is chaotic and in-your-face brash, it’s exactly what their audience wanted. Obviously, no one was disappointed that night, and thankfully we have been provided with a record of a historical moment in cabaret/drag entertainment. This should be in the collection of anyone who loves great theatrical moments.

While Justin Vivian Bond’s music is available through v’s website, the Kiki And Herb material is harder to find. Amazon.com is a good place to start.

ALSO THIS MONTH

New music from Priyanka, who is an Indian Bollywood star. She has just released a remix disc of In My City, which is her debut U.S. single. The disc contains seven mixes, and features work by R3hab & ZROQ, Maestro, LA Riots, Mr. Morris, Wideboys, ANSOL and Desi Hits! Rishi Rich. Also features will.i.am.

PLUS — a new video from Miss Coco Peru.

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Thanks, and have a safe (and by that, I mean stay out of jail) New Years Eve, and a equally safe and prosperous 2013.

Tags: featured, Justin Vivian Bond, Kiki and Herb, music, Musician

Category: Music