Blondie: Westbury, NY, September 18, 2011

Blondie with Lizzie Truille
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
Westbury, New York
September 18, 2011
On Sunday, September 18, 2011, following a strong workmanlike set by opening act Lizzie Truille, Debbie Harry and Blondie proved that even after 35 years, they still know how to bring down the house. The Westbury, NY show started on a high note with the classic "Union City Blues," soaring from the start. What followed was a tour de force excursion through Blondie's "wink and a smile" aesthetic—melodic, hard-driving music with sarcastic punk-like lyrical content.
The 2006 Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame inductees offered up a mélange that mixed choice tracks from their classic catalog ("Atomic," "One Way or Another," "Dreamin,'" "Sunday Girl"), songs from hit movie soundtracks ("Call Me"), newer songs ("Maria") and brand new songs, including "Horizontal Twist"—only available on the imported fan pack edition of Panic Of Girls (101 Distribution, 2011)—"D-Day," "Wipe Off My Sweat" and "Mother." They also mixed in well-chosen covers (Johnny Thunders' ballad, "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory") and show-stopping mash-up of "Rapture," which morphed into a version of The Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right (To Party)."
Though she has traded in her trademark stiletto heels for more sensible wedge sandals, Harry still struts and commands the stage in rock star fashion. From the moment she appeared on the stage, in a poufy lavender taffeta dress, all eyes were drawn to the captivating 66 year-old singer. Her vocals were spot on and along with original band members—guitarist Chris Silverstein and drummer Clem Burke—and augmented by hired guns, lead guitarist Tommy Kessler, keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen and bassist Leigh Foxx, the performance was slick, tight and rocking.

At the end of the show, after the sing-a-long encores, Harry thanked the jubilant audience for coming and joked, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" With that she was gone and the lights came up.


Photo Credit
All Photos: Christine Connallon

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