And then there is Eurovision...
What a load of mind-numbingly banal music that was - but I still watched it, even cheered on Jedward, Blue and Sweden (lovely looking boys) which I drew in the sweepstake at work. In the end it was a close call and Sweden were pipped from their 2nd place by the last vote, moving them into third and me into £5 position. Oh well, at least I came out better off with my £1 stake.
Husband meantime was in Glasgow at the SECC seeing Rush in their Time Machine tour. A great gig by all accounts - and I would have probably quite liked it - but somehow Rush passed me by - think I was just too old when they were in their heyday - although according to the husband they are all as ancient (or more so) than me.
Last week I envied those who were at the O2 on Thursday...David Gilmour and Nick Mason joined Roger Waters for a special guest appearance during his Wall tour. And it's likely the only appearance they will do, more's the pity. I have seen 2 clips of the gig - both Comfortably Numb and although the professional one is undoubtedly best in terms of musical quality, the amateur one taken on someone's phone captures the incredulity and disbelief of the frenzied crowd at the moment Gilmour appeared on top of the Wall. Wonderful!
Well tonight we have another gig - this time PF tribute band BritFloyd who, by all accounts, do a very good attempt at the real thing. We won't see them all again - ever now - since Richard Wright is no longer with us - but a tribute band who really do pay tribute well will be a good enough second best.
Of course nothing will ever beat that night in June 1973 when I saw the real deal in Roosevelt Stadium in New Jersey. Dark Side of the Moon - heard for the first time in a bit of a haze from the cocktail of alcohol and other substances which prevailed at the time. Not a lot - but enough to make the memory a bit woozy. My only clear memory is of lying on the field - we had plenty room, and these young men were not that far away on the stage. All had long hair then. The light show was the best of its kind back then and the music as sweet and as fresh as any truly great music heard for the very first time. We were a motley assortment of me (Scottish) and Italian, American and I think a French student too. On the way back to NYC on the train I remember us all just sitting looking at each other and replaying the concert in our heads - hardly a word passed our lips. How I got back to Mamaroneck goodness knows - I think it was really late - possibly 6 in the morning. I was just in when Dad Bondy came down to get something out of the fridge. "Your pupils are very large..." he said. I guess he knew I'd had a good time!
Well - actually - that remains the best gig of my life.
The clip from someone's mobile phone!
No comments:
Post a Comment