I loved the Genesis concert.
I don't think it would be possible to see a better all-round production ... music, sound, set, lights, and sheer fun and warmth (especially from the insanely über-talented and GREAT guy, Mr Phil Collins). I absolutely had a ball. You don't see musicianship like that very often. I also like Twickenham Stadium as a venue .... MUCH more vibey than the sterile new Wembley.
I thought the Live Earth show, what I saw of it, was mainly a bit tame (and made MUCH worse by the awful time-wasting of Jonathan Ross and the other guy from that other late-night chat show ....
Hey, BBC people, please note: WE DID NOT NEED THOSE GUYS! Not any of it … just leave us in the stadium next time, to enjoy what the live audience were enjoying - you blotted out all kinds of good stuff, to interview people who mainly had NOTHING TO SAY!)
It would have been miles better to have dear old Richard Dimbleby (he did the Coronation in 1953!) just quietly adding useful bits of information in the lulls, as a voice-over. Can you imagine cutting away from the Coronation to a couple of gits discussing how they thought the Queen's make-up was rubbish, and the fact that she had a spot on her nose - then cutting back with a "Well, now I think they're actually putting the crown on her head ... so we'll take you back to Westminster Abbey - I think this going to be a really good bit" ... Oh Hell, I just realised that's EXACTLY what the next Coronation will be like on TV. My GOD ... it's the age of dumbing down everything. There will be a vacuous blonde interviewing ladies-in-waiting as they came out, saying, "Yeah, but dont' ya fink it's all a bit pompous, y'know, not as good as Big Bruvver?"
Sorry, TV just makes me feel ill. Except the good stuff that gets imported, with great scripts, great lighting, great camera angles, innovative effects, and fabulous editing. And the Simpsons. What has happened to us?
I didn't see everyone, but of what I saw, I'm afraid I thought the Yanks pulverised us! The Chili Peppers and the Foos seemed to absolutely show everyone else up, in musicianship, work, polish and passion. I thought John Fruscianti played SO dangerously - the best I've ever seen him play - The RHCP's have deservedly conquered Britain's hearts. And to me, it was maybe Dave Grohl's finest hour. He's incredible ... his first scream demolished everything that had gone before that day (IMHO). The Foo Fighters, at a point where I was really falling asleep .... came blistering out of my TV ... Jeez!!! Taylor Hawkins must have been accurate to better than a microsecond - and bursting with anger and power and joy all at the same time - now THAT's what I call Rock and Roll !! I could not believe the intensity.
I liked Genesis too .... their professionalism shines . .. but I liked seeing them in their own element next day, doing their own show, much better. These big 'festival' - Save the World in Various Ways concerts are all very well, but all you see is snippets from each act ... they don't have the chance to play themselves in ... and most of the young acts looked uncomfortable playing in that situation. See them in a theatre, in their own environment, in front of their own fans, and it would be a different story.
And I don't think I've seen/heard so much out of tune singing in quite a while. Maybe the monitors sucked!!! but I can't imagine they were worse than any other recent outdoor festival ... in fact there seemed to be a lot of nice foldback cabinets around. But once again, the Yanks (Metallica too) just made it look like ... not a problem. Well, maybe we deserve to be conquered again ... perhaps things have got a little complacent over here! Of course, I might not have been saying this if Muse had been on the bill!!! OK. Done, done, on to the next one ... damn ... wish I could sing like that ....
Cheers!
bri
© brianmay.com
