Post by MaxQuad on Dec 4, 2008 20:30:00 GMT -5
Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno
It is hard to believe it has been close to 25 years since the release of Stop Making Sense. Tonight there would be no boombox start, no big suit finish. The songs, however, remain exceedingly fresh and full of energy. Performing for a sell out crowd, David Byrne focused on the collection of songs from his various collaborations with Brian Eno over the years, including many celebrated Eno-produced Talking Heads tunes. Touring in support of the latest release, 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today,' Byrne proved that the creative partnership is as vital today as it was years ago.
Greeted with a standing ovation, Byrne walked to center stage as the band assembled behind. His hair is now white, which was also the dress color of choice for all on stage - band, backing vocalists, and eventually dancers. His first two songs set the stage - starting with new, followed by old. The transition from era to era was seamless - the new sounding familiar, the old not sounding dated.
The blend of music and motion (dancers, vocalists and Byrne himself) created a playfully energizing atmosphere, one that reinforced Byrne's way of keeping tongue in cheek even in the most serious of songs. It was also a reminder that Byrne has been more than a musician through the years, utilizing dance (in his collaboration with Twyla Tharp) and the visual arts to express his vision as well.
Though many may have attended on the strength of the Talking Heads reputation, the new songs were just as well received as the old. His lyrics remain intelligent and endearingly quirky at the same time. The rhythms always find a way to evoke emotion and produce energy.
Talking Heads songs of note included 'I Zimbra,' 'Once in a Lifetime,' and 'Life During Wartime.' As the house lights came up during 'Burning Down the House,' bathing the crowd in the same white light of the stage, it was clear that Byrne and the band were enjoying this as much as those in the audience.
The crowd was rewarded with three encores, the last being the title track of the new album. As Byrne sang 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today,' those present couldn't help but think what an amazing evening they had just experienced, what an amazing ending to that day. There was much to live up to and David Byrne delivered with ease.
MQ
It is hard to believe it has been close to 25 years since the release of Stop Making Sense. Tonight there would be no boombox start, no big suit finish. The songs, however, remain exceedingly fresh and full of energy. Performing for a sell out crowd, David Byrne focused on the collection of songs from his various collaborations with Brian Eno over the years, including many celebrated Eno-produced Talking Heads tunes. Touring in support of the latest release, 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today,' Byrne proved that the creative partnership is as vital today as it was years ago.
Greeted with a standing ovation, Byrne walked to center stage as the band assembled behind. His hair is now white, which was also the dress color of choice for all on stage - band, backing vocalists, and eventually dancers. His first two songs set the stage - starting with new, followed by old. The transition from era to era was seamless - the new sounding familiar, the old not sounding dated.
The blend of music and motion (dancers, vocalists and Byrne himself) created a playfully energizing atmosphere, one that reinforced Byrne's way of keeping tongue in cheek even in the most serious of songs. It was also a reminder that Byrne has been more than a musician through the years, utilizing dance (in his collaboration with Twyla Tharp) and the visual arts to express his vision as well.
Though many may have attended on the strength of the Talking Heads reputation, the new songs were just as well received as the old. His lyrics remain intelligent and endearingly quirky at the same time. The rhythms always find a way to evoke emotion and produce energy.
Talking Heads songs of note included 'I Zimbra,' 'Once in a Lifetime,' and 'Life During Wartime.' As the house lights came up during 'Burning Down the House,' bathing the crowd in the same white light of the stage, it was clear that Byrne and the band were enjoying this as much as those in the audience.
The crowd was rewarded with three encores, the last being the title track of the new album. As Byrne sang 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today,' those present couldn't help but think what an amazing evening they had just experienced, what an amazing ending to that day. There was much to live up to and David Byrne delivered with ease.
MQ