Concert Review: Lonestar At The Colonial Theater

 

 

Lonestar In Concert At The Colonial With Whiskey City
April 1, 2022
Pittsfield, MA. 

https://www.lonestarnow.com/music.html

 
After two years, it was nice to return to the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It always feels like home there to me. That beautiful theater has hosted some great performances over the years; I have witnessed many.

Lonestar came for a visit, and it was not an April fools' joke.

Before we got to see those famous country artists, we were treated to an excellent local opening act. Whiskey City. Randy Cormier (Guitar / Lead Vocals), Beth Maturevich (Lead Vocal), Dale Zavatter (Bass), Abe Guthrie (Keyboards / Vocals), a new addition to the band, Darrin Todd (Lead Guitar / Vocals), and Frank Algerio (Drums) fill out their great sounds. They encompass a polished and exciting musical formula that includes some of their original tracks and covers.

The musicianship and some of the bands harmonizing throughout the evening were outstanding.

This band was the perfect opener for Lonestar, and there could not have been a better choice. Their originality for a local band is miles ahead of other acts in the area, and they have plenty of their material that stands up well. I have to say that I heard songs that could easily be a hit and something you would listen to on the radio. I am proud to say that Whiskey City is a product of the Berkshires.

Their performance was exemplary, and I got those good-feeling goosebumps a few times during their songs. Randy and Beth are quite a pair of powerful vocalists and animated performers, and I appreciated every moment they shared with us. Only two of the songs out of ten were covers; the rest were original material.

Set List:
01. Greatest Show on Dirt
02. Concrete Rodeo
03. Wasting Time
04. Hate Myself For Loving You (cover)
05. It's The Women
06. Who in The World
07. You're The Reason This Drinks In My Hand
08. Hell of a Lotta Friday Night Ago
09. When Will I Be Loved (cover)
10. Love You Like Crazy

After a great reception and opening show, the audience got a break to stretch their legs and get something to drink. I believe the venue was real close to being sold out. It was the first time they had drinks and food set up on both ends of the main floor to accommodate the audience (at least when I attended).

Now it was time for the legendary opening band to arrive. Lonestar is Dean Sams (keyboards, acoustic guitar, background vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitarist, background vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), and Drew Womack (lead vocals, guitar).

Lonestar is one of the most successful country crossover bands of all time. They have sold 10 million records with 10 number 1 singles. For fans of the band's catalog, they will be doing a top ten redo of their hits in the studio with plans to release the album in the fall.

Lonestar is excellent live. They are seasoned musicians that can present their well-known catalog of hits with precision and accuracy. You could feel the excitement and anticipation before, during, and after every song. They never took a break; many songs segued into the next.

I took a moment to go to YouTube to watch the original track and video of "Amazed." To date, it has over 56.5+ Million views. I am "amazed" but not surprised. And that is the one song that I thought would be the encore; however, what we got was very good.

I have to be honest; country is not at the top of my list for my concert attendance, but this once again showed me what a great show I may have missed. I am glad I was there to see all the outstanding musicianship and lead vocals, and harmonies that were so outstanding. Gradually my interest in country-rock crossover has grabbed my attention. It takes an impressive group of musicians to change my mind about something, and it was easy to believe in Lone Star right from the start.

Some of my favorite songs were "I'm Already There," a real tear-jerker about a veteran away from their family. Any time there is a song about our heroes of the military, it touches my soul in ways I cannot explain. I am a vet, and my father was also in WWII, so I am sure that has a lot to do with my reactions.'

"Walking In Memphis" and "Amazed" were some of the highlights of the evening, to be sure. The encore was a lot of fun and presented impressively. A montage of songs from past hits and a tribute to the passed on artists like Tom Petty, Dusty Hill (ZZ Top), and several others got a few minutes to spotlight the audience was standing and singing along.

I am re-energized now about live events at The Colonial and hope that more acts like Lonestar will be visiting us in Pittsfield, MA, soon.

A shout goes out to all the staff there for providing excellent seating for my coverage and all the selfless volunteers who assists us with any questions or help with finding our seats.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
April 2, 2022

Setlist:
01. What About Now Intro
02. You Walked In
03. Tequila Talkin'
04. Runnin' Away
05. Smile/Tell Her
06. Coming Home
07. Mountains
08. Everything's Changed
09. Whatever Comes First
10. Fancy Like/Intros
11. Hope You Dance
12. Shes Got It All
13. Front Porch
14. Mr.Mom
15. Already There Intro
16. Already There
17. Walking In Memphis
18. Home Cryin' To Me
19. No News/Get Back
20. Amazed Intro
21. Amazed
22. Rock Medley 22

Concert Review: BoDeans

BoDeans Visit Pittsfield and Entertain At The Colonial Theater

April 16, 2015

http://bodeans.com

Roots rockers BoDeans arrived in the Berkshires last night and played a non-stop rousing set of numbers for the pleased audience at the Colonial Theater.  

Band members are Stockbridge native Kenny Aronoff (drums), Sam Hawksley (backing vocals/acoustic and electric guitar), Eric Holden (bass), who is another Berkshires native, Stefano Intelisano (keyboard/accordion), Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle, lap steel, mandolin, acoustic guitar) and Kurt Neumann (lead vocals/electric guitar).

The band is well-known for their performances since the 80s when they first formed and we found out why. The combination of Rock, Americana, Blues and Roots makes for what I would call a tasteful plate of appetizing rock music. They can flat out rock and then pull it back and bring forward instruments into the mix such as violin, mandolin, and the accordion.

This is the kind of band that is appreciated by folks that sincerely appreciate good musicianship and a wide variety of genres all mixed together. It is eclectic and wonderful to hear and the BoDeans  know exactly how to present it all in one nice package.

With Aronoff’s  return as their drummer his family was in the audience, including his dead ringer twin brother, who we first thought was the musician sibling walking around shaking everyone’s hand. I knew Aronoff was one of the greatest drummers in the world and I could not stop watching him perform. He is a perpetual motion machine and does amazing things with an average size drum kit, which is a credit to his expertise and all around talent.

Previous to the concert I purchased a  BoDeans two CD live release from 2008 titled Homebrewed: Live From The Pabst. I would highly recommend grabbing a copy of this release as it served as the perfect introduction to their shows and set a high level of anticipation for me. I must add I was not disappointed in fact I was quite impressed how much talent at every position this band has.  

The only drawback I could recognize all evening was that the organ was buried in the mix, very seldom could you hear it come to the front. I am not sure why this was but it certainly did not hurt their presentation that is for sure. For all I know it was the way they intended to present their music.

What I found most impressive was their energy, they never stopped to take a short break then resume like most sets do. There was no opening act, which was fine with me. At times they would segue from one song to another but it gave us a moment to applaud in appreciation of the previous number. The audience was most appreciative for every song they performed and sang along to a few. Kurt Neumann is a fine front man that is relaxed and in control. His vocal style fits the music with perfection.

Highlights of the night were “Get Much,”  “Fadeaway,” “Amercian,” and “Good Work.” Each of these performances showed a tight band enjoying what they were doing and that translated in each song to the audience with an impact.

The set list was full and broad based and any music fan could appreciate how this band can jam. Their professionalism and abilities are on a very high level and I would see them again in a minute. This band called BoDeans is an American treasure and if you have not discovered their music yet I suggest you do, only then will you realize the enjoyment you have been missing, just as I did last night.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Write A Music Reviews 

Set List:

Paradise

Dreams

Texas Ride Song

Idaho

Flyaway

Angels

I Can’t Stop

Get Much

Still

All The World/Slave

American

Fadeaway

Good Things

Shake/Roll

Good Work

Closer To Free

Stay On

Encore:

Beaujolais

Stay

I’m On Fire

Tied Down Chained

Only Love

Concert Review: Justin Hayward In Concert At The Colonial Theater In Pittsfield, Mass.

                                                    http://www.justinhayward.com

Another legend of music graced our paths last night at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Justin Hayward, the voice of the Moody Blues, took the stage and entertained us with his catalog of Moody Blues hits and solo material from the 2013 Spirits of the Western Skyrelease.

Prior to that happening Hayward walked out on stage to introduce Mike Dawes, a young emerging artist that specializes in finger picking the acoustic guitar. Dawes was a one man band with all of his techniques and various sounds and effects. He made his way through 4 songs before coming back to the stage to be part of Hayward’s band. Julie Ragins also joined them on keyboards and backing vocals. The young lady added a nice layer of sound with the keys and her smooth vocals.

Hayward is a spry 68 and he sounds amazing. He is every bit the proper English gentleman on stage and he delighted the capacity crowd with his melodic acoustic guitar playing and surprisingly strong and poignant vocals. When you go to a concert to see someone that got their start in the 60s there is some trepidation as to be expected but as usual when I attend these events I am very pleased with what I hear.

Hayward kicked off the evening with one of the Moody Blues hits “Tuesday Afternoon” and that got the crowd in the right mood. For the first time I witnessed an audience that got to their feet to applaud an artist after every number. It was quite a tribute to Hayward. He has a strong following to this day. He asked the audience if they were at a certain event recently and a large portion of them raised their hands in recognition, followed by hoots and hollers of course. It was a nice thing to see that kind of acknowledgment and well deserved I might add.

I must tip my hat to Mr. Dawes for playing some excellent backing guitar on acoustic and electric and Ms. Ragins for her marvelous keyboard fills, lovely vocals and visually pleasing expressions as each song played.

As Hayward traversed his way through the Moodies hits and solo material his voice got stronger. His in between song conversation with the audience was interesting and informative and it added to the overall intimate ambiance that the Colonial offers at any live concert. Towards the end of the evening as the show continued to gather momentum, Hayward launched into a gorgeous rendering of “Forever Autumn” followed by “Question.” For the encore the night reached its pinnacle with the mega hit “Nights In White Satin” followed by the most excellent “I Know Your Out There Somewhere.”

Justin Hayward is a real showman and he still has the magic touch with his guitar and voice. The songs soothe your soul and make your heart smile. Thank you Mr. Hayward for a special night out and one I shall remember forever.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Write A Music Review, Prog Rock Music Talk & New Age Music Reviews

May 14, 2014

Set List:

Tuesday Afternoon

It’s Up To You/Lovely

In Your Blue Eyes

The Western Sky

New Horizons?

In The Beginning

One Day, Some Day

The Eastern Sky

What You Resist Persists

Wildest Dreams

Forever Autumn

Question

Encore: Nights in White Satin

I Know Your Out There Somewhere

Concert Review: Rick Springfield Stripped Down…Well Almost

Rick Springfield In Concert at the Colonial Theater
Pittsfield, Mass.- March 26, 2014

On a frigid and blustery evening Rick Springfield rolled into the Berkshires to entertain us at the beautiful Colonial Theater. Things were about to warm up very shortly though.

Every time I step into that venue I feel immense appreciation for its restoration. It is one of the best decisions Pittsfield has ever made. Bringing in acts like Springfield is one of the many joys of having the theater available to the local audience. People do come from all over for the shows however, last night there were folks from Boston, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

As I was walking into the theater I was seeing a lot women filing in. Could this 80s heartthrob still have the following of females he did back then? Probably not but those girls that followed him back then are now in mid-life and there was a lot of them there screaming and hooting over this legendary pop icon. At this point I was asking myself if I should be attending. That question was answered after Springfield’s first number and consequently throughout his entire performance. I have a newfound respect for his abilities, particularly with the guitar playing.

This was all Rick and his guitars and an Apple laptop, or as he put it, his band in a box. This was not an all-acoustic show as he did pull out the electric six-string on several occasions. As we found out soon enough the addition of the backing tracks accentuated his performance greatly. This was not a bunch of sliced up tracks from previous albums or sampling mind you, it was his recordings especially made for the show. He made sure we were aware of that factor. It did make a difference and filled in some gaps that a full complement of players would have provided. It was an impressive display of talent anyway you look at it and the man can sing just as well as he did when his popularity soared in the early 80s. It is hard to believe he is 66 years old and looks so fit and can still sing so strongly. These things don’t happen by chance; certainly a lot of hard work is involved to maintain a healthy appearance and strong vocals at his age. It worked for him last night. 

As the saying goes, every song has a story behind it somehow and Springfield let us in on how his songs were developed. This part of the show made every song an adventure. After shedding light upon his songs it made you feel you knew him personally and hence there was more emotional attachment involved while listening. The most touching part of the evening was when he told us about his father dying and how it took him three years to find the words to write a song about him. He explained how when his father was dying that he would sit in a blue recliner and watch cricket all day long. Springfield nearly was in tears as he explained the essence of the song “My Father’s Chair.” It was a beautiful thing to watch such heartfelt artistry on display. Of course he would end the night with his mega hit “Jessie’s Girl,” much to the delight of the women (who suddenly became screaming tweens again) in attendance.

There is a lot of audience interaction with his stripped down version of his recorded works and he even has a Q & A session with the audience when he is done playing. The questions where all sent in prior to the show via email and then answered when he finished his last number and took a quick break before coming back out on stage.

Rick Springfield is an accomplished guitar player, vocalist, and story teller and I would highly recommend catching one of his shows if you can.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Write A Music Review

March 27, 2014

Concert Review: The Blues Show at the Colonial Theater

The Blues Show at the Colonial Theater-Pittsfield, MA

February 15, 2014

Saturday, February 15th, the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield MA had its second edition of “The Blues Show.” In the midst of the snowstorm, there were still many in attendance and the bands were on fire. This year, Pittsfield was treated to a diverse group of blues veterans - The George Boone Blues Band, Popa Chubby, and Roomful of Blues.

The George Boone Blues Band brought a very traditional, soulful style of blues to the show. It was simple, yet this simplicity had the power to transport listeners to a smoky blues bar somewhere in the Deep South. What Mr. Boone’s voice lacked in musicality, he made up for with pure soul. Listeners of modern day, highly processed Top 40 radio might cringe when hearing his voice, but it’s that pure, untouched voice that makes his singing so special. While the set was as solid as could be, their original track “Meaning of the Blues” and cover of The Temptations “My Girl” were the standout performances.

Popa Chubby then came to the stage, opening up the set with a fiery rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe.” According to him, there was some “negative energy” in the crowd, which could only be cured by some classic Hendrix. Popa’s blazing fast fretwork was quite a change from George Boone’s slower, more cautious playing. That’s not to say that Popa Chubby can’t tone it down when the moment is right – his renditions of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Hallelujah” were surprising and beautiful additions to the set. As usual, Popa’s unique humor and energy brought the crowd to life in a way that would be difficult to follow up.

Roomful of Blues has had a roster of over 40 members in its lifetime, and Rich Lataille (alto and tenor saxophone) is the only original member remaining. Many of the band members were relatively young, which made it a little strange when they mentioned that 2014 marks their 45^thanniversary. The live band consists of 8 members, and this lent itself to a very full sounding mix. The brass section gave the band an energy that the previous acts lacked, and Phil Pemberton (vocals) brought the music alive with his excellent rock n’ roll voice. Although they couldn’t quite get the crowd going like the charismatic Popa Chubby could, Roomful of Blues still ended ‘The Blues Show’ on a good note. It will be exciting to see who the Colonial Theatre brings to next year’s blues show, but I’ve got a feeling that crowd-favorite Popa Chubby will be back for his third consecutive year.

Austin Hannaleck

2/23/14

Review Provided By Write A Music Review