I grew up surrounded by music, and I have my parents to thank for that.
They raised me on a healthy diet of the classics --; my dad handling the rock stuff like Led Zeppelin, The Who and The Allman Brothers, my mom the folk side with artists like Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, and Joni Mitchell.
Not to say there was no overlap between their tastes --; dad loves Springsteen just like everyone, and mom is a fan of Zeppelin --; but there were certainly demarcation points on their musical spectrums.
So many childhood memories feature a soundtrack by these artists in my mind, and there is still tremendous comfort when I hear the first notes of "Baba O'Riley" or "Badlands" today.
Two weeks ago, I saw firsthand that The Who and Springsteen are still capable of rocking me back harder than bands half their age, even though they're both old enough to have AARP cards.
Both bands played the Pepsi Center just two days apart, and provided master classes in musicianship, demonstrating why they're all-time greats.
Almost better --; I was able to share both concerts with my parents, and be reminded how important music is as a memory trigger.
The Who were in Denver for a rescheduled date on their The Who Hits 50 tour (which may or may not be their last big tour ever), but any notions that this was just some nostalgia trip were blown away when they tore into "The Seeker" as just their second song.
For a band whose remaining two original members are 70 or older, The Who showed a musical vibrancy over two hours that I have a hard time imagining most new bands being capable of.
Guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend is still capable of incendiary guitar work (on "Won't Get Fooled Again") and incredibly nuanced melody (on "Join Together"). Lead vocalist Roger Daltrey was in incredible form, particularly when you remember the band's original December date was canceled due to illness. Somehow he can still do the kind of howl that makes your head stand on end, and his delivery on "Baba O'Riley" still packs a punch.
But my favorite moments might have been before the show even started, when my dad and I counted up the number of times we'd seen The Who, what year and where the concert was. Or after, when we talked about what our favorite Who songs were and whether or not we'd seen them all performed live.
Springsteen puts on a very different show than The Who, but no less impressive. Whereas The Who's music had more in the way of subtlety, Springsteen's is like a wall of joyous sound that just buries you. And he and his bandmates put a lot into their three-and-a-half hour performance that included the 1980 album "The River" in its entirety.
Unlike The Who, there were no wild lighting or computer graphics to back up Springsteen's performance. Just three screens so those in the cheap seats could see, and the muscular poetry of the music.
Songs like "Thunder Road," "Born to Run" and "Dancing in the Dark" didn't even need Springsteen to sing, the tunes are so ingrained in listeners. But the more delicate numbers like
"The River" and "Drive All Night" are equally powerful for their restraint.
The Boss himself is a machine, leading his band without taking a break or flagging in enthusiasm. He belted out gems like "Because the Night" like it was the first time he was singing them live, and there's no way to be awash in that kind of generosity and not be moved.
It also gave my mom a chance to talk about the importance of "The River" when she and my dad were dating, how she saw The Boss on the original album tour, and for us to compare notes on our favorite Springsteen albums.
Sneaking glances at my parents during both concerts, I was able to see them as they were when they first came upon these artists that had such a profound impact on their lives.
That's what the best music does. It takes you out of your current self and back to the time you pressed play and fell in love.
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://goldentranscript.net/stories/Musical-roots-still-flower-on-stage,211187?branding=15
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