I’m not a big concertgoer… it costs too much money and the venues around me rarely do justice to the performers. But through the magic of YouTube, I can watch live performances by my favorite artists from the comfort of my den. I realize it’s not the same thing, but it’s the same principal that makes me far happier to watch a Miami Dolphins game on my HD TV than from a hot seat in the stadium.
This week I’ll feature live performances of a handful of songs by a random sampling of artists. I’m sure I would have enjoyed being in the audience for every one of them, but I’m enjoying them just the same right here. I hope you do as well.
Today’s clip comes courtesy of Sarah McLachlan, who performs her hit ‘Building a Mystery’ from her 1997 Surfacing album. My wife’s car, a Ford Fusion with a neat voice-activated SYNC stereo system, absolutely loves Sarah McLachlan. Of the 1,000+ songs we’ve loaded in, the car — in its robotic woman’s voice — invariably serves up a disproportionate helping of songs by the Canadian songstress. We think it’s a lesbian.
that’s when the energy comes
and the dark side’s light
and the vampires roam
You strut your rasta wear
and your suicide poem
and a cross from a faith
that died before Jesus came
you’re building a mystery
You live in a church
where you sleep with voodoo dolls
and you won’t give up the search
for the ghosts in the halls
you wear sandals in the snow
and a smile that won’t wash away
can you look out the window
without your shadow getting in the way
Oh you’re so beautiful
with an edge and a charm
but so careful
when I’m in your arms
‘Cause you’re working
building a mystery
holding on and holding it in
yeah you’re working
building a mystery
and choosing so carefully
You woke up screaming aloud
a prayer from your secret god
you feed off our fears
and hold back your tears
Give us a tantrum
and a know it all grin
just when we need one
when the evening’s thin
Oh you’re a beautiful
a beautiful fucked up man
you’re setting up your
razor wire shrine.
Meet Me In Montauk 
I too have lost my desire to go to most concerts, but mostly the larger venue concerts. I’m not sure I like McLaughlin quite enough to pay to see her in concert, but, if she were playing an intimate enough venue, and the ticket price wasn’t too prohibitive, I might go for it. This clip certainly makes it compelling to consider seeing her.