LIVE ROCK CRITIC 43 THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED AMERICA

The night that changed America memorializes the first television appearance of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. The evening began with the useless loser band Maroon Five. The Beatles songs were good from the sixties or perhaps just good enough for Maroon Five’s poser mediocre music style and just a bit slow would I call this dog shit? The audience was obediently seat dancing to the Cholk Rock of Maroon Five. Paul McCartney looked grimly disappointed. Like if somebody offered a lawn and garden fertilization a renewal a re-birth and then sent their dog over to take a dump. Get this performance on the internet and watch the facial expressions. Of course as always the required thunderous applause. Why?

Stevie Wonder performed on the Hohner clavinet, my first keyboard 1960’s vintage. The tempo of “We Can Work It out” was all wrong, Stevie W’s feel for the song wrong. Someone has told Paul M not to vogue so grimly but I did not see approval as Wonder massacred Johnny Dep introduced Jeff Lynn and Joe Walsh. Depp was as uncharismatic and off as usual. “Maxell’s Silver Hammer” had Joe Walsh’s impeccable guitar but Jeff Lynn in his cheap wig did not get the feel. George Harrison’s son put the vocal in its grove.

Ed Ferin? “in my life”. Ed has the spacing and feel all wrong no baroque piano just one jerk and one guitar played weakly and without resonance.

There was a John Lennon live performance from the past next. What a difference.

On to the stage came one of our modern lamo country accented duos. Can it get worse? Yes. Crap guitar solos which barley related to any Beatles sound. Thunderous applause. I wonder if the audience would applaud the dog in the parable as he defecated? Yes.

Granted many great Beatles tunes are elaborate studio productions technologically now readily available for live performance but that has not happened yet.

Kattie Perry sings “Yesterday”. More grim disappointed faces she is stumbling through the song, no time to learn to do it right. I have seldom liked Perry’s performances but this warbling halting fumbling vocal is filled with off the mark vocal notes.

I try to find something good to review but it almost never happens. When the Beatles, filmed years ago, perform I can tell that they have practised modified and perfected. Imagine Dragons perform “Revolution” with their usual oh oh who oh’s. When I hear quavering vocals I know they don’t know. I wonder if it is that if you don’t write it you can’t do it right.

Dave Grohl and Dave Stewart “Hy Bulldog” gets me up on my feet to dance every time I hear it. This is the sixth time I am listening to it. Pounding reprises of the accurate grove. Check the drummer’s enthusiasm, love the drum rolls and the properly snarling guitar.

Next Katie what’s her name with the more prominent belly than breasts drones on.

Annie Lennox falters her way through “Fool On The Hill”. She warbles instead of singing true notes. Her endings are off.

“Let It Be” with John Legend and Alicia Keys. Alicia’s all wrong faux accent shadings grate on my nerves. Each micro mistake hammers at me. Paul M is grim faced. Then there was some excellent guitar. “Here comes the Sun” with Farrel Williams and Brad Paisley. Ass with Hop Chains and the stupid cowboy hat. McCartney is trying to look pleased but if you look closely you’ll notice the down turned corners of his mouth.

Poseur central. There is some deal or scheme to promote certain individuals or bands as “Star”. Applaud for the highly acclaimed promotee.

Dave Gorhl drums , Joe Walsh on guitar and Garry Clark. I hope this will be a good one. Oh Oh Gorhl’s drums fail to make the grade. Walsh on Guitar, ok; his vocal was terrible, awful. An unknown to me black guitarist sings very well and then Walsh ruins it. I would so much rather here the Beatles with Eric Clapton on lead guitar. This song thrilled me one hundred times, maybe a motivating factor in my writing but not this reprise guys, no thanks.

Ringo Star is active and energetic but I still don’t like his vocals. He did a second old Rock and Roll or Do Wop or what ever vocal not impressed. Ringo next does “Yellow Submarine” he cant sing worth a damn. Still he was more accurately timed and in tune with his talk to music than many famous singers who attempted Beatles work this “Night That Changed America”.

This is what I have been waiting for. Paul McCartney will perform. Paul’s band members are actually better musicians than the sixties Beatles. Paul is happy. The band is right on time and tune and creates the correct atmosphere. Most of the performers remind me of the “Walking Dead”, like slow en-vocative zombies doing zombie versions of Beatles tunes. Paul and his band live Beatles tunes. The performances of “They Say Its Your Birthday” and “Get Back” are in comparable to the rest of the program. The timing, the stops, the correct riff. A great band. The vocals and harmony: Wow!

McCartney’s band is certainly well trained and well rehearsed by the guy who was there when the tunes were written. She Was Just Seventeen: I think I first heard this song in the residence lounge at University. David Roth brought the tiny cardboard stereo and the Beatles record into the lounge saying you have got to hear this.

I have always liked Sergeants Peppers Lonely Heart’s Club Band. And I still do. How can the Eurhythmics and Alicia Keys live with themselves, so lame compared to ancient Paul M. Even the Ringo Star talk to music works. Paul is watching the vocal to stay right on time, McCartney and his band sing together its so good it almost hurts.