Bernadette’s creative path reads like the back story to a mid-century Holly… Read Full Bio ↴Bernadette’s creative path reads like the back story to a mid-century Hollywood heroine: Ballerina, Beautician, Hell Kitten, Sultry Chanteuse.

She spent her childhood in California where she studied classical dance with the renowned Los Angeles Ballet and American Ballet Theatre until an injury drove her love of drag and pageantry north east and underground. Coming of age amidst the gutter glam and jewel toned ink of New York’s early 80’s street punk scene the ballerina scraped by as a sometimes fetish model, makeup artist and clothing designer for the iconic clothing/shoe company Nana.

In 1993 Bernadette Seacrest declared Albuquerque home and in 2001 made her musical debut with one of the hottest roots rockabilly bands in the Southwest, the Long Goners. Working closely with Pat Bova, the band’s brilliant singer-songwriter, she belted out rebellious anthems in the style of Janis Martin and Wanda Jackson. They played out for two years, grabbing audiences by the collar and dragging them to their feet with performances that never failed to blow the lid off the ballroom. Bernadette, with the Long Goners, shared the stage with Hank Williams III, Jonathan Richman, Wayne “The Train” Hancock, The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Rockin’ Lloydd Tripp, Al Foul and the Shakes, Tom Walbank and Spo-dee-odee.

2003 found the burgeoning chanteuse ready to wrap her voice around the more complex musical terrain of jazz. She collaborated with acclaimed bassist and composer David Parlato for a year before forming a new band- Bernadette Seacrest and her Yes Men- with bass player/song writer extraordinaire Michael Grimes. The combo’s first album “No More Music by the Suckers” was released in 2004 and features desire drenched jazz standards as well as original songs by Grimes and former band mate Bova. Swing City Magazine wrote that the album was “… not an attempt for a one time rockabilly kitten to break into the modern day jazz scene but an attempt to break the mold, an endeavor she unconsciously accomplishes.” Their second album, “Live in Santa Fe” was released in 2005 and magically captures the smoke filled room acoustics of a sold out live performance.

Bernadette has toured extensively and played to packed audiences across the U.S. and France. She and her Yes Men have been featured on NPR and shared the stage with: Samarabalouf, Mat Firehair & the Imperators of Kool, El Senor Igor, Devil Doll and The Glenn Koster Trio.

In 2006 Bernadette followed her heart to Atlanta where she is currently working on a new project, “Bernadette Seacrest and Her Provocateurs” with guitarist Charles Williams and bassist Kris Dale. The trio recently released an EP premiering several new songs, written by Williams, that infuse Ms Seacrest’s signature dark vintage jazz sound with a deep south hue. The mood remains raw and sparse, allowing each musician’s considerable talent to shine through. Bernadette and her boys are planning a tour this summer so stay tuned for dates and venues!

written by Gwyneth Doland and Tracy Terrill

source: http://bernadetteseacrest.com/

Tango
Bernadette Seacrest and her Yes Men Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Darkness falls and the wind dies down
The city puts on it s twinkling crown
The roses in the garden
Whisper over to you

Step into the evening light
Despite your intuition
A touch of madness, your thoughts disturbed

Seeing clearly, you're out of sight

Silently, you melt away

Find you're way down towards the brink
Something slipped into your drink

Distorts the people, twists the shapes
The rising moon begins to sink

The sound of footsteps, the sound of drums
Drives you past the restless slums
Alley figures scurry through
Watching eyes look over you

But silently, you melt away

Carnival rides spinning round
Draws you in towards the sound

Dancing devils, confusing forms
Twist your feelings towards the ground

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bernadette Seacrest and her Yes Men's song "Tango in 2-3" describe a mysterious and somewhat unsettling experience. As darkness falls and the wind dies down, the city comes to life with twinkling lights and whispering roses. The singer steps into the evening light, despite their intuition telling them otherwise, and is overcome by a touch of madness and disturbed thoughts. They feel like they are out of sight and melt away silently.

As they make their way towards the brink, something slips into their drink and distorts the people and shapes around them. The rising moon sinks and the sound of footsteps and drums drives them past restless slums. Expectant eyes watch them as they pass, but they continue to melt away silently.

The carnival rides draw them in towards the sound, but they find themselves confused by dancing devils and twisting forms that lead their feelings towards the ground. The lyrics leave us with a sense of unease and the impression that something dark and mysterious is at play.

Line by Line Meaning

Darkness falls and the wind dies down
As the sun sets and the breeze subsides

The city puts on its twinkling crown
The city's lights start shining brightly

The roses in the garden whisper over to you
The flowers in the garden speak softly to you

Step into the evening light
Embrace the night

Despite your intuition
Even though you feel unsure

A touch of madness, your thoughts disturbed
You feel a little crazy, your mind is unsettled

Seeing clearly, you're out of sight
You understand things better, but you're still isolated

Silently, you melt away
You slip away quietly

Find your way down towards the brink
Move closer to the edge

Something slipped into your drink
Someone put something in your drink without you knowing

Distorts the people, twists the shapes
Makes the people look distorted, and shapes twisted