there's something about bryan
I'm going to see Bryan Ferry tonight! ...and The Pretenders and Bonnie Raitt and Robert Cray, some of whom I'd be more inclined to pay to see, if I were, in fact, paying to go to this concert. But I'm not - ToTD's got free tickets, and she's giving me one! Yay!
That's what got me to thinking... after tonight, I'll have seen Bryan Ferry three times - and each time it's been on tickets I've been given unexpectedly. Is it something about Bryan?
some things change; some stay the same
The concert was great! Front row seats! I got this souvenir! The Pretenders' lead guitarist tossed three picks into the audience at the end of their set. One landed half a metre in front of me and was dived upon by a couple of members of the Pretenders fan club who'd been standing in front of our seats; one landed right by my foot, and those hard-core fans were so busy arguing over the other one, they didn't even notice, so I figured this one was mine; and the other travelled a few rows behind us. I'll probably keep it a few weeks as a story-telling accessory, then it can go to ToTD's place - she told me last night to be sure not to leave it her bag, because if it landed on any flat surface in her house, it would be just another pick for a guitarist who happened to be looking for one. That doesn't seem to me to be such a bad fate for it... after I'm done.
Robert Cray was nearly finished by the time we got there. I listened from outside the auditorium for a short while - warm, mellow blues - then we grabbed food and drinks before he finished (while the queues only comprised two people).
Bonnie Raitt was fantastic. Plays a mean slide guitar, and I find her stage presence most engaging. She had an amusing line of patter switching from a rocky segment to a ballad - the set was too short to allow a slow transition, and she took a few moment's break to set the mood. Wondering aloud which "jerk" she should remember, she noted that it was just about Valetine's day, and that made it easier to get maudlin. Oh, yeah, Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!
I enjoyed The Pretenders. The band rocked - plenty of energy.
W-a-y back in the '80s, I thought Chrissie Hynde and Deborah Harry had a lot in common. Vocal quality, attitude, energy... Blondie toured here last year, and I didn't go to the concert, but I saw Deborah interviewed on TV and singing Heart of Glass. Now, the concert - live performance - may have had a different feel altogether; but I was saddened by what I saw on TV. She looked so old and tired. She sounded so old and tired. The vocal quality that drew me in the early days was gone, and though she remains a competent singer, I couldn't discern the development of any more mature vocal strengths to replace what had been lost. When Chrissie started singing last night, I thought: some things do stay the same, including this commonality. Ouch. The band's energy was mostly coming from the guitarist (and a shot of attitude from the bass player). Chrissie picked up towards the end of the set. It was good entertainment, but her voice, like Deborah's, is now just a voice.
Bryan Ferry - now he's changed: just a little bit. Where's Mr. Smooth, Slick and Suave? I'm shocked! Hair mussed. Shirt collar awry. I'd even be willing to bet his undies were crumpled. And the impeccably stylised staging? Where did that go? Hmmm... I must admit - I like the trend towards a slightly more casual presentation. Think about it - he wouldn't want to get a reputation as a Robert Palmer clone, now would he? As ever, he attracts amazing backing vocalists and musical accompanists to work with him. It'd be a treat to see some of them on their own, and they sure do know how to work together. And Mr. Ferry is still Mr. Ferry. Cheers!
That said, I've had Hymn to Her ringing in my head for the last couple of days. That one song was excellent! Exactly as she sang it... but it's presence has also been swelling, and that says something too. Words here for anyone who doesn't know it:
Let me inside you
Into your room
I've heard it's lined
With the things you don't show
Lay me beside you
Down on the floor
I've been your lover
From the womb to the tomb
I dress as your daughter
When the moon becomes round
You be my mother
When everything's gone
And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
Keep beckoning to me
From behind that closed door
The maid and the mother
And the crone that's grown old
I hear your voice
Coming out of that hole
I listen to you
And I want some more
I listen to you
And I want some more
And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same