My preferences for politics and the performing arts are something I've been able to keep separate though out my life. It's the case with most conservatives. By the time our political sensibilities are honed and eyes opened to the truth, our hearts have already been irrevocably taken by the popular culture. Yes, in one's late teens there is a brief period of disorientation and consternation in coming to terms with the fact that your favorite singer/actor/abstract interpretational Indian dancer despises your political philosophy and actively works to defeat it in the public forum.
But as an adult you get over it. You come to enjoy these people for what they provide to you, whether its beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics, passionate screen performances, or herky jerky hip thrusts and dry heaving guttural utterances. To quote a line from the movie Adaptation: You love what you love, not what loves you.
So I wasn't surprised that there would be a leftist tinge to the proceedings at the Johnny Cash Tribute Concert. The show, taped at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, was on CMT, replayed on Sunday afternoon. Clearly Johnny Cash wasn't exactly Johnny Birch in his political philosophy. But his songs weren't partisan in nature, they dealt with universal themes. And he always seemed to respect, if not embody, the sensibilities of the American people, unlike so many of today's sneering entertainment elite.
Which made it a little surprising to have so many of these very people involved in the concert. John Cougar Mellancamp? Tim Robbins? Whoopie Goldberg? Dan Rather? Al Gore? It makes me wonder if Cash's last will and testament included a clause asking his estate to rejuvenate the reputations of the anti-war Left.
There were other outspoken lefty activists on the bill too. I won't quarrel with Willie Nelson being there. Besides his unparalleled status in the country world, he's one of the few living Cash contemporaries. The ties that bind the two are clear. So Willie's recent advocacy of the Dennis Kucinich campaign shouldn't have been a disqualifier. Similarly, at a memorial concert for Hair Club for Men founder Cy Sperling, I wouldn't object to the presence of Dennis Kucinich, given the synthetic, wind resistant, and fully washable ties that bind those two.
Steve Earle and Sheryl Crow were on the bill too. Arguably, appropriate performers. Earle is the critically acclaimed, reigning dark prince of contrarian country chic. And Sheryl Crow is a pretty little hit machine at the top of her game (and she looked absolutely darling during the show). Based on their prominence in the industry, and their professed allegiance to the legacy of Cash, it made some sense for them to be there. Does the fact that they're among the most vocal and celebrated critics of the Bush administration mean anything? Maybe, maybe not, at least out of context from the rest of the performers.
But, that context included the likes of John Cougar Mellancamp. A man with no direct affiliation with country music or known legitimate connection with Cash. Plus, no hits in years. His only recent prominence stems from juvenile, outlandish statements against the President and the war in Iraq. And there he is, right in the middle of the show, butchering some Cash classic (and I do mean butchering it, with some atonal, world weary, slogging interpretation). For God sakes, if they needed to book mouthy self-styled dissenters, at least give the sparkling, precious Dixie Chicks a call and leave this gloomy gus alone to sulk at home.
Which brings us to the master of ceremonies, Tim Robbins. Why exactly was this self righteous Hollywood elitist auteur the faceman for a down-home country show in Nashville? According to reports, he asked JC to write a song for a movie a few years back, after which they they became "fast friends." Excuse me while I scoff, but this sounds about as plausible as finding out Frank Sinatra was out carousing in his later years with Mike Farrell.
The low point of the whole night, of course, was Whoopi Goldberg. In her video tribute she mentioned that she only met Johnny Cash once or twice in her life (which made her the perfect person to eulogize him), but she said she was impressed when Cash told her he was a fan of her work.
My God, is there a more damning thing you can say about a dead man than he was a fan of Whoopi Goldberg? Awfully convenient of Whoopie to be claiming this now, when there's no one alive to violently refute it. What's next, a claim that "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" was his all time favorite movie?
The continuing incongruous appearance of these people, so painfuly out of place, gave the show at times a feeling of a charity telethon for celebrities who've alienated themselves from the American mainstream. And somebody was trying to let them get back in our good graces by wrapping their arms around the memory of Johnny Cash. But even so, there was plenty of magic during the Cash Tribute Concert. Particularly the standout, heartfelt performances by Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, Hank Williams Jr., and Willie Nelson. And a couple of beautiful, sad, and sweet numbers by daughter Rosanne Cash.
I suspect Rosanne Cash was primarily responsible for the guest list. She's the unofficial spokesman for the family and, and by way of her artistic and popular credibility, their new leader. She also seems to dabble in left wing politics, as evidenced by her stated support for Paul Wellstone on her web site. But I can't really fault her for anything. It was her father, her rules, her legacy to nurture.
Coincidentally, she was also on Austin City Limits on Saturday night, and she was great. Performing her string of new country hits from the 80's and the more folk/tradition driven songs from her new album. She's got a beautiful voice and a warm, joyful stage presence. And there's something about her dark, feline eyes that pluck at my romantic chords of memory. After seeing her all over the TV this weekend, I must say I'm a newly minted fan and kind of smitten. And it doesn't even hurt to know that she probably hates my politics. (OK, it hurts a little bit.)
No comments:
Post a Comment