The President-elect and his family smiled, nodded to the beats, and sang along for many of the music acts that performed at the Lincoln Memorial, but it figures that the one person who could get them on their feet and dancing would be Stevie Wonder (and Usher and… Shakira???) doing “Higher Ground.” For someone of Obama’s generation, while growing up, Wonder’s music was probably among the most inspirational as well as aspirational and soulful.
Given the fact that the array of acts–from Bruce Springsteen to Beyonce–had to perform in chilly outdoor weather on the steps of a memorial rather than a conventional music venue, accompanied by various combinations of orchestra, rock band, and choir, the concert as aired by HBO was probably as smoothly executed as could be expected.
In keeping with the small-”d” democratic selection of musical styles, it’s likely that we each have our opinions about who were the best and who were the head-scratchers. HBO’s decision to pan up to Honest Abe’s for his stony approval during Springsteen’s acoustic-plus-choir version of “The Rising” seemed a bit much, but that wasn’t Bruce’s fault: he battled through the song like a trouper. In a similar tussle for supremacy, Bettye LaVette had no trouble convincing us that she was a better stand-in for Sam Cooke on “A Change Is Gonna Come” than her partner Jon Bon Jovi. (And how ’bout that Jamie Foxx lead-in–it takes… something… to stand there and impersonate Obama while he watches and try and deliver a serious scripted message.)
For me, the chief why-is-this-happening? moment was… Shakira??? Maybe for you that moment was James Taylor, showering the people with his wheezy boomer lullabies. Perhaps you thought Garth Brooks’ three songs were more than a bit over the top; I had my usual Brooks experience–that is, I started out cringing at his egomaniacal histrionics, and ended up thinking he’s a heckuva showman.
The two closing performances were stirring choices. Having Springsteen sing along with Pete Seeger on Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” was the ultimate in subtly old-left populism, while Beyonce’s admirably straightforward “America The Beautiful” was, simply, beautiful.
What did you think? Whose performance revved you up? Did you enjoy the way the concert was staged and presented?
I have to agree Shakira? That was ugly – you can’t blame Usher because he was probably in shock when he heard her “sing.” I’m not a Beyonce fan but at least she can sing! I’m just uncomfortable with the limited choice of artists and also with the broadness of the artists too – there are so many people going through real crises right now – is this really what we need? Barnum and Bailey Largesse… I think I’m sorry I gave up drinking for the new year cause I’d like to escape all this…
what was with the damn birds?! Could someone explain?
Shakira was certainly odd, but more so were some of the celebrities chosen to speak. Steve Carrel? JACK BLACK?! Though thank god Obama won. Imagine the concert if it had been for Mccain. How much inspiration could you find in the words of Chuck Norris and Speidi?
Darn it … why did the concert air only on premium cable??? That’s not “small D democratic”, it’s “capital E exclusive”.
Jaimie Foxx totally upstaged everyone when he recited that bit of Obama’s own speech, complete with the FIRST GOOD OBAMA IMPRESSION I’VE SEEN, to the man’s face! Serious guts.
Who was the guy onstage with Springsteen and Pete Seeger? I couldn’t figure him out.
I thought garth brooks was amazing. He’s the only one you didn’t sit and wonder when it was going to end. For a republican cowboy he done a great job.
Sorry – it wasn’t well advertised that HBO opened up the airwaves to air the show for all… We DVR’d it too… That was cool and very generous! The percussionist was Bashiri Johnson I believe – don’t remember the other guy with Bruce…
BEYONCE , BROUGHT DOWN THE HOUSE !!!!
I don’t normally like country music, but Garth Brooks was fantastic! I thought the concert was great. Usher and Stevie Wonder were also great.
I loved that Seeger and Springsteen sang the often-omitted verses to “This Land is Your Land”–like the one about people standing in a relief line. These are often left out of school music classes and Disney performances of the song, but they get at the heart of Woody Guthrie’s message. I hope that President-Elect Obama takes those verses to heart.
All of it was outstanding. It was not about competition or what artist got me dancing most, it was about the rainbow of people and their musical expression that make up our country, interspersed with some of the most pivotal leaders and their messages from that past 100 years. This inaugural concert was inspiring! I appreciated the just-fun moments also: American Pie, Garth Brooks, etc., because they let me recover from the deeply moving moments with Abraham Lincoln’s and Bobby Kennedy’s words, U2 and Sam Cooke’s songs, and the incredible “This land is your land” and “America the beautiful” finale.
Robynn, HBO was available to everyone for the concert, it wasn’t exclusive. Check your facts.
wow that was an amazing show i would call that the obamapalosa or barackstock it was amazing and the sea of people incredible yes we can!!
I was at the concert because I live in the DC area. Overall it was good, but because of the weather and how my friends and I weren’t really inpressed with the first couple performances we left. Being so far back and hardly being able to hear anything was great either.
I know that U2 and Bono are huge on the world scene but would Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers singing “American Girl” and “Refugee been more appropriate?
I love Garth Brooks and his exuberance but could have done without Jack Black and Steve Correll. Both seemed out of place and uncomfortable. Could have used a bit more of the black political community and not ever y black actor that is important. I kept waiting for the Wayans brothers and Lawrence Fishburne to show up. But it ain’t a party without Samuel L. and Denzel.
All in all a great show and seeing Pete Seeger run offstage gives me a ray of hope for my old age. God bless you, Pete and keep singing those old leftist populist working class songs!