(PHOTO: Maureen McGovern in the 1980s)(TOM'S CONCERT REVIEW): Sunday afternoon, Rob & I went to see Maureen McGovern in concert. She is on tour with her one woman show entitled “Maureen McGovern: A Long and Winding Road.” This was not really a concert per se, but rather bordered on being performance art.
It is my humble opinion that audiences are either uncomfortable or ill-informed when it comes to viewing performance art; so they misunderstand the appropriateness of applause – when it is necessary and when it is not. Moments of silence intended to be times of reflection on what had just been presented are marred by the nervous and awkward clapping of the uneducated. Ms. McGovern’s carefully scripted monologue was intermittently interrupted by song – mostly covers of songs that were popular in the day – set against a photo montage of old family photos and 8 mm home movie clips.
The first half of the performance was filled with nostalgia and easy to relate to and there were bits of comedic repartee here and there. But the second half became moody, somber, and bordered on being the diatribe of a bitter and wronged woman. Ms. McGovern related the personal tragedies of a failed marriage, not being able to find a new and lasting romantic interest, a ruptured blood vessel on her vocal cords that almost cost her her career, and greedy managers and sundry other producers robbing her blind through trickery and small print in contracts. But through it all, she has retained her beautiful four-octave voice and a sensitivity and phrasing that only comes through maturity and a 37-year music career.
(PHOTO: Maureen McGovern in 2009) Her rendition of “Let it Be” while juxtaposed over the sorrow of losing her best friend in the shooting at Kent State was, for me, a truly moving experience. While remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the images from that summer day when he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech were flashed up on the scrim. Since there was not a black person in attendance, it seemed odd to me that she would include this in her repertoire or who the intended audience might be. But more importantly, for me, it really emphasized that there was a time in this country’s not so distant past that blacks, and whites, and people of all colors came together for a moment of solidarity to achieve a common goal – to purge society’s injustice and to give the down trodden a fair shake at the American dream. What has really crushed my spirits, and saddens me beyond words, is how much that dream has been squelched and squandered by an ungrateful segment of our population with an unwarranted sense of entitlement and a “here’s my thumb in your eye” attitude. I don’t believe that I was the only one in attendance that withheld nervous applause during this segment. Ms. McGovern’s closing number was a cover of John Lennon’s beautifully worded “Imagine” while images of President Obama’s inaugural were flashed behind her. In the final words of the performance, Ms. McGovern said, “Miracles do happen.” While some people may believe President Obama’s election to have been a miracle, I personally believe that, rather than being an act of Providence that caused these events into being, it was more likely due to hard work, perseverance, and the fact that this was the right time. ROB'S REVIEW:
If you're going to hear Ms. McGovern's hits, "The Morning After" and "Can You Read My Mind" you'll be disappointed (like I was). If you go, don't go expecting a concert, but carefully constructed work of art. I personally thought she was personable, humorous and reflective, bitter over romance, and artsy. I still think she could've worked in her two big hits during her 80s segment to please dumber people like me!
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