$310

Although I appreciate staging and showmanship, I can't really say that choreography and over the top theatrics such as those seen on the 2010 Grammys appeal to me. When I started playing in rock bands, in 1965, bands tended to stand there and sing. Of course most of the Motown groups did some kind of choreography, but it was meant as an embellishment to the music, and the music never suffered because of it. These days, it seems that the choreography takes precedence, to the point where the "singer" will perform to a track if it means that he or she can't sing and do the steps. I don't want to pay to see that.

I've seen a lot of rock shows in my time. Peter Gabriel (three times) and Yes (three times) always have outstanding staging -- but again, never the expense of the music. Elton John (twice) was pasts the stage of dressing as Donald Duck when I saw him, but the music held up. In fact, I've seen just about very big name acat that has come along in the last 40 years with the exception of the Beatles. I've been lucky.

Over the last two years, I've seen David Byrne, Rush, Paul McCartney, the Subdudes and the Decemberists. Only Byrne has what I would call a "show," and that consisted of three dancer/singers who at one point rolled around the stage in office chairs. It didn't detract from the music, and Byrne wisely kept of of the choreography for the most part. McCartney had lights and pyrotechnics; Decemberists has lights and at one point involved the audience to create a play. Rush had lights and video. The 'Dudes just sat on chairs and played. And each show was great.

Maybe I have finally gotten "old." But I'd rather see a bunch of people in Levis and flannel shirts "just standing there" and singing than watch Lady Gaga being thrown into a fire pit.

I'm with you 99% of the time. The best concert I have seen is a Leo Kotkee concert. He just sat on a chair in the middle of the stage and played the most amazing guitar I have seen.

But...

Last night, Pink's performance nearly brought tears to my eyes. It takes a lot to say that on here I don't know her music and I didn't know she was a legit singer. The guitar and piano was probably a track but they both sounded tops! The guitar was VERY tasteful. Her outfit was a little crazy but I loved the choreography. I don't think I'd want to see an entire concert like that, but this was great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFN5-oXJm1U&feature=related

Not sure how good the quality is because I don't have speakers on this computer.

P.S. I think Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks should have been singing to a track. Haha. That must be why Taylor Swift choreographs so much. She has to do something to keep your mind of her intonation.

Stevie Nicks -- if I hear her on the car radio, I pull over and get out till the song's over. Can't stand her voice. So unless it was a track with her miming to Shania Twain's voice, I'd not want to hear it. I haven't listened to enough Taylor Swift to evaluate. Not going to, either. I stopped listening to female country singers when Patsy Cline died.

I cant blame you, there records sound like pure perfection and then you are sorely disappointed when you hear them live.

I am a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, and really like Stevie, but she is just terrible anymore. She can't hit about half of her notes. I much prefer Christine McVee. And I LOVE Lindsay Buckingham, what a guitarist.

There isn't much to evaluate with Taylor Swift. She is a decent songwriter and the youngsters keep her very popular. She has a lot of work to do when it comes to performing. Some say she is young, but Tanya Tucker was young. And Judy Garland....

I also prefer Christine as a vocalist ... and songwriter, actually. Young Stevie roped in a lot of guys with her looks, which I can't argue with. In the overall catalog of the Mac, I prefer the Bob Welch era. I wonder how many people know that Peter Green, also an ex-Mac, wrote "Black Magic Woman?"

I love most of Mac's work, however... I feel the same way you feel about Stevie about the song Tusk... What were they thinking???? I must go beyond changing the station and disconnect the stereo.

And I feel a little green. I learned two things, Black Magic Woman was not written by Carlos, and Peter Green was an ex Mac. It makes sense though.

I knew that "BMW" wasn't a Santana original, but I just recently learned thet the extended jam at the end is actaully based on Gabor Szabo's "Gypsy Queen." Also, "Oye Conmo Va" was also first done by Tito Puente. Everyone has influeneces.

...and once you listen to Tito Puente's version you start to wonder why they're less famous than Santana. He goes into my bucket of VASTLY overrated guitarists, right next to Slash and a slew of other guys that I don't need to mention.

I can't stand Stevie's voice either...guhhhhh. Her timbre just gets under my skin somehow that is the opposite of relaxation.