She's been grooving to her own beat for more than 20 years in the business — and this weekend looks to be no exception, as eccentric veteran-rocker Cyndi Lauper brings her bleach blond, out-there style to the Orpheum Theatre for a rousing "girls night out" that's not to be missed.
The wild singer, who first rose onto the scene in 1984 with her playful pop-punk numbers, has withstood the ever-changing music industry. Constantly evolving within herself, Lauper still maintains a style all her own and expresses her individuality through her bright clothing, wild hair and outlandish accessories.
A Grammy winner for Best New Artist in 1984, Lauper sold 9 million copies of her debut album She's So Unusual and has forged a long-standing career built on a unique vocal sound and an unorthodox style that make it impossible for her to be ignored.
Now in her 50s, Lauper has hardly allowed her age to affect her personality, although her current tour through the United States and Canada does place her among a new crowd demographic — casino goer (i.e., Milwaukee's Potawatami Casino Oct. 10).
Musically speaking, the aging Lauper, whose tracks "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time" have become timeless classics, played everywhere from crowded stadium events to the big screen in films like "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion," has toned down her material slightly. Instead of her signature upbeat, highly produced music, Lauper has opted for a more emotional, acoustic set.
To gain a fresher sound, the quirky rocker has showcased the less gaudy sounds of her latest album, The Body Acoustic, a disc that revisits her hits with a guest list that includes fellow female songstresses Ani DiFranco and Sarah McLachlan, as well as Shaggy and Jeff Black. An interesting twist on the standard greatest hits collection, the album reveals 12 unpolished tracks that take listeners on an emotional journey through Lauper's career, from the grooving sounds of "Money Changes Everything" to the ballad "True Colors."
Although it's hard to imagine Lauper's vocals in such a raw form, the duets with some of the industry's finest performers assert the songmaker's ability to produce powerful tracks without a great deal of background instrumentation.
Particularly potent collaborations from The Body Acoustic include "Sister of Avalon" and "Time After Time." On "Sisters…" Lauper teams up with DiFranco and Vivian Green in a soulful rendition that is sure to get anyone grooving with every passing chorus of "yeahs." The combination of belting vocals amid driving acoustic guitar and fiddles creates a rocking track that is not to be missed.
Lauper and McLachlan team up for a powerful duet on "Time After Time." The soft dance of McLachlan's underlying vocals provide the perfect compliment to Lauper's booming, raspy tone on the ballad and make the track almost better than the original.
For those looking to "have fun" this weekend, Cyndi Lauper is not to be missed live. For a glimpse at what the night holds in store, eager fans can also check out Lauper's on the road blog at www.cyndilauper.com.
Cyndi Lauper will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. General Admission tickets are $36.50.
