I was ill yesterday, my sinuses were painful so I decided not to go to the costume party. Instead I stayed in bed and watched Conan O’Brian.
I must say it was disappointing. First of all I don’t like the TV version of Wanderlust. It is way too short, there is no buildup. As a consequence the frantic element in the song doesn’t come through. The wanderlust is definitely there, but it doesn’t take you anywhere.
Second, the mix was odd, Björk’s voice was too low and on the TV I had it sounded slightly hollow.
I think all of us looked (and sounded) a bit out of place. The only thing I liked was the new look of Wonderbrass. They relly looked spectacular behind Björk.
Well, you can’t win everytime. In any case, I feel better today. And tonight most of us go to Iceland for a holiday. I sure look forward to it.
Entries (RSS)
September 28th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I think you were exhausted from touring. I live in France and don’t have the show, but few artists like Bjork are able to do both touring and promotion ; it’s extremely rare nowedays to find such artists who don’t make fun of their audience.
Cheers,
Romain
September 28th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
enjoy your much-deserved break in Iceland, Jonas.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Having seen the Chicago and Detroit shows, I have to agree that last night’s performance didn’t quite match what I saw live. My thought after watching is that this could be due to the sort of “artificial” environment compared to the typical live performance. The requirements of the talk show, in which everyone has to be quiet waiting for the host to get done with his introduction, and then start playing one song, on command, is quite different from a concert, in which the artist or the band can prepare themselves as they please and start when they are ready. ALso, if they make mistakes in one song, they have a whole set to “redeem” themselves. Compared to the shows I saw, Bjork seemed a little constrained/restrained, and didn’t seem to be singing with the effortless, soaring quality that makes her, when at her best, such an extraordinary performer. Still, any Bjork is better than no Bjork, so I’m glad I stayed up to watch. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, do yourself a favor and see her live.
September 29th, 2007 at 1:14 am
Hope you fell better! What was your costume going to be?
September 29th, 2007 at 1:27 am
I agree with you. That particular song live has an energy that was lacking on that tiny stage and was dwarfed behind the lense.
You all were just too big for that environment.
September 29th, 2007 at 1:54 am
i think you soared so high @ MSG that anything else is gonna seem like a let down.
September 29th, 2007 at 4:34 am
I agree with n69n. I was at Madison Square Garden this week in the front. I still am having wonderful dreams every night about that experience. Last night I dreamed about the rendition of Cover Me… I wish that would come out in a live CD version.
Have a good vacation and thanks for updating this blog so often. It was a wonderful journey since I saw Radio City at the beginning, your posts for months, then The Garden this week. Twas a great summer for me ……….. ……….. ……….. ………..
September 29th, 2007 at 4:55 am
Whenever I start to get any kind of infection, I usually chew on some tea tree oil toothpicks. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and if you get the kind with cinnamon, that helps boost the immune system a little. And it makes your breath cinnamonny. Anyway, enjoy your much needed vacation!
September 29th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I actually prefer the ‘TV version’ of Wanderlust and I do hope for a similar ‘Edit version’ on the forthcoming single. The second part of the chorus is so powerful that when played only during the end of the song I actually think there is more of a built-up then there is on the album version. I remember you played it the same way on SNL. That was the first time I heard Wanderlust. And I was actually a bit disappointed when the album got out because I felt the album version gave the good part away too soon.
September 29th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Aw, well don’t be too hard on yoursel(ves)… I think you all did great!!
It’s one of the best TV performances I’ve seen lately (considering the last hyped up one I saw from another performer was completely lip synched… won’t mention the name),
September 29th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
With the rest of us may wishes that you feel better Jónas. Sorry the Conan O’Brian show didn’t go so well, we all have off day and Björks worst day of preforming usually is better than 75% of most shows.
Any way best wishes.
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:40 am
you guys need a mountain top, not a lateshow stage, all cramped. you need an outdoor ampitheater. Volta is definately an outdoors, live experience. I had my doubts about going on the Conan O’brien show, but like incufish23 said, even when it’s not all 100% perfect, it’s still better than so much of the crap that is out there right now. don’t be hard on yourself. you’ve been playing amazingly, even when you don’t think so. sorry you got sick. vitamins, lots of liquids, lots of rest, fresh air, dress warm enough. you’ll be fine.