|
Post by bmac on May 4, 2016 17:56:04 GMT
After reading everyones thoughtful (quite refreshing for someone used to U.S. message boards)I have come to the conclusion that Jeff is just a peculiar rock star. He is shy on stage beyond what most of us can comprehend. Most of us either are not that shy, or if we are we assume that it would melt away when crowds of adoring fans are screaming our name and cheering us on. I guess it just doesn't work that way. I still hold to my believe that a longer concert is in order but I am open to the possibility that health/stamina issues could be the reason why it has not happened. I think Jeff has agreed to this many shows because of his excitement of how popular he now is (compared to 2001 when he had to cancel the Zoom tour)and prodding from his management. As he was getting on stage in Liverpool his knees were probably shaking and he was probably thinking "what on God's green earth did I get myself into. And that probably has happened every night of the tour :-) So we should be thankful it is happening at all.
I must say again that it is refreshing to ask the type of question I asked in this thread and to have people respond with their thoughts on the topic rather than attack me for asking it. If I had asked this question on a message board in the States there would be no shortage of people asking how I dare disparage the great Jeff Lynne even if that was not at all my intention. So thank you all, and I hope you all have seen or will get to see Jeff this tour. As for me I will see him in September at Radio City Music Hall. I am looking forward to an exciting night. Regardless of how long it lasts.
|
|
|
Post by Helmut83 on May 4, 2016 18:24:34 GMT
I'd much rather see Jeff Lynne for 1 hour and 45 minutes than tedious Springsteen for 3,5 hours. Amen to that.
|
|
|
Post by Chippa on May 4, 2016 18:45:28 GMT
If his heart wasn't in it, he wouldn't be doing it. It's not like he's hurting for cash.
|
|
|
Post by jackpunch on May 4, 2016 19:05:12 GMT
What? No way! 3 hours would be heaven. Seriously, I'm with elophile on this one, no way 3 hours of Jeff Lynne would be dull, particularly if after the first hour and a half he has ran out of big hits and is forced to start playing some songs from his back catalogue. That would be the most interesting thing. I could be 5 hours listening to that and I don't think I'd get tired. I went to a Macca concert which lasted 3 hours and I could have gone on for another very long while. Honestly, I could listen to Jeff for hours on end.(on record)...but I like concerts generally to have a bit of edge, spontaneity and that's never going to happen with Jeff. I reckon 2.15 would be the max for me. I saw Neil Finn do 2.30 ish a couple of years ago and it was great because he was winging it as he went...full band, solo acoustic, requests, I even ended up on stage playing guitar with him for one song. Now, if I could arrange that with Jeff, I'd happily sit quietly for 3 hours
|
|
|
Post by bmac on May 4, 2016 20:09:04 GMT
Jeff definitely wants to do this. Otherwise he wouldn't. He didn't for most of three decades. I'd much rather see Jeff Lynne for 1 hour and 45 minutes than tedious Springsteen for 3,5 hours. This is EXACTLY the type of remark I was applauding people for NOT making on this thread. Just happened to occur immediately after my post. A friend of mine made a comment to me years (actually decades) ago. He said you should never disparage someones musical taste as it is a very personal thing. But I'm guessing you got it all figured out so that rule need not apply to you.
|
|
|
Post by bmac on May 4, 2016 20:12:09 GMT
I'd much rather see Jeff Lynne for 1 hour and 45 minutes than tedious Springsteen for 3,5 hours. Amen to that. Yes, lets double down on disparaging others musical tastes. Thankfully there are not many like you on this board.
|
|
|
Post by Horacewimp on May 4, 2016 20:31:46 GMT
Yes, lets double down on disparaging others musical tastes. Thankfully there are not many like you on this board. I don't think janne or Helmut83 were dissing you or your post bmac they were just expressing their view on Springsteen and the length of his concerts, let's all try to discuss this amicably as you previous stated.
|
|
|
Post by queenofthehours on May 4, 2016 20:32:28 GMT
I never really thought of Jeff as being shy but I suppose he is. At the least he's a little on the inhibited side unless he's very relaxed and then he can be quite a character. When I saw an interview with Jeff for the first time it was his humbleness/shyness that made me to love him, the "I'm a rock star" attitude never appealed to me so I'm very glad he's so refreshing on stage and doesn't throw "shapes" like Springsteen.
Jeff may not have spoken much to the audience but when he did it was very personal. He has a way of talking that makes you feel as if he is speaking directly to you or a very small group of people rather than an arena full. Other artists, for example the Feeling (sorry to poke at them!), shout out meaningless statements and words as it they have a small collection in a notebook somewhere. But Jeff seems to speak truly from his self. When he asked us at the end of the show if he could have a selfie it was a genuine question rather than a statement. How many other performers are so polite?
A few times after completing a song I saw that Jeff would put his thumbs up as if to say "I've nailed it" or wave his hand out over the audience as it to say "this is for you". Actions like that say to me that while he maybe a little shy he is also inhibited by both concentration and by fulfilling the fan's expectations. I believe on stage it wasn't shyness but perfectionism that kept him reserved. I think if he were in a more Wilbury atmosphere in a small club we'd see an altogether different kind of live-Jeff.
|
|
|
Post by BSJ on May 4, 2016 20:48:29 GMT
I like Springsteen, took janne ’s remark as funny, and understood him preferring Jeff over Bruce. I don’t take it personnel and I hope others feel the same. I enjoy learning about other members, tastes, etc. The fact we can get beyond the personal tells me how great this forum and its members are. There have been “heated” discussions on personal taste, and not just about music! From what I know only one member has been warned for being disrespectful toward another (called him a name), and that disrespectful person left. We just move along. So happy we have new things to discuss about Jeff! And we're enjoying your thread, bmac .
|
|
|
Post by bmac on May 4, 2016 22:58:42 GMT
Yes, lets double down on disparaging others musical tastes. Thankfully there are not many like you on this board. I don't think janne or Helmut83 were dissing you or your post bmac they were just expressing their view on Springsteen and the length of his concerts, let's all try to discuss this amicably as you previous stated. You mess with Springsteen you mess with me But I agree, it's not worth stopping the good fun had on here!! I think Jeff will read these posts, come to his good senses, and start playing 3.5 hour shows himself. Get ready to hear Julie don't live here anymore and Kuima.
|
|
|
Post by bmac on May 4, 2016 23:04:52 GMT
I like Springsteen, took janne ’s remark as funny, and understood him preferring Jeff over Bruce. I don’t take it personnel and I hope others feel the same. I enjoy learning about other members, tastes, etc. The fact we can get beyond the personal tells me how great this forum and its members are. There have been “heated” discussions on personal taste, and not just about music! From what I know only one member has been warned for being disrespectful toward another (called him a name), and that disrespectful person left. We just move along. So happy we have new things to discuss about Jeff! And we're enjoying your thread, bmac . You are probably right BSJ. Humor does not always translate very well and when you are as dense as I can sometimes be then you can forget about it translating at all Thanks for you kind words and it IS great to have things to talk about when it comes to Jeff. Would have bet my right arm he would never tour and it is amazing he decided to do so. And that there is a market for it, although I kind of think that if he decided to start the Zoom tour in the UK he would have had much better luck. But I'm just guessing on that.
|
|
|
Post by BSJ on May 4, 2016 23:25:31 GMT
It can be hard bmac , so many different personalities. I tease a certain someone here merciless about some of Jeff’s songs he likes. I’ve no doubt he would love to hunt me down and give me a good boot in the butt! Wouldn't you Helmut83 ? Ooops. Fingers crossed the old man stays healthy!
|
|
|
Post by Helmut83 on May 4, 2016 23:58:27 GMT
'Course I would. I would so happily...
|
|
|
Post by Helmut83 on May 5, 2016 0:47:26 GMT
Horacewimp is right, it wasn't my intention to diss anyone. I'm not a Springsteen fan and I'm not going to lie about it, but when I made that comment I didn't realize someone on this thread was; I just focused on the fact that I agreed with Janne about that. So bmac, please don't fret conclussions about how I am based on an "Amen to that" comment, we can all make mistakes.
|
|
|
Post by soonerorlater on May 5, 2016 14:09:21 GMT
Please allow me to now introduce a shabby trick from 'the book of management' and turn the question around....'Do we really have our hearts in this'
I ask because I went to my first post-ELO concert last night and I'm afraid my heart just wasn't into it. I went to see Yes, a great favourite of mine, for the eleventh time and usually I can really get into it but somehow, I left the venue feeling quite flat. It was a good show but it's as if I have a massive ELO hangover that won't seem to go away. Surely this doesn't mean that I'm destined never to enjoy a concert again??!!!!
My next test comes with Brian Wilson in ten days time. I'm really looking forward to it and in some ways it's almost as meaningful as seeing Jeff - but not quite. We'll see how it goes.
Anyway and my point is, if I'm feeling this way about non-ELO concerts right now then surely the whole ELO experience was delivered by a man who had every single piece of his heart and soul in it to make me feel this way!
|
|