GMVW # 78: "Out of the Closet"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 78:  Out of the Closet

Song:  Beat It by Michael Jackson

(Songwriter: Michael Jackson)

July 2, 2009

We all have musical skeletons in our closets:  Songs that at one time had us purchasing the record and playing over and over, but with which we would not want to claim affiliation to now (brother Pat is a rare exception to this rule, as he has no problem recognizing songs that have inspired him over the years, no matter the genre).  I’m like most, preferring to leave those songs in deep, dark corners.  However, when I started these Gems, I decided I would hold nothing back: If a song was great, and it gnawed at me (sometimes for weeks on end), I would find something to say and present it.  Hopefully, the songs I’ve rolled out thus far are what would be expected from me in terms of depth and quality.  For those who have mostly nodded in agreement from Gem to Gem, this week’s entry may be an exception.

When Michael Jackson passed away last Thursday, I already had a Gem lined up, and since his death had nothing to do with the theme (concept albums), I did not even acknowledge him.  Steve Gilligan responded to the Gem with a comment about Michael Jackson’s untimely passing, and Jack’s brother, cousin Emmett, brought it up in a separate email posting.  I was aware of how big the story would soon become, but for me the news was nothing like the deaths of John Lennon, Jerry Garcia, George Harrison, or John Entwistle.  I deliberately decided to let it be, feeling I was far from an authority on the subject anyhow.

Yet, as the week rolled on, Charlotte began asking questions, particularly about Jackson’s music.  I sat with her at the computer and linked us to a few of his videos.  ‘Thriller’ was of most interest to her (although it never did anything for me), as were some of the ‘Jackson 5’ songs.  And then I showed her the ‘Beat It’ video. I had not watched it in many years, and to my surprise, I was very impressed.  In fact, as I watched and later reflected, I came to the conclusion that this may be the best video of them all.  Not the best song, mind you, but the best made-for-MTV type video.  And when you make a video that good, it can lift the song to Gem status. 

There were many reminders that flashed through my mind as I watched this video.  I was reminded of how the video cracked the MTV color barrier (very few videos before it were of black artists) by rocking hard.  I was reminded of this being the one song I’ve always admired of both Michael Jackson and his musical collaborator in ‘Beat It’, Eddie Van Halen (ok, although both musicians’ music falls off the cliff for me after ‘Beat It’, there are a few branches on the way down to ease the fall, including ‘Billy Jean’ and ‘The Cradle Will Rock’).  I was reminded that Van Halen played guitar on ‘Beat It’ for nothing, originally thinking the request from Jackson and Quincy Jones was a prank.  I was reminded of the real-life gangs that were brought together in the video to dance instead of fight.  I was reminded of Jackson’s confidence.  I was reminded of the song’s message. 

Michael Jackson was a victim of celebrity in America, maybe even the poster child (along with Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley).   One commentator mentioned this week that over the past 20 years he always looked like he was in pain. So true.  For a guy who never had a childhood, he had an unusual sort of innocence about him, despite all the bizarre things he’s been accused of.   The complexities and contradictions of his famed life finally caught up with him….may his soul rest in peace.

So, at the risk of tearing down all those Gems of Friday’s past in one fell swoop, I present this week’s Gem, ‘Beat It’.  Either this goes on a pedestal with the rest of them, or they all come-a tumblin’ down!  You make the call. 

Below the Gem is a comedic stab at pegging the closet music interest of everyone who receives these weekly postings.  Most are random, but a few are close to the vest perhaps?

- Pete

Michael Jackson - Beat It (Gem Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8

Closet Nancy: Whip It by Devo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbt30UnzRWw

Closet Bob: Tip Toe Thru the Tulips by Tiny Tim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skU-jBFzXl0

Closet Fred: Don't Cry For Me Argentina by Madonna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrx5Ve7y0xM

Closet Madeline: Cars by Gary Numan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw

Closet Paul: Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJRCE6e2xIg

Closet Jen: White Punks on Dope by The Tubes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP8nGNbk7oQ

Closet Jack: (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (to Party) by The Beastie Boys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NdAUnnU9Ac

Closet Kippy: Kashmir by Led Zeppelin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73dvrir5kig

Closet Mac: Dude (Looks Like a Lady) by Aerosmith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qRTu5I2loY

Closet Dad: Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MLp7YNTznE

Closet Tom: Marian the Librarian from The Music Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnFv29iPACc&feature=related

Closet Becca: Oh What a Night by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQO9LNELIKQ

Closet Pat (Steeves): Theme song to Mr Rogers Neighborhood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTac2fuaMs

Closet Pat (Shea): 99 Red Balloons by Nena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14IRDDnEPR4

Closet Tina: Yankee Doodle Dandy from James Cagney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlPR97oYOBA

Closet Trese: Rock and Roll Aint Noise Pollution by AC/DC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JWBmZTad2E

Closet Jeff: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc

Closet Dale: Babe by Styx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FIOjLwwj-U

Closet Mom: Slow Ride by Foghat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIjZE4kcg_Q

Closet Ruth: Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6rDWqjnW7w

Closet John: Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-um0pHTAg

Closet Joe: Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPOIS5taqA8

Closet Steve (Gilligan): Bang Your Head (Metal Health) by Quiet Riot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJChh7ghGnE

Closet Steve (Vance): The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfHnzYEHAow

Closet Amy: Gypsy’s Tramps and Thieves by Cher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOSZwEwl_1Q

Closet Dave: Our Lips are Sealed by The Go Go's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEU5vXmE5mU

About the Video: Made for MTV-type video

Video Rating: 1

Best Feedback: Tom

You're truly a Soothsayer Pete - indeed I love that whole brilliant Preston performance that makes that musical one of the top ten!  And that is one of those secret songs from my past that whirl about in my brain occasionally ... along with little Ricky Cunningham's missing-front-teeth-whistle-sounding Wells Fargo song.

Was Jackson truly the King of Pop?  Perhaps in money-making, for sure (didn't he outspend McCartney for some of the priceless Beatles collections?).  His need to marry the daughter of the King of Rock reveals his likely intent to be ultimately crowned such.  But was Elvis really the King himself?  What of Little Richard (who the Beatles attributed much influence) or Chubby Checker?  And there's even another guy whose name escapes me, who just preceded Elvis and died early on, who had an identical style of delivery as the King of Rock.

Hey, here's one I heard on the way home two days ago - that's still in my perpetually-singing head since, especially because of its geat guitar strumming:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JJ7oGHwMTI

Talk to you soon - Happy 4th!

And Fred:

Evita!  Now the secret's out.  Kippy's is dead-on

____________________________

And Jen:

I love Michael Jackson.

Funny stuff, at the end.

See you Sunday?

Jen  

GWVW # 77: "What a Concept!"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 77:  What a Concept!

Song:  Hey You by Pink Floyd

Covered Here by: Paul Carrack

(Songwriter: Roger Waters)

June 25, 2009

Of the many great shows I’ve been fortunate to witness among the best were beginning-to-end performances of concept albums.  These included:

• ‘Tommy’ > Deaf, dumb and blind boy makes good, sharing his musical dreams with the world (as performed by The Who in Foxboro, 1989 and as directed by Des McAnuff in the Broadway stage adaptation, 1993)

• ‘New York’ > A sobering take on life on the back streets of the Big Apple (Lou Reed, Orpheum Theatre, Boston, 1989)

• ‘Quadrophenia’ > Four personalities in one angst-ridden scooter-cruising British ‘Mod’ (as performed by The Who at Madison Square Garden, NY, 1996 and Worcester MA, 1997)

• ‘Preservation Act II’ > Mr Flash and Mr Black; corruption at both ends of the political spectrum (originally written and performed by The Kinks, covered brilliantly by Mick Maldonado and other local musicians at the Middle East Club in Central Square, Cambridge, 1999)

• ‘Pyschoderelict’ > Fictional character Ray High’s mid-life creative crisis and recovery (as performed by Pete Townshend and company, Great Woods, 1995)

• ‘Greendale’ > Small town multi-generational saga in post-911 rural California (Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Great Woods, 2003)

• ‘X-Ray’ > Ray Davies’ performing his ‘unauthorized autobiography’ in song, Westbeth Theatre, Greenwich Village, 1997

• ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ > Musical adaptation of the last days of Jesus’ life, performed at the Hatch Shell in Boston, mid 70’s (as composed by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber)

For a concept album to work on stage, the storyline needs to connect with the audience at some level.  Often, the musicians performing it are known for hits from other albums, and some in the crowd may not be receptive to the fact that they will be hearing a singular set of songs from one release (which may include very obscure cuts).  The musicians know this (either intuitively or by hearing the scattered expressions of displeasure in front of them), but put on the spot, the best of them can rise to the occasion and perform a show for the ages. 

Concept albums are often a reflection of the times in which they were written.  They may also be visionary, which can make a revival performance of them years later an intense experience.  One performance of a concept album, in particular, stands out in my mind as among the penultimate events in the past 50 years in terms of spectacle, high drama, and timeliness:  The Roger Waters-lead performance of his former band’s (Pink Floyd) 1980 recording ‘The Wall’ in Berlin in 1990 (just after the Berlin Wall was neutralized).  This was truly a concert for the history books.  A bit of background is in order.

When I first traveled Europe with Bob Mainguy (who, by the way, just announced the birth of a daughter, Andrea, this past week) in 1986, the Berlin Wall remained an enduring reminder of the Cold War and the division of Europe into Eastern Bloc and Western NATO countries.  As we scoped out our plans for travel early that summer, we were in a position to take advantage of a fairly unique opportunity:  Since Bob had dual citizenship in Canada and Belgium he was allowed to purchase the for-Europeans-only Inter-rail train pass, which included the option to travel to countries on the East side of the Iron Curtain.  He was also allowed to take a guest.  

The other option was Eurail, which was standard fare for Americans and was restricted to Western Europe.  We were torn.  Eurail was cheaper and included Ireland (Inter-rail did not).  Inter-rail involved jumping through a few additional visa-related hoops.  But the thought of traveling to the verboten hinterlands of Eastern Bloc countries like Czechoslovakia, Poland, East Germany, Hungary, and Romania was enticing, and it took us a few days to make a decision.  We ultimately settled for Eurail, which nonetheless had us traveling far and wide on a whirlwind tour of 14 countries (a few years later, I would get to travel into a less restrictive Eastern Europe <Yugoslavia> by car with Nancy).

The very thought of crossing into such an isolated region at the time seemed a bit surreal.  Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union were indeed closed off from the Western world, perhaps not to the degree as North Korea is now, but close enough.  And the Berlin Wall symbolized this divide.  It was always clear who the wall was there to keep out (West) and who it was there to keep in (East).  Meeting someone from across the demarcation was a novelty:  It rarely happened. 

Roger Waters wrote the songs for ‘The Wall’ as a story line which centers on the life of fictional character ‘Pink’, a famous rock star who becomes increasingly isolated from his friends, family and audience.  The story also covers Pink’s past, and reveals the trauma of his youth (a badgering, mindless schoolmaster > “The Happiest Days of Our Lives”; an over-protective mother > “Mother”).  The ‘Wall’ slowly gets built between him and everyone else.  Eventually he tunes everything out and enters a world all unto himself.  It’s not a happy world by any means, and the closing songs on the album focus on his efforts to break down this emotional ‘Wall’ he has erected.

There is a duality in the meaning of this concept album, however, which comes out in the Berlin concert.  Pink’s isolation includes his imagining an alternative life as a dictator of a foreign land.  References to Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia are unmistakable.  Isolation remains a central theme at this level as well.

The concert in Berlin was released on video in the early 90’s.  I recall walking through a mall and catching the video on a TV screen, which was showing a particularly poignant part of the story. Roger Waters, playing the character of Pink, ignores a ringing phone and tosses furniture out the window of a stage prop apartment room high above the crowd, while singing ‘One of My Turns’, as The Wall gets built below him and around him.

It was not long before I had a purchased copy of the video in hand.  I’ve since watched it numerous times (if anyone wants to check it out, I can send it your way).

At the end of the show, this immense wall comes tumbling down, much like the Berlin Wall had only months earlier just a few blocks away.  The concert was performed as a celebration of that event. 

The Gem Video, ‘Hey You’ sung by Paul Carrack (of Squeeze), is the first song that is played after the entire Wall has been erected.  All songs before and after are performed in front of the crowd of 250,000, but Carrack, in what is one of the most unique moments in the annals of live performance, gets to sing to a wall, with a quarter-million people on the other side.  Roger Waters stands behind him in the shadows (can anyone make out the singular line from the song that Waters sings?).

Following ‘Hey You’ are a few other video cuts from the concert, including ‘One of My Turns’ and ‘The Trial’ (at the end of which, The Wall comes tumbling down > note Albert Finney as the judge, Thomas Dolby as the schoolmaster and Marianne Faithful as the mother).

- Pete

“But it was only fantasy

  The Wall was too high as you can see”

Gem Video: ‘Hey You’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eek8-EfxukU

‘One of My Turns’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udDZQjvkggU

‘The Trial’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2OTO80vFPI

A few bonus tracks for Squeeze fans (Paul Carrack) > yes, that’s you, Becca

‘Cool For Cats’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pehHNJWKf3g

‘Coffee in Bed’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUx5z9O2ZGk

About the Video: The one and only Roger Waters Concert at the Berlin Wall (or, what was left of it)

Video Rating: 1

_________________________

Best Feedback: Tom

Hi Pete, at first I was in a rush and went down to the bottom gems you chose - and upon seeing "Hey You" right away thought of the most recent 311 hit song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSezXqULS7c

which is likely the pace of most younger folk today, no doubt

So just went back to read the entire write-up - and thanks yet once more for a most informative write-up!

Cuz Tom

GMVW # 76: "Overcoming Adversity"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 76:  Overcoming Adversity

Song:  I Believe in You by Bob Dylan

Covered Here By: Sinead O’Connor

(Songwriter: Bob Dylan)

June 18, 2009

“Shut up and Sing”:  So declared conservative radio talk-show host Laura Ingraham in the title of her post-911 period-piece book.  The book raged against musicians who spoke their minds on stage during that not-so-long-ago turbulent period in American history.  The most obvious targets were the Dixie Chicks, who supposedly betrayed the trust of some of their fellow country-music loving Americans.  And there were others in Ingraham’s cross hairs, including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Kris Kristofferson. 

Springsteen, in particular was an interesting target.  Although not quite at the height of his popularity in 2002, he was still off the charts, so at some level you have to admire Ingraham’s boldness for taking him on.  It was that very popularity, however, that thrust responsibility on the outspoken Springsteen to speak up about where he stood on the big ticket items of the day: War, leadership and other touchy subjects. And since he was a pretty candid interview when times were relatively good, it would have been hypocritical of him not to be so in tougher times. 

Springsteen invariably has had plenty to say, not just between his songs, but in his songs too, which at face value are not always correctly interpreted (case in point: ‘Born in the USA’).  ‘Know thy audience’ is the first rule of thumb for anyone who takes center stage, and Springsteen knew that a fair number attending his shows were there because they had connections and cash, and were interested more in the spectacle and the bragging rights than the music.  Springsteen must have rationalized, “if this is how it’s going to be, then let me be perfectly clear why I’m here singing to you tonight and what I am singing about”.  Not always a good call, but appropriate at that time considering the convergence of musician and circumstance.

“Not fair”, according to Ingraham-like minds.  But what she and her audience neglected to recognize was that rock music has always had a rebellious, anti-establishment core.  There is no separating the music from the message, and if you enjoy listening, depending on your world view you may on occasion be forced to absorb that fact against your will.  ** On the flip side, I realize that on the rare occasion I want to listen to sports-talk radio after a World Series or Super Bowl win, the core audience of some shows are dominated by a different mind set, and I have to listen to the political viewpoints of Fred Smerlas, Gerry Callahan and others to get my Sox/Pats victory fix.  It goes with the territory.  **

Now this forum has never been about tossing vitriol, even if it’s a return volley, and I’m not about to start now.  So why lead off with this rant?  Well, the theme for this week’s Gem centers on musicians who have created and faced adversity, and as I zeroed in on the musicians I wanted to write about, the memory of that book came up.  Turned out to be a good intro, but I can’t dwell on it…. there’s more important business to attend to. 

Stirring the pot in general stems from bravery, foolhardiness, or both, but the results are usually the same:  Backlash.  Rebellion in music can be a luxury when you are surrounded by like minds, but when the tides turn, and you find yourself in the minority, or facing a hostile audience, how you deal with the adversity (and indeed your very willingness to take it on in the first place), can build character and open new avenues.  It can also tear you down, at least in the short term.  Very few musicians (or people in general) are willing to do this. I’ve always been intrigued by the few who have.  In the broader historical context, that short list would include folks like Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, William Wallace, Martin Luther King, and Charles Darwin.  Several musicians who immediately came to mind were the aforementioned Kristofferson (rock rebellion in conservative strongholds does not always click) and Cat Stevens (neither does jihad), but the two I can most knowledgeably discuss are John Lennon and Bob Dylan.  I’ll start with Lennon, since Dylan is the lead into this weeks Gem. 

Few have taken a greater leap of faith than John Lennon did in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  Lennon had it made in all walks of life, but abandoned it all in search of his version of truth, which centered on his relationship with Yoko Ono.  An early sign of his self imposed exile from mainstream society was when he returned his British MBE award to Queen Elizabeth with the note, “Your majesty, I am returning this in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against my single ‘Cold Turkey’ slipping down in the charts” (though leaving much behind, Lennon’s wit remained intact).  Over the next few years he would:

•              Move to Greenwich Village to live among the counter culture

•              Pose nude with Yoko on the cover of their ‘2 Virgins’ album

•              Host ‘Bed-ins’ and ‘Bag-ins’ to protest war, facing ridicule in the process

•              Fund large bulletin board advertisements declaring ‘Give Peace a Chance’

•              Practice unorthodox ‘Primal Scream Therapy’ as an antidote for losing his mother at a young age

•              Write a slew of raw, no-holds-barred, non-conformist songs on his first two solo albums 

Lennon’s actions lead to FBI bugging of his phone lines, and they almost lead to his deportation:  Quite a departure from the mop-top grand entrance he made into the USA in 1963.  Looking back on some of his interviews during these days (easily tracked down on YouTube), it all seems somewhat comical and borderline absurd.  But it was very serious to Lennon at the time, and although he comes across awkward and occasionally 'out there', he would emerge from that period of adversity a stronger person, making his murder a few years later a very hard pill to swallow.  “What could have been?” has been a question on many minds since December, 1980.

And then there’s Bob Dylan.  Dylan has always been on the edge of controversy, but three periods in his career stand out as being particularly adverse.  The first was when he ‘went electric’ in the mid 60’s, and faced the wrath of his original folk-music loving audience.  On his first electric tour with The Band, he faced far more jeers than cheers.  I believe his recent resurgence of four fantastic albums in a row is another period, as he had been written off by many as well past his prime, and once again proved them wrong. 

Tucked roughly in the middle was a late 70’s stretch of 3 albums, ‘Slow Train Coming’, ‘Saved’, and ‘Shot of Love’, which all emphasized Dylan’s Christian conversion to the teachings of Jesus (speak of someone who faced adversity!).  These records are as good as anything in his lengthy catalog, but because they were what rock critics considered a departure from form, the albums were marginalized at the time of their release.  Recently, I’ve been listening again to ‘Slow Train Coming’ after years of neglect (way back when, it contributed to my faith, even more so than most music).  The first rekindled memory I had as I listened again was that the album title is apropos: This music sneaks up on you.  As far as adversity goes, this comes through in the posted lyrics to this week’s Gem, ‘I Believe in You’ which is a song off that album, and is covered in the video by, of all people….. Sinead O’Connor, a name synonymous with adversity.  I did not plan this, but her cover was far and away the best version of this song that I could find (the song was a toss-up with the 2nd url link below, 'Every Grain of Sand', as one which I wanted to Gem stamp this week, but there was no good live footage of that song). 

‘I Believe in You’ is the song O’Connor was supposed to perform at the Dylan 30th Anniversary show in 1992.  She walked on stage to a chorus of boos.   Some in attendance that evening were reacting negatively to her Saturday Night Live performance weeks before during which she burned a picture of the Pope in anger to the lack of acknowledgement Rome was giving at the time to clergy sexual abuse (just then being uncovered but not yet receiving widespread attention).  Booker T futilely tried to jump-start her singing by playing the opening piano notes to the rehearsed song as she stared down boo-birds in the crowd.  She finally cut off Booker T, abandoned the song and sang (a better word might be yelled) a solo a cappella version of Bob Marley’s ‘War’ (the only non-Dylan song performed that evening, albeit unscripted).  Anyhow, years later (1999) she finally performed ‘I Believe in You’ at an animal-rights benefit show in honor of the then recently deceased Linda McCartney (this is the Gem video). 

I’d like to think Pope John Paul II could find empathy for Sinead O’Connor… they were both, after all, admirers of the same musician: Bob Dylan (The pope invited Dylan to the 1997 World Eucharistic Congress in Bologna, Italy, where Dylan performed several songs), and although troubled, she was still (in the words of Van Morrison) ‘seeking higher ground’.

Following ‘I Believe in You’ is a bootleg version of the previously mentioned ‘Every Grain of Sand’ off the 3rd album of that Dylan trilogy, 'Shot of Love'.  I like this version even better than the one that made the album (even with the barking dog in the background).  Below that link are the words to ‘I Believe in You’.  Dylan’s Gem of a song could also have been subtitled: “Blessed are the persecuted for righteousness sake, for they shall see the kingdom of heaven”, but I think that line’s already been used somewhere.

Adversity….it’s something most of us try to avoid, but often the rewards for facing it square in the face can be worth it…eventually.

- Pete

Gem Music Video ‘I Believe in You’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX9dG9_aUo4

‘Every Grain of Sand’ still shot link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3dKqm-XPj0

‘I Believe in You’ lyrics

They ask me how I feel

And if my love is real

And how I know I'll make it through

And they, they look at me and frown

They'd like to drive me from this town

They don't want me around

'Cause I believe in you.

They show me to the door

They say don't come back no more

'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to

And I, I walk out on my own

A thousand miles from home

But I don't feel alone

'Cause I believe in you.

I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter

I believe in you even though we be apart

I believe in you even on the morning after

Oh, when the dawn is nearing

Oh, when the night is disappearing

Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart.

Don't let me drift too far

Keep me where you are

Where I will always be renewed

And that which you've given me today

Is worth more than I could pay

And no matter what they say

I believe in you.

I believe in you when winter turn to summer

I believe in you when white turn to black

I believe in you even though I be outnumbered

Oh, though the earth may shake me

Oh, though my friends forsake me

Oh, even that couldn't make me go back.

Don't let me change my heart

Keep me set apart

From all the plans they do pursue

And I, I don't mind the pain

Don't mind the driving rain

I know I will sustain

'Cause I believe in you.

About the Video: From the Linda McCartney tribute show

Video Rating: 1

Best Feedback: Dad

PETE,  DON'T EVER CHANGE !

LOVE, DAD

And Jack:

Very good one Pete.  I didn't really consider the counterculture aspect of this.  If people are going to attend these concerts, they should at least have a pulse on what the singer's passions are...and EXPECT there to be some sort of dialog.  You go to an Amy Grant concert (in the 80s), you were going to hear about Jesus Christ.  I went to see McCartney at Sullivan I think back in 1990, (you were probably there too) :-), and much of his new stuff was for the green cause.  Of course I think the audience wanted to hear the old stuff...and they got plenty of that too!

The only two editorial comments I would make are the following....

1, The Dixie Chicks.  This was egregious for two reasons.  First, it was counter to their audience (Southern Country/Southern Rock crowd), and like you said Know thy Audience!  I don't really know the Dixie Chicks, but what triggered that off wasn't so much that the DCs denounced our actions in Iraq, but more that they did this in France of all places.   That just exacerbated the whole thing.  Personally, I could care less but there you have it. 

2. The dirty little secret about John Lennon.  Loved the guy...still listen to him from time to time.  He was a genius and definitely a man of conviction.  However, he once bragged that he took over 3000 acid trips.  If this is true, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, my guess is he would have died not too long after...if for anything because of the tremendous strain that sort of activity puts on the mind and body. 

Just a couple of observations is all....hope all's well with you and the fam!!

-Jack