What served him so well in "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide," the ability to pull emotion from a lyric without having to "emote" all over the place, is on display in each track. It's very impressive for a young singer to learn the less is more rule so effectively and so quickly. Someone with less self assurance might have been tempted to belt out lines instead of trusting in the power of the lyric and his ability to communicate to make the song work.
The fifth song the bands do is a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released," and Al Johnson joins them, singing the lead vocals. I've heard quite a few versions of this song performed and I must say that this is one of the best. First of all there 's something about the song which lends itself to a horn section, and that is complimented by Bonerama's arrangement which is eerily reminiscent of the funeral marches traditionally played by New Orleans' Brass Bands.
Combined with the mournful, and extremely soulful, rendering of the lyrics by the man whom the benefit is for, you question just what release Dylan was actually talking about. Maybe it's the final release we all have to look forward to at the end of all our struggles and tribulations. Now those are pretty heavy thoughts to be putting into a disc to raise money and awareness of the situation still facing people in New Orleans, but maybe that's the point. People need to be made aware of just how serious the situation remains.
Here it is the third Mardi Gras after Katrina and thousands of people are still living in refugee camps with no sign of there ever being homes for them to return to. While there is an effort to try and find housing for displaced musicians, what about all the other people whose lives were uprooted? What release do they have from their misery?
OK Go's lead singer Damian Kulash shows he understands how important it is for the whole community to be rebuilt when in the press release he talked about how the "People get together on the weekends and parade through the streets just playing songs; 12-year-old-kids learn funk on the tuba; everyone dances. Life elsewhere in the world simply isn't as celebratory."
Article comments
1 - Spyboy Jon
Thanks for a thoughtful review and for understanding the situation here in New Orleans. Damian Kulash met the guys from Bonerama when Damian came to New Orleans to participate in an Artist Activist Retreat. Their chemistry is magical.
One correction I would make to your review. Unless you are speaking metaphorically, New Orleans' displaced musicians are not in refugee camps but have been scattered to remote places from which they often do not have the means to return home.
You are absolutely correct, however, that this is still a situation where help and funding is still needed. The contributions of musicians like Damian and the guys from Bonerama are invaluable. Check out SweetHomeNewOrleans.org to see how you can help.
2 - Christo
Great review and lots of important info regarding New Orleans. Love the line: "It always continues to amaze me how sultry a trombone can be made to sound in the proper hands." Amen.
3 - lori
The chemistry is definitely magical...WOW! It's a dream come true for someone who loves all music New Orelans as well as being a crazy OK GO fan. WOW!!