BSPH: Paz Lenchantin perfroms Venus in Furs

There are things that can fascinate no matter how many times you get back to them. They never get old. For me - it is this performance of "Venus in Furs" by Paz Lenchantin. You may know her from a stint in A Perfect Circle (she was famously putting her hair in a bun in a video for "Judith") and recent Pixies reunion among other things. Those who dig deeper may know her as a vital part of great The Entrance Band where she is truly a standout performer. But she is also very capable as a solo artist. What makes her special is that she doesn't mess around - she is just doing it -  in a particularly Laurie Anderson no-bullshit manner.

Velvet Underground's evergreen "Venus in Furs" is part of Paz Lenchantin repertoire. This particular performance was recorded on November (to dismember) 9th 2014 at McCabe's during "Tropic of Cancer Tribute". Paz Lenchantin does it completely on her own. It is fascinating to watch how Paz Lenchantin methodically builds the song from ground up. She plays every instrument - bit by bit. Puts pieces into the sampler and constructs arrangement as it goes. She starts with layering violin drones, then adds a bassline, then adds a little violin solo before strumming songs chords and adding John Cale's signature violin slide swipes. Then she turns the violin backwards sits down and starts pounding on it in a Maureen Tucker way - adding a stomping beat. After that the song instrumentation is full and she starts to perform the song with her funny tambourine. After initial pair of verses she goes into frantic and chaotic violin solo. Then goes back to the verse-chorus part and breaks down into another solo bout.

The way Paz Lenchantin performs "Venus in Furs" puts it in a different perspective. Instead of being a readymade brick thrown into the ear - the song brews, gradually grows and evolves and strays here and there. Something that is usually lacking from polished studio recordings or rehearsed live concerts.