Here's the yin to the yang, the other side of the tracks. By calling these shows the 'worst' or 'most disappointing' doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them. It just means that they were the weakest of all the shows I've seen, or that they just didn't live up to my expectations of them. So here we go...
Black Sabbath (at Ozzfest 2005 at the Arts Center). I write this cautiously because I love Black Sabbath and this was the first and probably last time I'll ever get to see them. What's more, is that they sounded great for most of the set, even Ozzy who has been losing it for years now. But it was this show in particular that signaled the end of the Ozzman. If only they hadn't come back for the encore! After spicing up the set with some real surprises, like "Black Sabbath" and "Fairies Wear Boots", Sabbath closed the show with their standard, "Paranoid". But they just couldn't leave well enough alone. People began to leave, but no sooner did my buddy say "They're done" did the opening, galloping chords of "Children Of The Grave" begin to explode throught the speakers. But it was the end of an icon. Ozzy's voice had simply had enough. He crackled and wheezed his way through the song, falling flat when he knew the words, jumping around when he forgot them. The rest is a denial-induced blur, but it helps to note that Ozzy canceled his perfomance at the following day's show, having Judas Priest's Rob Halford fill in on vocals. Since that time, Ozzy has been a much less dominant presence at the tour that bears his name, playing only selesct shows and shorter sets at subsequent Ozzfests. And to think he just recorded a new album...I'm sure they worked bloody wonders in the studio.
Bob Dylan (at Continental Airlines Arena, NJ) Here's another case of a fallen idol. I guess it's a testament to the man that Dylan keeps recording albums and goes on tour to support it, and true, he sounded better than he has in recent years, but really. I can understand that he might not be able to play the ol' geetar anymore, but to just SIT there at the piano for the entire set,literally not even turning his head the entire time? Come on, Bob. I expected more from the voice of a generation. Good thing he had the band (and another keyboard player) to pick up his considerable slack n songs like "Thunder on the Mountain" and "All Along The Watchtower". I just know I left that night wondering if I had in fact actually seen Bob Dylan underneath his big-brimmed, WWF Undertaker looking hat. Something about his harsh and throaty voice assured me, despite his appearance, that I had. Sorry Bob, but now might be the time to hang up your touring hat for good and let young fans listen to albums like The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan or Blonde on Blonde to discover your genius..
More later..
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment