Brad has a huge amount of talent, and can give any guitarist a run for his money - Brian May? I've love to see a guitar battle between these guys, because in terms of speed - Brad has it covered. I've been looking on youtube at Brian May videos, and looked at ones deemed "the best solos" by him...and I watched them, and they bored me. Brian May is an incredible guitarist yes, and he can play solos for 10 minutes or so...but focussing on his hands, he's not doing much with them. It's just with those notes and a great guitar, it sounds incredible. Brad Paisley, however, has a great guitar, and can move his fingers faster up and down the neck of the guitar and show his, in my opinion, superior talent in his playing. It's all his own work, and can perform a whole setlist with 5 minute solos in each song without a break...that is talent!
I've been properly into country music for about 6 years now...and watched every Country Music Association award (CMAs) night since then. Brad has been winning something every year, and the award becoming bigger and bigger...and keeps winning 'Male Vocalist of the Year'. This is great news...but Brad has yet to win the biggest prize, 'Entertainer of the Year'.
Taylor Swift was relatively unknown back in 2007 when I saw her at the CMAs...no one in the UK had heard of her - and even mentioned her the next day to my friend who was like, "County music? Nah...won't listen to that" - but now, 3 years on...this same friend is a big fan of Taylor. Taylor Swift has recently won the coveted, Entertainer of the Year...despite only having been in the "business" for 3 years. Brad has been in the business for about 10...and still not clinched it...why?
Because he hasn't conquered a country other than North America (and Canada). BUT, as I discovered yesterday - he may well be in for a chance at the Entertainer of the Year award due to his sold out tours in England and Norway. SOLD OUT. Brad has many a fan in England, which was recognisable yesterday - and his show was just astounding. I have now seen both Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley in concert, and Brad Paisley was certainly the most talented and the most enjoyable.
Taylor Swift had a huge venue...lots of lights, videos, costume changes, extra dancers...etc etc....and it was a great watch. But, as I learnt from Glee...it's called "theatricality". Hiding the fact that when it boils down to it, the musician themselves couldn't perform a whole setlist without it getting boring. Now, I'd love to see Taylor in an acoustic session in a smaller venue - singing herself...I like her sound without the synthesisers. However, unfortunately, theatricality is what sells. Taylor also had Justin Bieber supporting her...which wasn't all bad...I've recently gotten into Justin and do like his music. But, that's going off the point - he got the crowd going...he got the screaming girls screaming more...he got the crowd pumping. Then Taylor popped up on a video...and then came on to a mega pumped up crowd.
Brad Paisley had a smaller venue...a few lights, no videos, one change of his shirt when it got sweaty, his band, and a range of guitars to properly showcase his talent. It was great...despite the small venue, I really felt the amazing atmosphere of proper fans of proper talent, as opposed to the 12 year olds at the Taylor concert. I loved the Taylor concert, I really did, but I have never attended a concert in which the main element of it was the performer and their talent. And it blew me away last night. And Brad had no supporting acts, risky? Yes. But the moment the beginning of 'American Saturday Night' started playing...the whole audience were pumped and joining in with the song. That is what great music can do...all you have to do is hear the music, and you're pumped. Again, I love Taylor's music I really do and I loved her concert, but thinking back - the whole event was big and flashy which surrounded Taylor's music.
I really hope Brad wins Entertainer of the Year. He's now got his eyes on reaching England, and will be coming back next year for another tour - which I shall be attending, no doubt. He's funny, he can get along with the audience...he can have a laugh with people, he can have a laugh at himself - there was just a sense of such humility last night...he knows he's talented, but doesn't know how talented, and doesn't understand how he has fans over here...but as he does, he did his utmost to enjoy himself, and in turn, made us enjoy ourselves no end. It was just great...
If you ever get the chance to see him, go. Don't just put him under the same umbrella as "country music". I know the stereotype that country music gets...and it's changed remarkably since that stereotype was made. Yes, he wears a stetson and has a great southern drall when he talks...but his music is genius, the lyrics are great and the whole shabang just works and when he gets his guitar out, you know he can provide a night to remember.
No comments:
Post a Comment