LIVE ROCK CRITIC 36 CONCERT FOR SANDY RELIEF 12 12 12

LIVE ROCK CRITIC 36       THE CONCERT FOR SANDY RELIEF

                                                                                  

The concert for Sandy relief was performed December 12 2012.

Bruce Springsteen had a huge band on stage with him, mostly standing around. Springsteen repeats ad nauseam. The music goes nowhere an anthem of sameness, really bad garbage; long dragged out gospel versions of long dragged out gospel songs with Bruce talking.

                                                                           
John Bon Jovi joined Springsteen with a less than potent microphone treatment which made Bruce sound strong and John weak.

Bill Crystal gushed New York praise, I decided to fast forward through all the comics. I was excited to hear that Rodger Waters was going to perform. Rodgers postured strangely, causing me great perturbation. Fortunately the band is very good. They sounded really good compared to B.S. who preformed earlier; multi dimensional precision as opposed to full spectrum wall of schmaltz.

Rodger Waters and his band preformed “The Wall”, very entertaining graphic and poignant. Waters bass is excellent in “The Wall.” The lead guitar is accurate to and sounds like the Floyd.

Waters Band next played the Pink Floyd hit “Money”. Very entertaining and poignant once again. A great song played by a great band is a joy, a gas.

Another beautiful recreation of “Dark Side of the Moon”. The real singing and excellent handling of sound together with excellent writing really sets Waters and his band apart from the hundred mediocre performances I viewed but did not review. The lead guitarist’s Telecaster clone appears to be equipped with midi pick ups, possibly why it sounds so amazing and so true to the original performance by Pink Floyd many years ago in the studio.
                                                                              
Bon Jovi was better then I ever saw him perform with the best band I have heard him lead. “Wanted Dead or Alive” was a bit slow and then the lead guitarist got out his PRS and that great sound went on and on number after number. Bon Jovi and his band played a few ballads but I liked them when they were funky, and rocking out.

             
Eric Clapton performed flawlessly, very conservative, not very exciting the guitar and bass were flawless but with only a drummer and a bassist Clapton cannot achieve the complex psychedelic creations that the Rodger Waters Band preformed.

The last time I reviewed the Rolling Stones they were tired. Compared to their angry strident arch typical Stones presence at the Sandy Relief concert. The two guitars allow a more complex music; still simple but interesting. I think Ron Wood is playing a rare Musicman guitar and then he switches to what looks like a Rickenbacker.

                                                                       

“Jumping Jack Flash” was just about as jumping as ever Jagger paraded about. Have you ever noticed how thin he is, he looks like he doesn’t eat and runs everywhere instead of driving.

Alicha Keys followed the Stones. I think Jazz is in decline. I saw Diana Krall with her guitarist, Lebo looked like he was going to nod into his guitar. They were joined by Steven Colbert and Elvis Costello it was slow, really slow……..

                                                                                                             

I had not listened to Billy Joel until this time. He plays a great piano and he can sing. His first song incorporated lyrics relevant to the benefit he was helping Sandy Relief. I could call Joel’s music jazz which makes the Diana Kralls and Alicia Keys look so slow and impotent, flabby ponderous and sultry add up to yecch. Joel’s jazz features dynamic rolls and changes and very tasteful saxophone lines.

The Who: Peter Townsend and Rodger Daltry and eight supporting musicians did competent retakes of the hits which make the “Who” famous.

The Who seemed better than their contemporaries the Stones. The Who were not as complex and transportative as Rodger Waters but more hard Rock and Roll.

                                  Townsend morphs his guitar sound to tinkle and whisper and smoothly logically seamlessly soars into the Rock and Roll range of power majesty and flight. I can see the eight or ten friends stoking the fires, pushing the rhythm working the bass. The rock steady runway from which Townsend flies and Daltry roars.

There is an interesting very British vocal performance by the drummer. The Who can slow down and remain vibrant slowing to a breathless fantasy. The organ supports dynamic psychedelic morphing twisting and changing never slow or weak always roaring like a lion.

“Pinball Wizard” is a live good as the original record performance. During “ Teenage Wasteland” the Who were tight and powerful. The light show which accompanied the performers was always good, parts of the light show work accompanying the Who were exceptional.

                                                                            I have a long list of bands I viewed listened to and reviewed in my notes; they are irrelevant. When I see the Waters Band the Stones and the Who I know why I could not find anything to write but trash about so many bands who are presented on Prime Time Television. The Rodger Waters Band the Stones and the Who have great talent. I will write a second part to this review soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

　

LIVE ROCK CRITIC 35 GREAT IMPOSTERS





A Short Review of RAIN and BRUNO MARS

Bruno Mars appeared on Saturday Night Live October 20 2012 Mars was surprisingly good at comedy, participating in a number of SNL scripts and I would say he is funnier than most of the people who appear on Saturday Night Live. Bruno sang a couple of his numbers, the first Locked out of Heaven was up tempo and featured some very good synchronized dancing and synchronized music performance. I am not really a fan of Mars; style but he was good.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Where I found Bruno Mars incredibly talented was in his imitation of a number or artists and bands. Bruno imitated Green Day, Aerosmith, Katie Perry, Louis Armstrong, Justin Bieber and Mars did a succession of Michael Jackson songs incredibly accurately and right on pitch every moment.

                                                                                                                                                                

The performance by Rain, reproducing live, Beatle’s tunes. The performance is clearly labelled as not containing any pre-recorded music.

I enjoyed listening to their live performance just as much as if I was listening to one of the records by the Beatles, except I think the sound was better. The music was accurately reproduced and even the studio contributions of such great guitarists as Eric Clapton were re-created.

The accents and the nuance of vocal performance were perfect, the same charming British sound as the Beatles of long ago. There was a fabulous vintage guitar show. To the best of my knowledge the tribute band Rain is acknowledged and supported by former Beatles band members.

LIVE ROCK CRITIC  THIRTY FOUR   SEPTEMBER 24 2012


How highly gratifying it is,

The hollow victory,

At the end it is right I am!

It all comes down, analysis,

The direction of the symphony,

And my lady, my man,

How well can you jam?

Stephen Colbert launched another Colbertphest, I should really know better than to watch but I do and I write. I started with Nas, my last blog has some footage of “fake” play of instruments , I thought that was worse than bad, but Nas has fans I am told.

                                                                                      
Nautically themed Stephen C presented a new crop of lame performances by lacklustre performers. The “ Flaming Lips “ were so boring and so slow and did not jam. The opening interlude was endless directionless promise of something good to come and it did not.

The “ Grizzly Bears “ were not grizzley at all, not even bearable. Insipid with no passion, no life or energy they mouthed the words and plunked the chords as if it was not their idea to perform. Where does Colbert get these acts and why?

                                                                                                                            
“ Santigold “ performed, weirdly costumed, the band did not jam, it seemed to follow a script. The whole of the performance was so not Rock, with Silly Stephen trilling and whooping that this is Rockfest.

                                                                                
I regularly tape and watch John Stewart and Stephen Colbert so I get the musical guests as a by-product. It is what is on my PVR. “ Pink “ coincidentally performed recently. Quite a bit more energy and rehearsal possibly too. The lead guitarist played his Les Paul adequately, but he did the weirdest open mouthed display of emotion or what?

Nobody flew away with the music or did any spectacular vocal, it could be that there is

a lack of that spontaneity which generates the fresh exciting music I am looking for.

My website is down, Go-Daddy deleted my material, I will find a new host soon. Most of my material is on you tube and Live Rock Critic is a t www .liverockcritic.blogspot.com.

LIVE ROCK CRITIC THIRTY THREE JULY 30^th 2012          

I am continuing to view live performances on HDTV. The performances are mediocre and the material is usually uninspiring. The performers, whether they are new or famous do not deliver dynamic performances. The exception is that there are famous and competent musicians and performances are created which are very good and entertaining. The old and famous musicians were once young and exciting, new, awe inspiring. I have viewed a lot of performances of new musicians. I feel that when musical groups are nationally televised, when they appear on popular programs as musical guests, I would imagine that these groups are the best of the new musicians.

Considering the offerings of new musical groups through the use of video sharing networks such as Youtube, once again I haven’t found any amazing music. Where, I wonder are the fabulous performances happening, where is that new awe inspiring music. I remember the musical wasteland I lived in as a child. At the age of twelve I was moved to Moncton New Brunswick, where all of the radio stations played non stop down east music. This music is even more country bumpkin than the only other music which was the most country, country music monotonous in its uniformity the music ponderously moaned and whined. Occasionally radio reception was obtained from the United States, where 1950’s and 1960’s Rock and Roll was broadcast.

I really think that we are living in another musical wasteland of modern bands. Some long time performers are really good and some are not. I can’t think of a band that is new that I really like. I didn’t like Lady Gaga and a few days ago her French audience booed her and demanded refunds. I think this indicates that Lady Gaga was not awe inspiring. Don’t forget that this is not just someone singing with an instrument or even a bunch of people singing and playing instruments. Gaga’s performance is backed by sequencers and effects, lights action and a huge staff. Still the performance is not satisfactory, I booed and so did the French.

                                                                              

There are far worse performances to view than Gaga’s. I mentioned a few of them in my “Trash Bin” reviews. Coincidentally the last performance I viewed was on Steven Colbert’s Report on July 17^th 2012. The performance by “Nas” was beyond belief. You could access the performance on Colbert’s Website. “Nas”, probably the name of the lead rapper, rapped in standard fashion. The lack of diversity in rap phrasing and metre is as crushingly boring as the down east music on the radio during my childhood. All the rappers seem to be stuck in the same groove. The most unbelievable aspect of the televised performance was that the bassist and the guitar player both faked playing. I saw them jumping around and bouncing up and down and playing no riffs, forming no chords, doing no picking, just faking it.

I guess that is what it comes down to and why I don’t find anything I like. They are just faking it.

PS: Check "Nas & Stephen Colbert Live Rock Critic Extra" video on Youtube

　

LIVE ROCK CRITIC: LIVE ROCK CRITIC 32 QUEE...

LIVE ROCK CRITIC:                          LIVE ROCK CRITIC 32 QUEE...:                          LIVE ROCK CRITIC 32 QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE CONCERT                                                     ...

                         LIVE ROCK CRITIC 32 QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE CONCERT

                                                                            

The opening number with Military Band and Robbie Williams was supported by an enthusiastic audience. It was still daylight when Will-i-am, in a nice Sergeant Pepper outfit repeated tonight is going to be a good night and Jessie Jay joined joined him, she was terrible. It is off key, not hitting the special notes right on or perhaps the Pop Pablum.

Cliff Richard started a bit flat but picked it up in thirty seconds. I think it was Cliff Richard, Bryan Ferry and the Zombies who started my attention to music. By the third Cliff Richard number I heard the sound I was first attracted to. Every song is different and has its own character. Cliff Richard, who must be very old, six decades of hits, was resplendent in his salmon cloured suit and he moved danced and sang with energy, rhythm and style.

Annie Lennox was not Eurhythmic, a bit flat all the time, the overly low “Whoaa” voice. She does not hit steady notes warbling around the right pitch, the schmaltz syndrome, Annie was schmaltzing with one of the most uninspired usages of a Les Paul. Annie smashed her microphone.

Terrible Soprano Renee Fleming. Horrible schmaltz for a rock concert.

good night and Jessie Jay joined him, she was terrible. Is it off key, not hitting the special notes right on or perhaps the Pop Pablum.

Tom Jones rolled out onto the stage smiling. I was not really a fan, highly electric in my youth. What a voice he has. I do not care much for  "Delilah"                                                                                               
 That tune seemed to be better, more dynamic more alive. Sound may be better now for once than it used to be, making the great range mobility and precision of Jones' voice audible. The multiplicity of tones, the overtone, maybe what makes a great voice great.

Robbie Williams sang “Mac The Knife” on key but I was not pleased, I do not like the vocal style Robbie Williams affects.

Kyliee Minogue I did not rate very highly, really shallow pop.

Great piano player Sir Elton John rocked his old but still entertaining tunes, different from one another. Elton John’s voice is on key, on metre, and strong really strong. It could be that a distinct characteristic sound and ambiance is what makes a great performance great. What was funny was the really short flashes of Elton’s lead guitarist Davie Johnstone, never more than two seconds of Davie enthusiastically and properly playing his Les Paul.

                                                                              

Stevie Wonder played next. Nightfall brought more and more light show. Buckingham Palace became a light show screen. London is looking like a magical mystery city; the buildings in the back-ground  and the giant ferris wheel psychedelically lit.

Stevie still has what so many lack. I have heard it one hundred times but his music moves along with nice changes.

“Madness” were the novelty act of the night, up on the roof of Buckingham Palace, and the Palace was turned into a light show of working class England. “Our House”, the madness hit was followed by a second distinct and different song with its own character and hooks. It was repetitious but with varying music that somehow  negated the repetition.

                                                                              

I fast forwarded through the commentators, comedians and commercials. No comment.

                                                                                                                                      

Paul McCartney performed “The Magical Mystery Tour” better than the original. The entire McCartney band is tight and together, with none of the contrived togetherness of other ensembles. The was an electric presence. The electric instruments were distinct. There were no blurry musical walls of synthetic sound. McCartney's costume, like many other performers at the Queens Diamond Jubilee Concert had a unique British retro rock look.                                                     

The musical finale “Live and Let Die” was performed magnificently by Paul McCartney and his band. The music soared and crashed, it twisted and turned and changed and blared rising to a crescendo of sound and light and smoke and fireworks. That was one of the greatest performances I have ever seen and heard.

                                                                           

                        

                               LIVE ROCK CRITIC 31    May 31 2012   The “Good” Guys

　

                                                                          

Who was “Good” at the Billboard Awards Performance? The Red Hot Chilli Peppers were clear clean tight and energetic. I thoroughly enjoyed their performance even though I was not Red Hot Chilli Peppers fan in the past.

Z Z Top performed some old blues songs, and Derek Trucks helped them out in their mediocrity and boringness. Then Joe Bonamassa stepped up with his beautiful Gibson 335 and delivered a new dynamic blues solo which was absolutely fantastic and made the rest of them look absolutely unfantastic.

                                                                         

Donavan was very good playing and singing his classic tunes, John Melencamp accompanied him, not so good. Donavan had a large and elaborate orchestra which played well together.

Ordinarily a band such as Rooney would not merit a review. Among the failing bands this band was adequate. The vocals demonstrate a talent missing from many other bands. The cooperation the bass, drums and guitar and the keyboard works to create distinct compositions and performances which will hold the audience’s attention . There were excellent leads on keyboard and Les Paul. This is a young band, perhaps they will get to be very good.

Kid Rock performed November 28^th 2011 “Live At The Artist’s Den”. Kid Rock provided incredible vocals and performed energetically and dynamically. The two guitar players were “Wow”. Kid Rock and the group which he had assembled worked together to provide excellent entertainment.

                                                                             

                                 LIVE ROCK CRITIC   30  May 30 2012    THE TRASH  BIN
　

I have been viewing a number of performances with mostly disappointing results. The list of mediocre and unsatisfying performances grew longer and longer on my clipboard. I have forgotten, or lost the notes on many of these performances. The most surprising thing is the number of award winning bands which I simply do not rate as any better than “good” some performances are poor.

Adele is touted for her “wonderful” voice. I found Adele monotonsly the same and not even on key. The Black Keys, I forget which award they won, seemed to me to be inadequate in each of several performances I viewed. Toxic Airbourne Event were muddy, tinny and not distinct. I thought Bjork was simply weird. James Blunt and Gotaye, I wonder as I listen who could possibly like this pap, and then the crowd cheers. Am I expecting too much? When I hear a vocal which is not right on key, right on metre and consistent with the verbal and musical content, I become irritated, I am unsatisfied, all I notice is the flawed performance; perhaps there are many people who would enjoy any performance and be captivated by the lights, the action and the video screens.

                                                 

Death Cab For Cutie was monotonously the same. Yes there are mild variations but when I am bored after one and a half songs and stay bored…

Foster The People, I am astounded, they received Billboard’s top rock song of the year. I had watched their performance of Beach Boys tunes during the Beach Boys induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Foster was horrible.

Occasionally I will enquire as to “what is your favourite band"? Who will provide an excellent performance for me to review?  ACDC were recommended as giants. I found ACDC’s music lacking. To me it seemed like the same song over and over again, with the variation being how Angus Young ran around the stage. We have to realise that this running around is not a substitute of dynamic musicianship. I could list their names and what they played, but for what.

                                                                          

Perhaps I am sucked in as careers are being pushed along. Perhaps I should assign no importance whatsoever to Jack White and his noise and jumping around. Jack White, elaborately accompanied by different musicians each time, appeared on Stephen Colbert and on Saturday Night Live, and I wonder how he rates the exposure, exhibiting short flashes of what are suppose to be talented guitar playing and plunging around the stage.

I viewed the Bill Board Music Awards. Carrie Underwood was over- produced and slightly off key. The choices for male vocalist were trumped up hype around lame male vocalists: The choices, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Drake, Bruno Mars and Little Wayne who won as top male vocalist.

Linkin Park played “ Burn It Down”, I found the performance noisy and uneven. I didn’t enjoy it I was unimpressed.

I have viewed and listened to Celo Green in a number of performances including at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award ceremony. I think Celo was what I liked least about Gnarls Barkley. I viewed Chicago, thought they were horrible. I didn’t like Mr. Big and really didn’t like Bon Jovi.

Perhaps I pay too much attention to the hype which precedes televised performances. I thought Sublime with Rome was going to be entertaining. To me every song seemed the same

I would characterise my last couple of months of searching for outstanding performances nearly a dead loss. In my next Live Rock Critic I will note a view “good” or “very good” performances.

                                                                            

                                                                                Famous musicians produce unsatisfactory performances. Ron Wood, famous for his supporting roles in bands like the Rolling Stones delivered a slide guitar solo that was boring and went too long, at the Billboard Awards. In the early stages of a musicians training it is a big deal just to play anything. I expect a lot more from the musicians on internationally broadcast television performances.

Post Script:  I have been viewing the Diamond Jubilee Concert, I am only part way through and I have seen and listened to performances by the ancient Cliff Richard, who started the Drifters in the 1950's and Tom Jones.The vocal performances are on key and on metre and those guys can sing. I feel justified in trashing all those twenty and thirty year old rock super stars who can't sing.

I will write a review on the Diamond Jubilee Concert, Paul McCartney will headline the performance.

CHEAP TRICK LIVE ROCK CRITIC 29

                                                CHEAP TRICK  LIVE  ROCK  CRITIC   29
                                                                       

                                                                           
I viewed my first Cheap Trick performance recently on HDNET TV. Robin Zander produces great lead vocals and plays credible guitar. Rick Neilsen handles the lead guitar and backup vocals. Tom Peterson is on bass and Dax Neilsen plays the drums. There are two keyboard players Rodger Manning and Magic Christian. Together they combine outstanding vocals good bass and drums and fine guitar to create great song delivery with numbers which are definately distinct and individual.

This is another old band, with highly experienced personal, I reviewed a number of these bands recently and I guess practise makes perfect.

BAD COMPANY LIVE ROCK CRITIC 28

                              BAD COMPANY AT WEMBLY 2010  LIVE ROCK CRITIC 28

I had the opportunity to view a performance by Bad Company on HDNET TV. Paul Rodgers produces incredible lead vocals.Rodgers plays credible Harmonica guitar and keyboards. In the HDNET performance he's joined my Mick Ralphs, lead guitar, backup vocals and keyboard  Simon Kirk plays the drums and sings more backup. Touring members Howard Leesc plays guitar and keyboards and Lynn Sorenson handles the bass.                           

 

                                                                          
Throughout the performance ringing power chords and sizzling guitar runs punctuated tunes which were distinct and had their own character. The guitars and organ combine to chime like great bells and howl like the wind. Mick Ralphs plays an incredible silver metalflake Paul Reid  Smith guitar.                                                                             

The performance concluded with the "Bad Company" theme and then a dynamic encore number funky jumpy and once again polished. I found the Bad Company performance interesting and I listened to all of it.

Live rock Critic 26 The Grammies February 2012

I have been listening to many uninspiring performances lately, I will write about them, but the Grammies are more recent and relevant. Start with Madonna at the Super Bowl first for a moment. I ignored the overproduced gay dance which such as Gaga performances offer. Madonna’s voice was monotonous and reeked of over processing and auto tune. Madonna stumbled during a simple dance or positioning move .                                         

The Grammies. Many performers did a better job at the Grammies than they had when I viewed and listened to them on previous occasions. Cold Play were better than when I reviewed them. Ryhiana performed a very sexual dance but not that well nor did she sing that well. Chris Brown danced and sang, the dance uninspired I thought, the singing supplemented with much pre recorded product and not really great. Why other writers focussed on his past behaviour I do not know, what about the performance?                                                    

The Foo Fighters won five Grammies. I had previously rated them as superior to any other band I had reviewed . The performance at the Grammies was better than any I had previously viewed. Foo Fighters were far more powerful and precise than I had heard in the past. Dave Grohl proudly announced that he had taped his band’s winning record in his garage studio. The authenticity of David Grohl’s band was mentioned by other reviewers and authenticity was a desirable attribute rewarded with Grammies. I noticed many of the performers whom I had labelled inauthentic were not awarded Grammies.

Jennifer Hudson’s performance was widely praised but I thought it was schmaltz. Whitney Houston was not schmaltzy. Paul McCartney was terribly schmaltzy in the maudlin romantic standard he was trying to foist upon us. It was a boring Valentine Schmaltz 2012.

The Beach Boys tribute brought out some of the most despised bands I had reviewed last year. Foster The People and Maroon Five were pathetic . The Beach Boys were really good, I like just like the record live. Glen Campbell was surprisingly polished and tuneful, better by far than the performances of the tribute to him. Bonny Rait and Alicia Keys failed to impress with their duet.

Nikki Menaj was bizarre in an unsuccessful way. She had a ton of pre-recorded performance and those horrible homo erotic male dancers. Taylor Swift’s Hillbilly performance failed to move me. I found it uninspired rote delivery and very repetitive. Katie Perry out performed the other female vocalists, her singing was dynamic and powerful but the choreography was poor.

Lady Gaga and Coldplay sat unhappily as Foo Fighters won best record.

Fortunately the Grammies went on to a dance party with the Foo Fighters performing Rope very loud dynamic and powerful, what I expect live from award winners.

There was a very good techno pop performance following Foo Fighters with interesting graphics and electronic effects.

I enjoyed Elton John who starred in a commercial which was very entertaining.

                                                                        
The Grammies ended well with Paul McCartney redeeming himself from the disastrous romantic standard stillbirth. McCartney’s vocal and musical performance was perfect when he reprised his iconic tunes. McCartney’s guitarists were flawless and something else as well. What is that essential and elusive performance characteristic which can make0- tunes from fifty years ago sound interesting and entertaining? What is missing from tunes which are uninteresting even when they are new?