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On the Beat: David Menconi on music
News & Observer music critic David Menconi's random (and we do mean random) musings about all things related to music and culture of the "popular" variety.
Chuck B. Goode
Thanks to all the umbrellas in the crowd, you had to do some contortions and crane your head at just the right angle to see him; but Chuck Berry put on a pretty dynamite performance on a soggy Friday night at Raleigh Wide Open. If I ever get within shouting distance of 82 years old, I hope I'm in half as good shape as Berry. Same as always, he busted out his signature duck-walk move on "Johnny B. Goode," and the crowd went nuts.
"It makes my heart flutter -- well, all it does anymore is flutter -- to see you standin' in the rain out there to see a li'l ol' boy like me!," Berry crowed afterward.
Of course, the set only lasted about a half-hour and Berry's relationship to details like pitch and tuning was casual at best (more than once, his backup band looked bewildered at what he was trying to do). But that didn't matter. It was cool just to hear him fire up those guitar riffs you've heard a zillion times, and want to hear a zillion more.
ADDENDUM (9/10/08): Lots of pictures from the show here.
David Menconi
David Menconi has been the News & Observer's music critic since 1991. Before that, he spent a few years at the Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo.; and before that, he earned a masters degree in journalism from the University of Texas (on top of an English degree from Southwestern University).
Comments
Chuck Berry
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 09:20 — butter (not verified)What an insult Chuck Berry was! What a jerk!! I have loved Chuck's music since the 50's; I have EVERYTHING he ever recorded (except the worst song ever made: "My Ding-A-Ling"). If you look at his live performance history, though, you will see that he is an selfish ass. I last saw him in 1971 and he was the same way: starting his songs in the middle and doodling around and never finishing a whole set. His playing is uncaring and half-assed and he insults the audience. It is so bewildering to me, becasue his studio music is so good; even the bootlegs and the outtakes. If he wasn't black he would have been the king of rock'n'roll: he wrote his own songs, played lead guitar and is good looking. But as a man, he is a real jerk. He could never see what he REALLY had; all he thought about was the money. Menconi, what concert did you go to? When did the crowd "go nuts'? It was the pooorest excuse for a concert that I have EVER seen, and I have seen many since 1962.
Chuck Berry
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 12:00 — dmenconi (author)Menconi, what concert did you go to? When did the crowd "go nuts'?
when the man duckwalked across the stage during "Johnny B. Goode," the crowd did in fact go nuts.
meanwhile, whoever you are -- you could stand to tone down the insults. your post says a lot more about you than it does about Chuck Berry. Just sayin'.
Chuck
Sun, 09/07/2008 - 19:01 — dmenconi (author)"Reelin' & Rockin'," which he closed with, was particularly ragged -- especially after he wandered backstage while continuing to play, and there were a bunch of women dancing onstage.
Definitely a had-to-be-there moment.
Funeral
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 18:33 — Dana (not verified)I absolutely LOVED seeing glimpses of Chuck Berry around the rude umbrella holders. I pretty much cried through the last 3 songs, as it felt like a funeral for the 12-bar boogie-woogie. Chuck stands as a time capsule; a man who comes from an era when musicians were honored by people's attention. He also transcended race, yet never misused his microphone to try to teach people lessons.
Chuck Berry is and always was about good-hearted FUN. That's what truly brings people together. He's the last of the original rock & roll oldies guys, and I am honored to have gotten a chance to see him.
Sad
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 15:49 — dmenconi (author)I sure don't get how that was an "insult," dude, but whatever.
Chuck Rocks!
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 09:32 — downhill39At 82 years old, he's allowed to wander through his repetoire. Johnny B. Goode, Ding-A-Ling; Chuck is still da man!
Sad
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 11:34 — Jr. (not verified)The age of a musician makes no difference to me, but CB is a joke. If you are going to "entertain" people, don't insult them instead. He could care less about the people and he has always been like that. As was stated in the article he doesn't even care or know if he is in tune. To those who don't know any better, glad you enjoyed his "show".
Chuck
Sun, 09/07/2008 - 08:52 — pearcemoliI wasn't there but just curious for the record which specific song or songs was he out of tune for?
At age 82 I'm not so sure how well he can HEAR. So that wouldn't surprise me.
Though with technology and tuners there is really no excuse at all, for a professional musician, to have an out of tune guitar, onstage during a live performance.