With Mardi Gras a fuzzy memory- Live Music Season is underway with the culmination at Jazzfest this spring. My concert going was kicked off March 1st with Justin Timberlake and Pink at the New Orleans Arena. I had no desire to attend this concert when my friends bought their tickets. I like some of Justin's songs, but not enough to go see him. I am however, enough of a fan to gladly accept an extra ticket. My friends sister was unable to attend due to the tornadoes in Alabama, so at the last minute I got the call! I full on expected to be surrounded by 12 year old girls, sorority chicks, and gel drenched queens- so I finished off my Mardi Gras Jaeger and head out the door. My estimation of the crowd was not far off- only the number of youngsters was much smaller than I anticipated. Perhaps their parents had a clue that this would be a mature themed event- "Future Sex/Love Show" doesn't really sound like Up With People. I didn't see a note of Pink's performance- apparently the Human Resources Department of the New Orleans Arena believe the saying "Hire the handicapped, they're fun to watch"- because the bartenders were having a hard time making a beer. I will set the scene- it is a major sporting and musical venue, and it is in New Orleans- there are drink stands every 5 feet. The lines were longer for them than to get on the buses after Katrina. And they moved just as slowly. It took 40 minutes to find out they didn't have any vodka. Undaunted, I went with the Crown- warning any in ear shot that I am not the nicest Bourbon drinker. I am not going to do a full on rundown of the show. The long and the short of it- I was impressed by Justin- he has a great voice, terrific stage presence, etc. The layout of the concert was also really well done- with the stage set in the center and interesting light and camera work to insure that no matter where you were sitting- you had a great seat. The only drawback of the concert is unfortunately a big one. I knew going in that there were going to have to be many songs that I did not know- because he's only released two albums and I"m only familiar with the bigger releases. Whoever was responsible for the song list and more importantly- the order in which they were played- totally dropped the ball. One of the reasons that I enjoy concerts- especially when put on by bona fide performers- is that I love the build up of excitement and energy in the crowd. Justin would rock out a few songs, get everyone jumping, and then abruptly tone it down with a ballad. He repeated this throughout the show- to the point that by the time the concert ended- at least a third of the arena was vacant. There was no sustained rush at all in the 2 hour or so show. Usually when I leave a concert- I am pumped up and excited- no matter how much or what I am drinking! I was ready to leave well before the show ended and even before hearing some of my favorites. We did stay though- saw it to its final song- and left disappointed. A real waste of talent and presentation.
I didn't think that I would have an opportunity to make a comparison to JT so soon- but then I remembered Billy Joel! Last night we saw him at the same arena with very different results. I will preface with a bit of history- having been an impressionable young boy in New York in the early 70s, I feel like I have always known Billy Joel. He was a hometown hero to all of Long Island, and his songs have been a part of my life's soundtrack since day one. I have been fortunate enough to have seen him twice before this- once on his own, and then on the great tour with Ms. Elton. It's been a long time since I have listened to much Billy- but as I found out- those songs are second nature. The basics- Billy has always let his talent, songs, and band be the focus of his live performances. While there are lighting effects throughout- they really didn't add to the evening at all. In fact I kept wishing I had my tanning goggles because I was continually blinded by the blasts from the stage. His first few songs were ok- some more recent songs that I don't think I had ever heard. Since I couldn't sing along I took the time to check out my fellow concert goers- who knew that Billy Joel had superfans?! The row behind us was a bunch of early 20s dudes who were cheering for Billy like he was a sports star. WOOT WOOT WOOT BILLLLLLAY- and singing EVERY word to EVERY song. It was nuts. Then there was the mildly retarded couple who plunked down next to me. They had made a sign that said "We Love You Bily" (yes, it was missing the other L) in really scary serial killer handwriting- that was wrapped with tracklighting. Not only were they mildly retarded- and I am not just saying that for laughs, they really were challenged- they also proceeded to get wigggggity wasted over the course of the show. Just about every other song they both set the blinking sign in the seat next to me, and got new drinks- each of them were double fisting- in one hand a beer and in the other a daquiri. The booze not only made them very chatty with me (which you know I fully encouraged hehehehe) but also extremely amorous and handsy with each other (which I also fully encouraged). At one point when they were walking down the stairs to get another round, she fell down into another row and he tripped over her leg and went ass over tea kettle to the bottom of the aisle. I was in hysterics as other more responsible people attempted to help them up hehehehe!
Now I know that catalog wise, there is no way on Earth that Justin could compare to Billy. But let me tell you- when he started to play his hits it was exhilarating. 10,000 plus people dancing, singing, and reliving every song- it was so much fun. The high point in all of this for me- at least music wise hehehe- came during his encore. When he started "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" I almost started crying. Long having been my favorite Billy Joel song, I knew he wouldn't disappoint and omit it. I thought I was either going to lose my voice again or get decked I was singing so loudly. He wrapped up with "Piano Man" and led the arena wide sing a long that shook the rafters.
All in all a pretty good start to what is shaping up to be months of exciting music. Next is either The Bangles or The Isley Brothers at the House of Blues- not sure offhand. Don't forget to go to www.nojazzfest.com for lineup, tickets, etc. and be sure to let me know of any good stuff you hear about!!!!
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