(no subject)
So, LJ decided to eat my last entry. A general rant about the elections and the stupidity of people. Something about 'let the fuckers suffer the consequences' and other such pleasantries. I don't want to touch the subject again and I feel that kensey_river and the lowkeyknight have done a pretty good job conveying my general sentiments also.
So on a more pleasant note I decided to write about my night out. I had decided to stay until late at the office because there are two papers in preparation that need to be in draft form by next Friday, and also because where I am staying at the moment can be a little awkward. Sometime in the afternoon, a friend from the office (let's call him B) mentioned his desire to go to the Disney Theatre that night to see Brian Wilson's SMiLE. The show was sold out, but decided to venture out there early and see if there were any tickets available through cancellations or other means. The fact that I will not be in LA for long has prompted me to experience as much as I can in the city before becoming a Berkeley resident. Going to the Disney Hall is one of those experiences that I wanted. And I was not disappointed!
The night started in a promising way when we found parking right in front of the Disney Hall right away. Anyone familiar with downtown LA will understand the significance of this! After 30 minutes of searching, we secured two tickets next to the 'orchestra'. For $75 each it was a good deal. This was realised when we took our seats. They were about 3-4 meters higher than the stage and right smack-bang next to it! The view was incredible.
Now the Disney Hall itself is a wonderful venue. You may love or hate the style of the design, but once you are next to the building or, better yet, inside it, you cannot help but be overwhelmed. It is a beautiful structure.
The auditorium itself is considered by many a marvel of architectural acoustics. The whole space has been tuned for optimum performance. It is at the very least beautiful. Everything apart from the seat fabric, that is. I just cannot understand what overcame the person that chose that design. It reminds me of cheap hotel fabric. On the modern side, but still it screams cheap hotel. You don't believe me? Check this. By and large, however, the auditorium is stunning, especially with the complete organ.
Anyhow, on to the actual concert. Brian Wilson, born in 1942, was one of the founding member of the Beach Boys. A short biography can be found here. After the album Pet Sounds, Brian wrote an album entitled SMiLE, which he famously called "a teenage symphony to God". It would comprise a number of arrangements with a large ensemble. The project was never released. Brian later went through a dark phase that included depression, paranoia and plenty of psychoactive substances, dig? With the help of a psychiatrist, he overcame most problems and later on had a brief spell of a not-so-successful solo career.
In 2004 the project was resurrected after a live performance of SMiLE at the Royal Festival Hall in London. A new version was recorded with his touring ensemble and the rest, as they say, is history. The album tops the pop charts in the US and enters the UK charts at number 7. It is a story of a very successful and emotional comeback of an ingenious composer of popular music.
The concert did not disappoint. It was sublime in fact. A truly spiritual, if I may, experience. Brian was obviously happy to be there and honoured to be accepted again for what he is best at: beautiful harmonies and compositions. The whole atmosphere was one of an exhilarating party. The performers were from the get-go in touch with the audience and fun was had by all.... I highly recommend listening to an interview with Van Dyke Park (Brian's collaborator), David Leaf (Brian's biographer) and Brian himself from KCRW. The interview is approximately 1 hr long and contains many tracks from the album. Better yet, buy the bloody album.
I was happy.
-NT