The entire show (or at least what's available on YouTube) is fantastic. If it's not available on DVD, it should be. I find the concert fascinating for a couple of reasons. First is how young he still is in 1979. He's only like 32 years old here. I think people tend to forget just how young he was when he burst onto the music scene in the early 70s and just how huge a star he so quickly became. A string of number one albums that culminated into a wildly popular Greatest Hits record that sent his celebrity into overdrive and beyond. But by 1979 his mega-superstar career was pretty much coming to an end. To watch him here (sans glasses; which is another reason I'm intrigued by this), nearing the end of his super stardom, plying his craft for Soviet citizens who have never really witnessed such spectacles, is just so breathtakingly amazing. Gives me chills.
Toying with the idea of seeing him at Jazz Fest this week. Think I know better. Was about to Google to see if Ray Cooper is still alive and well, decided against it.
Fabulous congas. Wish they were beefed up in the mix.
ReplyDeleteThe entire show (or at least what's available on YouTube) is fantastic. If it's not available on DVD, it should be. I find the concert fascinating for a couple of reasons. First is how young he still is in 1979. He's only like 32 years old here. I think people tend to forget just how young he was when he burst onto the music scene in the early 70s and just how huge a star he so quickly became. A string of number one albums that culminated into a wildly popular Greatest Hits record that sent his celebrity into overdrive and beyond. But by 1979 his mega-superstar career was pretty much coming to an end. To watch him here (sans glasses; which is another reason I'm intrigued by this), nearing the end of his super stardom, plying his craft for Soviet citizens who have never really witnessed such spectacles, is just so breathtakingly amazing. Gives me chills.
ReplyDeleteToying with the idea of seeing him at Jazz Fest this week. Think I know better. Was about to Google to see if Ray Cooper is still alive and well, decided against it.
ReplyDeleteYou should go! I was lucky to see him in 1986 in Boston. It was an amazing show.
ReplyDelete