Friday 1 January 2010

Happy New Decade(nce)!


UPDATE 10/02/10: Added Improved Soaked with comments.
UPDATE 06/01/10: Added Improved If I Had You with comments.
UPDATE 04/01/10: Added Improved Music Again with comments.

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and had a blast! The build-up to Gridlock was all very exciting as we were all trying to guess yet again what Adam would be singing, how he'd be singing it and what he'd be wearing. This was one appearance where I wasn't at all nervous and it was a great feeling not to have the pressure of needing to behave in front of the TV cameras. I'm really not a morning person but managed to set my alarm to half wake up for the streams. Unfortunately only a couple of them worked, some lacked sound and another kept buffering so I'm thankful for all the videos that were taken.


Adam's look 'I wanted to look like a firework' was styled like the AMAs with the exception of a tailed coat with symmetrically rhinestoned shoulder detailing. From what I could tell, the set started with Music Again, leading to If I Had You. Adam's voice had somehow managed to slice through all the ear-bleeding static and I could hear its power and clarity on the second song. WWFM was next, followed by Strut, Sure Fire Winners, some beautiful vibrato on Soaked, FYE and Sleepwalker which had Adam doing the most incredible vocal 'guitar solo'. Next was Fever, and the set ended with a crazily pumping Down The Rabbit Hole. WLL was the encore and sounded very different with the new band and the inclusion of a drum solo. The gig seemed to have a club vibe rather than that of a rock concert, and Adam was on fire. It was a wild high-octane show with Adam's energy and dancing electrifying the whole audience, whichever corner of the globe. I wish I could have been there at the first Adam concert, as the advantage of the performance not being televised was that the reigns were finally fully off, and what better way to start off the new decade?

Here are the best quality videos of each performance so far, which I'll be updating and tweaking as they come. My improved versions are the big one. More comments will follow as I work through them.

MUSIC AGAIN
This video was a real labour of obsession, made out of 29 separate cuttings from various videos and I'm really pleased with the result. Thanks for all your help in keeping me up to date with all the latest uploads.



To steer clear of expectations, I hadn't really thought much about the set or the order when I tuned into the stream, but despite being able to hear jack shit, I could still make out the distinctive and cheeky ascending beats at the intro of Music Again. It's the perfect party starter.

The interaction with Pamela at the start was deemed interesting enough to have been reported by the British press. Although the exchange was friendly, they seemed to mirror each other's defensiveness by intercepting hands from wandering into their personal space.

Right from the start, Adam reminds us that having his ABC gig cancelled could actually be a good thing for us fans because he's allowed to welcome us into the new 'motherfucking decade' with a show on his own terms. He can let loose and enjoy himself without having to worry about the bullshit, and it reflects in this most thrilling and explosive party of his where the crowd are not just spectators but are participants providing Adam with energy to feed off. After all the chat show appearances, this makes a most welcome change. This isn't a concert about vocals despite their being perfect on this song, nor is it exactly about what Adam does on stage but it's all about the effect on the atmosphere of the party. Adam is here for our entertainment, making us enjoy ourselves.

It's a little strange seeing him under red lights instead of blue as it gives off a slightly different feel. I associate red lights with debauchery and my many crazy hazy drunken nights out in various clubs. My favourite parts of this song are his evil claw, his fluid hip action and the way he seems to be so relaxed and beaming with joy.

IF I HAD YOU
Flippin' heck these edits are getting more and more complicated - this was was made up of 39 pieces!



From when the bassline kicks in at the very start, we are powerless to resist stomping to its rhythm. The song is full of booty-shaking energy with a club vibe that just makes me wish I were there for the party. This was the first time I'd seen it performed, and although there is a very rare painful note in the recording, it more than achieves its goal in getting the party going. My favourite part has to be where he drops and is led back up by his crotch.

WWFM


STRUT


SURE FIRE WINNERS


SOAKED
Here's the first video I've done in a while, it was trying to make the best sound file I could that ended up taking the longest so I hope it was worth it.



This is the performance that epitomises the phrase “I'll show you theatrical, bitch!” where Adam works the mood right from the start as he shimmies on his stool. He physically interprets the cymbal clash with a snap pose, and watch how it looks like he hits Lisa in the head. His voice at the start has a floaty, quivering ethereal quality to it, aided by the deifying rotating halo spotlight. Since his movement around the stage is limited, all eyes are on him and I find his swaying and expressions ethralling; the way he stretches, moulds and folds his lips (especially at the 2:15 mark) to not only create the sounds but to evoke the feelings of self-loathing interpreted from the lyrics. He seems to lose time during 'Take shelter and hide forever' but swiftly corrects himself. During the instrumental break, we get a change to red lighting and Adam steps up the melodrama with his acting skills. We have hand gestures, panting, the rehearsed reach for his hip flask (I wonder what was in it) which arrives just a little bit early, and the angry sip and wipe of the mouth. I find myself laughing at the theatrics wishing I were a tipsy member of the audience rather than viewing him via the footage. From this song, we perhaps get a glimpse of what Adam would be like as a drunkard! I must comment on the spot-on vocals, the dynamic range of which are just staggering. It takes a quality singer with a huge voice to be able to bring this song to life as Adam has done. My favourite part has to be that note. It sounds ghostly the way it lingers in the air before drifting off, leaving a lasting impression that continues to haunt.

FYE AND SLEEPWALKER


FEVER


DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE


WLL


Happy new year! Happy new decade(nce)! Have a fun-filled glitterified one!

24 comments:

  1. AB. It's nearly 3:00am and I'm too excited to sleep. The 2:00 to 2:30 in FEVER is amazing. It reminded me of what he did in Gotta get through this. The 2:00 to 2:30 in Soaked is amazing. Adam was so into it. I thought he was going to cry or something. After that sip of alcohol, he was more into it. It is a beautiful piece. The others are great but I'm over excited right now.

    This is a good start of a year. Glitters that is. Thanks for your hard work. Hope to see your comment soon. Night. That is if I can sleep.

    ~K

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  2. What can anyone say? He's perfect. He's beautiful. I want more. It's never enough. Period.

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  3. Well, one more comment after viewing the END of WLL on youtube. Oh shit! I have always had this notion in the back of my mind, but holy cow, did Adam's pants begin to "swell" at the end of that song? Jeez-louise, that was hot! Umm...sorry to leave your site, AB, umm...but I have to go back to youtube....now....oh man. That was hot. Just sayin'.

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  4. Lynn: That's what we love about Adam--he's a "full body" performer. Happens all the time. The boy gets a shot of adrenalin and gets in the moment and POW--there he goes again!! It's great!

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  5. Can't wait to see your compilation videos!!

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  6. k65535, I wonder what was really in that hip flask! What a dazzling start to the decade!

    Lynn, thanks and bwahahahaha! I thought he was 'adjusting' himself during Fever, but perhaps he's just got a crotchular fixation! Will go and watch that WLL again just to check for changes. Links: Start and End of WLL.

    Anonymous(es), LOL! It'e definitely a good thing! Edits will start in a couple of days, just need to wait for all the video to come in.

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  7. Hi Adam Bombed! Just wondering if you have seen this. Adam's so CUTE!!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk18OwX6W4A

    Naranja

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  8. After re-watching that Fever many times from different sources, I still could not answer your question AB. All I could said was that, Adam was pretty high while playing If I had you. It reminded me of the fire he had during Starlight in LA. He turned soft during Sleepwalkers. For some reason, I kept rewinding to the "With my eyes wide shut because of you" at 2:00. Adam did this song so beautifully. Then it was Fever. OMG. I loved his lower voice at the start which was so sexy. Then for some reason, he get more turned on at 1:00, 1:15, 1:38, 2:05, then 2:15 onwards. It was so HOT and kinda funny to watch. He was so drawn into his world/hotness, when Tommy kinda made an eye contact with him at 2:35, and I thought they were going to do their move again. Instead, Adam went straight to the left side of the stage and do his "thing". And of course, I loved the F...fever in the end. This was a different kinda sexy from WLL. Even without the visual, I could feel the heat right across the ocean. OMG.

    OK, I must collect myself and go to bed. Ha! Night AB. Thanks. ~K

    p.s. >what was really in that hip flask!
    IDK. Adam must have a GOOD TIME last night. :)

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  9. Hey Lynn,
    Thanks for your observation! Had been thinkin it's all in my head...;)

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  10. I was up at an ungodly hour for January 1rst to see the live streams of Adam's NYE concert and even if they weren't great it was still fun. I think by now I've watched every single Youtube video of this momentful event and the thing I personally find most amusing and endearing is the Fierce Determination of Adam's luckiest fans to share their joy with those who weren't able to be there. It looked like they all were in a mission for the posterity, and maybe they were.
    BTW, I'm in love with the Soaked rendition! The flask action looked like a deliberate f*** you to all "He's too theatrical" comments he's received thus far, and I'm in absolute awe about the quality of the vocals. I want a DVD of this concert so badly!
    Love, Kosh

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  11. I deeply respect your talent and hard work.
    Thank you so much.
    You are the best.

    I lOVE YOU.

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  12. Love Adam! Love AB! and love Adam's fans!
    I'm so high after this concert.
    AD

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  13. Your Music Again is an absolute Masterpiece and a serious gift to all of us!!! THANK YOU!

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  14. MA is brilliant! Thanks again so much!

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  15. Brilliant, like always. And remember Adam say please dont spam the radios, is wrong for him, check his tweeter.

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  16. Happy New Year!
    I’m so agreeably surprised... Adam sang DTRH!!! I liked running rabbit move, so funny and comical performance. Regarding sound I think it was very difficult task to bring the same mood to the live performance as it is in the record. But I guess the band and Adam did not have much time for rehearsals. In fact this song is not for everyone, but it’s definitely for me. Liked Music Again and Soaked very much. Action with flask was very theatrical and I loved it! I liked how band and Adam interact. It seems they turn out to be really good team. Adam looked very relaxed, having a good time on the stage. What a nice start of 2010! Diana

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  17. AB - you have outdone yourself with the edit! Thank you so much! My impression of the whole night is that Adam finally feels free of American Idol and is saying "This is my flippin' show - watch out!!"

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  18. Thanks for all your comments! There are so many great moments in the set to choose from and I love that you've all noticed slightly different things. I'm so excited for the solo tour - it's going to be even slicker and betterer!

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  19. Wow AB, the edit of IIHY is amazing. Loving Adam in all angles. I've never found this as an emotional song. But watching him performs live is a total different story. That facial expression and emotions at 0:45, 1:01,1:07,1:33,2:02,3:40 & 3:45 totally surprise me. My favorite line in IIHY is ,"IIHY". Of course I love "his move" at 1:23 and "I got u stuck on my mind" @ 2:31.

    p.s. Love the slow motion @2:55 in Music Again. And we got the all angle in IIHY. AB, you are amazing. Thankyou! ~K

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  20. Lamb,
    My Fiercian friends urged me to watch your imporved version of the Gridlock videos since I hadn't had a chance to do so. I did and have to agree with AMW (of Planet Fierce) that you are doing a public service. Thank you so much. It was pleasant to watch your videos, instead of "painful" or "why do I bother?". Adam has a very dedicated fan in you.
    Good job!

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  21. Been watching the rerun of Season 8 on Fox Reality channel and boy did Paula call it right -- after "Black or White" she said he was the "whole package" -- she saw greatness in him from the beginning!

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  22. To Anonymous (just above me);

    Agreed. Paula might seem like a flake, but she was the ONLY one who saw Adam's talent from the beginning. I still remember her flipping her pencil in the air saying that he was the best that they had ever seen in any city ever. I had respect for her right from that moment. And when she made him cry after Black or White, she knew that he was going to be a star.

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  23. While I was watching the Gridlock videos (BTW, AB, your version of Music Again and IIHY is genius! Please, please, please lend your magic touch to the rest of the concert) I was struck and astonished by how much Adam is fantastic live... I compared the studio versions vs live performances and the live ones were regularly better. I think Adam has to have a public to entertain to really give all his soul to the music. I'm not saying that I don't like the studio versions, obviously, but Adam live is an otherwordly experience, and what a rarity it is that in this time of studio manifactured artists?

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  24. .........oooohhhhhhh! An improved version of my favourite performance! And it's truly a magnificent work! It's the best thing that's happened to me this day, as testimonied by the quantity of exclamations in this comment!
    *loves it and rewatch* I want to be able to see Adam live so badly, I truly hope that someone will tape his next concerts so that at least I can enjoy a fraction of his awesomeness.

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