Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Special...Brad Paisley a stand-out! Poor Direction! Beyonce's bad-hair day!

For the most part, the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks special last night on NBC was solid entertainment.

In particular, Country & Western Star - Brad Paisley - was a stand-out in a performance that left audiences crying out for an encore! 

The kid was charismatic and exuded a good-time quality that resonated with fans below the footlights, too.

Unfortunately, Beyonce was having a "bad hair" day and it was downright distracting.

The frazzled "do" (did she fall asleep under the hair-dryer or what?) was replete with tacky dark roots and dry wispy fly-away ends that took flight this-way-and-that whenever the wind whipped across the stage (which was often).

On the other hand, the chanteuse wisely elected to don a chic understated designer gown, which she aaccessorized tastefully with a stunning necklace - that ultimately - flattered her long graceful neck.

One tune was surprisingly just so-so!

But, the Pop Diva's high-energy performance managed to prevent the entire set from fizzling out before our very eyes, in spite of the odds against it.

No problem there in respect to the spectacular pyrotechnics which were literally dazzling in scope.

The musical arrangements laid-in beneath the stunning visuals triggered a stream of consciousness - for me, anyway -which couldn't help but usher up a flood of emotions (patriotic ones, for starters) and reflection.

Unfortunately, the production values were spotty.

Pedestrian direction (and poor camera-work) diminished the special event to amateurish proportions on occasion.

For example, when Nick Lachey (the host for the evening's festivities) attempted to introduce the broadcast at the top of the show, his  voice was drowned out by a spirited gang of guests at his side who squealed with delight as soon as the director called "action" from behind the NBC camera.

A seasoned pro would have anticipated the obvious.

For good reason, the director should have instructed the attendees to remain on the sidelines silently until Mr. Lachey delivered up his intro without interruption, and for the benefit of the viewing audience at home.

A raucous cheer at the end of Lachey's show-opener would have been the professional way to go!

Sadly, the niggling dilemma continued throughout the broadcast and was annoying as heck.

I was also surprised that the musical director failed to issue a note to the performer who elected to go into "uncharted waters" in respect to the rather uneven rendition of "Amazing Grace".

To me, the artistic choices were so jarring, that they reminded me of the irritating sounds fingernails dredge up on a blackboard.

Oh, well!

In spite of the shortcomings, Paisley came up smelling roses with a 4-star performance.

Later!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Men at Work...Colin Hay gigs @ Fremont Street Experience! Free! July 2nd!

Under the auspices of the "Absolutely 80's" summer concert (free) series on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Colin Hay (Men at Work) is slated to gig for tourists (and locals alike) on Saturday, July 2nd!

In addition to the live! stage show, there will be thrills-a-minute to delight to on the Flightlinez amusement ride which soars above the crowds on the eclectic downtown strip, and by virtue of dazzling light shows on-the-hour which feature tributes to the ultimate hedonist rocker - Jim Morrison (and the Doors) - KISS - and many more!

See 'ya there!

Happy 4th of July, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz

The Seeds of Time...Vancouver band of Pacific Northwest rocked! Baby Doll get your a** back home...

Just yesterday, a friend on facebook - who I have known for almost forty years - posted a faded photograph of a trio of us from way back in the late sixties.

One pal featured prominently in the still - Amazing Jim - used to manage a Pacific NorthWest Band (based in Vancouver) by the illustrious name of "The Seeds of Time". (circa 1967 - 1974)

I recall the first time I caught their act at the Golden Palace Opera House on 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, Vancouver (B.C.).

Immediately, I was impressed with front man Geoff Eddington's in-your-face style.

His plaintive vocal style could be bluesy and soulful one moment - downright raw and gutsy - the next.

Rocket Norton, on the other hand, was the pretty boy of the band, a capable drummer that groupies gravitated to like flies on sh**. (Gary Wanstall)

Lindsay Mitchell (the brains behind the music I am given to understand) and Steve Wally played guitar and bass respectively to wide acclaim.

Hawirko and Mitchell were childhood pals who formed the group Seeds in the latter part of 1969.
The Seeds recorded a bunch of tracks at various Vancouver and Washington State venues over the course of the early seventies and released several self-financed demo singles in 1974 such as the catchy tune, "My Home Town".

When the band broke up eventually, Mitchell formed Stanley Screamer (1976).

The popular performance band featured a new singer (Ron Tabak), guitarist Tom Lavin, drummer Rodney Higgs (aka Jim Vallance; a Bryan Adams lyricist), and bassist Ab Bryant.

Stanley Screamer transformed the earlier "Seeds of Time" sound into a tight pop niche as they did the party-hearty on the nightclub and salloon circuit in B.C. and out on the prairies.

John Hall was rallied to take on keyboards to round out the rich sound, on the heels of which, their name was changed to Prism.

Immediately, the band was signed with GRT recording studios.

A debut album in the spring of 1977 catapulted the band into Canadian pop star status.

"Spaceship Superstar", "Open Soul Surgery" and "Take Me To The Kaptin", were well-received and rustled up much acclaim for the West Coast achievers.

"It's Over", a biting power ballad, was also a turning point for them in the musical mainstream.

The record created a four-album relationship with producer Bruce Fairbairn and there was no looking back.

"Heart" and "Aerosmith" followed in Prism's mighty footsteps on the charts when Fairbairn channeled his energies in their direction.

Flipping through old copies of the Georgia Strait - or other head magazines of the hippie-era hand-published out of San Francisco "North" - triggers old memories I am still inclined to treasure to this day.

One of the "Seeds of Time" original tunes I hankered a lot to was "Baby Doll".

When Eddington belted out that rousing little ditty the dance floor started hopping!

"My Home Town" hit the right spot, too, in addition to "Crying the Blues".

Amazing Jim (Wilson) once recalled the day the band received a residual check in the mail from the David Letterman Show.

Apparently, Paul Schaeffer (another celebrated Canuck) played a few bars of the band's "Muskrat Rumble" on a broadcast which generated an unexpected pay-day for the legendary "Seeds of Time".

If I am not mistaken, the band met with a modicum of success on the concert circuit across Canada - and at one point - was hired for a headlining gig at the World Expo in Montreal (Quebec).

Their ballsy playing style was probably at its peak whenever they played the Easter Be-in each year in Stanley Park on a handful of colorful tie-died blow-outs.



Ah, but I am still inclined to belt out a verse or two of "Crying the Blues" now and then, especially when a tinge of nostalgia heads home to roost.

Seeds of Time
(Be-in 1971)

http://www.julianayrs.com