For all Kossacks, I offer up a special musical offering of hope and inspiration. Monday is the 8th anniversary of a concert held in New York City's Madison Square Garden. The concert was a fundraiser/rally for Ralph Nader. Yes, I know, that campaign is a very sore spot for everyone around here. But the night featured an amazing performance by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder.
The good news is that most of those who participated that night are now on Senator Obama's team: most prominently Eddie Vedder. The entire liberal/progressive/left is united this time for Senator Barack Obama. That is one of the sources of our strength and why we will deliver a crushing blow to the right-wing on November 4.
In late summer Vedder made his choice clear in a concert in Wisconsin:
Vedder was able to pick up a mandolin for a tune, then a ukelele for "Soon Forget" and had enough silence for a beautifully simple rendition of the Beatles' "Blackbird." He even managed to work in his support for Barack Obama-- as he said he wouldn't talk about who he endorses a giant Obama banner went across the back of the stage.
http://www.concertlivewire.com/...
I know that Bruce Springsteen is our favorite progressive troubadour around here because of what he did in 04 and 08 and I love the Boss for this. He is an American treasure and his muscical brilliance is matched only by his character and integrity.
8 years ago, however, Vedder turned in an amazing performance of Little Steve's "I Am A Patriot."
It says everything that needs to be said. I would give anything to see Vedder perform this at the inaugural ceremony for President Obama next January. It is everything the Wingnut popular culture is so incapable of-- subtlety, irony and beauty. Instead they produce dreck like "Proud to Be An American."
After he performed "I Am A Patriot" he launched into Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin" and added right before that he was performing it with the permission of its author!
One other great thing about Vedder's performance, though he is straight, he changed the second verse to
"as I was walking with my boyfriend" tipping his hat to the gay rights movement.
I like many others was deeply moved by Vedder's performance, and I present to you now to pick some of you up after the unconscionable assaults by the right-wing on our amazing next president. A man any of us will be so proud to call our president.