That must be the most interesting topic, after the new album spring - surprise. I see several patterns of thought, but I can't understand why nobody stated the obvious: attending a concert is a full experience. You participate in it body and soul. Recordings are somehow a lesser experience, a predictable experience that comes from actually remembering the music, after a couple of spins. The live act offers excitement because it is unique, one of a kind, that even great video and exceptional recordings can not replace. In a way, the first time you see a video it is close to the original experience of being at a concert. You don't know what to expect. Of course that could be said for the times before the Internet, where you can see over 200 versions of each MK composition and if they come from the same tour, most likely they will share great similarities. (I think that he even wears the same shirt over and over again
) I enjoyed Alchemy very much for that reason. On the night was not that sweet. I have already heard a live from Basel over the radio, 3 years before the official release and have found several bootlegs.
Christopher Small, used to say that the recorded music is not really a music experience between the artist and the listener, since you learn the music by heart, scribbled in your mind and when you play the record again, it is more of an aid, you actually "play" the record in your mind. Todd Rundgren said in a very interesting interview that musicians should not complain about the profits lost from illegal downloading, instead go out on the road and make money by playing live, because that is what musicians are about.
About the repetitiveness, I can not complain, because even though I collect bootlegs, I have given up listening carefully to notice differences, in an attempt to enjoy the music as a unique live experience. I do not cross the line of asking "why play the same list over and over" because I have to wonder then how sane I am. And the answer for a fan is bitter. In order to be a fan, you have to lose sanity. I mean who would waste so much time talking for MK's set-list, when the world is falling apart? Who would collect 2000 bootleg CDs (not me) when the time he has is so little to even listen to them once each? I was lucky to see him once, and I guess if the comes again I would go to see him again. But to expect from him to play what I want, is a peculiar thought that can only cross a fans mind, because his/her attachment with the artist, the long hours spent for the loved musician affects the mind, that thinks it has rights upon the artist.
As for dear old Bob, hats off, for still playing big venues all over the world, and more to his musicians that have to put up with different set lists every night. Nobody gets bored and they can claim to have a genuine feeling as street musicians, enjoying the unexpected just like their audience. (Yes they do rehearsals, but most likely they rehears patterns and not songs).
As for the fans and bootleggers, we are a crazy gang. The more time spend on MK the less we have for other things. If that fulfill us it is OK, if not maybe we should try listening to Mozart. He is not around to bother us with tours and bootlegs.
