The Nomi Song Review
by Kevin Wierzbicki
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Klaus Nomi was an intense figure on the
performance art scene in New York City in the late '70s. Having arrived
from Essen, Germany, after a short stint in Berlin, Klaus Sperber came
to the Big Apple with a plan. He changed his last name to Nomi and told
people that he was from outer space. With his pale complexion and coal-black
lipstick to match the Dracula-esque widow's peak in his hair, he looked
the part, even before he donned any number of futuristic/ridiculous costumes.
His visual was stunning. But it was when he opened his mouth that the real
show began. His unaffected voice was a normal tenor, but Nomi sang in Soprano
and mostly falsetto. So here you have this guy on stage looking like a
campy Martian vampire, singing opera with a woman's voice. Perfectly. It
often had to be explained to a rapt crowd that Nomi was, indeed singing,
as many thought he was lip-synching to a recording. Without a doubt, he
was the era's biggest freak show. He and his crew thought that they were
bound for major fame after he appeared on Saturday Night Live, performing
two songs with David Bowie in 1979. But Nomi's star quickly fizzled out
and he died from AIDS shortly thereafter.
This documentary chronicles Nomi's short-lived
career with plenty of actual performance footage as well as candid stuff
and a brief interview with Klaus himself. Many who knew him give emotional
interviews; those involved in his stage productions and even his aunt back
in Germany. The film is extremely well edited; one of the best documentaries
I have ever seen. It is not necessary to know anything about Nomi or to
have been a fan in order to enjoy every minute of this nearly 100-minute
video.
DVD Info and Links
The Nomi Song
Label:Palm Picture
Rating:
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