Bjork @ Radio City Music Hall - 5.2.07

I had crap tixs to see Bjork back in May, but was happy to have them regardless. I've been following her career on and off since the Sugarcubes and knew that I had to finally see her, even if my seat was in the rafters. It wasn't quite that bad, but close ;o)

I ended up missing about 3 verses of the first song due to a parking spot mishap, but we quickly managed to make our way to our second balcony seats. Pretty good too. That's the great thing about Radio City - b/c of its' architecture, any seat turns out to be quite decent.

Bjork was on from moment one - a teeny orange ball of spunk flitting about Radio City's huge stage. I'd wondered about that - whether one tiny Icelandic sprite would be able to fill up that stage. Yeah, I shouldn't have worried. That voice was made for large stages and she brought enough props with her to keep us all visually entertained. Heck, even her dress was entertaining - I spent some time trying to figure out how it had been put together (my photos don't do it justice).


She sang some of our favorites - Army of Me being a particular standout - but she really blew me over with some of the new material. An amazing techno/punk call bravado - Declare Independence - had me jumping in my seat.


And then the best part for me of the whole night - she brings out Antony from Antony and the Johnsons - and they duet on a couple of new songs, most notably - The Dull Flame of Desire - which has become one of my favorite new songs - so damn beautiful. According to Bjork.com, the lyrics were taken from a translation of a poem by Fyodor Tyutchev (1803-1873).

I love your eyes, my dear
their splendid, sparkling fire
when suddenly you raise them so
to cast a swift embracing glance

like lightning flashing in the sky
but there's a charm that is greater still:
when my love's eyes are lowered
when all is fired by passions kiss

and through the downcast lashes
I see the dull flame of desire
and through the downcast lashes
I see the dull flame of desire

Bjork never disappointed - she was all and more than I ever expected. She brought beautiful imagery, kooky outfits, fancy-shmancy lighting, and best of all, an ethereal voice like no other.

02.10.08 Update: And here's a crappy video interspersed with huge bobbing heads. Enjoy.