DUTC#25 July 9, 2023

Feature Series – Part 5

It may be a bit presumptuous of me to say that Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta 1986) has become a “household name.” There may be a few souls who have never heard her music, but I highly doubt that anyone with access to American pop culture has not heard the name. I have seen the label “pop icon” attached to her nom de plume, but that only tells one part of this amazing woman’s story. Her image reinventions, prowess as an actress (the fourth remake of A Star Is Born 2018) and, above all else, her musical versatility will likely have her remembered as one of the 21^st century’s entertainment giants.

I was fortunate enough to see her perform live when she began her Las Vegas residency in 2018/2019. There were two very different shows as part of the residency: “Lada Gaga Enigma,” which began in December of 2018, and “Jazz and Piano,” which began in January of 2019. The difference was that “Enigma” was a full-on “pop” extravaganza, while “Jazz and Piano” was a scaled down show without all the pyrotechnics. It is the latter that I was lucky enough to see, and it was the opening performance of that show I saw. And at the risk of sounding over the top, her performance that evening of jazz standards both solo, accompanying herself on the piano (which she started to play at four), and with an orchestra, blew me away! She also had several guests over the course of the evening, with one being a surprise to all in attendance – the one and only Tony Bennett (he was 93 at the time). It was her phrasing and interpretations of the songs she performed that led me to make the claim above.

“Bad Romance,” the song featured here, is from the album The Fame Monster (2009), which is an extended play reissue of her debut album, Fame (2008). The latter had the hits “Just Dance” and “Poker Face,” while the reissue produced three more hits, “Bad Romance,” “Telephone,” and “Alejandro.” The performance of “Bad Romance” I have chosen for this installment is from the “Gaga Live Sydney Monster Ball,” which definitely showcases her “pop icon” prowess.

 I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have watched PMJ’s cover of “Bad Romance.” Well, I could, but you might think that I need to get a life! It is uplifting, whimsical, and fun to watch and listen to; what more could one ask for? They have taken an iconic “pop” song and turned into a song that will transport you back in time to the 1920s think Gatsby and “flappers.” This performance features Ariana Savalas, who whistles and sings her way through the song. She is accompanied by tap dancing prodigy, Sarah Reich, and the way the two interact with each other is quite something. They are backed up by Scott Bradlee (piano and arrangement), Adam Kubota (bass), Chip Thomas (drums), Jacob Scesney (clarinet), Lemar Guillary (trombone), and Mike Rocha (Trumpet). I found the entire performance mesmerizing.

Lady Gaga. “Bad Romance (2009).” Live at “Sydney Monster Ball’” August 2011.

PMJ “Bad Romance” cover, Vintage 1920’s Gatsby Style. April 2015.

…And, just for the hell of it.

It appears that PMJ felt they could perhaps one-up themselves with this song, so in February of 2016, just 10 short months later, they issued the first of what they were calling their “Postmodern Jukebox: Reboxed” series and kicked it off with a similarly styled re-do of “Bad Romance,” this time featuring Sara Niemietz & The Sole Sisters, Niemietz handling the vocals, and the Sole Sisters handling the tap dancing, with Sara Reich returning but now accompanied by fellow “sole sister” Melinda Sullivan. There are also a few changes with the backing musicians. Todd Schroeder is on piano while Mike Cottone took over the reins on trumpet. For the record, the praise that I heaped upon the first version equally applies to this one.

PMJ “Bad Romance” cover, Reboxed feat, Sara Niemietz and The Sole Sisters. Feb. 2016.

Los Angeles 2023

• Next up: Part 6 Brittany Spears “Lucky”