Phil... you know, I agree with you.
But I have to say: I thoroughly enjoy the 'Beautiful' solo and find it both touching and, well, beautiful. It's a bloody great melody and I like that they have the balls to cover it. It also goes to show that Axl is still Axl.
That's NIN meets Elton John meets Fiona Apple.. doesn't matter. If it's good - genuine - it's good and genuine. Robin is much the same way. I bet it was his idea.
I've watched this guitar version of Beautiful from Rio 5 (Lisbon) around 25 times now. When Finck comes in... it almst gets me misty-eyed. It's that beautiful and heartfelt. And for anyone who's ever banged a drum or two pots.. Fortus and Finck have more chemistry than Dr. Frankenstein had! Whoa.
What pisses me off with the Danish media - I mean they've been ridiculous for years (last CORRECT, great, strong review I read was Mellencamp in Valby Hallen in 1994, and that goes for BOTH Politiken and Belingske) - is the damage it does...
.. talking to a colleague here Monday - a huge old-school metal fan and he would have loved to see Axl and the guys for the nostalgia he said - but his first words were: "So... let down?"
I tried explaining it to him and he interrupted me going "Hey, c'mon, they ALL said it, even P3 [radio].. it couldn't have been good". We actually got into somewhat of an argument. Crazy huh?
Waste of energy, waste of everything... especially when one had a blast and the band DELIVERED! Sad shit.
Things got straightened out though and I explained it to him.. about the four walking, talking journalistic jokes who set the tone here..
Ekstra Bladet = Thomas Treo.
BT = Steffen Jungersen.
Politiken = Erik Jensen.
Berlingske: Thomas S?ie.
.. and how they have for years. Always prejudiced and always kicking up a storm. Utterly sad.
Thank God for Rolling Stone, NY Times, BBC and such...
RF