Can't remember where I read it recently, but someone claimed that live performances of bands captured on television are always unsatisfying to the viewer. I disagree. So now, in order to prove that television can provide the home viewer with memorable, enjoyable musical performances; I submit the Thursday/Monday feature - "Live Music on Television." On each of these days I'll provide a link to great musical performances that combat the hypothesis that live TV is no place for good music.
That being said, I first submit to you a special, three-song* performance that took place on October 30, 1976 on Saturday Night Live. Less than one month before their last concert ever, here's The Band with "Life is a Carnival". After the jump, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Stage Fright"
* The Band would come back at the end of the night to perform "Georgia on My Mind," but I was unable to find this performance on the internet.
The Band on SNL "Life is a carnival"
link: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=46200621
The Band on SNL "The night they drove old dixie down"
link: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=46201196
The Band on SNL "Stage fright"
link: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=46249037
Neither the sound or video quality is as perfect as I wished it were, but damn if these aren't some amazing performances. Like a preview of The Last Waltz before it was shot. One of my all-time favorite bands.
I find it odd that you would pick THIS BAND, and THIS PERFORMANCE, to refute the claim that live performances are lackluster for fans. These Snl clips are dated and grainy, and the band is relatively obscure. Consider in the future - MTV Unplugged in the 90s, High Def concerts filmed in the past few years, and youtube gems filmed by real fans in the middle of the action... just sayin'
ReplyDeleteFirst off, welcome to the Blog. We appreciate all comments/suggestions here and hope you'll continue to make them.
ReplyDeleteMusic, of course, is inherently subjective. Thus, what I choose to highlight might not reflect your musical tastes. What I don't agree with in your characterization of "The Band" is that they are "relatively obscure." "The Band" is one of the more influential musical groups of the last 40 years. If you're unfamiliar with their music, then I highly suggest watching "The Last Waltz" directed by Martin Scorsese which highlights their last concert ever performed. They are one of my favorite bands of all time, and the SNL performance occurred just a month before their final performance ever. Hence why they were highlighted.
As to the video, lamentably it is not in its best condition in the version I posted. That's just the nature of the internet. Ideally everything would be uploaded in 1080i with 5.1 surround sound, but we haven't reached that point yet. Even still, I don't think you necessarily need perfect video to capture the mood and excitement of a live television performance. The point of this feature is more to highlight that you can find the feel of being at a live performance through television.
Finally, there are some Unplugged performances and more recent concerts that are already bookmarked. However, those will come at a later time as this is only a feature twice a week. As to concerts filmed by fans, that sort of doesn't fit with the feature - "Live Music on Television."
Hope that answered your questions.