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.