San Diego State Daily Aztec, May 23, 1994: Difference between revisions
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The opening band, Crash Test Dummies, however, didn't fare as well. With the notable exception of the pleasant tune, "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm," the hand's songs never really sparked much of a response from the crowd. | |||
As his rich baritone voice boomed across the amphitheater, frontman Brad Roberts' lyrics for "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" describe a group of children plagued with their individual problems. | |||
Lines such as ''"Once there was this boy whose / Parents made him come directly home right after school," lend this hit single an amusing touch of whimsy that's perfect for Roberts' wiseguy stage persona. | |||
Despite the lukewarm audience, Roberts seemed eager to engage in some lighthearted banter. Part rock musician, part stand-up comedian, the singer-guitarist displayed a charming knack for tossing out one-liners with a genuine appreciation for the audience. | |||
Despite the lukewarm audience, Roberts seemed eager to engage in some lighthearted banter. Part rock musician, part | |||
There's no shortage of irony watching a band with such an off-the-wall moniker perform under the flight path of incoming planes. The running joke of the evening was the Starlight Bowl's close proximity to Lindbergh Field. | There's no shortage of irony watching a band with such an off-the-wall moniker perform under the flight path of incoming planes. The running joke of the evening was the Starlight Bowl's close proximity to Lindbergh Field. | ||
"So whose | "So whose brilliant idea was it to build an amphitheater next to the San Diego airport?" Roberts remarked with his trademark baritone voice. | ||
"It's sort of like the 'What came first: the city planner or the caveman?' question." | "It's sort of like the 'What came first: the city planner or the caveman?' question." | ||
Even | Even Costello got into the act of poking fun at the obvious. Everybody's a comedian, ''right''? Wrong. | ||
"It's | "It's good to he back at runway three," said Costello at one point during his two-hour set. "We've heard of the friendly skies, but this is fuckin' ridiculous." | ||
Fortunately, these stabs at humor were dispensed with early in the set. Toward the latter half of the show, Costello | Fortunately, these stabs at humor were dispensed with early in the set. Toward the latter half of the show, Costello jumped from one classic tune to another with the Attractions rushing to catch up with him. And to cap the evening off, Costello and his fabled back-up hand did ''three'' encores before calling it a night. | ||
Despite his earlier campy asides, Costello never lost the focus of his primary intent: to | Despite his earlier campy asides, Costello never lost the focus of his primary intent: to fill the Starlight Bowl with rock 'n' roll that simultaneously strokes the heart while teasing the brain. This is the Elvis Costello we've come to love and respect over the years. Sure, he's older now, but his magic and lyrical bite are still very much intact. | ||
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[[Category:1994 concert reviews]] | [[Category:1994 concert reviews]] | ||
[[Category:1994 US Tour|~San Diego State Daily Aztec 1994-05-23]] | [[Category:1994 US Tour|~San Diego State Daily Aztec 1994-05-23]] | ||
Revision as of 23:53, 18 August 2015
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