Saturday night we attended the 21st annual Bridge School Benefit Concert at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View. It was our first trip to this show since 2003 and it was wonderful to get reacquainted with such a special music experience. It is an annual gathering of Neil Young and invited guests (usually 5-7 other artists) playing mostly acoustic versions of their music.
The Bridge School was started by Peggy Young, wife of Neil Young, and is “dedicated to ensuring that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities.” The annual benefit concert provides the school with funding. It is without a doubt my favorite music event of the year and Saturday was my 9th trip to see Neil Young and friends rock out for The Bridge School.
Overall, this was a rather subdued show compared to past years. The last show I saw, in 2003, featured Billy Idol, so it was unlikely to be more energetic than that. Still, it was more calm and the music was more relaxed, even the headline appearance by Metallica.
Regina Spektor
She was awesome. An amazing vocal talent, her first song was just her and a microphone singing to The Bridge School students; who, as always, were seated behind the artist’s area of the stage. A good vocal presence is always rewarded at Shoreline, where the sound seems to fill the entire venue beautifully. [Video of Regina performing Fidelity]
John Mayer
I used to hate John Mayer. I admit that. But that dude can play guitar. And he can play well. He was stellar. Backed by two other guitarists, he played mostly stuff from his latest album, which I have to admit to enjoying quite a bit. His set felt too short, and I found myself wishing he could have played a few more tunes. He ended with a easy-does-it version of Tom Petty’s Free Fallin that I got on video. [Waiting on the World] [Free Fallin]
Tom Waits & Kronos Quartet
Holy shit. I haven’t seen Tom Waits live since he performed at The Bridge School show in 1999. To say his performances are unique would be a gross understatement. He was illuminated by red light and growled an amazing set, invoking dark moods and scary places. Watching Tom Waits perform really makes you feel like you are living in a Tim Burton film. I’m not sure how else to describe it.
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee started off slow with some of his more mellow tunes, then got everyone on their feet with Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On. It was the first time all night we were on our feet, which gives you an idea of how mellow the show had been up to that point. He finished with Great Balls of Fire, which totally rocked the house.
I’m almost ashamed to say that my entire impression of Jerry Lee Lewis was formed by my dad’s jokes about Jerry Lee’s marriage to a 13 year-old. After skimming Jerry Lee’s entry on Wikipedia this morning, I realized that he is a rock legend and brilliant musician. Mental image revised, I’m real glad I got to see Jerry Lee perform. He was awesome.
Metallica
I have to respect Metallica for “playing to the venue.” They showed up with a polished acoustic set. They opened with several covers, including a pretty nice cover of Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage. Notice I said nice. The early set lacked the kind of energy you expect from Metallica. On an otherwise mild evening of music, I think the crowd (especially the dudes with beers wearing Metallica/Guns N’ Roses tour shirts from 1992), wanted some dive bar thrashing on acoustic guitars. They didn’t get it until the very last song, when Metallica played Nothing Else Matters. After that, they were gone, and everyone was screaming for more. As much as the set might have been a bit too mild, watching Lars rock out on the drums was worth it. And James Hetfield’s voice sounded crisp and rested. I can’t wait to hear the next album.
Summarized
At a Bridge School show, you’re always reminded of the power of music and the power of the art form. The Bridge School students benefit from this show and the artists play these shows with that in mind. While this show lacked the rare music moments that sometimes come when you gather so much talent in one show, it was still a treat and an experience I will hold dear for the next 12 months until the next show.
