Let me begin by saying a little about myself and my expectation for the show: I'm a 50 year old white guy who loves football and music and not talented in either. I walk into the show expecting a show that features a musical performer will be more about the music than the spectacle. If you want to say "Er, Paul, Super Bowl? You're not looking for the spectacle?" you've got a very good point. It's just that I want the music to be spectacular too. My take, my opinion, you may believe something completely different. That's cool, God creates in many colors. If you don't agree that's fine.
So let me add, the halftime shows that I enjoyed since the turn of the century were U2, Springsteen, Prince, The Who, the Stones, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I will also say that The Who and Petty sets weren't everything they could have been. I've reviewed The Who show in this space (Roger's pipes aren't what they used to be) but not the Petty (seemed a little light and those were ARROWS shooting across the field, not what some folks thought they were. They're the "Heartbreakers" for the love of Pete! ARROWS SHOOTING INTO A HEART!). U2 and Prince ROCKED!
As far as the technical aspects of the performance goes, Beyoncé's voice was so much louder than everyone else it was truly a Beyoncé show. So be it. This becomes an issue when she shares the stage and especially the spotlight with other performers. I couldn't hear the flaming guitar over Beyoncé. When it came to the Destiny's Child reunion I could hardly hear the Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams parts either. So the over-focus on Beyoncé was a distraction for the audiophile guy in me.
Then color me suspicious... Yes there were some times when Beyoncé did improv into the mic as if to say, "See, I'm not lip-syncing, I'm singing!" but then she put the same mic into the crowd during the finale. Beyoncé's voice came through loud and clear, the crowd noise was mute. So, color me suspicious.
But then again, it was conceived and birthed as an entertainment spectacle, not as a musical performance. It was a dance show, not a musical act. I get it. But it's just not my cup of tea.
Does that make me a 50 year old guy who doesn't understand what's going on with today's kids? Well, I was 15 when my dad was 50, and if that's any barometer then yes. It was only later when I discovered my dad wasn't the complete fuddy-duddy I thought he was.
By the way, Alicia Keys anthem was wonderful. It wasn't Marvin Gay at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, but it was in the same league.
