LIVE ROCK CRITIC 40   ELTON  AND  CYRUS

 

 

 

Flamboyant and politically incorrect sexuality is portrayed by both of these performers. Elton is slowly losing it and Miley is just getting it. Seeking fame through extravagance and notoriety is classic rock methodology.

                                                   

Flashy costumes and provocative lyrics characterize their performance. Miley is wilder of course as it is 2014. As radically as Elton john portrayed himself it was a more restrained time. Miley is more overt and I thought she was her best at the MTV Music Video Awards 2013. I am listening to Elton John “Live in East London”. It has been schmaltzy, the voice pretends instead of in the old days exhorting and explaining. Elton has a new album “The Diving Board”. New song “Home Again”, not very energetic very schmaltz, melodic and ponderous but just a bit weak. Fortunately there are no backing tracks everyone plays live; but “Home Again” sounds like many old Elton John Hymns. “ Oscar Wilde Gets Out” is more of a dirge than a hymn. Folk music with a hint of Gypsy and a twist Rachimonov produced a mildly spiced schmaltz.

                                                                              

During his performance of “Levon” Elton is doing a more energetic job at this point with some very complicated high notes, all live. “Rocket Man” has some spacey new sounds in it on slide guitar and synth. Elton does sound just like he always did right now live.

I have fast forwarded through the dated boozy hymns. They are fast, probably good to dance drunk to years ago. The voice sounds insincere on some of the old songs sung to many times.

Miley Cyrus has been performing since she was a child. Her successful father had the music industry connections. Her role as Hanna Montana was and still is widely televised. “Hanna Montana” and “Breakout” albums made her more successful than most adult musicians.

Miley’s sexual posturing at fifteen should have prepared us for Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Awards.

The portrayal of sex on the MTV Video Music Awards is the logical extension of her self promoted image. I do not think a twenty year old is a child. She is an entitled permitted and credible sexy actress. I thought that the direction and the choreography of her performance at the MTV Music Video Awards with Robin Thicke are stunning; In my opinion the performance was a well planned and executed portrayal of how many adults really look at sex and love. The performance was a Voguging of heterosexual lust.

Miley on Saturday Night Live. On October 26^th 2013 I witnessed Janelle Monae performing on SNL. Her performance was mediocre with her band producing weird fractured music. Once again I wonder why would she be on Saturday Night Live.

October 26^th 2013 Miley Cyrus is on Saturday Night Live appropriately as everyone is talking about her and she is performing in a manner which is similar to the performances hosted on SNL. Her band played live and played well to her core audience in her first number. The performance was not spectacular but it was very well received.

I didn’t like her second number on October 6^th 2013 on SNL. Cyrus looked sick and drained compared to her rousing performance at the MTV Awards.