There is a ringtone that is very popular with the young people these days. It is pitched at a frequency that most middle-aged folks cannot hear, yet is clearly audible to children. Perfect for signalling the arrival of a text message, in say, a school classroom.
As revenge, middle-aged people have invented Anjani, a musician who seems to work in converse fashion to the aforementioned gimmick. Folks’ enjoyment of her music is dependent on their proximity to middle age (the closer to it, the greater their satisfaction, of course). This may seem like a cruel observation, but there are no value judgements attached to it; these tunes are pitched at a level which soothes and delights the over-35s, yet (despite their obvious accomplishment) fills the young people with a sense of heaving, crushing boredom.
And then there are those of us stuck somewhere between the two extremes: occasionally bewitched by Anjani’s sultry, seductive vocals, yet often on the verge of drifting to sleep.
There is a palpable hush in the audience this evening, which you would not find at most pop concerts. Between songs, there is some jovial banter between singer and punters, a sizeable chunk of which revolves around Anjani’s beau, one Leonard Cohen. Silence descends once the music begins, though, to the extent that a smashed beer glass sends a noticeable ripple through the audience, during ‘Nightingale’.
The performance is thoroughly accomplished and essentially flawless, but largely devoid of inspiration. Folks who say that Anjani has hitched a ride to fame on the back of her famous fella are mistaken; her feather-soft vocals, and rich piano-playing are evidence enough of a considerable talent at work.
Her backing band, too, are impressive, but never inspired. Their smoky, languid late-night jazz perfectly frames Anjani’s supple vocals, yet they seldom command this listener’s attention, and seem best suited to providing background music at a supper club.
But then, who am I to criticise? This music’s brilliance is pitched at a frequency that will only appear on my radar in, say, 10 years or so.