HBO’s free Lincoln Memorial concert superb in cold conditions

January 19th, 2009 at 01:59am Chuck Sweeny

The kickoff inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was wonderful, especially because the musicians were able to play so well in freezing temperatures. As a musician I know first hand that strange things happen to instruments and fingers in the cold. It isn’t and it isn’t pleasant, either for the musician or for the audience who has to listen.

But these people played with such precision you would have thought they were doing a concert in Jamaica, which is where Will-i-am and Sheryl Crow thought they were during one reggae-inspired number.

For sheer energy, you couldn’t beat Garth Brooks, who did a shortened but rousing version of “American Pie,” followed by “You make me want to SHOUT.” I also enjoyed John Mellencamp’s Little Pink Houses, done with a gospel choir, and the U2 stuff, although Bono takes himself entirely too seriously.

Beyonce Knowles crowned the concert with a soulful rendition of America the Beautiful, performed with help by military and children’s choruses and a military orchestra.

Another highlight was Tom Hanks reading Lincoln passages while the orchestra played a tribute to the 16th president composed by Aaron Copland.

Altogether, HBO pulled off a masterful presentation in less than perfect weather conditions. Every once in awhile the camera showed the Obama family swaying or clapping to the music. But Barack was careful to keep his famous reserve. No dancing around like George W. Bush, who was famous for boogieing — and looking rather silly — with the locals while on foreign trips.

The only thing that bummed me out was that I couldn’t find this HBO free concert on my cable TV. HBO urged cable companies to carry the feed free. Never mind, though. I watched the concert later on my laptop, plugged into my Altec Lansing sound system. Marvelous.

I can’t wait for the day when cable is obsolete and I can watch TV on my computer.

Entry Filed under: Lincoln Memorial concert, inauguration