For the first time in my life, I wrote a letter to the editor. If you dont mind, I am going to post a copy of it here for you to see:

LETTER TO NYTIMES:

I just read a review by SIA MICHEL of the Roger Waters ‘Dark Side of The Moon’ concert. What half-hearted, spurious, intellectually lazy piece of writing that was.

In the first paragraph, the writer mordantly dismisses anyone who might appreciate this music as a ‘pothead’. The next paragraph sets out to dispel any notion that “Dark Side of The Moon” is really as good as anyone thinks it is. The writer maligns the 34 million people who have purchased this album by telling us repeatedly that the album is not what it ’seems to be’ and can only sound ‘really deep when one is zonked out on drugs at 3 a.m’.

Am I really reading the New York Times?

Further on, the writer proceeds to belittle Mr Waters for entering the stage ‘pumping his fist as if he had just won a prizefight’. It may surprise your writer to know that she was assigned to a review, what some people refer to as a ‘rock concert’. Would it have been more appropriate for Mr. Waters to slink on to the stage with his head bowed in shame for having the gall perform one of the most successful albums of all time?

The article ends with the writer seemingly celebrating Mr. Waters eventual demise by, despicably, taking the opportunity to attach the lyrics “Shorter of breath and one day closer to death,” to the image of Mr. Waters ‘wrinkled face’. Mrs Michel, that is just plain tacky. Shame on you.

What was not mentioned in the review was the extensive video presentation that was masterfully crafted to enhance each song. Also not mentioned, was the way in which Mr. Waters took on the role of a conductor, presenting a cinematic rock opera which had been crafted with a remarkable attention to quality and detail. Despite the writer’s negative bias going into this event, the audience and the artist both deserve to have the evening accurately and fairly, depicted. The question that should have been asked for this piece is ‘Did Roger Waters give the audience what it could have hoped for?’ Having seen the show, I can tell you that it exceeded my expectations in every way. The only thing I learned from your review is that Sia Michel hated this evening long before she ever showed up.

Michael

It may be worth noting that I have never before written any letter like this, to any publication. I frankly just don’t have the time or inclination. I just found this article to shockingly unfair and mean spirited to not only the artist, but to the audience, who may look to a NYTimes review to share some insight or understanding about this event. This article offered nothing but contempt for the artist and his fans.

Sadly, I’m not a fan of Buffett or his music — and that’s probably because I’m a miserable soul.

Hey, can I steal your picture of the Pig for a blog post on the new “Anti-Terror” bill? I’ll make certain that you get the photo credit!