4. Stevie took to the talkbox following the preachy Visions, jamming a tube down his throat Schiavo-style for a throwback medley that included New York, New York, What’s Goin’ On, and a We Want the Funk chant > Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now > We Are Family (as seen on video here). I guess it was pretty sweet, but I couldn’t help but think how unnecessary the talkbox is as an instrument. I could barely understand a word he said. Frampton got lucky.
5. One of the standout moments came during a Ribbon in the Sky, when Stevie had the crowd sing along to two separate lines, first all females, then all males. Eventually he put it all together and the segregated-by-sex crowd sang its lines without even the band’s beat. I remarked at the time and I think it’s more true today, but that must be cool as hell for a blind performer, to have a crowd of at least 15,000 all singing along to your song without the accompaniment of music. He especially must really get off on that. Goose pimples. And I loved the “Don’t go in there” movie theater-type girl who yelled out “My baby got it” when her man successfully repeated Stevie’s line directive.
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6. While we’re at it, you think there’s any chance that Ribbon in the Sky is an especially literal song about a pair of rhythmic gymnasts in heaven? Or is it possible that God himself is the rhythmic gymnast in question? Or both. Or neither. Also, I think “Sky Ribbons” would just be an overall catchier title for the song. Shorter, too. From now on, that song is called Sky Ribbons.
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7. An apparent 25-year-old sitting two rows in front of me went absolutely batshit bonkers when Tony Bennett came out on stage. I have nothing here, other than a simple question: What is it about Tony Bennett that would drive a 25-year-old male to pump his clenched fists high, clap loudly above his head and yell out “Tony Fucking Bennett, yeaaaaahhhhhh!” as if his sports team just won the championship? I kinda want to know. Are you him? E-mail me, if so. Is it the great head of hair?
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8. Prince got a welcoming ovation I’ve almost never heard before…ever. In fact, this is the only ovation at MSG I’ve ever heard that beat it. Not even Stevie received an ovation as loud as Prince’s. And even though he didn’t play much, and you could barely hear him in the mix aside from when they broke it down to just Prince, Stevie and the drummer, I thought Prince just exuded coolness. His strut, his outfit, his look — he could sue me just for listening to him (and he might!) and I’d still be okay with it. With Stevie crossed off the list, Prince is my new #1 must-see. I’ve gotta catch that guy soon.
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9. Prince and Tony Bennett will grab most of the sit-in headlines, but Frederic Yonnet dueled with Stevie on harmonicas and wowed the crowd (I forget which song). I don’t know anything about this guy, but he was pretty damn good. At one point he and Stevie locked opposing hands as they played their respective harmonicas, as if to start a thumb war on stage. And I just gotta say, thumb wars are unacceptable. I can’t believe it!
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10. Finally, there was no encore. This may have had to do more with the fact that Stevie and the band played two-and-a-half straight hours, but part of me thinks it’s just a huge hassle. I mean, it just seems like a lot of work to get Stevie on and off the MSG stage, so once he’s down, maybe he’s just down.
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Incomplete setlist: Loves In Need of Love Today, Too High, Visions, Livin’ For The City, Masterblaster (Jammin’), Higher Ground, Golden Lady, Ribbon In The Sky, Overjoyed, You and I, Lately, If Its Magic How Will I Know, Don’t You Worry Bout a Thing, Signed Sealed Delivered (I’m Yours)> reprise of SS&D played as a country song, My Cherie Amour, Boogie on Reggae Woman, For Once in My Life, Sir Duke, I Wish, You are The Sunshine of My Life, Superstition, As
That last bloc from Don’t You Worry Bout a Thing through As was worth every single penny of my $95 tickets. Man, that’s just how you put on a show.
UPDATE: Apparently I have seen Prince…my mother weighs in on this review: “thanks for sharing and you know this is so up my alley. stevie is definitely in my top 10. you did see prince when you were about five or six. there was so much pot there we felt like we were going to get arrested for child abuse. we all loved it though.” My mom rocks.
25 Responses
EXCELLENT and exactly the way i saw it and will remember it.
FLUFF
what a great writeup ace. seriously.
if someone wasn’t there and still felt compelled to read the entire review—well…, that’s a sign of a good review.
that and your always careful usage of colorful metaphors.
lovin it.
oh wait. DAmn!
he closed out the night w/ “As”…?!!!
my favorite song of ALL Time, via any artist.
Love this song! That is sooo kick ass! I need this version!
anyone have this?
I was kinda hoping that someone like Pharrell was gonna come out for that small spoken part in Livin’ for the City — Skyscrapers and everythang!
Wait a minute, did my alter ego write that while I was drowning my sorrows in Glog after our loss to Turkey?
You left off the all important Volcano Insurance. And, in the spirit of egalitarianism (my second favorite -ism, only to chauvenism), the term is Worker’s compensation. Yes, women do get injured on the job, although the only suitable women professions are that of a pre-school teacher or librarian. Peace be with you.
Good review, man. I think you covered all the points. I was really stunned at the reaction Prince got. It was as if God dressed as a rhythmic dancer actually walked on stage.
And if I ever feel sad and alone, I know that Stevie loves me.
What a great show! I was in section 406, and right after Stevie asked for a moment of silence, two women in front of me started clapping an cheering. At that moment, two dudes behind me started cracking up at their “moment of silence.” And the terrorists still haven’t won…
Great review. Now you just gotta go see Prince. He will blow you away!
How could you forget that the best harmonica jam of the night was on “Boogie On Reggae Woman”???? 😉
I agree that the show started off a little slow, but I thought the show was one of the best I’ve seen this year (and going by your review I’m not sure you agree). Not that there’s anything wrong with that….
Lately was a really nice surprise. I don’t remember seeing that on any setlists that I looked at ahead of time.
I’ll be honest, I’m glad he left out “I just called to say I love you”. Not my favorite by any means….
This review is unacceptable. I can’t believe it.
Ace, just remember there is a ribbon in the sky -ah – ah – ah
Ahhh, fuck me. Boogie On, of course. That was def the highlight of the show.
“I agree that the show started off a little slow, but I thought the show was one of the best I’ve seen this year (and going by your review I’m not sure you agree). Not that there’s anything wrong with that….”
Wow, really? I thought I was pretty complimentary. It was more mellow than I’d like, and I’d rather have three hours of nonstop funk, but I definitely enjoyed the hell out of it. One of the best shows I’ve seen this year for sure. Did that not come across?
Excellent…that totally came across. Great review!
This review gave me a warm fuzzy feeling and a few laughs. Do you happen to be single? ::winks::
Apparently I have seen Prince — my mother weighs in on this review: “thanks for sharing and you know this is so up my alley. stevie is definitely in my top 10. you did see prince when you were about five or six. there was so much pot there we felt like we were going to get arrested for child abuse. we all loved it though.”
My mom rocks.
That explains alot ACE… You know the pot part….If anyone gets a copy of this show please post it to this here site….FLUFF What is the good word for New Years?
I’ve got tickets to see Stevie in Dallas in a couple of weeks… I would love for his purple sidekick to join him!
🙂
I’ve seen Prince a number of times and he is probably the BEST live performer I’ve ever witnessed. Thanks for the fantastic review, Ace.
I can’t believe you all agree with this review! Amazing. Anyway, I have to disagree with the review for the most part. Stevie did an excellent job when I saw him in NJ and in Philly and I love it when he does the talkbox just like most of his fans do! Apparently you don’t search youtube and myspace videos too much because there always seems to be a video upload of him and his talkbox. Yes it is hard to understand what he says but I think that’s because of the sound in general and the people around you are making noise like talking and stuff so you miss what he says on it and it’s probably an old machine too. So who knows how old the tube is and stuff. lol. There were no special guests when I saw him but I wish there were. Oh well. Tony and Prince are good friends with Stevie and I’m sure Stevie invited them to perform with him. So I don’t think you should be so harsh towards that. Well for now that’s all I have to say but again. I don’t like the review! 🙁
I completely agree.. That talkbox tube is from the tap at the now defunct tobacco road, so of course its dirty, and stevie didnt know cause he cant see it and i think abe is too harsh cause Tony and Prince dont even search youtube. also, seven, not six! seven little chipmunks.. you know that old childrens tale form the sea.
i have no idea what i just said. great review. sky ribbons, ooh ooh, ahh ahh…
Sounds great. Do you have any video of Stevie playing Boogie On Reggae Woman with Frederic Yonnet. This is my favorite song.