by Divemistress of the Dark on 13 Feb 2007 06:53
I've been getting a kick out of all the press coverage of Stewart's big grin last night on the Grammys. Did these journalists not listen to the voiceover track on ES:TPIO? "Come on dude, crack a smile!"
Well, there he was today in all his glory, smiling to beat the band, and...words fail me when I try to tell you just how flaming good those guys were. It's like I'm trying to compress a 1000 word essay into just a few sentences...so here are some impressions.
1.) I had forgotten just how masterful Stewart really is. He's so modest he'll never tell you this himself, but if you're spending time hanging out on this forum you need to do yourself a favor and find a way to see him play live. I was lucky enough to see Oysterhead at Bonnaroo last summer, and I will do whatever I need to do to see that band again. Here's hoping this one will be as good...You know, I'm really only half-kidding. Darn, I love that 'Shadow of a Man...'
As Omaha pointed out, it's got to be hard for the other two, because you kind of can't take your eyes off SC. At one point he did start up with the old 'serious music face,' but you could tell it was because he was really concentrating. Wow, it was something to see. The man must secretly harbor some cephalopod ancestry, because I don't know how else he'd manage to have those arms all over the place all at the same time.
2.) I spent the rest of the time watching Andy's fingers. Just how *does* he play those chords?? You could tell he hadn't played a few of them in a while, but honestly, I really loved it. It wasn't too polished and perfect at all, and you can tell Andy is now bringing more of a classical sensibility into his performances. We all know from reading 'One Train Later' that Andy could play guitar very nearly before he could walk, and it definitely shows. Here's hoping he gets to do a few more killer solo riffs like the ones we saw this afternoon. I wish he'd said a few more things, because I love his cheeky sense of humor, but maybe that'll be forthcoming after they've played a few more gigs.
I have to tell you guys, I have seen a lot of bands in my life, and this was something special. I don't want to put anyone into a frenzy - they're going to play a lot of dates, and I honestly believe we will mostly be able to get tickets, because they're playing different sized cities and venues around the world - but you have gotta see this band. It was the farthest thing from an old-fogey nostalgia trip I have ever seen in my life. The crowd was filled with hip young folks as well, and it appears there's a lot of interest from the alternative music set.
3.) Sting looked terrific. I don't want to gush, but he had on a sort of professional, yet punk-rock, outfit that seemed to broadcast a new state of mind for him. As was mentioned in another thread, he looks much better in person than in photographs, and his appearance broadcast "ready to rock" from our vantage point near the front row.
He, well, sounds better in real life, too. Don't hate me guys, really, you'll get a chance to see them too, but it was almost surreal seeing the actual band playing all these songs after so many years.
Wow. It really happened...I admit I'm still doing a little bit of pinching myself. And honestly, all the fun is just beginning. The concert reviews! The show reports! Conroy and I were hanging out in an internet cafe just a little bit ago looking at the new tour website, and it hit me: this is really starting up again...the cool old fanbase...the intelligent lyrics and performances...I just can't wait. DotD
On Google - site:stewartcopeland.net "your keyword here" - thanks DM!!