A friend of mine from the Way Back Machine tipped me off to a critique of Barack Obama from a body language perspective. It’s a fascinating reflection on how President Obama speaks rather that on what he speaks about.
Every now and then I mention that Obama is our first American Idol President. That he won the election not so much on substance but on showmanship. Fun to see that I may not be alone in this query.
Obama carried a message. He carried the way out of frustration. And he did this in a way and manner that resonated with today’s generation. He is a consummate showman, he has masterful command of crowds and is able to bring the emotion we all feel directly to the quick.
Truly a master of his craft:
And listening to this, I couldn’t help but be brought back to Neil Diamonds immortal [immortal, right?!?!?!] rendition of a Southern Baptist Preacher. Turn it ALL the way up!!:
Does it get ANY better?
But my dad like Neil Diamon, but can’t stand Obama. It’s a paradox.
Ah yes, my first LP was Neil Diamond’s “Touching Me, Touching You.” I also had “Gold” which I believe had a great version of Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation show. For some reason I really preferred Neil Diamond’s early work to his later work (same with Elton John). Speaking of Presidents I remember in “Frost and Nixon” they had someone playing Neil Diamond in a scene singing “Frost and Nixon, Frost and Nixon” to the tune of “Love and Marriage.”
For some reason I really preferred Neil Diamond’s early work to his later work
This is true of virtually every meaningful artist. Hunger and homelessness creates a magnificently creative mind.