12.3.13 Recap: A very tropical Adam concert - HOT HOT HOT

Really good, experienced musicians KNOW how music is crafted. They know how a song is put together, how chords progress, what harmonies are used in jazz, rock, pop, blues, etc., how to riff and vary a musical line within the "rules" of that musical genre, and, consequently, how to follow and blend with other experienced musicians. If you have ever seen a group of experienced pros get together at a late night club after their separate gigs and jam, you know how they can miraculously sit down and create amazing music together without even knowing one another.

Yes, in order to do their best, top notch musicians rehearse together stringently, but, if they have been playing together for a long time, or for multiple gigs, they can really pick it back up with little rehearsal time. Also, a musical director's JOB is to pull the group together and rehearse/arrange numbers prior to the soloist coming in. So, I cannot explain why the group was struggling, if they were (I haven't bothered to listen to the YTs to determine that - I was just listening to/watching Adam). Lack of musical study and background? Theory and experience? Brian has a long history of formal and informal music study. I think Ashley has also studied formally. But, Tommy? Not really. He is a relative "newbie" and just doesn't have enough experience, training or study under his belt. He may be what Adam wants because of his look, his attitude, his musical tastes and his ability to learn and replicate a song, but I have not seen evidence of him being a seasoned, creative, accomplished ARTIST. IMO, based on knowing many very, very, very good musicians.

Got to jump into this band discussion:

My biggest gripe with the present band is Rick, sorry Rick, no offense, but I just think he is the biggest problem. A drummer cannot make a band, but he can break a band and Rick imo does exactly that. Brian has to sometimes outright fight him, to get the right rhythm going. i.e. a reggae song cannot be played with a straight 1234 beat, you got to get that laid back swing that belongs with that music. Rick does not have the variety in his play, he just bangs away at these drums til the concert is done, pretty monotonous, actually.

Example:
Here is the famous and beloved 'Is this love' from Australia, still with Isaak. First time they ever did this and you can see the band trying to figure out the rhythm in the beginning. It was hard for Tommy to start it up, but Brian and Isaak work it out in the back, once they got it they jump in and after a few more strums, Tommy's got it too and they were off and running. This was the very first time they ever did this song, and we all know how great this performance was. It did not matter at all, that they are not the most proficient reggae band in the world, they worked it out and they got there just fine and it was beautiful. And I love that Adam just works with them and gives them the time to grow into a song like this.



But since Rick took over, ITL was never great again. Rick is just not modifying his harsh and very straight beat. It is very difficult for the others to play against that, and Brian sure as hell is trying and Adam is clearly missing something too.
Imo, any wish for tightness in this band is hopeless, as long as he plays the drums. And I don't think, he is that much part of the team, that a change in this position would be difficult for the others.



I think, that Tommy is technically just fine.  But he is not a leader, and the instrument is called a lead guitar for a reason. I don't think he has that in him, tbh, personality wise. But I think he has more skills that just plain rhythmic guitar. Adam will have to figure this one out, depending on the music he makes going forward. There may be room for a first and second guitar, especially, if the direction is more rock leaning, and all visual and other clues seem to be pointing in this direction. But, if Adam wants to keep Tommy in lead guitar, then I sure can live with that too.

I don't have any comments regarding the others, I don't try to compare them to mega groups like Queen. Just not a fair comparison and just an unrealistic wish, if Adam wants to stay the solo artist that he presently is.

As far as backing tracks, vs. singers, I find that Adam's voice just blends better with male singers than with female ones.  There are very few examples, where Adam sounded good singing with a female partner. They do exist though, i.e. Titanium with Angie Miller, or very different style - Slow Ride with Allison. But there are many examples, where it did not sound quite right, and his own backup singers were such an example. I also thought that he did not harmonize well with Cindy Lauper, or that Portuguese lady, forgot her name, tbh. With male voices, he has always sounded great, so far. Even if the singers themselves were less than perfect.

I don't know what Adam will do, he has changed so many times already. In matter of style, he is almost giving me whiplash right now. Adam trying out low maintenance? Adam preparing us for his grunge rock phase, lol? It is quite amazing, actually. Based on the videos, I'd also say that his heart was more into the rock songs in Miami, and the rest was just running on familiar tracks. I get the impression he is mentally in A3 and has to dive back into TSP mode for these concerts. He seemed to play with his old material, like a child that picks up a long forgotten toy. To me, he seemed happy, in a flashback kind of way.

The other, rather new side, I see in Adam, is a more serious side. His latest Lee Cherry pics are pensive and serious, almost stern. He uses twitter to send us articles about computer interaction and loneliness or about celebrities and honesty. I just see a more mature representation, but also a very honest and real one. It will be interesting to see, where he is taking all this in 2014.

I wonder if Rick's poor quality drumming is making it more difficult for Tommy. They need a better drummer. I fear that Rick is one of Brian's buddies and it may be difficult to get rid of him.