smoe.org mailing lists
ivan@stellysee.de
| From | Ralph Alfonso <ralph@bongobeat.com> |
| Subject | live vs record |
| Date | Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:23:52 -0800 |
[Part 1 text/plain us-ascii (1.8 kilobytes)]
(View Text in a separate window)
some folks are entertainers and some aren't
ray davies is a master -
the thing is, if i spend $20, i expect a little more than the record,
like some interaction, stories about the songs, some kind of
connection with the artist, even if someone is an uncharismatic
performer, you would hope they'd have found something else to draw on
to make up for that - some folks are really funny that you wouldn't
normally expect humour from or really intense live (even if they
don't necessarily do anything) or something.... that's why a lot of
the old school guys are so good, they've had years to refine
what works for them... even the cranky guys can be great if it makes
the show great...
Bill Withers was a guy I saw way back in the day and he just sat on a
stool with the 103rd st rhythm section chilling behind him - it was
really relaxed and down home and i remember it to this day... he had
stories behind the songs and it really connected...
part of the problem is the performance bar is so low these days...
people have no idea what a great
performance is sometimes... which, thank god for YouTube.... you can
study all the masters in their prime
and cop old moves, stances, clothing, etc ... I believe in stage
clothes, for example...
i am constantly blown away by old MC5 footage, for example, Wayne
Kramer & Fred Smith were on fire... they took their old 60s bar band
moves and amped them up to 15... and they were having FUN! I love it
when the musicians are clearly ENJOYING what they're doing... it's
infectious...
i saw the FINN BROTHERS a few years ago - wow! - you just felt so
good being there....
that's when it all connects - band/songs/audience - that magic
elevation... and if the band are hanging by the merch table on the
way out....bingo!
For assistance, please contact
the smoe.org administrators.