A note written by my cousin, Nissim Ezekiel, the former rhythm guitarist of "The Combustibles" and later a director at the World Bank, on his recent experiences in the world of Classic Rock
Dear All (with genuine apologies to those not truly interested--please don't read further!):
I cant help but say this as an intro, honestly...
In an era where the most hallowed politicians tell us Black is White and White is Black, to the point where we begin to think maybe we are the ones who are crazy; and,
In a world, where the most evil acts are perpetrated by people who tell us its in the name of a god...to the point where we begin to think maybe we are the ones who are crazy;... and, speaking as a new 60 year old, it has been an incredible couple of weeks back in the embrace of our musical dreams listening with amazement, sharing thrills with other human beings, and realizing that after all there is inspiration and joy yet in what committed and talented and honest human beings can bring to others...and the truth is truly what it seems.
First, Santana last night at the Hard Rock Hotel here in Vegas...in the intimate confines of The Joint..packed full but perhaps only about 1500 people given the structure of the hall. An incredible band with heavy focus on percussion and keyboards and of course Santana himself bringing his guitar to life...a beautiful stage, incredible energy with people dancing in the aisles almost continuously....the old (Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, Oyo Como Va), newer from Supernatural from a few years ago, nostalgia rock (Santana's new rhythm to Sunshine of Your Love) and of course the long encore ending with the Woodstock classic that rocked Santana to fame--Soul Sacrifice.
For a 60 year old it was a particular thrill to watch a 63 year old help us bring the memory of Woodstock back for those who did not attend...with the live music on stage synchronized perfectly for the intro with images from the Woodstock movie...allowing those of us in the hall to welcome Santana back to the stage with the same rhythmic chanting and clapping that had precedeed the original beginning of the song on the Woodstock stage that all of us will surely remember...what power, what grace, but most of all what a beautiful smile and happiness on the face of the man who started those memories for most of us back in 1969!
But 63 for Carlos Santana does not match Tom Jones at 70!! Performing in a small dinner theater kind of very typical Vegas hall at the MGM Grand--to a Monday night crowd of 500 or so. And what an incredible voice still that he repeatedly acknowledged was God's gift to him...the same sexiness, energy, plaintively tearfully pleading with the "woman" in a particular song, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, or returning softly to acoustic guitars to The Green Green Grass of Home (is it really possible to cry to a song...??), or reprising Whats New Pussycat and Its Not Unusual and once again and unfortunately for Delilah managing to find her with a knife in his hand....and some brilliant new stuff from a first album in 15 years 24 Hours...with new songs including some from his Irish friends Bono & The Edge.
How does a 70 year old maintain that look and energy that still had the ladies throwing intimate items of apparel on stage, gift us again with the joy of a voice still incredibly powerful and softly pleading, and yet not forget at the end of the day to thank God for giving him his voice...and singing about the voice in a new song he explained might be mistaken as one written to a lover, i.e. "Never"...e.g.
"Can't get enough of your highs and your lows
You take me places where nobody goes
And if you went away, I would never be the same!"
And then just a few hours ago, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend (65 and 64 respectively!), rocked the Super Bowl and hundreds of millions on TV in a 12 minute sound bite that contained all the ferocity of performances I have seen now six times but also reflecting age that surely has to catch up with those who simply cant seem to leave anything but broken guitars and blood on the stage...nothing held back ever...for all of the musical legends that have graced the Super Bowl half time stage (and that includes the Stones and Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen), this one had the perfect storm of an incredible live band, a wild stage and a lights and fireworks display perfectly coordinated to Townshend's windmill guitar chords...!!
Yes, it was a mini concert but to hear a full throated throng of 85,000 screaming about a Teenage Wasteland, wow...!! For those who have not followed just check this out if you would like....but sitting in my living room, I was up with hands raised to the sky in tribute...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/sports/football/08who.html
http://www.thewho.com/index.php?module=news&news_item_id=390
But to revert back to the first lines of this email, it was only fitting that Roger & Pete (with young Ringo on drums (yes thats Ringo's son Zak there on drums) would end with the backing of 85,000 (or at least the rock fans amongst the 85,000!) with a wild and shortened version of what surely in these days has to be the anthem of our time...
Won't Get Fooled Again...
and yes helped along by electronics perhaps, but the primal Roger Daltrey scream towards the end of the song has never been wilder and more spectacular than when framed by the light and fireworks coordinated in and outside the Stadium...
Yes, indeed, We Won't Get Fooled Again...!!
For those still with me, thanks for helping me share these thoughts and emotions...
Lots of Love...Nissim
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