One of the great things about living in Boston is the summer concert scene. So much to pick from, so close at hand. Tonight was the best Boston Pops program I ever heard. In its season finale, Keith Lockhart conducted a Gershwin tribute including American In Paris, Three Preludes (scored for orchestra) and Rhapsody and Blue (along with some Gershwin songs). The final act included a typical Pops sing along, ending with the 1812 Overture, a piece the Pops had prepared for the annual Fourth of July Concert on Sunday. There is a reason these pieces are popular classics, especially when performed live. And our table was in the fourth row center.
I did not really get my act together this summer to get rock concert tickets, but this morning I located on line some 16th row seats for the Eric Clapton concert tomorrow night, without even having to pay an unreasonable premium. Sunday, we get to watch the fireworks on the Charles from the roof of the BU Law Tower–a 17 story structure that always looks better when you are inside looking out, but which has great views. In two weeks, Chris Isaak and the Silvertones come to town. Ah yes, Boston in the summer when it seems everyone clears out of town and the roads and restaurants are all uncongested. Why go to the Cape?
Update: Clapton was great last night, as was opening act Robert Randolph. This review expresses it better than I could. During the blues segment, I did catch myself thinking that, from what I have read, THIS was the music Clapton loved better than his own. The blues is fine–and I have bought his blues albums–but others can play it well. Clapton’s own music, with its blues element, is unique and wonderful. Yet to him it is somehow inferior. And that I find sad.
Update: Saw the fireworks last night and they were spectacular. Boston, however, must have the worst music in the country to accompany them. Chicago’s is much better. And the Boston Pops Concert was rearranged to fit the national broadcast, so the 1812 Overture was played before 10pm (with a few fireworks at the end) when the network broadcast began, at which time the concert resumed with David Lee Roth, etc. before culminating in the fireworks after 10:35p. Together with long breaks for commercials, the whole presentation was disjointed. Again, Chicago’s (and I assume many other city’s shows) are much better constructed. But the view was grand from the rooftop and the fireworks themselves were awesome.
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