Bow to the past
David Bowie’s own recording of Sound and Vision was slightly entertaining, but left much to be desired, along with an almost cliffhanger ending. I understood that he is waiting for some sound and some vision, perhaps something specific, but is he not creating his own vibratory expression to which vision is needless if someone can hear? Additionally, images can be created by the mind to supplement the sound that is so evident, so what is he really waiting for? Overall I found his original version to be too evidently repetitive, as most songs must repeat in some aspect or chorus, but most of it was an overtly treble vacuum finally filled by both a searching and disinterested voice. I felt no adequate resolution, and as such the song left me unresolved.
Give way to the future
The beginning of Beck’s recreation seemed to be mostly concerned with showing off the magnitude this large group of musicians consisted of, and swept across all instruments as a welcoming to all into the present reality of the updated layers of music. While it did serve this purpose, the intro was drawn out and redundant, inciting the longing for the overtly reminiscent aspects of song to begin. The melody was present, but the sweep across instruments made it choppy and hard to coherently follow. It was cool, if not practical for a cohesive melody. Once Beck joined in, the song began for me. Finally I could follow the magnification; multiple chorus members to give deeper definition and strength to the background vocals, a myriad of percussionists to keep the rhythm, an orchestra section that accented the acoustic instruments, and a few screaming guitars. All pulled together under Beck’s lead to form an excellent rendition of David Bowie’s Sound and Vision. Now the question of wondering about sound and vision is more directed towards the audience, as there is inherently sound and a dynamic image portrayed on stage, to spur us to find our own unique sound and vision. The lead out feels the most groovy and improvised, perhaps tipping a hat to the genre of jazz while not embracing it fully.
