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"I hate it when they say you shouldn't change horses in mid-stream. The horse can't swim and it's in way over its head and that horse shouldn't have crossed the stream in the first place, and there's a good democratic mule right there.
So change that horse.
Change it."
--James Taylor
October 11, 2004
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Review-
Vote For Change Concert Finale
October 11, 2004
MCI Center, Washington D.C.
Review-
Vote For Change Concert Finale
October 11, 2004
MCI Center, Washington D.C.
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"I am a patriot
and I love my country
Because my country is all I know
I want to be with my family
With people who understand me
I got nowhere else to go
And I ain't no communist, and I ain't no capitalist
And I ain't no socialist
and I sure ain't no imperialist
And I ain't no democrat
And I ain't no republican either
And I only know one party
and its name is freedom
I am a patriot.."
-from the song I Am A Patriot (and the river opens for the righteous) by Little Steven Van Zandt, sung by Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Keb Mo at the Vote For Change concert finale, October 11, 2004 in Washington, D.C.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun was shining on a clear Sunday afternoon in Washington D.C. The mall was sprinkled with people tossing footballs and frisbees, tourists strolling the sculpture garden at the Hirschorn Museum, and students reading their schoolbooks at the Starbucks on 7th Avenue. You could tell which people were headed to the Vote For Change concert finale at the MCI Center either by their Kerry-Edwards T-shirts or anti-Bush statement shirts. If you listened carefully, you may have heard some say jovially to one another "So, have you heard the rumors on the internets?"
A few hours before the show, four or five Freeper-types stood across the street, one with a Saddam Hussein costume on, another holding a sign saying something ludicrous like "MoveOn.org rocks for Osama" and "Saddam-Aid 2004". I waved to them while happily, thinking about the great music they were never going to be hearing that evening while they backed Bush the loser whose big-name entertainment supporter is Wayne Newton.
As concert time drew near, a large crowd gathered outside the MCI center. There were people handing out flyers and stickers, groups looking for volunteers to travel to swing states, and 'Billionaires for Bush' looking dapper and darling. Inside the arena, a large crowd swarmed the T-Shirt concession area, lining up six-deep to gaze upon the Vote For Change merchandise.
By the time the show started, at 7pm sharp, most people were not yet in their seats. By the time the first artist, John Mellencamp, had taken the stage, the crowd had quickly gotten into their assigned places to enjoy the show, which had been sold-out 30 minutes after tickets had gone on sale last month.
Before Mellencamp sang, a group of artists came out to make a brief political statement. Bruce Springsteen, Emily Robison (of the Dixie Chicks), Dave Matthews, Michael Stipe, and Eddie Vedder came onstage together. Without mentioning Bush or Kerry, Springsteen said, "We're here to raise our voices loud and clear...we want to change our government."
Eddie Vedder added, "We want government that's open, rational, responsible for the citizenry, and humane."
I enjoyed Mellencamp's set. I'd seen him at a small club when he was still John Cougar Mellencamp back in the 80s, and watching him at the MCI Center, I realized he has never lost his energy or his spirit through the years. He set the tone for the night with a solid acoustic performance. Mellencamp's rootsy band included a drummer, two guitarists, violin, accordian, upright bass, and background singer. Songs performed:
- In my time of dying (blues version)
- Paper in Fire
- Walk Tall (prefaced by the statement, "This next song is about what the Devil can do if you don't keep your eye on him.")
- Authority Song
- Pink Houses
By the time Mellencamp had finished his set, the crowd was on its feet with an energy that would last the whole night long.
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds was next, doing one smooth, blues-injected song, "Change the World" (a hit song written by Eric Clapton, produced by Babyface).
Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and KebMo were next, performing the following songs together:
- Worlds in Motion
- For What It's Worth
- I am a Patriot
- Stand up and be Strong
At the end of the set, Bonnie Raitt stated, "
America, we'll see you at the polls!"
"I am a Patriot" was one of my favorites of the concert. It was written by Little Steven Van Zandt, and I believe its lyrics and reggae spirit stayed closest to the theme of the raucous evening of political rock for change.
Jackson Browne came back to the stage after a short break as the stage was rotated to a new set and he introduced the hip hop act, Jurrassic 5.
- I Am Somebody
- And you Don't Stop
- Freedom
After the performance, members of the group stated, "
It starts with you first."; "Don't point the finger at no one else."; "Vote yes on Proposition 66"
At about 8:30pm, REM took the stage. I was thrilled as it was my first opportunity to see them in concert. It was a dream-set with stellar guest-singers. REM gave a CD-quality performance of the following songs:
- The One I Love
- Begin the Begin (with guest singer Eddie Vedder)
- Leaving New York (an excellent new song)
- Losing My Religion (oh, man, this was great)
- Man in the Moon (with Bruce Springsteen)
Pearl Jam was next.
- Grievance
- Save You
- New World (by X) (with guest singer Tim Robbins)
- Bushleaguer
- Master of War (The Bob Dylan song, and Vedder sang the tune with a decided high-lonesome Appalachin feel, a bone-chilling rendition--one of the best performances of the night.)
Vedder was heard saying, "
I guess now everyone is going to vote" Also, Vedder remarked that everyone is talking about November 3rd--how the work will have just begun on November 3rd. He said he was worried people would forget the actual day they need to vote and he asked the audience to raise their hands for the television cameras and show them the day they have to vote. The 2nd sign doubled for the peace sign, and Eddie Vedder was pleased with the resulting visual mass statement.
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"I hate it when they say you shouldn't change horses in mid-stream. The horse can't swim and it's in way over its head and that horse shouldn't have crossed the stream in the first place, and there's a good democratic mule right there. So change that horse. Change it."
--James Taylor
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Pardon my adolescent-sounding admiration, but I was blown away by James Taylor.
- The Secret of Life
- Hold Them Up
(Out came the Dixie Chicks to join Taylor for a couple songs)
- Sweet Baby James (A sweet rendition with Natalie Maines on vocals and Taylor on harmony--the audience went wild with appreciative applause after the song.)
- Shower the People
James Taylor made the most astute remarks of the evening:
--"I hate it when they say you shouldn't change horses in mid-stream. The horse can't swin and it's in way over its head and that horse shouldn't have crossed the stream in the first place, and there's a good democratic mule right there. So change that horse. Change it."
--"We started the tour on the eve of the first debate and I've been asked 'What advice do you have for undecided voters?' You take a look at the two candidates; you study 'em real close... and YOU CHOOSE THE SMART ONE. You choose the smart one."
The Dixie Chicks performed the next set on their own:
- Some Days You Gotta Dance (with guest James Taylor)
- Truth No. 2
- Mississippi (Bob Dylan song)
Natlaie Maines' comments included:
"Gosh, I hope y'all show up to our next tour." and "After 'the incident', people asked me if I wanted to take back what I'd said. I thought, well, no, because after that, Bush would just call me a flip-flopper." The audience cheered with amused delight.
At about 10:20, the Dave Matthews Band took the stage. Their set list:
- Don't Drink the Water
- One Sweet World
- Joy Ride
- Ants Marching
- So Much to Say
- Too Much
Bruce Springsteen took the stage a bit past 11:00.
- The Star Spangled Banner (guitar version)
- Born in the USA
- Badlands
- No Surrender
John Fogerty was introduced by Springsteen as the Hank Williams of our generation. Fogerty, along with the E Street band, started with a new song called Deja Vu. It was another one of my favorites of the night. It sounded as if the song was written just for the evening. It was a fresh look at what's happening today through the eyes of someone who's lived long enoughto have seen it all before. Shades of "
Won't Get Fooled Again". Fogerty then performed a rousing version of
"Fortunate Son" to a responsive and enthusiastic crowd.
Springsteen continued on with his set.
- Because the Night /with Michael Stipe (It was GORGEOUS.)
- Mary's Place (From the post-9/11 CD "The Rising", a song which contained the key line for the whole album, "How do you live brokenhearted," with a juxtaposition of sad lyrics and complete party music with Clarence Clemons playing a mean, mean sax).
Public Service Annoucement -Bruce Springsteen, in a televangelist preacher style, called all believers to their television screens and asked them to touch the screen and chant (three times) a healing: "
Halliburton, Halliburton, Halliburton". ;) Springsteen then got serious and it was the one and only time he mentioned his confidence in and support of John Kerry and John Edwards, which he expressed with a serious yet hopeful patriotic tone.
7. Born to Run (with Peter Buck and Mike Mills of REM--and just about every member of the audience!)
I can't begin to tell you about the energy that was running through the arena by this time. It was more intense than I'd ever experienced at a concert in the past--and I've attended many a concert in my day. The E Street band sounded like they did in the late 70s/early 80s, with a vibe that sent shivers down my spine.
It was time for the finale. All the stars came to the stage to join in singing:
- What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding? (With Michael Stipe and Eddie Vedder playing air guitar and bouncing joyously.)
- People have the Power
I watched the finale from the stage left door looking directly onto the singers onstage. It's a moment I wish I could have recorded by means other than memory. It's a sight I'll never forget. I only hope the message sent by these fine, conscientious performers will travel straight to the hearts of Americans and will be translated to their hope--our hope---which is new leadership in the capital of the nation we all love so much.
IDDYBUD