Showing posts with label Concert Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concert Reviews. Show all posts

9/05/2018

Concert Review: Judas Priest and Deep Purple Co-Headline at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center

Judas Priest and Deep Purple Co-Headline at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center
Opening Act Temperance Movement

Bethel Woods New York
September 2, 2018




Thousands of people made the trek to the mountains in Bethel Woods NY to see a triple header rock concert. It was one of those nights you would never forget. Deep Purple, whom I never saw live, Judas Priest and a relatively new band on the scene, Temperance Movement, would entertain for over 3 hours.

 
It was a long ride for us but well worth the trip by the time we got back home in the wee hours of the morning. This would be the fourth time I would see Judas Priest. I am also aware that Deep Purple is likely on their last tour and recorded their last studio album From Here To Infinite. This placed some urgency on the event for me personally. I was there to cover Judas Priest so everything else was icing on the cake.


I have to say that the venue at Bethel Woods, which sits directly across the field where Woodstock was held, is the most beautiful venue I have ever been to. I have been to a few in my day and this place is so scenic and peaceful, well not for long though. There is a little stream that runs alongside the path to the stage and a beautiful water fountain as well.  There are all kinds of food and drink vendors and some very interesting booths for memorabilia of the site and of course the swag booths to give every fan a chance to buy something from the event. I picked up a signed CD from The Temperance Movement. It is a fantastic new album titled A Deeper Cut.

So, we just made it there before the concert started and had to walk quite a way from where we parked, which would later prove to work to our advantage when leaving.  My son and I ran to our seats to catch The Temperance Movement’s opening song.

The Temperance Movement are a British blues rock band formed in 2011 by Phil Campbell and guitarists Luke Potashnick and Paul Sayer. The rhythm section consists of bassist Nick Fyffe and drummer Damon Wilson. This was a pleasant surprise to have them open for the two rock heavyweights as I have appreciated their recorded output since their inception. They really came on strong and maintained the energy level with some great playing. The lead singer is a little dynamo, jumping all over and waving his arms. I think he must have watched Jagger on stage a bit before he took the stage himself and I can hear the influence of the Rolling Stones in their sound. They had a short stay but they really made the best of every moment and think left a lasting impression on an audience that was likely unfamiliar to them.


Faulkner and Halford
Judas Priest was up next and they started things off with the title track of their new album Firepower. Rob Halford is now sporting his completely white beard and looking like the elder rocker but sounding strong as ever. Every time I see this band I am simply amazed how Halford keeps his pipes in such good shape and the range and screams he still commands are awesome.

Ritchie Faulkner is now the veteran guitar player of the band. He trades licks with Andy Sneap who fills in now for Glen Tipton. Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. I was very saddened to hear this news.  It seemed strange not seeing Glen on stage with his red leather pants and guitar blazing away. Faulkner certainly has reached another level as a guitar player and he has risen to the occasion taking over a lion’s share of the lead runs. 

                   
Halford and Sneap
So as Priest made their way through their set list I realized that this was the first time I had felt the sheer power of their set so up close. We had some great seats. When I would sit down for a few minutes I could feel the bass drum hammering away at my chest. It really was an amazing feeling. They were very loud but that is the only way to experience a Priest concert with the decibel level pinning in the red. If it hurts the eardrums well that will eventually wear off and you will be so glad you went again.
     
Then came rock legends Deep Purple. Ian Gillan (vocals), Ian Paice (drums), Roger Glover (bass), Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keys) are a solid veteran unit that is very comfortable on stage and in the studio.
Ian Gillan has naturally lost some range with his voice; however, he is very distinctive and he gets the numbers across quite well. Some of the fan favorites were covered like “Highway Star,” “Space Truckin,” “Lazy” and of course “Smoke on the Water” and the incredible oldie “Hush.” 

Deep Purple Bass Player Roger Glover
Deep Purple can still be a force to be reckoned with onstage and if they were not I am sure they would not be sharing a bill with the metal legends Judas Priest. There is likely a mutual respect there between the two bands. I have to give the nod to Steve Morse for still playing magnificently even though he has some wrist issues and has to wear a brace. I know the feeling and really appreciate his efforts to keep playing all of that great music.

What an amazing night and I was there. What an honor and privilege it was to attend such an event and have the opportunity to provide some coverage to perspective concert goers.

My final thought is if this show is coming to a town near you I highly recommend your attendance as this may be your last chance to see these bands play together!

September 5, 2018
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

"The original internet “MuzikMan” Reviewer since 1998!”

(All the pics I took with my phone so they are not professional, I have provided them to give people an idea of what I was watching and enjoying)

Judas Priest Setlist:
Firepower Intro
Firepower
Delivering the Goods
Sinner
Lightning Strike
Desert Plains
Turbo Lover
Guardians
Rising From Ruins
Freewheel Burning
You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Hell Bent for Leather
Painkiller

Encore:
Metal Gods
No Surrender
(first time w/o Glenn;… more )
Breaking the Law
Living After Midnight

Deep Purple Setlist:
Mars, the Bringer of War
(Gustav Holst song)
Highway Star
Pictures of Home
Bloodsucker
Strange Kind of Woman
Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
Uncommon Man
Lazy
Knocking at Your Back Door
Keyboard Solo
(incl. "The Star-Spangled Banner")
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin'
Smoke on the Water

Encore:
Hush
(Joe South cover) (incl. "Peter Gunn Theme" intro)

8/20/2018

Jazz Day Camp of The Berkshires In Concert at Bounti Fare Restaurant

Jazz Day Camp of The Berkshires In Concert at Bounti Fare Restaurant
August 17, 2018
Adams, MA.

https://www.facebook.com/Berkshires-Jazz-Day-Camp-226846004787500/

I attended a very special event that happened last evening right in our own backyard. The Bounti Fare Restaurant hosted a concert for the Berkshires Jazz Day Camp.

The camp was for five days hosted by Jacob Keplinger. The students came in from all over Berkshire County and there was a young man from Boston as well.

Each professional musician is also a teacher, in fact, some teach at several schools. The instructors included bassist Alex Blake, who started his career with Sun Ra; drummer Victor Jones, who has played with Chaka Khan; and pianist Charles Blenzig, who has played with Marcus Miller and Michael Brecker, Alex Foster, saxophonist, who has played with several artists over the years and has been a resident of the Saturday Night Live band for 28 years and most importantly, North Adams native Richard Boulger, the originator of the camp, plays trumpet, and got his start with Freddie Hubbard.

Richard Boulger was instrumental in conceiving and implementing the camp. He teaches in the public-school system in New York City in the Brownsville section a socio-economically depressed part of the city.  Notwithstanding the same young jazz students come out of his program and go on to the jazz program at Lincoln Center under Winton Marsalis then from any other school in the city.  

This was an unexpected treat for everyone in attendance. It all happened because of few key people that include of course Richard Boulger, William Kolis, Mike Mach, Jacob Keplinger, and important contributions from folks like Edmund St. John.  Kolis and St. John are lovers of the arts and have been major supporters of live music in the Berkshires. Kolis was involved with Nashville in the Berkshires Music Festival for two years and I have seen Edmund at many live concerts over the years that I was covering.

It is nice to see influential and affluent people giving back to the community and more importantly to the arts and our children. A big thanks goes out to all those gentlemen that had a hand in making this event happen. Also sponsors such as Berkshire Bank, Ellen and David Clarkson and the St. John's helped to make this event a reality.

The young folks in High School that are musicians had an opportunity to work with these professionals and learn how to play music without any notes, music sheets, iPads or anything, just open-ended jamming. Although it was for only three days these talented young people put on one great show. All the horns, bass, keyboards, vibes and drums all came together and the pros added their own flavor to the mix. This was a very unique form of entertainment and quite enjoyable. I felt I was witnessing something very special, it felt that way all night. I have to give the nod to all of these wonderful teachers that showed these youngsters what they were capable of creating. It’s a beautiful thing and even more impressive to unfold before your eyes.

My nephew is Bryan Brophy, he plays the keyboards. If it wasn’t for him I would not have found out about the event. We are of course very proud of his accomplishments as are all the other parents there in attendance.

One of the things that made the evening so special was the fact that it was so up close and personal. The pros there were very helpful in explaining how things developed during the camp with all the young musicians. Additionally, they spoke with the parents of the children whenever they could, offering encouragement and letting them know of the potential these amazing kids have.

One thing I learned from Charles Blenzig and Alex Foster was that there are many fine music schools and parents don’t have to pay upwards of 50k for exclusive schools like Berkley. That was an eye-opener for a lot of folks there looking for direction to get their children in to keep them developing all their talents.

There were some performances by the pros that were excellent. This segment of the show was an interesting contrast to all the kids joining in. I have provided a short clip of bassist Alex Blake showing how one instrument can entertain an entire audience.

The Jazz Day Camp of the Berkshires and last night’s concert was a fantastic success and I hope the community continues to support this kind of event more often. It’s all about supporting music programs in our schools and encouraging today’s generation to carry on and be able to become teachers themselves one day. What better way to give back than to mentor an upcoming musician? This is what it’s all about.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
August 18, 2018

"The original internet “MuzikMan” Reviewer since 1998!”

 Note: This is by no means a professional video, I took it with my phone just to get a snippet of a bass solo by one of the pros at the concert that evening-KH

7/03/2018

Concert Review: Roomful of Blues

Roomful of Blues Turns the Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Connecticut Into A Cathedral of Sound
June 30, 2018
It was a hot summer night in Norfolk, CT on the last day of June but it was about to reach a boil at the Infinity Hall with the arrival of Roomful of Blues.

I knew of this band and the name certainly was familiar however I never took a deep dive into their music. Just knowing they had been around since 1977 and had a horn section told me something. Any blues band with a horn section can play quite a variety of blues and jazz. At least in my experience, it always turned out that way. You may think I was taking a chance of not being familiar with their music however with the knowledge I did have I went forward feeling this would be a stellar performance.

As it turned out, everything about the evening was great. The drive in on the back roads of New England is always such a pleasure. As I drove by all the houses and admired the old stone walls, I felt at home. And once we went into the Infinity Hall Bistro, I felt very welcomed. The service and folks working there are incredibly helpful and courteous. The menu at the Bistro is quite diverse as well.  This is what I call the ”complete” concert experience.

Prior to the show, I decided to get the T-Shirt commemorating their 50-year anniversary and a release from 2011 titled Hook Line & Sinker on the Alligator Records label. I was attracted to the cover art, which reminded me of the World War II Rosie the Riveter image. I am sure besides the artwork, it will be a terrific listen.

50 years is a mighty long time keep it together. There have been lineup changes over the years, which is expected for such a long stretch of time, however, their main groove and mojo is still intact and ready to roll while on tour.

What also impressed me is a staff member minds the swag booth for the band.  I was also informed that they have a green room for visiting artists. The room is totally furnished and they make sure nobody goes on the stage with an empty stomach. 

So, after being so impressed and quite comfortable I made my way upstairs to the concert hall. I call it “The Cathedral of Sound.” Sounds kind of catchy doesn’t it?

There was no opening act so I had nothing but a Roomful of Blues to enjoy. Little did I know that was in a literal sense.


This band is a well-oiled machine that presents a wide variety of blues and jazz within each number. I really appreciated the interludes of jamming in between vocals. The musicianship is outstanding and the combination of horns, standup bass, keyboards, percussion and amazing vocals make it all one remarkable show. You are going to hear flat out rockin’ blues peppered with jazz, some honkytonk piano tucked in between it all and more. Every member of the band gets their time in the spotlight on their stage. Everyone also got acknowledged separately and as a whole by the admiring audience.

This is not just the “blues” people, this is progressive blues and all the trimmings. This amazing band proved that fact all night long. Seeing a band play live and stretch out and flex their musical muscles is the best way to know who they really are. I found out who Roomful of Blues is, one serious group of musicians that are full of the soul of the blues, the tastefulness of jazz and the oomph to rock. That is one deadly combination.

Catch them live as soon as you can! If you are looking to visit a quaint New England town and enjoy a great meal and an evening of fantastic entertainment, stop by the Infinity Hall in Norfolk CT and catch a show.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

July 2, 2018




Set List:

01. Introduction

02. It All Went Down The Drain

03. Alright, Okay, You Win

04. I Would Be a Sinner

05. I'd Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy

06. Easy Baby

07. Boogie Woogie Country Girl

08. Two For The Price Of Ten

09. Too Much Boogie

10. Your Love Was Never There

11. Baby I'm Gone

12. Just Keep On Rockin'

13. My Baby Quit Me

14. Showcase

15. Body and Fender Man

Encore:

   16. New Orleans

   17. One More Mile 

 

11/19/2017

Concert Review: The New York Bee Gees Tribute Band In Concert

The New York Bee Gees Tribute Band In Concert
The Colonial Theater-Pittsfield, MA
November 17, 2017

The audience at the grand Colonial Theater in Pittsfield Massachusetts stepped into a time machine on Friday night. The 70s came roaring back with the New York Bee Gees Tribute Band. For this music fan it was a complete joy to witness the show. Disco had its time like any other genre back in the day and the Bee Gees ruled the airwaves and album sales. It also happened to be to the day, November 17th, that the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack was released 40 years ago. 

I decided to put that CD on today and to compare to what I just heard in a live setting. I have to say it was about as good as it could possibly get for cover band. 

The core performers are: Peter Mazzeo (Barry), Tom Flyntz (Robin), Manny Focarazzo (Maurice, keyboards), Tammi Wolfe (Female Lead & Background Vocals), Peter Lazos (Drummer) and Mike Flyntz (Lead Guitar & Background Vocals).

The sound of the music was incredibly full and powerful and the lead singer Peter Mazzeo, can get so high that it compared to Barry Gibb in his prime. When he first did it I was in a bit of shock to be honest. The closest thing I have seen to that perform live with that kind of range was Freddie Mercury during the A Night of the Opera tour and Rob Halford consistently over the last 12 years. Part of that full sound was the incredibly talented keyboard playing of Manny Focarazzo (Maurice Gibb). He covered a lot of ground with his strong playing and multiple fills throughout the night. 

Every band member sang with the exception of the drummer. So, the vocals alone without the music could have stood on their own as one large instrument. Mike Flyntz looks like a rock guitarist and most certainly is, his other gig is in the band Riot. It was mentioned he was a member of the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame. You would think a musician like that would be out of his element however he fits right in and that is a tribute to his all-around talents.

The set list presented was like a string of Top 40 Gold records played in one sitting. They punched their ticket to stardom playing a full 2 hours and 25 songs. Some were surprises like “Islands In The Stream” (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton) and “Heartbreaker” (Dion Warwick). They seemed out of place in the set but where done very well and appreciated by all in attendance. Speaking of appreciation, the last concert I went to at the Colonial there was some dancing but this was something to behold. I felt like I was transported back into the 70s visiting the Carousel over in New York. That was the place to go for dancing and all the best Disco music of the day. Everyone just had a ball and it was like the secondary show of the evening. I am always the intent observer when covering shows and I frequently find my heart smiling at these events as I witness pure joy with many folks in attendance.

What I found fulfilling as one of the many long-time listeners of the Bee Gees was how they reached back to early days and covered some of the hits like “I Started a Joke,” “Words” and of course “Massachusetts.” It was like hearing Beatles songs, you knew every word. The one which was my favorite from The Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack is not a Bee Gees song. It was Yvonne Elliman’s “If I Can’t Have You.” Something about that song stokes a fire in me, I get the chills and reach back in time. It is just one of those things that hits you right in the heart. It is hard to explain, but everyone has songs that bring about emotions, for me it was happiness and sadness all tied together.

To put in all perspective, the music not only serves as a time machine it injects you with youthful energy and you are “in the moment,” enjoying every second. This is why I am so passionate about attending these live shows. The only thing I am focused on is the performance, not any other outside activities, problems, things I need to do, or work. It’s a beautiful thing.

I did not hear one song that I did not recognize and it was the kind of entertainment that anyone could enjoy. I would see The New Bee Gees Tribute Band again in a heartbeat!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
November 18, 2017

Founder of:

Set List:

01.  Night Fever
02.  More Than A Woman
03.  How Deep Is Your Love
04.  Gotta Get A Message To You
05.  To Love Somebody (key of G)
06.  Massachusetts
07.  Lonely Days/Lonely Nights
08.  Love You Inside & Out
09.  I Started A Joke
10.  Guilty
11.  Emotion
12.  If I Can’t Have You
13.  Nights On Broadway
14.  Tragedy
15.  Jive Talkin’
16.  1941
17.  Words
18.  Mend A Broken Heart
19.  Grease
20.  Heartbreaker
21.  Island In The Stream
22.  I Just Want To Be Your Everything
23.  Shadow Dancing
24.  Stayin Alive
25.  You Should Be Dancin’


10/29/2017

Concert Review: The Airplane Family and Friends With Live Dead '69

The Airplane Family and Friends With Live Dead ‘69
 Concert At The Colonial Theater
Pittsfield, Mass
October 27, 2017
If you are an individual that appreciates nostalgia and great music then you would have loved the show presented last night at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, MA.

I have always loved looking at the past and certainly reflecting upon it when I hear music from the 60’s. It is all about the music my older brother and sister used to be playing on the record players (yes records, they are back in a big way now) and listening to the hits on AM Radio.

I had one thing in mind for the concert I was about to witness, I thought it was one band. The Airplane Family & Friends with Live Dead ’69 is three shows!

This is the third version of the band from what I have gleaned and it is comprised of the following musicians: Tom Constanten (keyboards), Slick Aguilar (guitar, vocals), Mark Karan (guitar, vocals), Mike Falzarano (guitar vocals), Robin Sylvester (bass), Johnny Markowski (drums) then Robyn Cage and Joli Valenti singing the parts of Grace Slick and Marty Balin respectively.

The night consisted of each musician taking the lead and or singing then leaving and entering again. No warm up band was needed as they played a solid 2.5 hours with a short break in the middle. And a lot of the time they just went from one jam right into another. Sometimes you would hear some familiar riffs tucked in between the jams, like things from Bowie or Jeff Beck for instance. It was instantly recognizable for this listener that is for sure.
 
So first up was music of The New Riders of the Purple Sage. Their country infused blues rock boogie was superb. And the one song I remember the most was “Panama Red.” And just so you know, they did play it! Then after that was finished we got a good dose of The Grateful Dead. This was the most interesting and enjoyable part of the presentation. Although I felt the entire evening was outstanding, this was something special. The Dead’s songs are complex and ever changing, built for long jams and improvisation. And to top it off there were some folks dressed in Woodstock era clothing and many were dancing, twirling and doing Tai Chi like movements. That was the sideshow but the serious entertainment was on stage.

Then we had a short break and The Airplane group came out, with a few different faces. Robyn Cagecame out to the stage not looking anything like Grace Slick but man did she belt out a song like Grace. She had it down perfect. Joli Valenti was introduced as well.

There was so much to enjoy in this evening, I found it hard to organize all the thoughts running through my head. So, what we all enjoyed was a triple bill of timeless music that was presented with professionalism and class. The musicianship was beyond compare. For those of you that love this music and missed this show, I feel for you because it was just about as close to the real deal as it gets.


Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 29, 2017
Founder of:

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

10/06/2017

Concert Review: YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman

YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman 
The Palace Albany, NY October 5, 2017

Around this time 15 years ago I saw Yes perform in Albany. Then it was the classic lineup. How things change with the passing of time. Since then a lot has happened for the men involved with the legacy of this legendary band. Most significantly, Chris Squire, one the band’s founding members, passed away. The other musicians have remained active.

Now we have Jon Anderson (vocals), Trevor Rabin (guitar, vocals) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards and luminous cape) with Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums) holding down the bottom end.

I sat in some excellent seats in the left orchestra section. The seats were so generously provided by Jamie Carroll of Press Here Publicity.  The Palace is one of my favorite places to go to a concert, it is beautiful and easily accessible from where I reside. I am very grateful for the opportunity to provide coverage.

Yes, is the godfather of Prog Rock as far as this music listener is concerned.

Oddly enough my favorite recording is 90125 which was their most commercial release and their biggest seller. Well, I was in for a treat because a few of those songs were played. I think because Trevor (who recorded
4 studio with Yes) was in the band for that album, it made sense to dive into those tracks. And speaking of godfather’s, Rick Wakeman is and always will be THE ultimate prog rock keyboard master. Everyone else came after him and was influenced in some way by the man.

I was amazed by how fantastic the band sounded, they exceeded my expectations, which were very high prior to entering the venue. Jon Anderson sounded great, as good as ever.  For a gent that is 72 years old he is truly an iconic and inspiring individual. His energy is so positive and he simply owns the audience.

“Cinema” kicked off the evening. This was a great choice to get the crowd into it right from the start. There was no problem with that. The place was packed, which came as no surprise to me. Mr. Rabin is a superb guitar player with a great vocal range as well. His vocals certainly compliment Jon’s and when he takes the helm it sounds powerful and commanding. Of course, Mr. Anderson has one of the most identifiable and unique vocal styles in the world and you immediately recognize no matter where the music of Yes is playing. This is a trademark style so impactful that it is hard to ignore


“Heart of the Sunrise” is a prog rock classic we are all familiar with and it just has to be a part of their set. It was not only done well, it was presented with perfection. Each member clicked as if they have been touring together forever. And I cannot forget to mention how the gents in the back of the stars, Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums), were the quintessential rhythm section that held it all together. They deserve a lot of credit.

I realize their set list does not seem that extensive however we must remember this is prog and each song is musical workout that carries on a good 15 minutes or more with plenty of improvisation. That is the beauty of progressive rock and what I always found so intriguing.

The classic everyone knows, “Roundabout,” was the obvious encore and they did not disappoint. It was a bit shorter than I expected however, that is not a complaint just an observation. We certainly got a good dose of Yes music for the evening and everyone enjoyed the show.

Yes is timeless and legendary with a deep catalog that could keep them touring until they were all 90 years old. Although that is not realistic we all should continue to support them while they are still recording and touring. I will be there, you can count on that!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 6, 2017

Set List:

Cinema
Perpetual Change
Hold On
South Side of the Sky
And You and I
Changes
Rhythm of Love
I Am Waiting
Heart of the Sunrise
Awaken
Owner of a Lonely Heart

Encore:
Roundabout

 

Concert Review: YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman

YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman 
The Palace Albany, NY October 5, 2017

Around this time 15 years ago I saw Yes perform in Albany. Then it was the classic lineup. How things change with the passing of time. Since then a lot has happened for the men involved with the legacy of this legendary band. Most significantly, Chris Squire, one the band’s founding members, passed away. The other musicians have remained active.

Now we have Jon Anderson (vocals), Trevor Rabin (guitar, vocals) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards and luminous cape) with Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums) holding down the bottom end.

I sat in some excellent seats in the left orchestra section. The seats were so generously provided by Jamie Carroll of Press Here Publicity.  The Palace is one of my favorite places to go to a concert, it is beautiful and easily accessible from where I reside. I am very grateful for the opportunity to provide coverage.

Yes, is the godfather of Prog Rock as far as this music listener is concerned.

Oddly enough my favorite recording is 90125 which was their most commercial release and their biggest seller. Well, I was in for a treat because a few of those songs were played. I think because Trevor (who recorded
4 studio with Yes) was in the band for that album, it made sense to dive into those tracks. And speaking of godfather’s, Rick Wakeman is and always will be THE ultimate prog rock keyboard master. Everyone else came after him and was influenced in some way by the man.

I was amazed by how fantastic the band sounded, they exceeded my expectations, which were very high prior to entering the venue. Jon Anderson sounded great, as good as ever.  For a gent that is 72 years old he is truly an iconic and inspiring individual. His energy is so positive and he simply owns the audience.

“Cinema” kicked off the evening. This was a great choice to get the crowd into it right from the start. There was no problem with that. The place was packed, which came as no surprise to me. Mr. Rabin is a superb guitar player with a great vocal range as well. His vocals certainly compliment Jon’s and when he takes the helm it sounds powerful and commanding. Of course, Mr. Anderson has one of the most identifiable and unique vocal styles in the world and you immediately recognize no matter where the music of Yes is playing. This is a trademark style so impactful that it is hard to ignore


“Heart of the Sunrise” is a prog rock classic we are all familiar with and it just has to be a part of their set. It was not only done well, it was presented with perfection. Each member clicked as if they have been touring together forever. And I cannot forget to mention how the gents in the back of the stars, Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums), were the quintessential rhythm section that held it all together. They deserve a lot of credit.

I realize their set list does not seem that extensive however we must remember this is prog and each song is musical workout that carries on a good 15 minutes or more with plenty of improvisation. That is the beauty of progressive rock and what I always found so intriguing.

The classic everyone knows, “Roundabout,” was the obvious encore and they did not disappoint. It was a bit shorter than I expected however, that is not a complaint just an observation. We certainly got a good dose of Yes music for the evening and everyone enjoyed the show.

Yes is timeless and legendary with a deep catalog that could keep them touring until they were all 90 years old. Although that is not realistic we all should continue to support them while they are still recording and touring. I will be there, you can count on that!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 6, 2017

Set List:

Cinema
Perpetual Change
Hold On
South Side of the Sky
And You and I
Changes
Rhythm of Love
I Am Waiting
Heart of the Sunrise
Awaken
Owner of a Lonely Heart

Encore:
Roundabout

 

8/19/2017

Concert Review: Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes

Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes In Concert At The Colonial Theater
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
August 17, 2017

I have one word for the concert I saw last night, FANTASTIC! Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes worked up the capacity crowd at the Colonial Theater in the Berkshires to a dancing frenzy. Part of my process of observation is watching the reaction of the crowd or certain interesting individuals at concerts. In this case, entire sections of people were standing up and dancing last night. I have been to many concerts at this gorgeous venue and have never witnessed that. It was a lot of fun.

I remember this band from back in the 70s and I know they never made it big like the acts they influenced, namely Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. They decided to stick to their guns and not cooperate with record labels and slick executives in suits. Just before the end of the show I stepped out to the merch table to buy their new release on vinyl, which is their first recording in 5 years. I spoke to the gent behind the table who happened to be Johnny’s life time friend. He told me Johnny never wanted to sell out and please the labels so they carried on and made the music they loved. So here we are still listening to his music and enjoying their shows.

The show started right on time and they played for a solid 2.5 hours and a lot of time segued right into the next song. The energy Johnny has is amazing for someone nearly 70 years old. He is an inspiration and a joy to watch. Usually when the music comes on the sound system the concert is over, well this was a false alarm. I think Johnny was inspired by the love and energy he was getting in return from the audience as he played another 4 songs for an encore!

The music of Southside Johnny and his Asbury Jukes is a combination of rock, blues and soul. His vocal style is perfect for the music. He has a rough whiskey edge the puts a certain emphasis on the words for each song. 

A bonus to the band’s full sound is the amazing horn section. There is trumpet, trombone and saxophone. All three get a chance to strut their stuff separately at the front of the stage and together as well. Johnny would step to either side of the stage and grab a mic to finish out a song and let his boys cut lose.

 

Special nods go to the guitar player Glenn Alexander and the keyboard man Jeff Kazee, who has an amazing voice. When he would sing solo or with Johnny it was a treat for everyone’s ears. The band also did a really good job with some cover tunes like the Stone’s “Time Waits For No One.” This the true test of a great band. To take another band’s classic songs and make it their own while it remains very recognizable to your audience, that is something special. That is real talent and resilient musicianship. Speaking of musicianship, Johnny can play that harmonica! At times, it sounded like a locomotive flying down the tracks. He was just so focused and in a groove. The man has the blues in his soul and that is a fact!

I must not forget all the entertainment value that was on display. Johnny can tell a story and he is very humorous. Keeping it light is right in line with all the upbeat and energetic music they present. All around it was a great night for everyone. For me, The Colonial is my destination to go hear all the great bands I know and remember. They have consistently presented great shows ever since the venue reopened after the renovation. I do not see any end to that thank the Lord!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
August 19, 2017

8/12/2017

Concert Review: Kenny Wayne Shepherd At The Egg In Albany, NY

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band At The Egg
Opening Act: Sly Fox And The Hustlers
Albany, New York



Legendary guitar slinger Kenny Wayne Shepard and his band invaded the cozy confines of The Egg in Albany NY last night.  I had been to the venue one time before and enjoyed the intimacy and atmosphere not mention the unique architecture, outside and inside.

The seating there is terrific, there is not really a bad seat in the house. Although I was positioned in the center I was in the very last row. Even though that may seem too far back I was fine with my seats and could see everything going on without any issue. The sound folks were right behind us and graciously gave me the set list before leaving.

Sly Fox and The Hustlers warmed up the receptive crowd before Kenny arrived. They are local to Albany and have their own album out. We heard some originals and they also did some covers, like most blues bands. I thought they were exceptional. The crowd did as well and gave them a good send off before the lights came back on for a short break.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd is one of those young phenom’s I remember when he first started. Right out the gate his name was stamped into the souls of all blues rock oriented followers. He has done nothing but gain notoriety in the passing years and ultimately the respect of his peers. The admiration from the community you are in is one of stepping stones to being recognized and a path to stardom. It didn’t take Kenny long to get there.

If you are in the mood for a show that has a band onstage that knows how to play traditional blues properly with rock mixed in then you need to get your tickets to see KWS. I mean this band smokes!

I had never been to one of Kenny’s concerts but knew it would be a must for anyone that loves the blues. By the time the evening was through I felt like I just saw the Hendrix incarnate!  He has one of the tightest bands and one that includes another legend in his own right, Chris Layton on drums. He held down the rhythm section for Stevie’s Ray Vaughan’s band and from that point his name was written in stone.

Kenny and his band also have a new album out titled Lay It On Dow. They gave the audience a good taste of that featuring several songs. It certainly made an impression as they were lining up to buy the CD after the show (including me). It is a very rootsy blues rock oriented set of songs and that country influence is heard in some tracks as well. Of course, that is where the roots sound comes in. It’s that blend of blues and country that forms into a superb musical gumbo. Kenny and his band wear it well.




Noah Hunt handles a lot of lead singing and he switches off with Kenny depending on what song they are doing. They both have good voices however Noah’s vocal timbre is deep and just right for this kind of music. Many times, during the evening he reminded me of Paul Rogers however when I listened to the CD on the way home I did hear that, which I found interesting. Therein lies the difference between a live and studio performance. And speaking of that difference, this band is so good that they nail their studio tracks spot on. And to the delight of the audience, plenty of improvisation and wailing away is provided by Mr. Shepherd. 

Favorites of the night were “Heat of the Sun,” “Blue on Black” and an amazing rendition of  “Voodoo Child.”

This was a night to remember for me and I am sure for everyone in attendance there. KWS has earned his seat amongst the great guitar heroes of our generation and I would expect to see him continue to gain fans. The man is only 40 so he has at least another 40 years or more left before hanging it up, if he ever does. Most blues players play until the cannot anymore or simply pass away. I know one thing for certain, this six-string bandit will be entertaining audiences long after I leave this planet. 

The music of KWS reaches out to everyone and any barriers that were in place outside the venue in daily life melt away instantly. It makes me wonder…if we piped in music on every city street across the world if it would change the attitudes of people and make it a better place? It’s worth a try.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
August 11, 2017
Founder of:
Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Set List:
Never Lookin Back
Kings Highway
True Lies
House Is Rockin’
Hard Lesson
Baby Got Gone
Down for Love
Heat of the Sun
Talk To Me Baby
Deja Voodoo
Born With A Broken Heart
Diamonds and Gold
Nothing But The Night
BB Medley
Shotgun Blues
Encore:
Blue on Black
King Bee
Voodoo Child