My Honey Bunny, Miss Beth and I went to the Beachland Ballroom to see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals on Saturday June 19, 2010. The Ballroom was packed with a sold out crowd. I can remember just last year Grace Potter only had half of the Ballroom filled. Her popularity is catching on. FM 107.3 here in Cleveland was doing a live broadcast of the show.
The Band came on stage dressed as though they were attending a 1975 homecoming dance. The men were wearing suits with no ties and their shirts unbuttoned down two buttons. The bass player, Catherine Popper, had on a knee length, flowing, purple dress. Grace had on a sort of Greek Goddess, blue, mini dress cut up way high on her outer thighs. The back of the stage had three screen doors hanging with the screen crumpled to help reflect the lights, simple but effective.
Grace and the Nocturnals open the show with the rocking " Some Kind Of Ride". Then they move into the bluesy "Joey". Grace proves she has one of the best screams in rock and roll during "Joey". Grace is doing her hippie dance behind the organ while the band plays an ethereal instrumental in "Oasis". The crowd is dancing to "Money". There were excellent harmonies with Catherine Popper on "Good Bye Kiss". Grace and the band kick out the jams on "Only Love". Grace now straps on an acoustic Gibson guitar for "One Short Night". Grace now tells people it is OK to dance and loosen up. She grabs her Fender Flying "V" guitar and rocks out to one of my favorites "Ah Mary". Grace goes back to the organ and Benny Yurco helps out on the drums for "That Phone". "Fooling Myself" did not make the record, but according to Grace, it sold more copies than any of the songs on the record. "Fooling Myself" is a beautiful slow song with wonderful harmonies. Hacienda's drummer Jaime Villanueva plays maracas on "Mastermind".
Next is a song of freedom, hope and courage, smoke fills the stage for "Hold On Tight". Yes Grace you do have the medicine everyone wants. "Medicine" is rolling along when the whole band gathers around the drum kit, Grace on her knees playing the bass drum, and they all play different parts of the drum kit. Grace grabs the Flying "V" again and Rocks the crowd with Oooh La La La La La La La "Paris".
For the first encore The Nocturnals play 2:22. Grace again proves she is one of the great screamers in rock and roll. Oh my are we really going to go back to the sixties for a wonderful rendition of "White Rabbit". Grace playing what sounds like a church organ for a mournful version of "Apology". The whole crowd sings a very nice version of Happy Birthday to Grace. Miss Potter reminds us that she is still 26 years old. The band winds up the crowd during "Hot Summer Night".
The crowd is screaming and clapping and just like the old days as long as you screamed the bands used to keep coming out and playing. Grace takes the stage solo for an acapella version of "Nothing But The Water". The rest of the band filters back on stage and they play an electric version of "Nothing But The Water".
What a great night.
The Band is comprised of Scott Tournet on lead guitar a very capable player. Benny Yurco on rhythm guitar. Much of the time it is like having two lead guitarists on stage. Matt Burr on drums, very strong. The new addition and what a great addition she is, on both backup vocals and bass Catherine Popper.
People have asked me if Grace Potter is like Janice Joplin my answer is some what, but she also has Aretha Franklin's soul, Tina Turners energy, Ricky Lee Jones spaciness and Suzy Quatros and Chrissy Hynds Rock and Roll attitude. Grace Potter can be compared to the others but she is her own, new, unique Rock and Roller. Go and see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals now before they make it big. Believe me they are right on the cusp of hitting the big time.
This was a great show. The crowd was filled with young and old alike. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I give this show five twirls.
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