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.