My main memory of watching Woody Allen walk onto the stage was that the whole room seemed sort of surreal. It wasn't the typical celebrity starstruck feeling at all, just a weird suspicion that the tiny man in front of me with the white hair and black glasses wasn't Woody Allen at all. It was almost like it must be someone impersonating Woody Allen, or maybe a cartoon drawing of him. Visually, he's such a caricature of himself to begin with that it wouldn't be too shocking.
And it's not like he came out and did something that would make sense, like tell a joke or catch a lobster, he just started playing the freaking jazz clarinet. Maybe it wasn't such a head trip for everyone, but I think it was the way he completely immersed himself in his playing that really amazed me. He could just be a really good actor, but the sincerity with which he put himself into his playing seemed totally genuine. It was interesting watching the recent documentary on his life after the show, particular during the bits where he talks about learning the clarinet... he really does seem to love it.
The music itself was so much fun to listen to, and the audience seemed to be loving it. Personally, I haven't heard enough jazz to be able to tell the good from the bad, and I wouldn't trust myself in passing judgement on this particular performance. BUT even though opinions on Woody Allen in particular are mixed, you can't help but appreciate how enthused they all were with the music, and I think that love seeped into their improvisations especially... and it made for an amazing night of music.
Click here for an article on Woody and the band.
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