Tag Archives: live performances

π΅π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘Žπ‘› π‘€π‘Žπ‘¦, πΉπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘‘π‘‘π‘–π‘’ π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘¦…π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑄𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑛.

Queen, featuring vocalist Freddie Mercury, and guitarist Brian May, with a live You’re My Best Friend, performed in December of 1979 at the Hammersmith Odeon. This shows Mercury in top form vocally; a true maestro at work.

Another shining exemplar of Queen’s formidable power is this iteration of the remarkable hit single Killer Queen. Recorded June 7, 1977 at Earl’s Court, this rendition is quite canonical. The synergy between Freddie Mercury and guitarist Brian May is really working, and both are in magnificent form. Speaking of Mercury, Roger Daltrey once stated that he was “the best virtuoso rock β€˜n’ roll singer of all time”, and well known soprano Montserrat CaballΓ© felt that β€œhis technique was astonishing; he sang with an incisive sense of rhythm; he also had a great musicality, and he was able to find the right colouring or expressive nuance for each word”. An extraordinary, charismatic performer, Mr. Mercury was described by guitarist Brian May as being so magnetic β€œhe could make the last person at the back of the furthest stand in a stadium feel that he was connected”. The British vocalist also was unafraid to rank 58th in a poll of 100 Greatest Britons, finishing just behind Alexander Graham Bell. And The Cliff Richard (??). George Harrison was bettered, however, and in the most controversial decision, legendary Welsh actor Richard Burton came-a-cropper, finishing behind—by a significant margin—the great vocalist. Observers reported the Welshman appeared visibly shaken, ashen-faced, and extremely bitter during the ceremony. Some claim he wiped away tears, as he abruptly stormed off to whereabouts unknown.

“Burton later claimed ill health, but those near him were positive the Welshman wept openly, clenched his fists in impotent rage, and frequently muttered uncomplimentary remarks whilst shaking with hysteria, losing his balance more than once.” -Thrustus Simmonds, noted author of “Titans of Britondom, and Such”.

Lastly, the rousing Keep Yourself Alive. Live, 1974, at The Rainbow. Truly uplifting, and the musicianship, as was typical from this band, occupied Upper-Echelon terrain. This band indeed changed lives.

π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Žπ‘¦: π‘‰π‘Žπ‘šπ‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘™π‘¦-π‘ƒπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘’π‘‘ 𝐷𝑒𝑖𝑑𝑦.

In re: the above, and the below: One of those riveting performances Peter Murphy has been known to deliver, the kind that provokes ponderings such as “Hmm. Is P.M. the greatest person to ever draw breath? Oh, right. He’s probably *not* a person, as such…”. I’m sure you have entertained such mysteries. Still emphatically vampiric, all the more impressive given the attire; Bela, say, would not be caught dead, undead, or in some interstitial state about which we know little {OK; nothing}, in such garb. But, yep; vampiric as they come. He is in full command of his towering vocal abilities, as per. A mesmerist is in the house. And, *you* let him in!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Cuts You Up {1992, on D. Miller} vid has become somewhat, oh, infamous, due to Murphy’s {elegant} gesture (which was *not* “giving {Miller} the finger”, as the rattled, indignant, incorrect host proclaimed…’twas a nose-thumbing, a snook-cocking); it was a perfect moment in time, making crystal clear that some people are human {Miller, for example: and a jackass to boot. He had just finished offering forth banal, insulting words about his Guest, then plays the Innocent…}, and some are more of the god-like/vampiric/undefinable/ambiguously-formatted persuasion.

{above prose appended 8/8/2019; I’d already referenced this topic in post originale, below, but I feel a need to avoid revising/excising. And, you cannot make me.}

The ever enigmatic and other-worldly Peter Murphy still presents an imposing, daunting figure, one who seems unlacking in self-assurance. And, if anything, his *astonishing* vocal talents are fully—possibly more than fully—intact. Like unto a god. Or whatever he is.

His immense powers, presence, and unearthly priest-like {Ambiguously Benevolence’d Category} attributes are all on display in these videos; and, for the connoisseurs, the Great Man delivers (whilst exiting the stage, post “Cuts You Up”) unto host and mere mortal Dennis Miller a profound gesture, one flawless, snook-cocking nose thumb, with all the impeccable style and ease that would be expected.

To reiterate: I am *not* removing, now, or ever, the Miller quasi-debacle bit here, addenda or no addenda.

π˜›π˜©π˜¦ 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘡𝘳𝘺 π˜”π˜Άπ˜΄π˜ͺ𝘀𝘴

Willie Nelson

Titans of music abound in this post. From the preternatural pipes of Mr. Yoakam, to the not-in-need-of-rocking-chairs legend George Jones, to the inimitable Hoyt Axton, to the Lanois-ing Willie Nelson…then the hugely underappreciated Dick Curless, the irresistible Lucinda Williams, to Dan Auerbach and his mesmerizing ways, Buck Owens in his prime with Don Rich, the great Merle Haggard, the Silver Fox…and we conclude with Dwight once more, with Eddy Shaver.

π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ πΌπ‘Žπ‘› π΄π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘œπ‘›/π½π‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œ π‘‡π‘’𝑙𝑙.

These gents are titans of prog, rock, prog-rock…and then there’s the mind-boggling talents and idiosyncrasies of Mr. Ian Anderson.

Ian Anderson XXI
Ian Anderson II - Flute Wielding and Thrusting
Ian Anderson III - Ritual and Big Finish

Thaumaturge, wizard, vocalist/performer/showman supreme. Mr. Ian Anderson.

Note: Revised 7/31/2019.

And sneaking in at the last moment……..1977, Golders Green Hippodrome.

Ah, The Irish. The Dubliners; and The Clancy Brothers.

On to The Dubliners, then.

The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and Shane McGowan work their inimitable magic.

Ramones.

Nice music combo. Uplift Program = Ramones. Joey’s vocal on Airwaves is one of his (or anyone’s, for that matter; a supremely underrated vocalist, who could do anything) best; saying a lot. Also Sheena, 1st vid. Like a completely different song, he mixes up the phrasing, emphasis, cadence so masterfully.

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑬𝑳𝑢, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐 𝑱𝒆𝒇𝒇 π‘³π’šπ’π’π’†.

The stunning talents of Jeff Lynne. Quite something. Few are his peers.

π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ 𝐸𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑠 πΆπ‘œπ‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘™π‘™π‘œ.

Same performance as the following YT. 1983.
Elvis Costello III
Mr. Elvis Costello.

{Revised: 7/6/2019}

Mr. Elvis Costello: One of the very greatest, most idiosyncratic performers and composers. Of this, or any, century/epoch. We will not see his likes again.

π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘…π‘œπ‘”π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘–π‘‘π‘‘π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘Ÿ πΈπ‘₯π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘’π‘›π‘π‘’.

whittaker on ice I

{Festival.}

Begins with “Mexican Whistler”….
Great version.
Claude FranΓ§ois with a brief showing…
He Starts Below.
Good Morning, Starshine.
Those Were The Days.
Don’t Let ‘Em Change.
Candy Cloud.
Pretty Bird.
Mistral. Bilingual.
Mistral. More Whistling.
Flap Flap.
Emily. {English}
Mexican Whistler.
Calypso!
Festival. {!!}
Swaggy. Australian Whistler. {alt version}
Swaggy. True Version.

The supremely talented, somewhat offbeat {esp. back in the day…} whistling mΓ¦stro , composer, and smooth, rich baritone vocalist Roger Whittaker. The man can just plain deliver a song; very gifted with phrasing, etc.