Making Progress

Two concerts down, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel (until a new batch of assignments comes crashing down on me, which I hope and pray is the case). Unfortunately, on top of it all, Melanie and Amalia both came down with the flu, so in addition to writing, cleaning house for the inlaws' visit, and so forth, I have been the family nurse. Since I have the bedside manner of Dr. Frankenstein I hope I have done right by them.

"Vat? I did not get zis alleged flu, it must be in your Kopf, no? Vat you need is fortitude, ja? No more bellyaching! Ve must march! Onvard! No complaining! Links! Rechts! Eins! Zwei! Eins! Zwei!"

They don't put up with it, though. I suppose they have a point that one does not generally fake a fever like that. I still cannot figure out why it has passed over me, when I have been burning the candle at both ends, staying up to 2 each night, and waking up at 7. I am not designed to operate on 5 hours of sleep, so a crash is probably inevitable. Uggggh.

Anyway, I saw Paul Simon and that funny looking blond fellow with the frizzy and balding head who acts like he is on dope. Good show, but the Everly Brothers, who were on as guests for three songs, sang circles around Simon and Garfunkle. Watching Paul Simon do this strange little rock and roller strut with his acoustic guitar, completely overpowered by the orc-looking fellow on electric was amusing. At all of 5' not many" poor bald Simon looks more like the fellow who sweeps the service station in the mornings (and is not to be trusted with complex tasks like pumping gas), out for an evening at the local tavern, doing his little strut to the jukebox after a couple of beers too many. He has a silly serious look while he is pounding his leg while strumming an acoustic. Giggle.

Great song writer, though, and he still can sing quite well.

Tonight was Andrea Bocelli, who deserves a full entry in this blog. I went expecting to be pleasantly amused, and came away really admiring him. The problem that most classical and opera folks have is that they try to see him as a classical singer, and he isn't. His tradition is a pop music tradition. Mario Lanza is much more the model than Domingo.

Anyway, I will post a review when I get it done (it is due Monday at 8am), or when it goes to press (I really do not like to scoop the paper on my blog), but the thing that struck me was how well he sang the operatic material. I have always found his voice on recordings to be a little thin, often strained, and overemotive, but in concert he was in full control of his voice, which was rich and full, and perfectly suited to the material on the program. Basically, I would recommend seeing him if he comes to an area near you.

He was with Maria Ana Martinez, who is quite a good soprano, so that was definitely a plus. I detest ex-Mrs. Lloyd Weber's voice, and was very glad that she is not touring with him.

So, that is where I have been these last couple of days. I have more writing to do, more deadlines, etc., but I will really try to keep all of you, my loyal readers, entertained and enlightened!