On an absolute level, the program was still enjoyable. On a relative scale, however, tonight's show was broken up into far too many pieces , robbing most of the tributes of momentum. The prior practice of a single long exposition followed by artistic tributes performed back to back was usually much more effective by comparison.
Many of the vocals also seemed less inspired than usual, at least as far as the mix that was delivered on-air (Cynthia Erivo was one wonderful exception). I suspect a fair bit of auto-tune is being used in the post--something I never detected before---and that we're getting a much more compressed and processed version in the final broadcast than in the past overall. Performances were generally too polished, with nary a wrong note or departure from the established melody. Suspicious :-P
I miss the sense of frisson that often marked past tributes. Aretha's performance last year had it in spades and did not sound like a post-processed and compressed version of the Queen of Soul. Most of tonight's stuff did. Seger appeared to be practically screaming his vocal, and while he sang quite a bit off axis , it still should have sounded different than it did, IMO.
The Shakespeare reading by L Fishburne (and ____?) was completely flat! It's rare that this format succeeds, but tonight's attempt was especially 'blah.'
I still enjoyed it but yes--I'm an insufferable critic when it comes to this program ! Lol !
