Some things should never work: Bacon with pancakes and maple syrup; Texas Governors becoming two term Presidents and Hip-Hop artists releasing a half decent concert DVD.
But then Kanye West is no ordinary artist.
Recorded in the famed Abbey Road studios with an all female string section (a class move) and a 'mad for it' audience, Kanye shows there is no stopping the potential he has. Devoid of clichid hype men and slutty dancers, Late Orchestration lets the music speak for itself. Yet there is still a show to put on and West knows how to work a crowd. Part preachers and part salesman (no wonder Bono picked him to support U2) West holds up well in delivering his sermon considering it is freakin' hard to rap live for a long period of time.
Because the songs (especially those from the current album Late Registration) are so richly constructed the full string backing isn't a shock to the system but the full visual element from Kanye dressed like Lou Rawls to the ladies donning red face masks makes for a stunning watch.
It seems all too perfect and you wait for West to falter but it fails to occur. If anything he goes from strength to strength, no mean feat considering he nails the opener 'Diamonds From Sierra Leone'. The underrated 'Bring Me Down' shone on stage, Kanye taking over conducting duties much to the delight of the crowd. Closing with 'Jesus Walks', West has the audience in the palm of his hands.
It is scary to think what he can achieve next time around.
