dimafleck: the living legend. Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I feel like if the people that planned this had squeezed in more performances like KD Lang and not worried so much about proving to the world that Canada has an identity, the Ceremony could have gone down in the history books. Not saying that poem by that Neck Beard was bad or anything, but, its kind the epitome of our problem. He was commissioned to write that thing as a testament to the world of who we are. Why do we need to prove who we are to anyone?Lets give the world what we're really about; incredible performers. The Neil Youngs, The Kd Langs, the Arcade Fires etc. Lets let them use that mind blowing light installation that they created. Lets use their music to honor imagery of peace and athletics.But unfortunately, the majority of that incredible production was wasted on trying to focus on some sort of Canadian Identity. Canada’s Land, Canada’s so called Natives, Canada’s Irish, Canada’s this, Canada’s that, Blah blah blah. I’ve never seen a ceremony with such a heavy emphasis on “identityâ€.Its Canada's (at least, the people in charge of attempting to "brand" us) inferiority complex that made that ceremony, at times, come off as kind of pathetic. Had it not been for KD's heart stopping, mind blowing, awe inspiring rendition of that incredible song, the ceremony for the most part would have been a dud.When it boils down to it, Canada, when faced with presenting ourselves to the world, comes off as the ugly girl in high school, who actually really is pretty, but just doesn't know it, and tries too hard to "fit in" and ends up being perceived as pathetic. Know what I'm sayin?Had we just filled the ceremony with non stop incredible performances by our greatest talents, in that incredible production, we would have done something truly Canadian: That is; not worried about "proving" anything (ala all other ceremonies) and just done something truly incredible, entertaining, and genuine.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal Johnson Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 If you didn't think that that would be exactly how it would play out from the minute the Olympics were awarded to Vancouver, then you haven't been paying close enough attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimafleck: the living legend. Posted February 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 i'm not sayng i'm surprised, i'm just sayin.kinda weak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal Johnson Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Gotcha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afro poppa Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 funny enough, i absolutely adored kd lang's performance as much as you did...i find hallelujah one of those songs "that everybody does" but lang really made me stop what i was doing and pay attention...almost as good if not better than jeff buckley's performance, i think i would say better only because buckley's can be associated with sadness whereas lang was trying sing about more of a positive idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 thanks for that testament. I went to youtube to watch the kd lang that you spoke of. Her voice is mesmerizing. M1d1RqzX9Fk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanada Kev Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I've listened to k.d. lang's performance three times now. Absolutely spine-tingling each time. Do yourself a favour and crank this one up on a good stereo system. Mesmerizing.I love that it was the performance that officially opened the Olympics. The doves flying free during her performance (video doves, not real ones ). Also what she represents as that ability to be who she is in every way being a Canadian. "Hallelujah"Now I've heard there was a secret chordThat David played, and it pleased the LordBut you don't really care for music, do you?It goes like thisThe fourth, the fifthThe minor fall, the major liftThe baffled king composing HallelujahHallelujahHallelujahHallelujahHallelujahYour faith was strong but you needed proofYou saw her bathing on the roofHer beauty and the moonlight overthrew youShe tied youTo a kitchen chairShe broke your throne, and she cut your hairAnd from your lips she drew the HallelujahBaby I have been here beforeI know this room, I've walked this floorI used to live alone before I knew you.I've seen your flag on the marble archLove is not a victory marchIt's a cold and it's a broken HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahThere was a time you let me knowWhat's really going on belowBut now you never show it to me, do you?And remember when I moved in youThe holy dove was moving tooAnd every breath we drew was HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahYou say I took the name in vainI don't even know the nameBut if I did, well really, what's it to you?There's a blaze of lightIn every wordIt doesn't matter which you heardThe holy or the broken HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahI did my best, it wasn't muchI couldn't feel, so I tried to touchI've told the truth, I didn't come to fool youAnd even thoughIt all went wrongI'll stand before the Lord of SongWith nothing on my tongue but HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah, HallelujahHallelujah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 two things became transparent to the world friday night: kd lang is a world class performer and leonard cohen is world class songwriter. others things also became quite clear to the world. canada is a great but complicated country. we are idealistic but maybe a bit too abstract. we are respectful but maybe a bit boring. we know how to party but not too much. we are technologically driven but human. and we are inclusive ... no buts. watching a 3+ hour stadium production of thousands of volunteers live will surely include moments of pause, unprefered tastes and embarassing glitches. it's not glossy hollywood afterall and maybe its unfair to think it should be. hats off to the organizers for a fantastic welcome. although to be honest, I could have done without bryan adams and that fantastic ass in the blue dress pretending to sing beside him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hux Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I was just reading a review of a movie called Watchmen that uses it, and the reviewer said "Can we please have a moratorium on Hallelujah in movies and television shows?" And I kind of feel the same way. I think it's a good song, but I think too many people sing it.- Leonard Cohen.I agree, give it a rest already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Nice post dima. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaggyBalls Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 It has become transparent that phishtaper is much more adept at following the thread topic than dima.thoughtS?(not just one thought)opening cermony? (not just cultural identity)I'd missed it and was hoping for a much thicker bunch of links and photos from such a media-savvy critic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanada Kev Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Wanna hear more k.d. lang and Canadian songs? I suggest this ablum: http://rs682.rapidshare.com/files/299492491/KDLHOT49P2004.rar 01. After The Gold Rush - (Neil Young) 02. Simple - (David Piltch) 03. Helpless - (Neil Young) 04. A Case Of You - (Joni Mitchell) 05. The Valley - (Jane Siberry) 06. Hallelujah - (Leonard Cohen) 07. The Day I Walk - (Bruce ~censored~) 08. Fallen - (Ron Sexsmith) 09. Jericho - (Joni Mitchell) 10. Bird On A Wire - (Leonard Cohen) 11. Love Is Everything - (Jane Siberry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 07. The Day I Walk - (Bruce ~censored~)ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
localcrew Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Would that be 'One Day I Walk' or is it a different tune?Anyhoo I thought the opening ceremonies were excellent. Maybe a little too reliant on video but the video was awesome!! Some of the best I've ever seen.KD was awesome and I personally never tire of that song though I realize it has been done an awful lot (the worst being Bon Jovi-whaddup dat?)....I think it is one of the best songs ever written and what a showcase performance in the eyes of the world it was. Many people from around the world probably have never heard it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 cockburn got censored where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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