Adele releases 3-album set; Las Vegas musicians see pay boost
Fans can enjoy the record-setting “Weekends With Adele” show in perpetuity. All you need is a record player and a lotta cash.
The “Rolling In The Deep” icon has announced a limited-edition, three-album, vinyl box set with a 56-page photo book. The release covers the two-hour set list, including such highlights as “Hello”, “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You.”
Las Vegas musicians who performed in the live show are being paid extra for the recording, held over two shows June 30 and July 1, 2023. The orchestra players had known the shows were being captured on audio and video, but were not sure for what.
Now, they know the audio reason. Fans have speculated for months that a concert movie is the next sensible, and also profitable, step. But there has been no annoucement of such a project.
Adele’s banter between songs is in the experience.
The prize package retails for $349, available at Adele.com. A second shipment in April has already been announced, to meet high demand.
It is not yet announced if the set will be available in stores, or at Caesars Palace itself.
On Monday, Adele posted on Instagram, “Las Vegas you’ve been so good to me,” she wrote. “This residency went on to mirror what 30 was about — lost and broken to healed and thriving! Seems so fitting in the end. The only thing left to do in this case is move on.”
Executives at the hotel say if Adele wants a “Sequel at Caesars” (we have a name!), the door is wide open.
Musicians elsewhere
Vegas musicians are busy on and off the Strip. Las Vegas Philharmonic players are setting up for the two “Very Vegas Christmas” show at Reynolds Hall at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 7.
Famed showman and onetime nickel-carrying hitmaker Clint Holmes and ventriloquial star Terry Fator have been added to the lineup this week. Previously announced, conductor/host George Daughtery is to be joined by singers Naomi Mauro, Cecilia Violetta Lopez, Michelle Johnson, Jonathan Karrant and Ellie Smith,
You might be asking, “Where is the hoop virtuoso, Kats?” Mat Plendl is filling that role and is amazing. Also in the mix: Vegas showgirls.
New elements are orchestral selections from the Philadelphia Orchestra’s “Glorious Sounds Of Christmas,” a newly commissioned version of “The Night Before Christmas” by Emmy Award-winning composer Nathan Wang, a return to Frank Sinatra’s original charts of “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” AND a Mariachi Christmas.
If you can’t find something to like in this show, you might be the Grinch.
Bocelli’s back
The Philharmonic is actually split on Dec. 7, as Andre Bocelli is filling his orchestra with Vegas musicians at MGM Grand Garden.
And, of course, “Nas With the Las Vegas Philharmonic” is due back at Encore Theater Feb. 5, 7 and 8. That show sold out Aug. 29, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
Cirque do sale, eh?
Cirque du Soleil is offering a “Black Friday,” 50-percent off ticket sale on its official website. “Select shows” are available or on Tuesday afternoon, “Mad Apple” at New York-New York.
No drag in ‘DiscoShow’
The Mother character has been reportedly dropped from “DiscoShow” at Glitterloft at Linq Hotel. No explanation as to why. The drag figure was integral to the show, setting the scene for the crowd (reading the history of disco from a book labeled “Fairy Tales”) at the steps of the 99 Prince tavern.
A line from the tome: “That seems appropriate. A drag queen reading stories to children, that’s very trans-gressive.”
This educational experience has been just before guests enter Glitterloft.
Mother was portrayed primarily by “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” star Eureka O’Hara through the show’s opening until O’Hara left the production last month.
Mercedes has money
Spiegelworld’s F1 losses by pausing “Atomic Saloon Show” and “DiscoShow” and moving “Absinthe” to earlier times were (somewhat) offset by Mercedes contracting artists in its Las Vegas Club. This isn’t money from F1, but it is money, and Mercedes has a lot of it.
Spiegelworld has paid tribute to 1-2 finishers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at Diner Ross at the Linq. Just after the race, the restaurant listed its “Bar Specials” on its sign at the counter as “1. Mercedes F1.” And, “2. Mercedes F1.”
New drink, no showgirls for Berkley
Mayor-Elect Shelley Berkley said she is coming up with a new signature drink as her own version of the Bombay Sapphire martini Oscar Goodman made iconic during his three terms. It will be developed by her son, Sam Berkley, of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “It’s going to be big news,” Berkley said after Tuesday’s ceremony at City Hall, during which a beyond life-size statue of Oscar and Carolyn Goodman was unveiled.
Asked if she anticipated holding court in with the Vegas flair demonstrated by the Goodmans, Berkley said, “Oh, I can schmooze.” But she said she’s retiring the showgirls, with a decision to be made if she’ll appear with any other Vegas entertainers (Carolyn Goodman has also appeared with Chippendales dancers). Berkley reasoned, “We’ll wait on a decision on that.”
Cool Hang Alert
Electric Church (where the altar doubles as an amp, I surmise) plays The Beverly Theater from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday. This is a rowdy quartet led by David Tatlock, founder of the great horn band Soul Juice. We’re on the terrace for blues, soul and funk, kicking off Thanksgiving as we should — with live music and no cover. Get there.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.