Meshell Ndegeocello was at her go-to repository of auditory delights—Amoeba Music on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles last October showing off her tote bag of goodies as part of their irregular, funny and revealing “Whats In My Bag” sessions.
The YouTube clip gives a pretty good idea of Meshell’s catholic musical and artistic tastes – from short films by Norman Mailer to Hal Ashby’s happy/sad/hilarious Harold and Maude to Outkast to PJ Harvey and much more. The last item she grabbed was a bespoke air-freshener of “Saint” Dolly Parton.
Asked if she’d support Saint Dolly for President of the US, Meshell didn’t hesitate for a millisecond.
Meshell will be heading our way later this week to do two warmup gigs in Sydney and Melbourne early next week before heading to Bluesfest in Byron Bay for two shows on Thursday and Friday.
She last played Bluesfest back in 2019 and used the inevitable downtime in 2020 and following to work up her new(ish) and wonderful-beyond-measure long player, The Omnichord Real Book that dropped in mid-2023 on the fabled Blue Note Records.
You can get The Omnichord Real Book on all the usual formats and is available through all the usual outlets – though I recommend the double vinyl and that you buy it through an independent record store if you can.
For those not familiar with Meshell’s extensive and eclectic catalog then you owe it to yourself to illuminate your musical collection.
You won’t regret it.
Oh, and did I tell you that last month Meshell won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album for The Omnichord Real Book?
That’s her second after winning the Grammy for Best R&B song in 2021 for Better Than I Imagined.
The following brief biographical sketch gives but a glimpse of the breadth and depth of her career.
Meshell Ndegeocello (mish-EL ən-DAY-gay-oh-CHEL-oh) will play the Factory Theatre in downtown Marrickville on Monday 25th March, then on Tuesday 26th March at the Melbourne Recital Centre before heading off to Byron Bay for the two gigs at Bluesfest.
Me? I’ll be off to Marrickville for the Monday show at the Factory Theatre. After listening to Meshell on CD and vinyl for near on 30 years I can’t wait to see and hear her in person!
Watch this space for a report from the gig.
And Dolly Parton for President? If I could vote for her she’d get mine.
And Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter for VEEP!