Loved the REM show. Note here, I'd seen them three times previously, but not since 1988. Stipe is a truly changed man. On the "Reckoning" tour, he stood right at the mic, holding it tightly with a mop of curly hair hiding his face. On "Green," he was much more animated, but there was still something contained about his performance and movements. The man has opened that shit up! He is so confidant, energetic, enthralled and enthralling. Really fantastic.
Peter Buck back in the day was my guy. His exuberance was inescapable -- he jumped, he jived, he swooped, he played the hell outta his ax. The mandolin phase changed him. He was fairly on last night, but he hasn't retained his rock n' roll glory the way, say, John Doe has. Buck's clearly transitioned in to a somewhat 'music elder,' for good or naught.
Mills is adorable as ever.
Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows and Minus Five fame, who's really been a member of REM for several years, should be introduced sooner.
While I was really, really hoping for "Pretty Persuasion" last night, I'll take "Driver 8" in its stead.
Bombay -- damn you for catching the glorious N. Carolina show with Don Dixon and Mitch Easter joining for the encore of "Pretty Persuasion." Though if I'd been there, I may have fainted.
