Narratives

I was watching my most favourite DVD of all time, The Last Waltz, when I suddenly thought how wonderful watching performances really is. It's not just what the performers give to the performance that creates an impression, oh no. The observer also creates his own little version of what is happening. His own narrative.

For instance, in Neil Young's performance of Helpless he looks extremely high on something. I heard somewhere that 'they' had to take a rock of cocaine out of his nose before he went on stage. I don't know whether this is true or not, or even where I heard it. But in it goes - into the mixing bowl of my interpretation. Well, to be fair, Neil is gurning his face off and hunching like some sort of gothic 'Egor' character.  When Neil starts singing "The big birds flying across the sky" Robbie and Rick start looking up at the ceiling and swaying with mocking smiles on their faces - I can't help thinking they are emphasising he is high as a kite - or in this case high as a bird.

It's these little aspects that can make performances special. Little nuances, touchstones, bits of hero-worship you can dust off and contribute in those moments when you're down the pub and everything is great, music is great - our heartbeat.