In our seats, waiting to hear him play banjo with a bluegrass band and Edie Brickell. Then, the fireworks.
[Saturday-morning update]
What a great show. I hadn’t realized how seriously Martin had gotten into his music in the last few years. He’s equally adept at both bluegrass fingerpicking and clawhammer, and he and Brickell did some beautifully spooky songs in the latter style. He also hasn’t lost his comedic touch. “It’s always been my dream to play the Hollywood Bowl on the 4th of July. Call me crazy, but I feel that, as I step on this stage, I’ve taken a big step in that direction.” (Paraphrase).
Only disappointment was that the show wasn’t long enough, and the fireworks (accompanied by a medley of Sousa tunes from the Air Force Band of the Golden West, ending with the classic Stars and Stripes Forever) less spectacular than I’ve gotten used to in recent years, but still well worth the money and effort to attend.
[Update a while later]
One other thing. Paul Simon made a guest appearance, and sat in for a song.
Ok. I’ll admit envy.
Rand, would you, speaking as a rocket-scientist, comment on the article I cite below?
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/fireworks-history WHY AREN’T FIREWORKS GETTING ANY BETTER?
Aren’t “rockets”, per se, already obsolete for the purpose of art? I’m thinking given computers, drones and lasers, skyfire/art ought to be freaking AWESOME any day now. Drone trailing “smokes” of various flammable substances to “print” 3-D computer graphic patterns in the sky, illuminated then ignited by high intensity colored laser light shows, all synchronized to Randy Travis “points of light” music…
I’m thinking Kickstarter is missing a bet here.
I think there will always be something traditional and primal about the rockets’ red glare and explosions.
Until the EPA bans fireworks as atmospheric and groundwater pollutants. Someone there is probably working on the draft regulations as we speak.
I saw his show in another venue. There are no superlatives adequate overall to describe Steve Martin’s multiple talents. I’d also give props to the violin player. He was especially talented among a very talented group.
To think he started out as a singer/dancer on the Sonny and Cher show?