Customer Reviews

Cube-E Live

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Probably the Residents' most fully-realized conceptual piece out of the many they've done. The Rez have never been known to play "gigs." All of their shows are performances. This one revolves around the idea that American music can be understood through three easy pieces. It goes like this...

Country western songs + African-American music = Elvis rock and roll.

To show this, the Rez put together a three act performance. Act 1 is the cowboy music, act two the jazz and blues, act three Elvis covers. Unfortunately, the recording obviously lacks the powerful visual element of the show which included giant 100 gallon cowboy hats, a blacklit Elvis with dancers, and a block-headed giant symbolizing the synthesis of cowboy and black music. Nevertheless, the idea comes through, with the Residents applying their typical strange, yet reverential this time around, treatment to songs from "Bury Me Not" to "Shortnin' Bread" to "Don't Be Cruel."

And when the grandfather tells his two ventriloquist dummy grandchildren about how Elvis was a baby that wanted to be king because "kings are good, kings are strong, and kings are the best of everything," you can't help but think that the Residents are speaking the truth.

You can think what you want of the Residents, but they do give a unique perspective of music in this modern, MTV - crazed era.

This musical piece is actually in three parts. The first part, based allegedly on cowboy poems the Residents read, is their most accessible musical tomes to date.

The second, called "Black Berry" is based on the Resident's visualization of the rise of black music as a popular musical genre. It isn't quite as successful as the first piece, but still stands well on its own.

The third piece, based on the life of Elvis, won't gel with you if you are an Elvis fanatic. But it is powerful stuff, ending with the Elvis figure being killed off by the English Invasion.

If you like the Residents, this is an essential recording. If you are just looking into the Residents, try "Duck Stab" for starters.

Well, nothing is like a Residents' show. Have you ever seen one? Well if the answer is NO, never mind, nobody is perfect, you can listen to a live CD- and believe me Cube-E is one of the best.