Every year Michael Dorf presents a "Tribute To" concert at Carnegie Hall where big time musicians play songs by one superduper big bad musician.AL in aid of getting music to disadvantaged children so hard to begrudge it, right? 2012 was the Rolling Stones –a hit and miss affair, and this year will be Prince. In the past there have been tributes for Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, REM, The Who and Neil Young.
All very well but let's look at 2014. Let's look not at David Byrne but Talking Heads. Since Byrne flat out refuses to reform the band and since he only plays an occasional song in concert, we are gagging to hear these songs live. And since you need bucks to go to Carnegie Hall and catch one of these tributes, and since older New Yorkers are more likely to have money, Dorf will be hitting his audience on the head.
Plus? Imagine this: what if they can convince the band to reform for a mini concert? Just the thought will sell out the place in a heart beat.
What else? Get Al Green in to sing his own song, Julian Casablancas for " Girlfriend Is Better", Public Enemy for "Life During War Time", Bono and Eno for "Burning Down The House"… Hell, get everybody who has ever played Bowery Electric for a singalong.
I must admit to having exceedingly little sympathy for bands that don't reform. Byrne wrote and played some great songs with Talking Heads, Paul Weller did the same with the Jam, why not let us see them do it again. Where is the shame in Byrne singing a song as timeless as "Once In A Lifetime" (Paul McCartney should cover that one)? Or Weller singing "Start"?
So get to it Dorf -you have work to do.