New York – By when Cher sang “if he could go back time”, it seemed that time had been backward, and all the musical guests of “Saturday Night Live”, 50, had magically found their way to Radio City Music Sala.
Of course, he was just a handful. But “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” has an epic alignment. It was a memorable solo and, often, fascinating collaborations at once: Bonnie Raitt and Chris Martin. Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Post Malone and Nirvana.
The concert, organized by Jimmy Fallon, was only an element of what has become a huge celebration of the 50 years in the existence of the program, which led to “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” on Sunday, live from Studio 8H.
But on Friday night it was music.
Some outstanding aspects:
Return of the 1990s
If a decade can win the night, let’s listen to the 1990s. A classic performance of that decade was more likely that the Radio City audience stood up, singing and taking out their phones to record.
The Backstreet Boys showed irresistible when they broke into “I want it that way.” Snoop Dogg may have sung “Gin and Juice”, but was dragged by sufficient smoke to give the members of the audience close a high contact.
Using a gigantic coat with a winter night, Lauryn Hill commanded the stage with Wyclef Jean and the crowd melted in the first notes of “killing me softly.”
Yes, (some) comics can make music
Naturally, some former members of the “SNL” cast repeated old characters, with different levels of success.
The CULPS, the strong music teachers played by Will Ferrell and Ana Gastayer, hit more and harder than ever in the program. Their attempts to be acted were fun and even worked in some verses of “No Like Us”, with a supplication of harmony between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
The “Lazy Sunday” of Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell was welcome, but too short. Lady Gaga was a good sport, replacing Justin Timberlake to sing about a Christmas gift whose title cannot be repeated here. But Bill Murray’s singer in the “Foursome” routine with Gastayer, Maya Rudolph and Cecily Strong fell a little flat.
They love Lorne
The creator of “SNL” Lorne Michaels did not act, but was referred all night.
“I love you, Lorne Michaels,” said Miley Cyrus, dedicating his successful song “Flowers” to the founder of the program.
Raitt, finishing “I can’t make me love me”, thanks to Michaels for having her in the program.
“We renounce Lorne,” said former cast member Adam Sandler, presenting a collaboration between Post Malone and Nirvana. “We love you friend.”
And Marcus Mumford, main singer of the British folk band Mumford & Sons, said he was there to represent Michaels admirers from the other side of the pond.
Creative collaborations
The night presented fascinating collaborations that gathered musicians of all kinds.
Cyrus joined Brittany Howard to sing the “crazy crazy little thing of the queen called love.”
Arcade Fire joined David Byrne, St. Vincent and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band to play “Heroes” by David Bowie. Later, Byrne also collaborated with Robyn, when the khaki color suits, “dance alone” and “this must be the place (naive melody).”
And for Raitt’s second song, he sat down with Chris Martin, the Coldplay leader who became his pianist of “I can’t make me love me.”
In another kind of collaboration, the B-52 joined “Love Shack” for the old and current members of the cast of SNL Fred Armisen, Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman, singing the letters “Bang Bang”.
Lady Gaga collaborated with herself, singing both parts of “Shallow” and knocking down the house.
Most valuable player
Questlove is more associated with the “Tonight” program, but is demonstrating to be the MVP of these anniversary festivities “Saturday Night Live”.
The drummer not only produced the splendid documentary about the musical legacy “SNL”, but also kept the rhythm with the roots, his legendary hip-hop group and the “tonight” show band, since they covered all the Imaginable style, from Snoop to Eddie Vedder to Brandi Carlile. Byrne bowed in appreciation.
No ‘joke’
Carlile has become known lately for his collaborations, especially convincing Joni Mitchell to return to the stage.
On Friday night he provided a reminder of his own art with the political climate that added a special urgency to his passionate version of “The Joke”.
A second meeting of Nirvana
For the second time in so many weeks, the surviving members of Nirvana gathered.
Instead of the Women’s Quartet who led the band for the Fire Aid concert, Malone took the place of Kurt Cobain on Friday.
His version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was fierce, a reminder of why the song packed such a blow when it was heard for the first time.
