The
Winery Dogs In Concert At The Ridgefield
Theater
With
Guest Kicking Harold
Ridgefield,
CT October 3, 2015
It has been two years since I have had the opportunity to
see The Winery Dogs in concert. The band consists of Mike Portnoy (drums,
vocals), Billy Sheehan (bass, vocals) and Richie Kotzen (lead vocals, guitar
and keyboards). They are a true super group and they just released their second
studio album Hot Streak.
To kick off their Double
Down World Tour 2015/2016 they chose the charming town of
Ridgefield, Connecticut. The venue was the
Ridgefield Playhouse, a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit performing arts center with a capacity of 500. As soon as I
got there it was a reminder that I was there once before in 2005 to cover
Mountain and Rick Derringer. 10 years has past so quickly! This time I am going
to keep an eye on who is playing there so I can go back.
Before
the stars of the evening took the stage a three piece called Kicking Harold
warmed up the crowd. The band is Michael Odabashian (drums/vocals), Tim David
Kelly (vocals, guitar) and Julia Lage (bass, vocals). They are hard edged and
heavy with influences of metal and punk in their presentation. I hear
influences like The Ramones, Black Sabbath and others. They did a few covers
like “Born To Be Wild” and “Working Man” and their original material stood up
well. I never place any expectations for an opening act but they were one of
the better bands I have seen in that slot.
The Winery Dogs set started off with one of their new
tracks “Oblivion.” The packed house were treated to all the new songs as well
as cuts from the first album which it made it a very diverse set. This is a band that is hard to categorize,
they cover rock, pop, progressive, blues, everything it seems. Ritchie Kotzen
is the multi-talented centerpiece of the band. This of course takes nothing
from Portnoy and Sheehan who both are incredibly talented musicians. I have
seen Portnoy play with Dream Theater 8 times and now with one of his newer
bands twice. Portnoy amazes me; he is part of many bands and has helped so many
other bands get some much needed exposure. His importance in the music
community goes beyond words at this point.
Kotzen just oozes with soul and emotion when he plays and
sings and Sheehan and Portnoy are perpetual motion machines that are a joy to
watch. Kotzen is equally talented with
his vocal delivery, guitar and keyboards. He is also the consummate showman
pulling the crowd in like a large magnet. We witnessed this when he took the
stage by himself and sang “Fire” with his acoustic guitar. I also found his
apparel interesting; he looked as though he was ready to take the stage with
Blackmore’s Night (another one of my favorite performers).
So as this super group made their way through their set
many things were going on all at once. With so much talent on one stage it’s
like spontaneous combustion and the chemistry these three men have just sparkle
and shines all night long.
One my favorites is “Time Machine”
from their first album. It provides a showcase for everyone’s talent in the
band. They really know how to stretch it out on this one out and rock
the house. What I continue to find a wonder is how Kotzen plays his guitars
without a pick. Not many professionals do it that way particularly with an
electric and in their style of music.
If you happen to be looking for a concert to attend that
features some of the best musicians in the world on the same stage I would
encourage you to go see The Winery Dogs. I guarantee you will walk away stunned
at how good they are. They are not main stream so they are still a bit under
the wire but just watch as their following continues to grow. Get out there and
support live music, buy their CDs and swag at the merchandise table. Doing
those things will keep the music alive and make it worthwhile for these folks
to continue to entertain us.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Write A Music Review,
Prog Rock Music Talk, MuzikMan Reviews, MuzikMan’s Productions, Rate The Tracks
and New Age Music Reviews
October 5, 2015
Set List:
Oblivion
Captain Love
We are one
How long
Time Machine
Empire
Fire
Think it Over
The Other Side
Not Hopeless
Ghost town
Hot Streak
I'm No Angel
Desire
Encore:
Regret
Elevate
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