Slash, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators stormed into the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday September 19th and blew the roof off the venue. They provided 2 hours of guitar fueled, heavy rock and roll. Axl is stuck in the past with a band he calls Guns and Roses. Slash has moved forward and progressed into a talent worthy of filling larger venues.
I feel Slash is one of the top 10 guitarists in the world alive today and he proved it in Cleveland. When I heard him play his blues jam I knew that he belongs up at the top with Beck, Page, Warren Haynes, Joe Bonnamassa and the other great guitarists of our time. The band slashed and burned through 2 hours and 21 songs of Slash's greatest hits. They played songs off of their new CD "Apocalyptic Love", songs from the bands Velvet Revolver and Snakepit, and Slash's solo work. Oh yeah and they did some Guns and Roses tunes too.
Myles Kennedy did an outstanding job on vocals although the crowd at times almost drowned him out because they were singing so loud. Some of the crowd favorites were "Night Train", "Civil War", "Sweet Child O Mine", "Slither", "Fall to Pieces" and "Paradise City". Todd Kearns the bass player sang lead vocals on two songs "We're All Going To Die" and "Out to Get Me".
Slash had his moments where he just let it all hang out on guitar like during the guitar solos in "Rocket Queen", "The Blues Jam", "Anastasia", "Sweet Child O Mine", "You're a Lie". During "You're a Lie" Slash broke a string and just kept on playing, if you didn't see the string hanging you would not have known the difference. The whole night was filled with great guitar solos but the ones mentioned were extremely good.
I would just like to say what a great song "Anastasia" is. This should become a classic.
The band consisted of Slash on lead guitar, Myles Kennedy on vocals and some minor guitar work, Frank Sidaris on rhythm guitar, Todd Kearns on bass and Brent Fitz on drums. A very capable band that Slash did not overshadow. They played together as a band and not like a superstar with some backing flunkies.
Halo
Night Train
Ghost
Standing in the Sun
Back From Cali
Been There Lately
Civil War
Rocket Queen
No More Heroes
We're All Gonna Die
Out to Get Me
Bad Rain
Not For ME
Star Light
Blues Jam
Anastasia
Sweet Child O Mine
You're A Lie
Slither
Encore
Fall to Pieces
Paradise City
While leaving the stage before the encore Frank Sidaris held up a Bernie Kosar for President shirt. During the encore confetti cannons on either side of the stage were set off. The cannons must have been from a stadium concert, they shot so much confetti into the little HOB concert hall that you could not even see the stage.
Over all a great show. The music never stopped and it never really slowed down. One great song after another. Even the new music was good. The energy was high and the talent on stage was wonderful. I know friends of mine who poo poo Guns and Roses. Axl was the joke, Slash is for real.
Speaking of jokes, Foxy Shazam is a joke I hope. This warm up band was a cross between glam rock and punk. They jumped and twirled and kicked and spit and groped themselves in some sort of parody of late 70's glam punk. The music was bad, the singers philosophy on life was bad and the crowd seemed to stand and stare in disbelief. A law student who was standing next to me said that he would rather be at the library studying than wasting his time watching Foxy Shazam. He was glad I talked him to staying for Slash.
The Slash portion of the evening deserves 5 twirls.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Paul Thorn Beachland Ballroom 6/20/12
It was a warm night outside but everything was cool inside the Beachland Ballroom. The Beachland Ballroom is such a gem of a concert hall for Cleveland to have. I keep preaching the gospel of Paul Thorn and followers keep being converted. Hoss and Basha are two new Paul Thorn believers. Paul Thorn converted the Beachland into his own church for the evening. With his songs of twisted faith, good and evil, trailer parks and being a long way from Tupelo.
He starts out the night with a rocking, gospel tinged, sing along "Promised Land".
He moves into a bluesy "Walk Without My Crutches".
Of course there has to be a cheating woman with Aqua Velva on her breath, "Burn Down The Trailer Park".
Paul does a cover of the Elvin Bishop tune "What The Hell Is Going On?", which is also the name of the Paul Thorn Band's new album. He tells the crowd you are going to hell if you don't buy a CD after the show.
He gets a little moody in "Mood Ring".
And keeps it slow with "Love Scar" about a tattoo that was gotten when a girl was in love and then finds out it was only a one night stand.
Paul covers a Lindsey Buckingham song "Don't Let Me Down Again".
Swings into a sexy song "Walk In The Shadow".
He sings a song that reveals how he grew up with a father who was a preacher and an uncle who is a pimp in the delightful song "Pimps and Preachers".
Paul now goes acoustic solo on "He Knows When I'm On Your Mind".
He covers a Donnie Fritts song "She's Got A Crush On You".
Still going it alone acoustically he wonderfully sings "Lift Somebody Up".
The full band joins Paul again in a swampy song called "Snake Farm", which had a real nice fade out at the end.
He gets the crowd revved up with "I Don't Like Half The Folks I Love".
He Keeps rolling with bring me a hoe there's "Weeds In Your Roses".
The band gets a little bluesy on an Allen Toussaint song "Wrong Number".
He sings of throwing a man off a bridge into the river on a Wild Bill Emerson song "Bull Mountain Bridge". Great harmonies with the whole band on vocals.
They get Funky on "Ain't Love Strange".
A crowd favorite, a song of hope "I Have A Good Day Every Now And Then"
Paul will only tell his wife when he comes home late one night that he was "A Long Way From Tupelo". This is one of Paul Thorn's best songs.
After lying and cheating in the last song he wants us all to "Rise Up".
The Encore is a 50's style rocker where Paul ends up walking through the crowd shaking hands and kissing women "Take My Love With You".
Paul Thorn is one of the great story teller, song writers of our time. We need to get more converts coming to his shows. When you leave a Paul Thorn show you have a smile on your face because you have truly been entertained for the past two hours. I must say that his band seems to have stepped up their game some. Billy Hinds is definitely a great mood setting guitarist. Michael Graham may sit in the back of the stage but his keyboards are right out front on many songs. Ralph Friedrichsen can be bluesy or funky or country on his bass. Jeffry Perkins keeps the whole band together with a good back beat.
As always Paul Thorn puts out a 5 twirl show.
He starts out the night with a rocking, gospel tinged, sing along "Promised Land".
He moves into a bluesy "Walk Without My Crutches".
Of course there has to be a cheating woman with Aqua Velva on her breath, "Burn Down The Trailer Park".
Paul does a cover of the Elvin Bishop tune "What The Hell Is Going On?", which is also the name of the Paul Thorn Band's new album. He tells the crowd you are going to hell if you don't buy a CD after the show.
He gets a little moody in "Mood Ring".
And keeps it slow with "Love Scar" about a tattoo that was gotten when a girl was in love and then finds out it was only a one night stand.
Paul covers a Lindsey Buckingham song "Don't Let Me Down Again".
Swings into a sexy song "Walk In The Shadow".
He sings a song that reveals how he grew up with a father who was a preacher and an uncle who is a pimp in the delightful song "Pimps and Preachers".
Paul now goes acoustic solo on "He Knows When I'm On Your Mind".
He covers a Donnie Fritts song "She's Got A Crush On You".
Still going it alone acoustically he wonderfully sings "Lift Somebody Up".
The full band joins Paul again in a swampy song called "Snake Farm", which had a real nice fade out at the end.
He gets the crowd revved up with "I Don't Like Half The Folks I Love".
He Keeps rolling with bring me a hoe there's "Weeds In Your Roses".
The band gets a little bluesy on an Allen Toussaint song "Wrong Number".
He sings of throwing a man off a bridge into the river on a Wild Bill Emerson song "Bull Mountain Bridge". Great harmonies with the whole band on vocals.
They get Funky on "Ain't Love Strange".
A crowd favorite, a song of hope "I Have A Good Day Every Now And Then"
Paul will only tell his wife when he comes home late one night that he was "A Long Way From Tupelo". This is one of Paul Thorn's best songs.
After lying and cheating in the last song he wants us all to "Rise Up".
The Encore is a 50's style rocker where Paul ends up walking through the crowd shaking hands and kissing women "Take My Love With You".
Paul Thorn is one of the great story teller, song writers of our time. We need to get more converts coming to his shows. When you leave a Paul Thorn show you have a smile on your face because you have truly been entertained for the past two hours. I must say that his band seems to have stepped up their game some. Billy Hinds is definitely a great mood setting guitarist. Michael Graham may sit in the back of the stage but his keyboards are right out front on many songs. Ralph Friedrichsen can be bluesy or funky or country on his bass. Jeffry Perkins keeps the whole band together with a good back beat.
As always Paul Thorn puts out a 5 twirl show.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Walter Trout Canton Blues Fest. 6/8/12
I got a call from my friend Nob who lives in Canton telling me to come on down to Canton for the Blues Fest. This is a free event held in down town Canton featuring two days of music. Nob was very excited because Walter Trout was going to be head lining on Friday night and Coco Montoya was head lining Saturday night. I have heard of Walter Trout from my friend Bri Boy so I decided to take the ride to Canton and check Walter out. Man was I glad I went.
It was a beautiful summer night in the high 70's not a cloud in the sky. An older crowd sat in lawn chairs or on blankets. Nob and I stood off to the side of the stage.
Walter Trout is a middle aged Blues guitarist that has played with Canned Heat and John Mayall's Blues Breakers. He plays a rocking white mans blues which is a cross over between blues and rock and roll. Walter likes playing the high notes on his Fender guitar which made most of thee night just scream with excitement. The crowd danced and swayed on the grassy square between the down town Canton buildings.
Half way through his set Walter Trout plugs tomorrow nights headliner Coco Montoya, who also played with the Blues Breakers, and who just joined band on the stage to play two songs with Walter Trout. Coco just didn't play he also sang. Seeing these two great guitarists on stage trading licks back and forth will be one of my concert highlights for years to come.
Walter finishes out the night with a rousing rendition of Freddie Kings "Going Down" which left everyone in attendance dancing and cheering for more.
If you get a chance next year check out the Canton Blues Fest it is a well kept secret that everyone should become a part of.
I give this show 5 twirls with some moth catcher hand moves thrown in. I was wowed.
My rating system is based on Grateful Dead dance moves 5 twirls being the highest and Moth Catcher Hand Moves are like adding another half of point on.
It was a beautiful summer night in the high 70's not a cloud in the sky. An older crowd sat in lawn chairs or on blankets. Nob and I stood off to the side of the stage.
Walter Trout is a middle aged Blues guitarist that has played with Canned Heat and John Mayall's Blues Breakers. He plays a rocking white mans blues which is a cross over between blues and rock and roll. Walter likes playing the high notes on his Fender guitar which made most of thee night just scream with excitement. The crowd danced and swayed on the grassy square between the down town Canton buildings.
Half way through his set Walter Trout plugs tomorrow nights headliner Coco Montoya, who also played with the Blues Breakers, and who just joined band on the stage to play two songs with Walter Trout. Coco just didn't play he also sang. Seeing these two great guitarists on stage trading licks back and forth will be one of my concert highlights for years to come.
Walter finishes out the night with a rousing rendition of Freddie Kings "Going Down" which left everyone in attendance dancing and cheering for more.
If you get a chance next year check out the Canton Blues Fest it is a well kept secret that everyone should become a part of.
I give this show 5 twirls with some moth catcher hand moves thrown in. I was wowed.
My rating system is based on Grateful Dead dance moves 5 twirls being the highest and Moth Catcher Hand Moves are like adding another half of point on.
Steve Kimock 5/18/12 Beachland Ballroom
I have seen Steve Kimock before but always playing in some one Else's band, Rat Dog, The Dead. I was really looking forward to tonight seeing Steve perform his own music with the star studded group of musicians that he surrounded himself with. Steve has 10 guitars on stage and through out the night will use them all. Other than Steve Kimock, also on the stage was Bernie Worrel one of the best on keyboards in the industry hailing from Parliment Funkadelic and the Talking Heads. Bernie adds a bit of music royalty to any band he decides to sit in with. Bernie does know how to Jam and this was going to be a Jam Band night. Andy Hess on Bass from Gov't Mule and the Black Crows really fits in better with this type of music format than he did with Gov't Mule. The free form Jazz lets him play to his potential. Wally Ingram from Sheryl Crow on drums, army helmet wood blocks, cymbals with beads that make a swooshing sound and other fun little doo dads to beat on.
The night starts out with "Congo Man Chant" with hints of "Get Up Stand Up" we are jamming.
the sing along song "Whack" is next which had the whole crowd sounding like a bunch of ducks. Whack...Whack Whack. This was a fun song.
The rest of the first set ranged from Jazz based songs to rock and roll, to Jerry Garcia sounding jams with songs such as "Thing One", "One For Brother Mike", "High and Lonesome" and "You're The One".
The band takes a break and starts out with "Space" then drifts into a wonderful version of "Stella Blue". They then drift in and out of "Its Up To You" "Better Get In Your Soul","Its Up To You". They finish on a high note with "Take Me To The River".
This was not a show for everyone. There was some very good moments of Jamming and musical playing where the crowd is dancing. BUT, there were long periods where the crowd was just standing and staring at the stage. These periods are when the band is playing what I call experimental music. This might be fun for the musicians but it loses me and obviously the rest most of the rest of the crowd. I don't mind a little of the experimental noise making but the second set just had a bit too much. For me the experiment failed. Steve Kimock is a wonderful guitarist, Bernie Worrel as I said is royalty on keyboards, Andy Hess is a very accomplished Bass player and Wally Ingram is fun on the drums but while they are having fun doing there experiment the crowd just stares. Sorry but I give this show only 3 twirls.
The night starts out with "Congo Man Chant" with hints of "Get Up Stand Up" we are jamming.
the sing along song "Whack" is next which had the whole crowd sounding like a bunch of ducks. Whack...Whack Whack. This was a fun song.
The rest of the first set ranged from Jazz based songs to rock and roll, to Jerry Garcia sounding jams with songs such as "Thing One", "One For Brother Mike", "High and Lonesome" and "You're The One".
The band takes a break and starts out with "Space" then drifts into a wonderful version of "Stella Blue". They then drift in and out of "Its Up To You" "Better Get In Your Soul","Its Up To You". They finish on a high note with "Take Me To The River".
This was not a show for everyone. There was some very good moments of Jamming and musical playing where the crowd is dancing. BUT, there were long periods where the crowd was just standing and staring at the stage. These periods are when the band is playing what I call experimental music. This might be fun for the musicians but it loses me and obviously the rest most of the rest of the crowd. I don't mind a little of the experimental noise making but the second set just had a bit too much. For me the experiment failed. Steve Kimock is a wonderful guitarist, Bernie Worrel as I said is royalty on keyboards, Andy Hess is a very accomplished Bass player and Wally Ingram is fun on the drums but while they are having fun doing there experiment the crowd just stares. Sorry but I give this show only 3 twirls.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Bruce Springsteen, The Q, 4/17/12
The last time I saw Bruce Springsteen live, it was in the late 70's at John Carol University in the gym. I had seen Bruce at the Agora prior to that. I thought why would I go to a large venue to see Bruce after having enjoyed him in these small intimate settings. Well I changed that last night. My Honey Bunny took me to see Bruce Springsteen and the new reworked E Street Band in Cleveland at the Q. It was a wonderful show that had all of the power and energy that I remembered from Bruce's early years.
The house lights came up on the anxious crowd at 8:31PM as the band took the stage an hour late and broke into "Badlands". From there on out the rest of the evening was filled with hard driving 50's influenced rock and roll. The band only slowed down for a few songs all night.
"We Take Care Of Our Own". The new "Wrecking Ball" about tearing down Giants Stadium. "The Ties That Bind". The civil war sounding "Death To My Hometown" from Wrecking Ball.
Bruce shouts out "Good Evening Cleveland" to the delight of the crowd. He mentions how he sees old faces, new faces, young faces. there was a mixed bag of fans in attendance but mostly it was an older crowd. He then slides into one of the quiet songs "My City of Ruins". The only song he does from the old Agora days is "The E Street Shuffle".
Bruce keeps his political rhetoric to a minimum this night but gives a little talk about how bad the economy is before performing another slow song from Wrecking Ball, "Jack of All Trades". The Band plays the changing tempo of "Trapped". Then they play the haunting, close to home song "Youngstown" Nils Lofgren has a great guitar solo.
Max Wienburg gets a drum solo during "My Love Will Not Let You Down". The civil war music returns with "Shackled and Drawn" from Wrecking Ball.
"Waiting On A Sunny Day" Bruce leaves the main stage walks through the crowd to a stage out in the middle of the arena. He brings a little girl up on the stage and lets her sing the chorus. The crowd goes crazy. He now carries the girl from the remote stage back to the main stage where Bruce and the girl have a sliding on your knees contest. The little girl definitely wins. A rousing "Promised Land" is next.
A beautiful piano song played by Roy Bittan "Racing In The Streets" quiets the crowd down.
Bruce talks about soul music and his performance at the Apollo Theatre. He performs the Temptations "The Way You Do The Things You Do" Jake Clemons, Clarence's nephew, plays sax just as wonderfully as his father on this song. The band swings into "634-5789". Bruce is out on the stage in the middle of the arena, he crowd surfs back to the stage.
The crowd is up and dancing during "Because The Night", "The Rising", "We Are Alive" from Wrecking Ball. "Light Of Day" finish out the set in a rocking fashion.
The Encore
Michelle Moore one of the back up singers comes down to the front of the stage to trade vocals with Bruce on "Rocky Ground" from Wrecking Ball.
Hold on there is no slowing down now. "Out In The Street" is rocked ou next. The Cleveland Friday after work anthem "Born To Run" has eh crowd sining and dancing. During "Dancing In The Dark" he brings a girl from the audience up on the stage to dance with him. He now climbs up on the piano to start off "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out". Bruce ends up out on the stage in the middle of the arena when he sings the phrase "and the big man joined the band" there is a visual tribute to Clarence Clemons, who died this past year from complications from a stroke, on the big screens.
For a band with its members in their sixties Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rocked for 3 hours. The fans stood on their feet and danced for most of the night. I won't wait for thirty years to go back and see Bruce Springsteen again. This is what a large arena show should be in entertainment value and duration. 16 musicians were on stage almost all night. 5 horn players, 2 backup singers, 1 violin/guitar/singer, 2 keyboardists, 1 drummer, 1 percusionist, 3 guitars and a bass player. I rate this a 5 twirl show, don't miss it if it is coming to a town near you. Oh by the way we were sitting behind the stage and Bruce and the band played to us as much as to the front of the stage.
The house lights came up on the anxious crowd at 8:31PM as the band took the stage an hour late and broke into "Badlands". From there on out the rest of the evening was filled with hard driving 50's influenced rock and roll. The band only slowed down for a few songs all night.
"We Take Care Of Our Own". The new "Wrecking Ball" about tearing down Giants Stadium. "The Ties That Bind". The civil war sounding "Death To My Hometown" from Wrecking Ball.
Bruce shouts out "Good Evening Cleveland" to the delight of the crowd. He mentions how he sees old faces, new faces, young faces. there was a mixed bag of fans in attendance but mostly it was an older crowd. He then slides into one of the quiet songs "My City of Ruins". The only song he does from the old Agora days is "The E Street Shuffle".
Bruce keeps his political rhetoric to a minimum this night but gives a little talk about how bad the economy is before performing another slow song from Wrecking Ball, "Jack of All Trades". The Band plays the changing tempo of "Trapped". Then they play the haunting, close to home song "Youngstown" Nils Lofgren has a great guitar solo.
Max Wienburg gets a drum solo during "My Love Will Not Let You Down". The civil war music returns with "Shackled and Drawn" from Wrecking Ball.
"Waiting On A Sunny Day" Bruce leaves the main stage walks through the crowd to a stage out in the middle of the arena. He brings a little girl up on the stage and lets her sing the chorus. The crowd goes crazy. He now carries the girl from the remote stage back to the main stage where Bruce and the girl have a sliding on your knees contest. The little girl definitely wins. A rousing "Promised Land" is next.
A beautiful piano song played by Roy Bittan "Racing In The Streets" quiets the crowd down.
Bruce talks about soul music and his performance at the Apollo Theatre. He performs the Temptations "The Way You Do The Things You Do" Jake Clemons, Clarence's nephew, plays sax just as wonderfully as his father on this song. The band swings into "634-5789". Bruce is out on the stage in the middle of the arena, he crowd surfs back to the stage.
The crowd is up and dancing during "Because The Night", "The Rising", "We Are Alive" from Wrecking Ball. "Light Of Day" finish out the set in a rocking fashion.
The Encore
Michelle Moore one of the back up singers comes down to the front of the stage to trade vocals with Bruce on "Rocky Ground" from Wrecking Ball.
Hold on there is no slowing down now. "Out In The Street" is rocked ou next. The Cleveland Friday after work anthem "Born To Run" has eh crowd sining and dancing. During "Dancing In The Dark" he brings a girl from the audience up on the stage to dance with him. He now climbs up on the piano to start off "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out". Bruce ends up out on the stage in the middle of the arena when he sings the phrase "and the big man joined the band" there is a visual tribute to Clarence Clemons, who died this past year from complications from a stroke, on the big screens.
For a band with its members in their sixties Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rocked for 3 hours. The fans stood on their feet and danced for most of the night. I won't wait for thirty years to go back and see Bruce Springsteen again. This is what a large arena show should be in entertainment value and duration. 16 musicians were on stage almost all night. 5 horn players, 2 backup singers, 1 violin/guitar/singer, 2 keyboardists, 1 drummer, 1 percusionist, 3 guitars and a bass player. I rate this a 5 twirl show, don't miss it if it is coming to a town near you. Oh by the way we were sitting behind the stage and Bruce and the band played to us as much as to the front of the stage.
Monday, April 16, 2012
2012 Rock and Roll Hall OF Fame Induction Ceremony
As I walk the four blocks from the parking garage to Public Auditorium in Cleveland for the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall OF Fame Induction Ceremony I can feel an electricity in the air. People are mulling around hoping to catch a glimpse of someone famous. As I arrive at the front entrance there is a red carpet laid out for the rich and famous that is surrounded by fans and paparazzi. This is not an every night event like it is in New York, this is a special night in Cleveland. The floor of the auditorium is for the hoi ploi of society, the record executives, recording artists, politicians and movie stars. The music fans sit in the balcony that wraps completely around the top of the auditorium.
Little did anyone know as the show began that this night would turn into a marathon of music and speeches. The show started at 8:00 PM Saturday and finished around 1:30 AM Sunday. The curtain is pulled back and right off the bat the audience is punched in the face by Green Day playing their expletive filled song "Letter Bomb". I'm no prude but I think "F" bombs should flow naturally and not feel so forced.
Of course there are a few opening speeches. During the speeches the blue collar fans boo the mention of Governor Kasich. Jan Wenner also gets booed. Mr. Wenner has expressed in the past how he feels Cleveland isn't deserving of the Rock Hall or the Induction Ceremonies. Mr Wiener as I like to call him feels that only New York should host the Ceremonies because there is nothing to do in Cleveland. Jan join Axl and stay at home we don't want you in Cleveland.
Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons induct Freddie King into the Rock Hall. They give a very nice speech and tell how they used to play with and warm up for Freddie King. Dusty, Billy, Derek Trucks and Joe Bonamassa take the stage together and do an instrumental jam of Freddie King's "Hide Away" before launching into "Going Down". Joe and Billy trade off vocals while all three guitarists trade off leads. Of course Dusty keeps the the back rhythm flowing. This is one of the highlights of the evening for me.
John Mellencamp inducts Donovan. I guess there is another Donovan out and about because John actually called Donovan by his full name Donovan Leitch. Growing up my whole life I knew there is only one Donovan, no last name needed. Donovan gave a funny acceptance speech and recited a poem that he had composed for his inauguration. Donovan on acoustic guitar with Will Lee on upright Bass perform "Catch The Wind". Donovan then goes electric for "Sunshine Superman" and "Season of the Witch" sharing vocals with John Mellencamp.
Bette Midler gives a heartfelt induction speech for Laura Nyro. Laura's son accepts the award and also gives a very loving acceptance speech. Sara Barielles performed Laura Nyro's "Stoney End". Sara not only had the dark hair and skin that reminded you of Laura but she had the range in her voice that made you think that Laura had come back to life. I gave it a WOW moment. I was hoping to hear Bette sing but that didn't happen.
Carol King the close friend of Don Kirshner welcomed him into the Hall of Fame. Carol made us feel like we knew Mr. Kirshner a little better by the time she was through. If you grew up in the 70's you knew Don Kirshner was a GREAT man that brought music into our homes with his Rock Concert series. Darlene Love performed a very lovely rendition of Carol King's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow".
During a video montage of all of the music people who passed away this year Ledisi sang the Etta James hit "At Last". Many in the crowd along with me were asking "who is she"? Who she is is a Jazz singer with a beautiful voice. Stevie Van Zandt even screwed up her name when he announced Ledisi.
Little Steven inducted the Small Faces/Faces into the Rock Hall. The mates gave a quirky speech and then got to playing some music. Rod Stewart was sick and could not attend gala under doctors orders. I thought of the Jeff Beck quote "I hate lead singers" at this time. Mick Hucknall from Simply Red sat in on vocals and did a splendid job. The band seemed to be having a great time as they ripped through "All Or Nothing", "Ooh La La" and "Stay With Me".
Smokey Robinson explained how even though there are lead singers such as James Brown, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Hank Ballard and Smokey himself, they would be nothing without the rest of the band. Finally after being overlooked for years the Rock Hall got it right and granted entrance into the Hall of Fame for the back up groups of the Blue Caps, The Comets, The Crickets, The Famous Flames, The Midnighters and the Miracles.
Can I take a time out here and have a little rant. Let me just say RAP AIN'T ROCK. If Jan Wenner wants The Beastie Boys, Grand Master Flash and Run DMC in a museum then let him open, in New York City, a Hip Hop Hall Of Fame. The long winded Heavy D did not use the term Rock and Roll once in his Beastie Boy's induction speech and neither did LL Cool J. They call their form of art Hip Hop or Rap not Rock and Roll. There are allot of bands who actually play Rock and Roll that are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that deserve to be there before anymore Rap stars get in. Rush, Yes, The Nice, King Crimson, Joe Walsh as a solo artist, J Geils, T Rex and Todd Rundgren just to name a few. Hell Nashville wouldn't recognize Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings because they weren't country enough. They were closer to their gendra of music then Rap is to Rock. Rap or Hip Hop is a whole separate classification of music. Lets not water down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by claiming Rap and Hip Hop belong here.
LL Cool J and Chuck D inducted the Beastie Boys in a long winded speech. The Roots, Kid Rock and Travie McCoy with Quest Love on drums rapped out a medley of Beastie Boys hits. There was a certain "Idiot Element" that was present in the audience that could have cared less about the Rock and Rollers who were being inducted. They talked loudly, texted, stood up at inappropriate times blocking everyone elses view who was sitting behind them and were generally rude. Now they were jumping up and down and swinging there fists wildly in the air. I guess this is what they were here for.
Green Day inducted Guns and Roses into the Hall of Fame. Billie Joe Armstrong introduced the dysfunctional Guns and Roses minus Axl Rose. Steven Adler the original drummer seemed ecstatic to be on stage. I felt happy for him. Matt Sorum the new drummer made the comment about Steven that Steven deserved an award for being kicked out of Guns and Roses for doing drugs. That is quite an accomplishment. GNR with Matt on drums and Billie Joe dancing around the stage and Myles Kennedy from Slash's band on vocals performed "Mr. Brownstone". Steven Adler gets behind the drum kit for "Sweet Child O Mine" and "Paradise City".
Robbie Robertson who inducted three Recording Engineers into the Hall Of Fame first gave a shout out to Levon Helm. Maybe because of the bad blood between Axl and his band, made Robbie a little introspective? The three engineers were Cosimo Matassa, Glyn Johns and Tom Dowd. Cosimo Matassa's grandson accepted the award with Cosimo proudly watching from a wheelchair. Tom Dowd's daughter also did a fine job of accepting posthumously Tom's award. Glyn Johns accepted his own award.
Chris Rock comes out and entertains the crowd while inducting The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Chili Peppers Perform "By The Way", "The Adventures Of Rain And Dance Maggie" and "Give It Away". They had Irons and Martinez on Drums.
The Encore is all of the Chili Peppers plus Ron Wood, Slash, Billie Joe Armstrong on guitars, Kenny Jones from the Faces on drums and Tre Cool and George Clinton on comic relief. They perform a very bad rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground".
The Marathon is over but I must say over all a great show. I must commend the sound engineers. The sound in the large hall was impeccable. I can't wait for three more years to pass for the reverie and pomp to return to Cleveland. Rock on.
Little did anyone know as the show began that this night would turn into a marathon of music and speeches. The show started at 8:00 PM Saturday and finished around 1:30 AM Sunday. The curtain is pulled back and right off the bat the audience is punched in the face by Green Day playing their expletive filled song "Letter Bomb". I'm no prude but I think "F" bombs should flow naturally and not feel so forced.
Of course there are a few opening speeches. During the speeches the blue collar fans boo the mention of Governor Kasich. Jan Wenner also gets booed. Mr. Wenner has expressed in the past how he feels Cleveland isn't deserving of the Rock Hall or the Induction Ceremonies. Mr Wiener as I like to call him feels that only New York should host the Ceremonies because there is nothing to do in Cleveland. Jan join Axl and stay at home we don't want you in Cleveland.
Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons induct Freddie King into the Rock Hall. They give a very nice speech and tell how they used to play with and warm up for Freddie King. Dusty, Billy, Derek Trucks and Joe Bonamassa take the stage together and do an instrumental jam of Freddie King's "Hide Away" before launching into "Going Down". Joe and Billy trade off vocals while all three guitarists trade off leads. Of course Dusty keeps the the back rhythm flowing. This is one of the highlights of the evening for me.
John Mellencamp inducts Donovan. I guess there is another Donovan out and about because John actually called Donovan by his full name Donovan Leitch. Growing up my whole life I knew there is only one Donovan, no last name needed. Donovan gave a funny acceptance speech and recited a poem that he had composed for his inauguration. Donovan on acoustic guitar with Will Lee on upright Bass perform "Catch The Wind". Donovan then goes electric for "Sunshine Superman" and "Season of the Witch" sharing vocals with John Mellencamp.
Bette Midler gives a heartfelt induction speech for Laura Nyro. Laura's son accepts the award and also gives a very loving acceptance speech. Sara Barielles performed Laura Nyro's "Stoney End". Sara not only had the dark hair and skin that reminded you of Laura but she had the range in her voice that made you think that Laura had come back to life. I gave it a WOW moment. I was hoping to hear Bette sing but that didn't happen.
Carol King the close friend of Don Kirshner welcomed him into the Hall of Fame. Carol made us feel like we knew Mr. Kirshner a little better by the time she was through. If you grew up in the 70's you knew Don Kirshner was a GREAT man that brought music into our homes with his Rock Concert series. Darlene Love performed a very lovely rendition of Carol King's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow".
During a video montage of all of the music people who passed away this year Ledisi sang the Etta James hit "At Last". Many in the crowd along with me were asking "who is she"? Who she is is a Jazz singer with a beautiful voice. Stevie Van Zandt even screwed up her name when he announced Ledisi.
Little Steven inducted the Small Faces/Faces into the Rock Hall. The mates gave a quirky speech and then got to playing some music. Rod Stewart was sick and could not attend gala under doctors orders. I thought of the Jeff Beck quote "I hate lead singers" at this time. Mick Hucknall from Simply Red sat in on vocals and did a splendid job. The band seemed to be having a great time as they ripped through "All Or Nothing", "Ooh La La" and "Stay With Me".
Smokey Robinson explained how even though there are lead singers such as James Brown, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Hank Ballard and Smokey himself, they would be nothing without the rest of the band. Finally after being overlooked for years the Rock Hall got it right and granted entrance into the Hall of Fame for the back up groups of the Blue Caps, The Comets, The Crickets, The Famous Flames, The Midnighters and the Miracles.
Can I take a time out here and have a little rant. Let me just say RAP AIN'T ROCK. If Jan Wenner wants The Beastie Boys, Grand Master Flash and Run DMC in a museum then let him open, in New York City, a Hip Hop Hall Of Fame. The long winded Heavy D did not use the term Rock and Roll once in his Beastie Boy's induction speech and neither did LL Cool J. They call their form of art Hip Hop or Rap not Rock and Roll. There are allot of bands who actually play Rock and Roll that are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that deserve to be there before anymore Rap stars get in. Rush, Yes, The Nice, King Crimson, Joe Walsh as a solo artist, J Geils, T Rex and Todd Rundgren just to name a few. Hell Nashville wouldn't recognize Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings because they weren't country enough. They were closer to their gendra of music then Rap is to Rock. Rap or Hip Hop is a whole separate classification of music. Lets not water down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by claiming Rap and Hip Hop belong here.
LL Cool J and Chuck D inducted the Beastie Boys in a long winded speech. The Roots, Kid Rock and Travie McCoy with Quest Love on drums rapped out a medley of Beastie Boys hits. There was a certain "Idiot Element" that was present in the audience that could have cared less about the Rock and Rollers who were being inducted. They talked loudly, texted, stood up at inappropriate times blocking everyone elses view who was sitting behind them and were generally rude. Now they were jumping up and down and swinging there fists wildly in the air. I guess this is what they were here for.
Green Day inducted Guns and Roses into the Hall of Fame. Billie Joe Armstrong introduced the dysfunctional Guns and Roses minus Axl Rose. Steven Adler the original drummer seemed ecstatic to be on stage. I felt happy for him. Matt Sorum the new drummer made the comment about Steven that Steven deserved an award for being kicked out of Guns and Roses for doing drugs. That is quite an accomplishment. GNR with Matt on drums and Billie Joe dancing around the stage and Myles Kennedy from Slash's band on vocals performed "Mr. Brownstone". Steven Adler gets behind the drum kit for "Sweet Child O Mine" and "Paradise City".
Robbie Robertson who inducted three Recording Engineers into the Hall Of Fame first gave a shout out to Levon Helm. Maybe because of the bad blood between Axl and his band, made Robbie a little introspective? The three engineers were Cosimo Matassa, Glyn Johns and Tom Dowd. Cosimo Matassa's grandson accepted the award with Cosimo proudly watching from a wheelchair. Tom Dowd's daughter also did a fine job of accepting posthumously Tom's award. Glyn Johns accepted his own award.
Chris Rock comes out and entertains the crowd while inducting The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Chili Peppers Perform "By The Way", "The Adventures Of Rain And Dance Maggie" and "Give It Away". They had Irons and Martinez on Drums.
The Encore is all of the Chili Peppers plus Ron Wood, Slash, Billie Joe Armstrong on guitars, Kenny Jones from the Faces on drums and Tre Cool and George Clinton on comic relief. They perform a very bad rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground".
The Marathon is over but I must say over all a great show. I must commend the sound engineers. The sound in the large hall was impeccable. I can't wait for three more years to pass for the reverie and pomp to return to Cleveland. Rock on.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Mickey Hart Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert 4/11/12
The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame gave a few privileged fans a sneak peak at the new Grateful Dead exhibit. The exhibit covers the fifth and sixth floors of the museum and the bands iconic rise from a band playing at acid parties to the leading jam band in the world. There are instruments that were used by the band over the years. Although I did notice there were no artifacts from Bill Kreutzmann who has been in the band from the start. There are biographies of all the band members even all five keyboardist. I personally loved the live concert footage being played on the sixth floor and the hand decorated envelopes sent by fans to the band. This is an exhibit worth seeing even if you are not a Dead Head.
Mickey Hart and his band played a concert in the Rock Halls lobby to help celebrate the opening of the exhibit. My Honey Bunny and I were leaning on the stage right in front of Mickey's drum kit. Mickey's drum kit consists of approximately 20 different drums, a 12 stringed synthesized instrument, a theremin and various pedals and boxes. For a man in his sixties Mickey pounds and bangs and dances the whole time he is on stage. He has to be in pretty good shape.
At one point in the concert one of Mickeys foot pedals would not respond when he needed it. Mickey was visibly upset that he could not produce the sounds he wanted. Eventually Mickey's tech came out in front of the stage grabbed the pedal and fixed it. Mickey was happy and back in business. Most of the crowd probably never even noticed what was going on because the band just switched songs and kept on playing.
The band played classic Grateful Dead songs such as; Not Fade Away, Brokedown Palace, Bertha, Franklin's Tower, And We Bid You Goodnight and a smoking hot Going Down The Road Feeling Bad. They also mixed in some songs off of Mickey's new CD "Mysterium Tremendum" such as Heart Beat Of The Sun, Time Never Ends and Starlight Starbright.
The band is made up of Crystal Monee Hall who gave a gospel sound to the music with her huge voice. Tim Hockenberry who also plays with the Trans Siberian Orchestra shared vocals with Ms Hal and also played trombone and keyboards. Gawain Mathews on lead guitar had a very Jerry sound. He even got lost at one point in one of his jams and Mickey was trying to get his attention to come out of it so they could end the song. That reminded me of how Jerry used to get lost in the music at times. Ben Yonas on keyboards. Percussion's Sikuru Adepcoju. Drums Ian Herman. And the one and only Dave Schools from Widespread Panic on Bass.
I danced, I sang, I had a good time and feel sorry for all of the people who chose not to go to this show. The music was wonderful, familiar but different. Mickey and the band kept every thing fresh. I was expecting more of Mickey's original music but it was a nice surprise to have the band cover so much Grateful Dead music. I would have to give this show a 5 twirl ranking.
Mickey Hart and his band played a concert in the Rock Halls lobby to help celebrate the opening of the exhibit. My Honey Bunny and I were leaning on the stage right in front of Mickey's drum kit. Mickey's drum kit consists of approximately 20 different drums, a 12 stringed synthesized instrument, a theremin and various pedals and boxes. For a man in his sixties Mickey pounds and bangs and dances the whole time he is on stage. He has to be in pretty good shape.
At one point in the concert one of Mickeys foot pedals would not respond when he needed it. Mickey was visibly upset that he could not produce the sounds he wanted. Eventually Mickey's tech came out in front of the stage grabbed the pedal and fixed it. Mickey was happy and back in business. Most of the crowd probably never even noticed what was going on because the band just switched songs and kept on playing.
The band played classic Grateful Dead songs such as; Not Fade Away, Brokedown Palace, Bertha, Franklin's Tower, And We Bid You Goodnight and a smoking hot Going Down The Road Feeling Bad. They also mixed in some songs off of Mickey's new CD "Mysterium Tremendum" such as Heart Beat Of The Sun, Time Never Ends and Starlight Starbright.
The band is made up of Crystal Monee Hall who gave a gospel sound to the music with her huge voice. Tim Hockenberry who also plays with the Trans Siberian Orchestra shared vocals with Ms Hal and also played trombone and keyboards. Gawain Mathews on lead guitar had a very Jerry sound. He even got lost at one point in one of his jams and Mickey was trying to get his attention to come out of it so they could end the song. That reminded me of how Jerry used to get lost in the music at times. Ben Yonas on keyboards. Percussion's Sikuru Adepcoju. Drums Ian Herman. And the one and only Dave Schools from Widespread Panic on Bass.
I danced, I sang, I had a good time and feel sorry for all of the people who chose not to go to this show. The music was wonderful, familiar but different. Mickey and the band kept every thing fresh. I was expecting more of Mickey's original music but it was a nice surprise to have the band cover so much Grateful Dead music. I would have to give this show a 5 twirl ranking.
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