How long must I sing this song? A little bit longer it would seem. U2 kicked off the Grammys last night, literally. Haven't seen Bono kick like that since Popmart. He's really looking very trim and spry these days. The Bono of the last 9 years has been a fat and slow Bono. After Pop was such a critical and commercial disappointment the band decided to pull in the reigns musically to win back the masses. This meant 2 "back to basics" albums and the basketball arena tours that followed. Of course their bank statements and the pile of Grammys that came along suggests that this was the right move for the time. And I, at the time, was very excited to hear a bit more stripped down U2. But lately I've been listening to Pop more and more.
For the Elevation and Vertigo tours, U2 went back indoors and played smaller venues than they had in over a decade. Management trumpeted the party line that this was what the band wanted because these venues had far better acoustics (which is true) and the shows would be more enjoyable for the fans. But what about the frontman? They say a goldfish will grow to fill the bowl. Well, put Bono on a small stage in front of 20,000 baby boomers and he's tired, bloated, and stagnant. Put him on a huge stage playing to 80,000 and we get the high kicking commanding frontman we all know and love. For all the rhetoric of the last 2 tours, the guys are once again booking a stadium tour and no one could be happier than the band themselves. They need to push, they need to break new ground.
This approach is unusual as most bands are better suited to smaller venues. As a concert goer, I'd nearly always be in a theater or arena than an outdoor venue. But U2 is different and the last 2 tours nearly killed them.
Being chosen to play the Grammys was interesting as they didn't release anything last year and thus weren't up for any awards. I guess it was a pretty weak roster this year. What with Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, and Justin Timberlake, it was looking for like the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards. So the powers that be decided to fatten it up a little with some ROCK AND ROLL, thank God. Not that I even watched this year- I was busy at the Oregon Sports Awards rubbing elbows with the Schonz and Jerome Kersey. I had to see U2 on YouTube, before Grammy pulled the clips.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Best Halftime Show Ever
Bruce really brought it tonight. I've seen him and the E Street band several times, so I already know. But my friends watching the game with me did not, and now they see. Bruce IS rock and roll. It seems just about every singer / songwriter I've played with is somehow above showmanship. They must also be above superstardom. There are millions of people out there who write good songs. Most of these songs no one will ever hear. There are also millions of people who have a great stage presence, but whose songs are lacking. Any long tenured cover band can tell you that. But if you take great songs and add a charismatic, high energy entertaining frontman the possibilities are endless. Rock and roll can change the world, it can open our eyes, but it's also supposed to be fun! There's a time and place for the serious, acoustic, depressing songs. I love a lot of those songs. But just like I think it takes courage to not be a half-assed activist these days, I also think it takes courage to admit that "yeah, I'm a rock and roll star. I'm a showman and it's FUN!"
Bono vs Bruce
I read an interesting article from an Irish newspaper today, which you can see @ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/0124/1232474678037.html
This is your typical J.O. reporter looking for an angle shtick. I get it, everybody loves U2 so here's a guy from Ireland and he's gonna blast them for weak lyrics. Of course, I've already stated that I think the lyrics are weak on their new single. But I believe over the years Bono has written some of the best lyrics in rock. I'm also a huge Bruce fan, and I thought his last album, Magic, was particularly strong. But this article demonstrates two points which have bothered me about the media for a long time.
First, the aforementioned angle- throwing bombs for the purpose of sensationalism. This is what gives critics a bad name. They make a name for themselves by slamming beloved celebrities. Like The Oregonian's John Canzano. He's made a living bashing my Ducks, calling for the firing of Mike Belloti, UO's winningest head coach and arguably one of the most successful coaches in NCAA football today. Wow I knew it was gonna happen at some point- my music blog heads off in a tangent about sports.
The second and even more irritating point in this article comes to head with this line: "Most importantly, he’s (Springsteen) politically brave in a way that Bono will not be. He takes sides. He’s not afraid to make enemies." I'm sorry, what is brave these days about a celebrity taking shots at politicians?! I've always thought Bono to be the most effective political advocate because he works with everybody. Bruce walks the same trail blazed by John Cougar and too many other washed up non-entities who would have no career at all if not for political rallies. It's sad, because unlike John Cougar, Bruce is still relevant. He doesn't have to be stumping for a candidate to make headlines.
Remember Live Aid, with all the self-important artists of the day trying to save the world? It's been 20 years and last I checked people are still starving in Africa. In fact, I remember Bono talking about how after Live Aid they- meaning the artists involved- thought they had done it. They had saved the world. It wasn't until he and his wife actually spent a great deal of time in Africa that they realized Live Aid had done nothing except further inflate the egos of the performers.
So now I have to talk about sports again. Canzano recently wrote a piece lauding Greg Oden for supporting Obama and Lebron James for caring about Darfur. In the same piece he slammed Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods for only talking about sports. First of all, Oden just entered his 20s, already a multi-millionaire, and has spent his entire life focusing on basketball. Who cares about his political opinions? How could he possibly have anything relevant to say about a presidential race he's barely able to vote in. Sports is really the last sanctuary for men who want to eat wings, drink beer, and be entertained. Everywhere we look celebrities are held up as experts on a subject they really know nothing about. I find it refreshing when someone like Michael Jordan wants to talk about basketball, a subject right in his wheelhouse.
I get it, entertainers are fabulously wealthy beyond their wildest dreams and they feel a moral obligation to use their platform to help others. Or is it just to hop on the John Cougar bandwagon and appear as if they really care?
So, all you celebrities, tell us about your craft. How did you get to where you are? How do you practice and prepare? What advice would you give to a young person trying to follow the same path as you? And all you J.O. journalists out there, how about reporting the news instead of trying to be the headline yourself. And all you aspiring drummer out there (me) how about get off the damn computer and pick up the sticks! Done and done.
This is your typical J.O. reporter looking for an angle shtick. I get it, everybody loves U2 so here's a guy from Ireland and he's gonna blast them for weak lyrics. Of course, I've already stated that I think the lyrics are weak on their new single. But I believe over the years Bono has written some of the best lyrics in rock. I'm also a huge Bruce fan, and I thought his last album, Magic, was particularly strong. But this article demonstrates two points which have bothered me about the media for a long time.
First, the aforementioned angle- throwing bombs for the purpose of sensationalism. This is what gives critics a bad name. They make a name for themselves by slamming beloved celebrities. Like The Oregonian's John Canzano. He's made a living bashing my Ducks, calling for the firing of Mike Belloti, UO's winningest head coach and arguably one of the most successful coaches in NCAA football today. Wow I knew it was gonna happen at some point- my music blog heads off in a tangent about sports.
The second and even more irritating point in this article comes to head with this line: "Most importantly, he’s (Springsteen) politically brave in a way that Bono will not be. He takes sides. He’s not afraid to make enemies." I'm sorry, what is brave these days about a celebrity taking shots at politicians?! I've always thought Bono to be the most effective political advocate because he works with everybody. Bruce walks the same trail blazed by John Cougar and too many other washed up non-entities who would have no career at all if not for political rallies. It's sad, because unlike John Cougar, Bruce is still relevant. He doesn't have to be stumping for a candidate to make headlines.
Remember Live Aid, with all the self-important artists of the day trying to save the world? It's been 20 years and last I checked people are still starving in Africa. In fact, I remember Bono talking about how after Live Aid they- meaning the artists involved- thought they had done it. They had saved the world. It wasn't until he and his wife actually spent a great deal of time in Africa that they realized Live Aid had done nothing except further inflate the egos of the performers.
So now I have to talk about sports again. Canzano recently wrote a piece lauding Greg Oden for supporting Obama and Lebron James for caring about Darfur. In the same piece he slammed Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods for only talking about sports. First of all, Oden just entered his 20s, already a multi-millionaire, and has spent his entire life focusing on basketball. Who cares about his political opinions? How could he possibly have anything relevant to say about a presidential race he's barely able to vote in. Sports is really the last sanctuary for men who want to eat wings, drink beer, and be entertained. Everywhere we look celebrities are held up as experts on a subject they really know nothing about. I find it refreshing when someone like Michael Jordan wants to talk about basketball, a subject right in his wheelhouse.
I get it, entertainers are fabulously wealthy beyond their wildest dreams and they feel a moral obligation to use their platform to help others. Or is it just to hop on the John Cougar bandwagon and appear as if they really care?
So, all you celebrities, tell us about your craft. How did you get to where you are? How do you practice and prepare? What advice would you give to a young person trying to follow the same path as you? And all you J.O. journalists out there, how about reporting the news instead of trying to be the headline yourself. And all you aspiring drummer out there (me) how about get off the damn computer and pick up the sticks! Done and done.
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