Heart, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick at The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)

Heart, Joan Jett and  Cheap Trick at The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)

September 8, 2016

A recent evening at SPAC featured three Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees on the stage. For this music lover it was a first seeing all three bands. 

It was a humid and rainy evening that certainly made enjoying the show on the lawn more difficult. We felt fortunate to be under cover. We had good seats and I was grateful for that.

First up was Cheap Trick. Things started with an electrifying energy coming from the capacity audience as the band started with an appropriate “Hello There.” As it turned out the mix for this band was subpar and the music sounded distorted and it made hearing and understanding the vocals of Robin Zander difficult. It wasn’t until Tom Peterson stepped out and started his version of The Velvet Underground cover “I'm Waiting for the Man” with a little bit of Lou Reed’s “Heroin” sandwiched in between when things took a turn for the better. 

Zander was on again and off again for most of the night in the vocal department as well. I have always enjoyed the music of Cheap Trick but they really need to get their sound mix together to present a quality show. With some tweaking of that mix they could go from a grade C to a B in a heartbeat.

http://www.cheaptrick.com/

Set List:

    Hello There

    California Man (The Move cover)

    Lookout

    Baby Loves to Rock

    Tonight It's You

    Downed

    Stop This Game

    I'm Waiting for the Man (The Velvet Underground cover) (Tom Peterson on lead vocals) (with 'Heroin' snippet)

    The Flame

    I Want You to Want Me

    Dream Police

    Clock Strikes Ten

    Surrender

    Goodnight

http://joanjett.com/

I knew once Joan Jett got on stage the energy there was going to change and I was not disappointed. It reached another level once she arrived. She kicked it off with “Bad Reputation” and all I could think of was the punk rock of the 70s like The Ramones and how she got her start with the all-female band The Runaways.

Joan sounded fantastic…as good as she always has. She still has that high energy swagger and hint of toughness in her presentation and the crowd absolutely adored her. I thought she was an exciting and charismatic performer that has obviously kept her edge after all these years. It is great to see music icons like herself still touring and presenting music in an original and quality manner. She rocks it’s as simple as that!

As Joan and her band made their way through the set the energy level and excitement level just kept rising. The sound mix was perfect, you could hear her singing as clear as day and the music was spot on all night.

I was surprised that they did not save “I Love Rock & Roll” as their closer but it still made the crowd go wild once they started in with the classic rocker. My favorites of the evening were “I Love Rock & Roll,” “I Hate Myself or Loving You” and “Cherry Bomb.” The sweet memories of youth come rushing back to you with the help of great music, it works every time.

This was a killer performance by Joan and her band and I would love to see her again.

    Set List:

    Bad Reputation

    Cherry Bomb (The Runaways cover)

    Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover)

    TMI

    You Drive Me Wild (The Runaways cover)

    Light of Day (Bruce Springsteen cover)

    Soulmates to Strangers

    Love Is Pain

    Fake Friends

    Any Weather

    I Love Rock & Roll

    Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)

    I Hate Myself for Loving You

    Everyday People (Sly & The Family Stone cover)

http://www.heart-music.com

Now for the headliner, Heart. This is a band I have had interest in seeing since their inception in the 70s but never did. Finally, I got my chance to watch the legendary Wilson sisters Ann and Nancy, do their thing in a live setting.

When Ann came out on stage I noticed how great she looked. She was full of energy and excitement and that translated to the crowd instantly. Nancy has always looked the same with her long blonde hair brushing over her shoulders and her guitar in hand ready to rock. 

Long time guitarist Craig Bartock was present as well and he was excellent all night long.

I thought the opening track was an interesting choice. The Romeo’s Daughter cover “Wild Child” kicked it all into high gear and it hit the bullseye, bringing everyone to their feet and setting the tone. The track reminded me of those crazy 70s I grew up in and some of things the Wilson’s experienced during that time as well. Read their biography if you are interested, it’s fascinating.

I am not only a longtime admirer of Heart but I respect Ann and Nancy for what they have accomplished on and off the stage throughout their lives. They serve as an example and inspiration to countless people across the globe.

Ann’s voice has held up amazingly over the years and she really has not taken a step back. After listening to all the new music they have recorded over the last few years and then seeing her belt out each song on stage reconfirmed that conviction. In a word, she is an amazing and electric performer that has total command of her vocals and the stage.

The musicianship was beyond reproach and it showed why they are drawing large crowds everywhere they go.

Every band has their own niche and style but Heart is special. All of these bands have been at it for over four decades. Heart sounds like they have their foot all the way to the floor when they perform. I happen to appreciate their strength and wherewithal to continue to present superb performances in and out of the studios. 

“Crazy on You” was phenomenal and “Alone” was proof positive that Ann still has what it takes to grab a performance and grasp the attention of an audience. She was so powerful; I was getting chills all the way through the performance.

I think what surprised some members of the audience was the encore of the Led Zeppelin covers. I knew that they would kill it and they did. They have always acknowledged their influences and then given a positive response to that by performing certain songs superbly. I was listening to people talk on the way out of the venue and some were saying how amazed they were with their rendition of “Stairway To Heaven.” It was great to hear that people realized what a special night they witnessed. I am sure they solidified their fan base and added some younger generation folks to their followers after last night.

I would highly recommend attending this show before the tour ends, I promise you will not regret it.

Set List:

Wild Child (Romeo's Daughter cover)

Magic Man

What About Love (Toronto cover)

Even It Up

These Dreams

Two (Ne‐Yo cover)

Straight On For You

Kick It Out

Beautiful Broken

Alone (I-Ten cover)

Crazy on You

Barracuda

Encore:

Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover)

Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin cover)

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

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September 11, 2016

David Bowie Playlist

Featured Track: Ann Wilson - Fool No More

An artist like Ann Wilson really does not need an introduction if you have been listening to music from the mid seventies to present day. The lead singer of Heart and the author of solo albums and side projects, this hall of fame diva has made her mark.

With the September 18th digital release of The Ann Wilson Thing EP and the fast approaching October 9th official release, there is a buzz in the world of rock. I have always been a big fan of Heart and the amazing talents of this lady. She has not lost a thing in the vocal department.

One listen "Fool No More" tells the story. Her distinctive vocal style, powerful and emotional delivery make the track come alive. But then again that is what I would expect from Ms. Wilson.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck 



More About The Release On Rounder Records:

http://www.heart-music.com

September 16, 2015—Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Ann Wilson is set to release her first solo EP, The Ann Wilson Thing, on Rounder Records. Featured tracks on the EP include “Fool No More,” which was written by Wilson and described by her as “a heavy blues song about bad love and the fleeting of time” and “For What It’s Worth,” described by Wilson as “a melding of some timeless lyrics with meat, hair and teeth.” The Ann Wilson Thing will be released digitally on September 18 and in stores October 9. Wilson previously announced her first solo mini tour kicking off September 21 in Solana Beach, CA. Additional dates include The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center on October 6 and a second show at City Winery in New York on October 7.

Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris with be sitting in with Wilson at her Nashville City Winery date on October 15 and Jon Batiste, the band leader of the Colbert show, will join Ann for a song at the New York City Winery show. In addition, Wilson’s Old Saybrook, CT show at the Katharine Hepburn Theater will be filmed by Connecticut PBS as part of their new “Katharine Hepburn Series” and will air on PBS in February. As a songwriter and lyricist, Ann Wilson has created a truly impressive body of work (“Crazy on You,” “Barracuda,” “Magic Man,” “Dog & Butterfly,” “Straight On”, “Even it Up,” “Mistral Wind,” and many, many more). However, her greatest gift, and first “calling” is singing and with this intimate tour, she prepares to blow away her fans with up, close and personal, raw performances of blues and rock songs. The Ann Wilson Thing won’t replace Heart but it will be a new experience for existing Heart fans, as well as for new fans who will love these songs.

The Ann Wilson Thing Tour Dates: Sept 21 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Oct 6 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center Oct 7 – New York, NY – City Winery (two shows) Oct 9 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head on Stage Oct 10 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head on Stage Oct 12 – Vienna, VA – The Barns at Wolf Trap Oct 13 – Vienna, VA – The Barns at Wolf Trap Oct 15 – Nashville, TN – City Winery Nov 23 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s Nov 24 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s (two shows).

Rock Review: David Bowie-Nothing Has Changed (3 CD Deluxe Set)

Release Date: November 17, 2014

Label: Indie

Website

I love the title of this album. It is a statement that would likely come from a legendary music figure like David Bowie. The cover of Nothing Has Changed (3 CD Deluxe Set) shows Bowie today and the reflection of his image does show a man that has changed and aged over the years. If you open up the tri-fold case you see pictures of him at various stages of his career. But other than that what has changed? He is asking the question and it’s definitely something to ponder and see how it applies to the world around you and your personal life. Nothing has changed and then again a lot has, it is contradictory and fact all at the same time. Then again, this is David Bowie and he always leaves the door open for you to figure out what it means.

Bowie says things for a reason and makes music to reflect a consciousness, emotions, and life itself. He has had a storied career and within these 3 CDs you get a glimpse at 50+ years of music and all the transformations he has made during that time. As far as I can remember Bowie has never made music that did not matter. He spawned a culture and took it to another level; he pushed the limits of creativity without setting boundaries and was successful doing it. He is a champion for all walks of life on a worldwide basis and continues to make relevant creative statements to this day. Who else that is in the public eye could go into retirement then record and album without it being leaked? Bowie did it last year with The Next Day.                         

There have been a lot of greatest hits and compilations released over the years covering Bowie’s career however I would have to say this is the best one yet. Of course the package could always be better, like including a DVD of some of the videos he made for tracks over the years. What I found interesting was the running order of the set. Usually with this kind of release you start at the beginning and work your way to the present, this is just the opposite. In fact the entire proceedings kick off with a new track from the Thin White Duke titled “Sue.” The song sounds nothing like Bowie musically. It is a rock-jazz-fusion mix that comes as a big surprise. But this is Bowie and when has he not surprised us over the years? He single-handedly created genres over a long stretch of time by taking risks and experimenting. How many artists can claim they did that?

I love the tracks assembled in this package but first let me say my three top albums from the Bowie catalog are Station to Station, Ziggy Stardust and Low. When I first heard Low I thought it was very strange and did not particularly like it. As the years passed it has grown on me and now I play it quite often. This is not unusual at all for a longtime music fan or Bowie fan, generally speaking. Bowie was so different for every album he released you had to brace yourself for change and sometimes it took repeated listens for an album to really sink in. It never takes too long to realize his brilliance.

I think it’s only fair to pick a key track from each disc. “I'm Afraid Of Americans (V1) (clean edit)” for disc one, “Absolute Beginners (single version)” disc two and then “Rebel Rebel” for disc three. This is a very difficult choice for anyone that enjoys the Bowie catalog indeed but please keep in mind this is my personal preference.

Invariably there will be listeners wondering where certain tracks are and that is par for the course but in the end this is an excellent collection of tracks so enjoy it all in one glorious sitting. Interesting enough even those who have not been fans of Bowie’s music may perk their ears up and begin to listen. My son did just that, he asked what was playing and genuinely liked what he heard. So there is always room for new fans to come aboard and be part of the Bowie nation. Fans that go back to the 60s or 70s may also realize some things they missed along the way giving this set a spin. It all serves all lot of different purpose but mainly it celebrates one of the greatest entertainers of the past 50 plus years.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Absolute Beginners (single version), I'm Afraid Of Americans (V1) (clean edit), Rebel Rebel

Tracks:
Disc: 1 
1. Sue (or In A Season Of Crime)
2. Where Are We Now?
3. Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy for the DFA Edit)
4. The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
5. New Killer Star (radio edit)
6. Everyone Says 'Hi' (edit)
7. Slow Burn (radio edit)
8. Let Me Sleep Beside You
9. Your Turn To Drive
10. Shadow Man
11. Seven (Marius De Vries mix)
12. Survive (Marius De Vries mix)
13. Thursday's Child (radio edit)
14. I'm Afraid Of Americans (V1) (clean edit)
15. Little Wonder (edit)
16. Hallo Spaceboy (PSB Remix) (with The Pet Shop Boys)
17. Heart s Filthy Lesson (radio edit) 18. Strangers When We Meet (single version)

Disc: 2
1. Buddha Of Suburbia
2. Jump They Say (radio edit)
3. Time Will Crawl (MM remix)
4. Absolute Beginners (single version)
5. Dancing In The Street (with Mick Jagger)
6. Loving The Alien (single remix)
7. This Is Not America (with The Pat Metheny Group)
8. Blue Jean
9. Modern Love (single version)
10. China Girl (single version)
11. Let's Dance (single version)
12. Fashion (single version)
13. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (single version)
14. Ashes To Ashes (single version)
15. Under Pressure (with Queen)
16. Boys Keep Swinging
17. 'Heroes' (single version)
18. Sound And Vision
19. Golden Years (single version)
20. Wild Is The Wind (2010 Harry Maslin Mix)

Disc: 3
1. Fame
2. Young Americans (2007 Tony Visconti mix single edit)
3. Diamond Dogs
4. Rebel Rebel
5. Sorrow
6. Drive-In Saturday
7. All The Young Dudes
8. The Jean Genie (original single mix) 9. Moonage Daydream
9. Ziggy Stardust
10. Starman (original single mix)
11. Life On Mars? (2003 Ken Scott Mix)
12. Oh! You Pretty Things
13. Changes
14. The Man Who Sold The World
15. Space Oddity
16. In The Heat Of The Morning
17. Silly Boy Blue
18. Can't Help Thinking About Me
19. You've Got A Habit Of Leaving Liza Jane
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

December 21, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music

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David Bowie is The Film of The Blockbuster Exhibition

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

City/Town	Venue
Albany, NY	Spectrum 8
Atlanta, GA	Midtown Art Cinema
Baltimore, MD	Harbor East
Bellingham, WA	Pickford
Bloomington, IL	Galaxy 14 Cine
Boston/Cambridge, MA	Kendall Square
Boston/Newton, MA	Showcase SuperLux
Boston/Revere, MA	Showcase Revere
Buffalo, NY	Market Arcade Centre
Cape Girardeau, MO	Cape West 14
Cedar Rapids, IA	Galaxy 16  Cine
Chicago, IL	Music Box
Chicago/Addison, IL	Addison
Chicago/Gurnee, IL	Gurnee
Chicago/Orland Park, IL	Orland Park
Cincinnati, OH	Showcase Springdale
Claremont, CA	Claremont 5
Cleveland, OH	Capitol
Columbus, OH	Gateway
Dallas, TX	Angelika Dallas
Denver, CO	Sie Denver Film Centre
Denver, CO	Mayan 3
Detroit/Royal Oak, MI	Main Art 3
Edgewater, NJ	Showcase Edgewater
Fairfax, VA	Angelika Mosaic
Fairfield, CT	Showcase Fairfield
Foxborough, MA	Showcase Patriot Place
Grand Rapids, MI	Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
Honolulu, HI	Consolidated Theater Ward
Houston, TX	River Oaks
Indianapolis, IN	Keystone Art
Jacksonville, FL	Sun-Ray Cinema
Kansas City, MO	Tivoli
Lake Ozark, MO	Eagles Landing 8
Los Angeles, CA	Vintage Vista
Los Angeles, CA	Royal
Los Angeles, CA	Arclight Hollywood
Los Angeles/North Hollywood, CA	Noho7
Los Angeles/Pasadena, CA	Playhouse7
Miami, FL	Tower
Miami, FL	O Cinema
Milwaukee, WI	Downer
Minneapolis, MN	Lagoon
New York, NY	Angelika New York
New York, NY	Paris, New York
New York, NY	Village East
New York/Farmingdale, NY	Showcase Farmingdale
New York/Holtsville, NY	Showcase Island 16
Palm Springs, CA	Camelot
Philadelphia, PA	Ritz 5
Philadelphia/Bethlehem, PA	ArtsQuest
Phoenix, AZ	FilmBar
Pittsburg, PA	Southside Works
Plano, TX	Angelika Plano
Portland, OR	Hollywood 3
Providence, RI	Showcase Providence Place
Rochester, MN	Galaxy 14
Rochester, NY	Little Theatre Film Society
Rosemont, IL	Muvico Rosemont 18
Sacramento, CA	Tower Theater
San Antonio, TX	Bijou
San Antonio, TX	Embassy
San Antonio, TX	Palladium 19
San Antonio/Richmond, TX	Palladium 22
San Antonio/Tomball, TX	Silverado IMAX
San Diego, CA	Hillcrest
San Diego, CA	Gaslamp San Diego
San Diego, CA	Reading Carmel Mountain
San Diego, CA	Reading Town Square
San Francisco, CA	Embarcadero
San Francisco/Berkeley, CA	Shattuck
Santa Barbara, CA	Arlington
Seattle, WA	SIFF
Springfield, MO	Campbell 16 Cine
St Louis, MO	Ronnies 20
St Louis/O'Fallon, IL	O'Fallon
St Louis/St Charles, MO	St Charles 18
St Louis/Chesterfield, MO	Galaxy 14
Thousand Oaks, CA	Muvico Thousand Oaks 14
Tucson, AZ	Loft
Washington, DC	E-Street
White Plains, NY	Showcase City Center

To see the film trailer and to book movie theater tickets visit www.davidbowie.com/davidbowieisfilm

For exhibition tickets visit  http://www.mcachicago.org/bowie