I'm trying to remember what music felt to me 20 -50 years ago when I was learning to play a baritone uke, singing with two guys in a little group, and leading a guitar mass at my parish. Rarely did the words of the songs mean as much to me as the music itself. The rhythm always carried me. The movement either drew me in (folk music) or pushed me away (rock music). I realize that the only concert I've ever been to was at Riverbend. Bobby McFerrin was conducting the POPS orchestra. At one point, he told the orchestra to go sit in the audience. He was the only person left on stage and he proceeded to act out the story of the Wizard of OZ by playing all the parts by himself. What a thrill that was for me. But, it was an even bigger thrill when he conducted the audience. I was sitting with a bunch of people from the May Festival Chorus and when McFerrin pointed his little stick at us we almost blew him off the stage with our powerful response. It caught him off guard for a second or two but he moved on. I can't help comparing my experience with yours, Ed. I don't know why, but I'm never satisfied watching other people having fun. I have to find a way to be a part of it and if I don't find that I'm dissatisfied with the experience. I would have enjoyed the technical spectacle of your U2 concert but the music pushed me away. Maybe that's what makes me a performer and you an audience member.
I'm trying to remember what music felt to me 20 -50 years ago when I was learning to play a baritone uke, singing with two guys in a little group, and leading a guitar mass at my parish. Rarely did the words of the songs mean as much to me as the music itself. The rhythm always carried me. The movement either drew me in (folk music) or pushed me away (rock music). I realize that the only concert I've ever been to was at Riverbend. Bobby McFerrin was conducting the POPS orchestra. At one point, he told the orchestra to go sit in the audience. He was the only person left on stage and he proceeded to act out the story of the Wizard of OZ by playing all the parts by himself. What a thrill that was for me. But, it was an even bigger thrill when he conducted the audience. I was sitting with a bunch of people from the May Festival Chorus and when McFerrin pointed his little stick at us we almost blew him off the stage with our powerful response. It caught him off guard for a second or two but he moved on. I can't help comparing my experience with yours, Ed. I don't know why, but I'm never satisfied watching other people having fun. I have to find a way to be a part of it and if I don't find that I'm dissatisfied with the experience. I would have enjoyed the technical spectacle of your U2 concert but the music pushed me away. Maybe that's what makes me a performer and you an audience member.