Live Review: Randy Edelman at The Iconic Monster Bar in New York City on November 28, 2021 by Eileen Shapiro
The incessant roar and vibrant rainbow colors of fireworks never fail to capture ones attention…. and then I suddenly looked up to see a melodious spark of dazzle explode into 1000 extraordinary particles of light conquering the sky and molding that second as one that will never fail to make onlookers feel infinite…. And there he was ….the unspeakable grandeur of composers and pianists Randy Edelman playing the horizontal baby grand piano at the iconic Monster Bar nestled in the hub of existence Greenwich Village, New York.
In a liquid architecture of sound and triumph, Edelman became the guardian of the threshold whilst the LGBTQ community gathered round in complete awe and reverence. He began with his legendary song “Weekend in New England” (as also recorded by Barry Manilow). Etched with a little more time each year, the song grew more beautiful and was loved more than words could say….The hallowed halls of the Monster then echoed with the intensity of the composers songs including “My Special Friend.”
For those who don’t yet realize or who were never aware, Randy Edelman is responsible for breathing musical life into over 100 top films including: “My Cousin Vinny”, “Dragonheart”, “Last of the Mohicans”, “XXX”, “Ghostbusters ll”, “The Mask”, ”Beethoven“, “Kindergarten Cop”, “Twins”, “Gettysburg“, and limitless others. He has also written songs for superstars including Patti LaBelle, Nelly, Olivia Newton-John, Bing Crosby, and again a limitless array of others. The award- winning composer has also written for ESPN, and themes for the Olympics as well as NASA, and has performed all over the world in huge arenas such as Budokan in Japan and the London Palladium.
As I was watching the smiling faces surrounding Randy as he touched their lives in a very special way something unexplained happened that left me without words….Randy began to play one of my least favorite songs on the planet entitled “Mac the Knife”….and without prior warning I suddenly loved the song. It was as if I had an enforced visit to an imaginary realm….
Finally, Randy played the newest version of his current hit single, a post pandemic victory called “Comin’ Out the Other Side” and the crowd’s response could only be described as a rock star’s ultimate fantasy…. Joy is not felt less exquisitely because the moment flies and if we can taste it we know that we are blessed. After all what is Joy if it goes unrecorded and not shared with the wider world?
Special thank you to The Monster Bar, manager Dan Tobey for his hospitality, Dan Daily for relinquishing the piano, Billy Hess for capturing the sole of humanity within his photos, the staff of the Monster for going above and beyond, Mark DeAlwis for supplying me with the Fireball that I’m sure added to my enjoyment of “Mac the Knife”, and Mike Todd publisher of Get Out Magazine for creating the hype. Special thanks to Randy Edelman, a true gift to the human race….