Live Post: HBO's We Are One, Obama Inauguration Celebration

I came in late on this - I had some computer glitches, but I managed to come in at about 2:45.

2:45: Bruce Springsteen sings "The Rising" accompanied by a choir.

2:48: Actor Laura Linney and Martin Luther King Jr. both recall FDR's and JFK's famous speeches, focusing on the iconic quoatables, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself", and "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country", respectively.

2:52: Mary J. Blige performs "Lean On Me". She looks especially good in a cream colored jacket and pants ensemble against the backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial. She does not disappoint. Obama gets his neck-roll on.

2:56: Steve Carell and Jamie Foxx give a speech about the Supreme Court. Jamie directs the cue card holder to "keep it down". Gotta love him. He tells Chi-Town in the house to stand up. Three times. Michelle Obama stands up, smiling. Jamie then imitates Obama's change speech. Obama likes this. Jamie now has a lock on playing him in the biopic. Will Smith should be very worried about this.

2:59: Bettye Lavette(!) sings "A Change Is Gonna Come". Her voice sounds crisp and rich. It's good to see her. Jon Bon Jovi joins her. Homeboy can blow! Who knew?

3:04: Tom Hanks gives a moving speech about Lincoln. My mother shouts, "How come he doesn't have a coat on?"

3:06: Marisa Tomei quotes Ronald Reagan. James Taylor, Jennifer Nettles and John Legend perform.

3:12: Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech on the virtues of hard work and responsibility. He is shouting. I don't know why.

3:15: John Mellencamp sings "Ain't That America" with another guy, who I can't catch, because I'm typing. The song is accompanied by a montage of multi-ethnic blue collar workers.

3:20: Queen Latifah recalls Black opera singer Marian Anderson's historic performance of The National Anthem on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Josh Groban and Heather Headley then give their rendition. It sounds flawless.

3:25: Comedian George Lopez and Cal Penn reflect on the accomplishments of Dwight Eisenhower and Barbara Jordan.

3:28: Herbie Hancock, Will.I.Am and Cheryl Crow sing "One Love"

3:32: Tiger Woods speaks.

3:38: Jack Black and Rosario Dawson talk about Teddy Roosevelt's designation of our national parks. Garth Brooks, accompanied by a large choir, launches into a medley of American Pie, and Shout. What was once a somber and quiet affair, turns into a party. The crowd is getting into it. He came. He saw. He brought it. Applause. It's The Garth Show, y'all!

3:47: Ashley Judd and Forrest Whitaker provide a dramatic introduction to Usher and Shakira, who performed "Higher Ground". They sounded a little lackluster until Stevie Wonder joined them and provided guidance on how to Do It Properly. The First Family stood up and got into it. Nice.

3:54: The man. SamJack. Is here. Quotes Rosa Parks. Tells it about the Civil Rights Movement. Y'all best listen. I does so accordingly. U2 performs what is sure to be Obama's theme song, "In the Name Of Love".

4:07: Our country's mascot, a bald eagle by the name of Challenger, makes an appearance. It's strange and great to see the symbol in all it's breathing glory. Barack Obama takes the stage.
He thanks all the singers and speakers for coming together and symbolizing what we're about. He reflects on the economy, war and our families' struggles. He warns of setbacks and false starts in getting things done, but that we will endure. He talks again about us coming together for the sake of change.

"Our road will long, our climb will be steep".

The crowd chants O-ba-ma!
4:17: Bruce Springsteen introduces folk singer Pete Seeger in a rendition of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land", backed by a choir. The audience joins in.
4:22: Beyonce comes on stage. She is singing "America The Beautiful", backed by the same choir. She invites the other singers and perfomers on stage. She looks beautiful. And gives a measured and tasteful performance. Well done. I will say that the moment called for a more gospel-tinged voice (Jennifer?), but I'm proud of her and all the other performers for braving the cold and paying homage to our New Leader.