Reading Mao: The Unknown Story

The book Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday was released in the United States today and I've started reading it. I really liked Jung Chang's previous work Wild Swans, which I read years ago. Mao: The Unknown Story should be an informative read, and it is sure to be well researched and well written. If you have an interest in 20th century Chinese history or Mao, in particular, then you may want to read this book.

Franz Ferdinand at Madison Square Garden Theater, October 17, 2005

I saw Franz Ferdinand at the Madison Square Garden Theater last night, and they put on a lively show. They hail from Glasgow, Scotland and they played for about an hour and twenty minutes—songs from their eponymous album and "You Could Have It So Much Better." The show had a lot of energy and, during one song, the crowd cheered "Take me out!" The band has two guitarists/vocalists, a drummer, and a bassist. Occasionally, one of the guitarist plays a bit of the keyboards for some of the songs. Also, I like the sound of the electric guitar parts for most of the performance. Towards the end of the show, there were three guys drumming on the drum set. I haven't seen that before in a concert, and it actually sounded great! They closed the show with their hit "This Fire," which the audience seemed to like a lot. Well, I liked them enough that I'd see them again the next time they are in town. If they are in your area, you might want to check them out.

U2 and Keane at Madison Square Garden, October 10th, 2005

U2 and Keane at MSG

I saw U2 at Madison Square Garden last night, and it was one of the best live concerts I've ever seen.

The opening act was a group called Keane from a small town in England. Although Keane is only comprised of three musicians (vocals, keyboards, and drums), they are able to create quite a sonic landscape. The vocals were strong and clear, and they were a pleasure to listen to. One track that they played was "Nothing In Your Way" which will be recorded in New York and probably be released on their next album. I liked them enough that I will purchase one of their albums soon—probably the extended album/DVD "Hopes and Fears".

As for U2, the group is comprised of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. They are one of the best live acts out there and their shows have a lot of energy. I really liked the light show that went along with the music too—particularly the many ribbons hanging from the ceiling with colorful lights and images projected on them. There was also a large monitor above the stage to show the four band members performing. The audience cheered and sang along to all the songs. Here is the song list for the concert:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
The Electric Co.
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own (This song was dedicated to Bono's dad Bob.)
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday (Up on the monitor: all religions should "coexist.")
Bullet the Blue Sky
Happy Birthday (Celebrating Luciano Pavarotti's 70th birthday)
Is There a Time? (Up on the monitor: Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Pride (In the Name of Love)
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You

Second Encore

All Because of You
Yahweh
Bad (This song was dedicated to NY poet Patti Smith.)
40

The concert was phenomenal and, if you're a U2 fan, you should definitely see them live on the Vertigo Tour. Here are a few related links:

www.one.org
www.u2.com
www.keanemusic.com

Jethro Tull at Carnegie Hall, New York, October 9, 2005

I saw Jethro Tull last night at Carnegie Hall, and they put on an exceptional show. The current lineup of the band is: Ian Anderson (Flute, Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocal), Martin Barre (Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Flute), Andrew Giddings (Keyboards), Jonathan Noyce (Bass Guitar), and as a special guest Lucia Micarelli (Electric Violin, Acoustic Violin). The following is a list of songs from the evening's performance, and I've indicated songs which included Lucia's wonderful violin playing with an *:

Life's A Long Song
Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day (nice accordion playing)
Slipstream
Beggar's Farm
Up To Me
Weathercock
Aurora*
Griminelli's Lament*
Wondering Aloud*
Love Theme To The Godfather*
Cheap Day Return*
Mother Goose*
J. S. Bach's Bourree*
Instrumental Piece*

Intermission

Lucia number* --> Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody*
Led Zeppelin's Kashmir*
She Is Like The Swallow*
Cross-Eyed Mary
In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff
Hymn 43
Wind Up
Budapest*
Aqualung

Encore

My God
Locomotive Breath*

At the end of the show, Ian tossed two large "Tull" balloons into the audience, and the crowd roared in approval. All of the musicians performing that night were capable and competent on their instruments. They were quite exceptional, and Jethro Tull has shown, once again, that they are masters of rock music. So, I definitely enjoyed the show. If you want to hear some terrific live music, check out Jethro Tull sometime.

Some web links: Jethro Tull and Lucia Micarelli