smoe.org mailing lists
ivan@stellysee.de
| From | Steven.Durben@cignabehavioral.com |
| Subject | Re More Adams, Re: Falling Stars |
| Date | Wed, 17 Dec 2003 15:59:00 -0000 |
[Part 1 text/plain ISO-8859-1 (4.1 kilobytes)]
(View Text in a separate window)
Snip: Bruce said..
But, personally, I'll take ALWAYS never knowing what to expect w/ any
artist
I'm going to take the time to go see. Knowing full well w/ someone
like
Adams, well, it may be 'miss' on any given night.
But it could be one of the most memorable, too. NOT just another
cool show
to attend and casually dig.
And if the artist/band suck, get self-indulgent, whatever, well,
that's the
risk for potentially seeing greatness. But dialing in a predictable,
same-old-same-after-each-night-same set-list type of show which,
let's face
it, most artists do in all rock genres way, way too often, well, I'll
take
getting burned, every now and then.
@@@@ Hi Bruce, actually I agree with you on this. Were probably
really not that different in terms of what we look for in general in
a show but maybe have different impressions on Adams. This is my
last post that refers to Adams in anyway, for a looong time. Scouts
honor!
Some of my fav performances over the years have come from such
unpredictable bands and they tend to be the ones I continued to see
on many occassions. The Replacements, Iggy Pop to name a few. (An
aside: an Iggy moment from about 1978 or so..He was playing a little
club and kept YELLING for the lights to above him "to be turned off
his f@cking face". This lead to a short "war" with the light guy
turning them back on occasionally with hopes the Iggster would have
calmed down. He NEVER did. He kept yelling for the lights to be
turned off his face every time they tried to turn them back on. He
threatened to walk out if they didn't leave it off. Naturally Iggy
won this battle. This left the audience to only make out shadows of
Iggy's face during most of the show. However, this was a bizarre,
intense but wonderful show. So, I don't disagree with the
characteristics you mention at all in terms of what makes a great
show.
I also have seen to many bands that play it safe and I wouldn't
see them more then a time or two because I'm fairly certain their
will be no surprises at future shows. Again, an only my impression,
right or wrong of FOW. Love the band, live...just OK.
For me, and hoping I don't sound to cliché, along with
spontaneity of performance comes the momentary relationship the
performer has with the audience is a key. Someone might do this well
if intoxicated, or while embarrassing themselves, while falling off
the stage, losing their voice (as Arthur Lee did when he was
here..probably my fav show that year), with their pants arond thier
ankles (Stiv Bators anyone?) or wearing their flaws on their sleeve.
I'm also not looking for perfect shows (how boring that would be).
For me, the Adam's show I saw was not about the audience at all (IMO)
and that's my main point. But, that was just my reaction. We all
chose relationships of all kind based on gut reactions every day, do
we not? Anyway, the article just connected with an impression I have
regarding him. I may be wrong and I'm always open to that
possibility/probability. In fact, I'd love to be wrong about these
impressions. :)
Bruce continues...
Speaking of, here's a GOOD thread. GREAT songwriters who just
TOTALLY lost
the clue, the path, the vision-thing, the kaboodle---after shining
greatness
for a short(or long) time.
You picked the two I would. Stevie and Elton were so dam great back
in the day.
Someone already stole Rod Stewart from me. I personally don't compare
him to Stevie or Elton. Didn't someone have a quote about Rod that
went something like: "Rarely has someone so completely abandoned
their talent".
How about Leo Sayer past his first two albums? OK, I'm only kind
of kidding. Making myself an easy target.
How about the Bee Gees? I'm just sort of "discovering" their early
work and yes, greatness was once theirs.
Regarding Stones: Hmmm, whomever said they were a "bar band". Hey,
I'm not a huge Stones fan but come on. Really? Like them or not, you
have to admit at worst they have more charisma then the average bar
band. No?
Josh, I'll add I dug much of Emotional Rescue too. You are not
alone! ;)
Best wishes, Steve D.
For assistance, please contact
the smoe.org administrators.