Someone commented on my last post saying that the Bridge School Benefit 2007 was a let down. It’s hard to make that admission when it’s a benefit concert for such a good cause, but I am in complete agreement. I’m piss poor at writing concert reviews, so let’s just treat these as notes from the show.
The wife and I made our way to Shoreline Amphitheater, after a trip to the store for some camping chairs, and ended up finding a spot in the back of the lawn for a great view of a jumbo TV screen and virtually no view of the stage.
Regina Spektor started things off after a short set by Neil Young and she sounded great. Her sound is not my cup of tea, but she does have a strong voice and I thought it was fantastic that she situated herself sideways on stage so she could perform to the audience and the bridge school students that were seated onstage. Tegan and Sarah followed and were completely unmemorable for me.
I really enjoyed the set by My Morning Jacket. “Golden” was the highlight and I appreciated their sincerity and humble stage-presence. Jim James’ voice sounded fantastic in the open air venue.
After MMJ, John Mayer took the stage with his trio. I was skeptical about seeing Mayer going in because I’m typically anti-John Mayer, but I was surprised at how much I liked him live. It was a short set, including “Gravity” and a nice version of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin.” It was quite a pleasure to see that guy playing the guitar.
Tom Waits took the stage after being introduced by James Hetfield. Waits and the Kronos Quartet were the performers of the night and I was most impressed with “Day After Tomorrow” from Real Gone. Tom looked and sounded like something from the HBO show Carnivale. His gravelly voice, stomping feet, and the lighting projected from beneath casted him as a monster on stage. The strings from the Kronos Quartet were eerily beautiful and it was the perfect Halloween set. My wife kept commenting that Waits might be scaring the Bridge School kids.
I left right after Neil Young for a few reasons. It was cold, I was tired of paying $8.00 for beers, I could hear the fat chicks behind me more than I could hear the music, and Neil wore my ass out with a song that lasted 20 minutes. The lone hippie dancing on the lawn even stopped spinning at about the 12 minute mark. In a benefit concert that has this many artists in the line-up, I think it’s self-indulgent to perform a song for longer than 8 minutes even if you are the organizer.
Did the night live up to my expectations? Not quite. Will I go back? Definitely. It’s hard to put a night like this under too much scrutiny. I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy the entire lineup that is assembled, but it is great to see a community show up in droves for a good cause.
Oh, and Bruce Springsteen didn’t show up.
Tom Waits – Day After Tomorrow (Courtesy of Music is Art)
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I was there Sunday. Tow Waits and Kronus was definitely THE act, but too bad you didn’t stick it out for Jerry Lee Lewis and a rocking good time.
I was dissapointed as well. I went Saturday night thinking that the artists would perform more of their hits. The Bridge School Benefit is a great cause, but this year it was lackluster. They need to recruit better bands and performers! U2 Anyone? Even poor Jerry didnt seem like he wanted to be there, he barely cracked a smile!
I was at both shows this year as well as the show in ‘99 with Tom Waits. Tom Waits for president and Neil rocked 6 (extra)songs with Jerry Lee Sunday before his own set! Very hard to imagine leaving disappointed. The ‘99 show had Tom Waits, The Who, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, Emylou Harris and Brian Wilson, a great line up. But:
The 2007 shows were great if you went looking for the greatness!
cu next year!
tnx for the review … its hard to find any reviews anymore on almost any show or fest … i went to 7 bridge shows in a row … some were the great and some were pretty darn good, but none really let me down where i wished i hadnt gone … i hate the lawn though, too many people in too small of a space … now i go to vegoose and it is usually the same weekend as the bridge, so dont know if i will ever be back .. but i still donate each year a little, because it is a good cause .. colorado ron **
It was the first time I’d seen either Neil or Tom live; since they are two of my favorites, the show was a wonderful success. I’ll tell you what was wonderful about the show that I didn’t hear mentioned. The fact that Metallica played acoustically for the first time live, or ever…and I thought the sound was great. I finally heard the powerful music they were playing but was unaware because I couldn’t bring myself to tolerate their electric style long enough. I think that might have made an impression on many other 50-somethings like myself, Of which there were enough of to make it look like an aarp get together, with grandchildren and all. What I got was alot of spiritually based music, mainly Tom and Neil, but not limited to by a long shot. John Mayers performance inspired me to buy one of his CD’s. And I did look on in horror as people carried around two beers like they were transporting gold….well it was almost like gold. $12.00 per glass. But it was in all, a very nice show. I can understand others disappointments, but I did learn a few very good things about concerts. First…get the reserved seats! Don’t bring a date who’s a beer guzzler. Don’t sit anywhere Near the stairs…and Never, Never go…on an empty stomach! So to concert goers everywhere: There’s some good ones, some not so good ones. We are able to have concerts here; and that is something we should all enjoy.
Leave a Comment