War of the Worlds Concert
A cool Friday night. The big game is on (between the Cats and the 'Pies). The big concert is on. The game and the concert are next to each other . . . more or less; and the crowds for each mingle on the way to their respective venues, then separate. The crowds are cheerful and relaxed. The concert is delayed because the match-crowd (a record number) slowed up many concert-goers. There is an audible groan from the audience when the delay is announced. We get by. Eventually, the orchestra arrives . . . applause: the band arrives and then Jeff . . . more applause. When they all get started, the sound is big. A graphic, animated representation of Richard Burton (a very young Burton, I might add) begins the story. The concert then follows the course of the original double album, more or less. This is a concert version, though, and the band and the orchestra sound much better than the original. By the end, we have been treated to a unique visual and auditory experience - one that is faithful to the original, but not slavishly so. A terrific night's entertainment.
Read More