Tread lightly on the things of earth

Watching this now on Sundance: awesome, awesome! I set the TiVo to catch this, then looked forward to it all day. But I didn’t expect to be this exhilarated.

Check the site for details — it airs again at 11:45 PM ET (315 min):
National Anthem: Inside the Vote for Change Concert Tour

In the tradition of these legendary works, Maysles and Pennebaker unite to take America’s social pulse with a new documentary project, “National Anthem: Inside the Vote for Change Concert Tour.” This film marks their first collaboration in forty years. Conceived by a loose coalition of musicians six months ago, “Vote for Change” is a multi-city, multi-artist swing-state tour taking place in early October. The “National Anthem” special captures this pivotal moment in US history through informal footage of musicians (including Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band, Dixie Chicks, and R.E.M) and their audiences in intimate moments from the tour. The documentary will be followed by a live broadcast of the final “Vote for Change” concert in Washington D.C.

5-1/2+ hours later …
Man oh man, that was the most powerful concert performance I’ve ever seen, multiple times over. As the DMB was playing, I thought nothing anywhere could top their energy and spectacular quality. But a while later Springsteen started and he never let up. Bruce and the E Street Band exploded into the most full-on performance fueled by burning smart passion I have ever seen. There’s fire in that guy, the best kind — the fire of hope, determination, commitment. I want that kind of fire to ignite the world.

I’m pumped. Does it show? :-)

Bruce Springsteen to undecided voters: “What the hell are you waiting for? C’mon … You take a country to war for false reasons, you lose your job. It’s not rocket science.” (I think it’s imperative common sense.)

James Taylor to voters asking his advice: “Examine the candidates, then vote for the smart one.”