Bowie & Bing
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/19/AR2006121901260.html
As usual, the Post misses the whole god damned point. The important feature of the Christmas special and the duet was the historical importance in pop music of Bing and David. Crosby was THE entertainer in America from the mid 30's up until Sinatra started to move in during the mid 40's; and he continued to be a major money maker and star right up to his death. It became popular in pop music circles to chart super superstars as going from Bing to Sinatra to Elvis to the Beatles. And after 1970 there was always talk of who would be "next". No one ever really was. But Bowie probably came closest in terms of both depth and breadth of his exposure and influence.
So, here we have a unique performance by the grand old man of pop and someone who was as close to being the heir apparent as anyone. THAT is what the Post missed, THAT is why it's of interest - it's not just "white bread" Crosby and "offbeat" Bowie; it's a chance to see two of the most important people in pop music history performing together for the first and only time, (and performing quite well, I might add).
And while we're at it, I take exception to the Post's breathless characterizations of Bowie. I watched that broadcast, and he was quite subdued. There was a wonderful video in the show of him singing "Heroes", (my fave Bowie song), but it was no wilder than an episode of The Muppet Show or any other artist's performance at the time. Only a Postie would go on about Ziggy Stardust, (a performance aid Bowie had moved away from years earlier), in the context of the show. There was no such weirdness, bizarreness, or any other hyperbole the article is throwing around. It was just a typical Holiday show of its time. Perhaps if they had been born in time to see it, the Posties would know that. They really need to get a grip. And they need to hire someone who has an interest in and a knowledge of anything that happened before the year 2000. They're just pathetic.
As usual, the Post misses the whole god damned point. The important feature of the Christmas special and the duet was the historical importance in pop music of Bing and David. Crosby was THE entertainer in America from the mid 30's up until Sinatra started to move in during the mid 40's; and he continued to be a major money maker and star right up to his death. It became popular in pop music circles to chart super superstars as going from Bing to Sinatra to Elvis to the Beatles. And after 1970 there was always talk of who would be "next". No one ever really was. But Bowie probably came closest in terms of both depth and breadth of his exposure and influence.
So, here we have a unique performance by the grand old man of pop and someone who was as close to being the heir apparent as anyone. THAT is what the Post missed, THAT is why it's of interest - it's not just "white bread" Crosby and "offbeat" Bowie; it's a chance to see two of the most important people in pop music history performing together for the first and only time, (and performing quite well, I might add).
And while we're at it, I take exception to the Post's breathless characterizations of Bowie. I watched that broadcast, and he was quite subdued. There was a wonderful video in the show of him singing "Heroes", (my fave Bowie song), but it was no wilder than an episode of The Muppet Show or any other artist's performance at the time. Only a Postie would go on about Ziggy Stardust, (a performance aid Bowie had moved away from years earlier), in the context of the show. There was no such weirdness, bizarreness, or any other hyperbole the article is throwing around. It was just a typical Holiday show of its time. Perhaps if they had been born in time to see it, the Posties would know that. They really need to get a grip. And they need to hire someone who has an interest in and a knowledge of anything that happened before the year 2000. They're just pathetic.
posted by mendip at
2:51 PM
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