A tale of two concerts

[bex77]

Boston - Neil Diamond. The Boston Pops doing lots of Aaron Copeland. Rev. Peter Gomes reading Abraham Lincoln. Commercials every 5 minutes. 1812 overture with big guns. Three hours, first two local only then the last hour hosted by Craig Ferguson and broadcast by CBS.

D.C. - Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, The Muppets, Michael Fienstein playing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", Natasha Bedingfield, and the cast of the Broadway show "The Jersey Boys." With the National Symphony orchestra and a huge chorus. 1812 overture with the fireworks and big guns. Hosted by Jimmy Smits. No commercials. 90 minute national broadcast.

Hmmmm....I feel like a traitor for watching the D.C. concert, but it is soooo much better!

Comments

[mdm-sosostris.livejournal.com]

But Peter Motherfuckin' Gomes, yo! He lectured at UNC last year -- we loved him. I think you're right, though. Muppets win.

[mangosteen]

Also, the whole Manhattan Transfer sound-alike band? Possibly an area that could have stood a bit more thought.

[ron_newman]

How can any concert be good if it has Barry Manilow in it?

[spatch]

Oh, boy, did you miss a lollapalooza there. Neil Diamond sang Sweet Caroline! Wow! That was the surprise of the night!

And then he sang three more choruses after the song was over! It was like bonus music!

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

Did he sing the "so good, so good, so good"?

[saxikath]

I confess to being somewhat underwhelmed by this year's Pops concert.

But "Lincoln Portrait" with Peter Gomes? That was a win.