LIZ PHAIR BRINGS THE "POWER OF PINK" to THE PARADISE in BOSTON, MA 2 CDS: $30 2 TICKETS: $120 (originally only $50) SEEING LIZ PHAIR IN CONCERT? PRICELESS.
TODAY'S HOW TO "BE A HERO" LESSONS? SELFLESSNESS & HUMILITY
S.A.M. (Secret Asian Man) took me to see Liz Phair in concert at the Paradise in Boston, MA last night... instead of watching the Red Sox game. Now, any Sox fan knows the kind of sacrafice involved here. Yet, he did it anyway, and he didn't pout, or complain, or make me feel guilty. So, I'll quietly watch every other Red Sox game on TV for the rest of the season. Why? Because he's my "hero" for being selfless last night... and simply "being there." NOW ONTO LIZ PHAIR... My favorite Pop Punk feminist, Liz Phair, played the entire "Exile in Guyville" CD, in order... and sounded EXACTLY like the record! Her band of young men smiled quietly as her equally mixed sex audience sang along, knowing EVERY WORD. (Lots of artsy types, like herself, ages ranging mostly in the late 20s to early 40s.) Ms Phair then invited one lucky, and brave if you've ever heard the song, girl on stage to sing back-ups on "Flower." Liz gestured for me to come up, as I was right in front of her & had been mouthing the words to every one of her songs all night. It broke my heart as I shook my head in refusal, knowing I can't sing right now due to severe back & neck injuries. Only now do I realize this is a decision I WILL regret for the rest of my life. Of course, the elated girl next to me jumped at the chance and belted out every lyric as if she was worshiping at Sunday Mass... an evening she will never forget. Album completed, Liz exited the stage, making time to shake the hands of every trooper in the front row on her way out. We "Super Fans" were waiting 2 hours for her entrance, to reserve our front row spots. (Next time, I should just ask for a Press Pass, right?) Just when you thought the night couldn't get any better, she & her band of merry men re-entered for an encore of "Polyester Bride." The intimate group of a few hundred lucky fans sang along, without being asked, as if it was the National Anthem. Lucky Liz... Lucky us!
As she was making her second exit of the evening, I reached up hopefully to Ms. Phair, who was rushing by us one final time. It was then I saw why this talented singer-songwriter stands out SO MUCH among millions of others. Hot, tired and longing for back stage relaxation, the songstress stopped to reciprocate my grasp and accept the "Girl Power" & "Pop Superhero" pins I handed her. In that moment, I realized there was a guitar pick in her hand, which she quickly pulled back as soon as she realized I was giving her something of mine, instead of asking for something from her, as she's obviously used to. Showing the sensitivity only women can display, we both had a short, sweet, awkward moment, as she took my pins & I happily grabbed her pick. Did it make her think I didn't want her pick? (A Dunlop, for all the diehards out there.) God, I hope not. Liz Phair was a "Girl Power" Icon before "Girl Power" was a buzz word! No... I think it was humility & grace she was showing me in accepting my measely offerings.
Even though she has every reason not to be, Liz Phair is humble. For that... her fans love her even more. Her feet remaining firmly planted on the ground has kept her fans remaining firmly planted in her career, generation after generation. You go girl... keeping breaking the mold, breaking hearts and refusing to conform to the "cookie cutter" standard for females in the Pop music industry. thank you for helping us, your fans, find "strength through unity" in growing up listening to your music & watching you fearlessly stand your ground CD after CD. This fan feels as if she's grown up *with* you, fighting the same sexist battles, and singing our sorrows about them. Thank you, on behalf of women everywhere, for helping us find our voices and speak our minds. GIRL POWER... STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY!
Today's "Be A Hero" lesson is "Think Before You Speak." Sometimes we say things before we think about how our words will effect those around us. Today I ask you to try, as an experiment, to think before you speak. Ask yourself, "Will my response make a difference?" If not, don't give one. Ask yourself, "Will my opinion hurt someone's feelings *and* not contribute to improving them or the over-all task at hand in any way?" If so, don't give it.
MY MOMENT WITH ELVIS COSTELLO... LIVE IN CONCERT "ALLISON" DUET w/ STING (THE POLICE) in Massachusetts... Boston, MA Tribute & August 25 50th Birthday Party for Pop Rock Legend
On that note, I had wonderful night of musical inspiration last night. I saw one of my idols, Elvis Costello, live in concert, as I have many times before. Yet, this time, I was right up front, and, I swear it felt like we had a "moment." In keeping with our experiment, "Be A Hero" and do NOT write me about how I'm being silly and it never happened. Ask yourself, "What good would come from that?" NONE. Sometimes being a "hero" isn't about what you say... It's about what you don't. Here's my story:
Elvis Costello's 1st televised live performance! This so called "Pop Superhero" bows to today to "Pop Legend": ELVIS COSTELLO. EC is one of my greatest inspirations, and I have followed his career for decades. Yes, I'm all in, buying every CD he releases, live DVDs, video collections, TV appearances and reading interviews in magazines. The fact is that my life changed the first time I heard "My Aim Is True."
Until a boyfriend introduced me to the musical world that Elvis Costello created, I was stuck in censored, Payola poisoned, pre-programmed, Wonder Bread bland, radio land. I was so sheltered that I had no idea any other world existed. (Ah... to be so much more naive again... and so much less bitter.) Then Tom, that is the "Ex" that I owe this priceless debt to, placed the precious vinyl that is "My Aim Is True" on his turntable... HEAVEN.
I must have played that record 100 times, singing and memorizing every word... then the vocal phrasing... then analyzing the deeper meanings behind the lyrics (for which EC never leaves us wanting). Finally... Music that made me think! Elvis' vocal delivery and ability to cut right to the heart of his subjects always leave you feeling as if he's speaking directly to you. As if, somehow, the man got in your head without permission. Intimate and invasive, yet always welcome, Elvis Costello's music became my therapy of choice.
I had the pleasure of seeing Elvis Costello & The Imposters live in concert last night, in Mansfield, MA, and the privileged of sitting in the first few rows. (Being of modest means growing up, I swore I'd never pay hundreds of dollars to see *anybody* perform. But Elvis continues to inspire me to change my way of thinking still... The show was worth every penny!) EC was opening for The Police, another band of much inspiration, but that's another story...
At first glance, I was sad to see so many empty seats for a Hall of Fame musician humbling himself as an opening act. Then I remembered that perspective is everything in this world, and decided to focus on the positive side of this: there wasn't a single person standing between me and my idol! I was mesmerized, hearing his voice trail off in my trance like state. My tunnel vision focused in on every facial tick and vocal inflection. I was 18 again and hearing "Allison" for the first time... AH BLISS. Then, I swear to God, I had a moment with Elvis Costello.
Every life-long fan should be entitled to one "moment" with their idol. We've invested a lifetime of intently hanging on their every word in interviews, patiently awaiting their new CDs, and spending our hard earned money proudly in support of their vision. Each of us deserves our "moment" where it feels like we finally connect with the object of our adoration one on one. Last night was mine.
Elvis started into "Allison" and the crowd screamed, male and female alike. (I've always admired the fact that EC's popularity is evenly divided between the sexes.) Then, he turned to his left and looked right at me. (No silly, I immediately said to myself, he's just looking in your direction, and everybody thinks he's looking at them.) Yet, there was no one in front of me and our eyes felt so locked. Then, he raised one eyebrow in acknowledgement of some unspoken shared belief, as only Elvis Costello can do, and turned to face the crowd again...
As anyone who saw this tour knows, Sting came out next, to join Elvis for the second half of "Allison." The crowd went wild and I was immediately snapped out of my suspension of disbelief. Their duet was priceless... but could never top the connection I felt during my "moment" with my musical mentor. Elvis Costello is a rare gem of an artist that will never be replaced or up-staged. Whether he is all alone, fronting his band, or an entire symphony orchestra, his voice just melts me like EMOTIONAL CHOCOLATE. HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY ELVIS COSTELLO!
My favorite Pop Punk feminist, Liz Phair, played the entire "Exile in Guyville" CD, in order... and sounded EXACTLY like the record! Her band of young men smiled quietly as her equally mixed sex audience sang along, knowing EVERY WORD. (Lots of artsy types, like herself, ages ranging mostly in the late 20s to early 40s.) Ms Phair then invited one lucky, and brave if you've ever heard the song, girl on stage to sing back-ups on "Flower." Liz gestured for me to come up, as I was right in front of her & had been mouthing the words to every one of her songs all night. It broke my heart as I shook my head in refusal, knowing I can't sing right now due to severe back & neck injuries. Only now do I realize this is a decision I WILL regret for the rest of my life. Of course, the elated girl next to me jumped at the chance and belted out every lyric as if she was worshiping at Sunday Mass... an evening she will never forget. 
Album completed, Liz exited the stage, making time to shake the hands of every trooper in the front row on her way out. We "Super Fans" were waiting 2 hours for her entrance, to reserve our front row spots. (Next time, I should just ask for a Press Pass, right?) Just when you thought the night couldn't get any better, she & her band of merry men re-entered for an encore of "Polyester Bride." The intimate group of a few hundred lucky fans sang along, without being asked, as if it was the National Anthem. Lucky Liz... Lucky us! 
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