Category Archives: Concert

Review: ZZ Top at the Oakdale

Posted on by Musicofourheart

ZZ Top

JD and the Straight Shot

May 8, 2013

Toyota at the Oakdale Theatre

Wallingford, Ct.

IMG_0076

I can confirm that this venerable power trio is way more than a “lil ole band from Texas”. They came out, hit their marks on the stage and cranked out their classic blues rock for 90 minutes non-stop. The sound they produce together will grip ya. You feed off their energy song after song. I am always amazed the hurricane gale strength three musicians amplified delivers at the combined center of their respective sound.

What I love about ZZ Top is that they are all meat and no-filler. They had a unique stage setup that takes effective use of wireless networking especially those long cylindrical mike stands. This picture I took with my iPhone captures what I visually experienced. They  had some very cool and captivating graphic effects.

ZZ Top is symbolically associated with sex, cars and rock and roll. They produce great driving music. Gimme All Your Lovin always revs my engines :)

The opening (warmup) act was JD and the Straight Shot. The band is led by Jim Dolan on lead vocals and guitar. They did a 30 minute set. The song I liked the most by this ensemble was the psychedelic cover of It’s A Beautiful Day’s White Bird. 

JD & The Straight Shot

ZZ Top Set List

  1. Precious and Grace 
  2. Heartache in Blue 
  3. Waitin’ for the Bus 
  4. Jesus Just Left Chicago 
  5. Flyin’ High 
  6. Pincushion 
  7. Heard it on the X 
  8. I Gotsta Get Paid 
  10. A Fool for Your Stockings 
  11. My Head’s in Mississippi 
  12. Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings 
  13. Certified Blues 
  14. Chartreuse 
  15. Sharp Dressed Man 
  16. Legs   

And yes they still have those white fuzzy guitars from the Legs video ;)  

Encore

  1. Tube Snake Boogie 
  2. Viva Las Vegas 
  3. La Grange / Sloppy Drunk / Bar-B-Q 
  4. Tush
Related articles

 

About these ads

ZZ Top Oakdale Concert Review – Stay Tuned

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I had every intention of writing then posting a concert review about ZZ Top‘s concert that took place at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Ct. last night. However,  the best laid schemes of mice and men / Often go awry – Robert Burns, 1785.

So my revised goal is write that up tomorrow and post it by early evening. Will do my best to make that happen.

In the meantime here is a video of the standout song I heard performed last night by the “Same three guys, same three chords”

Related articles

 

Concert Review: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Mohegan Sun, May 4, 2013

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Last night we ventured up the interstate to Mohegan Sun Casino to commune with our favorite rock and roller, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. Bob never disappoints us. This was our fourth Bob Seger concert in 17 years. I have been a Bob Seger fan since 1968 ;) . Inside the music of our heart that translates to 45 years of wonderful music. Amazingly he showed no signs of stopping last night but it is imminent that he will retire in a few years.

My favorite moment of the night was when Bob said, “Okay, We go back to Live Bullet“, one of the best live rock albums of all time, bar none. He dug down deep transporting us back to Cobo Hall in Detroit Michigan, 1975. Bob and the Silver Bullet performed the connected songs, “Travelin Man” and “Beautiful Loser”. It was better than the original live recording. I became transfixed by the timeless passion he raised through these two songs.

He showcased two new songs from his forthcoming studio album that he projects will release August-September 2013, “All the Roads” and “California Stars”. Bob performed them seated at center stage with an acoustic guitar. When can I place my pre-order Capitol Records? C’mon. c’mon, c’mon ;)

I especially liked the song, “California Stars”,  with lyrics by Woody Guthrie. I urge the reader of this blog post to have a listen on Spotify to and then read up on the Nora Guthrie project, Mermaid Avenue.  Bob Seger has been majorly  influenced by Billy Bragg, Wilco and the memory of Woody Guthrie. I find Bob Seger’s country songs are perhaps his most heartfelt musical moments, as he shares his deep love for country music.

Bob Seger commented to the fans holding up “Happy Birthday Bob” birthday signs that his birthday was on Monday May 6th. He thanked them for recognizing the event ahead of time. He then stated, “I’m going to be 68 and I feel good.” Intuitively he followed those remarks with “Rock and Roll Never Forgets”, the last song of the night.

We left the arena feeling great about the legend, the person, Bob Seger. There were couples dancing in the hallway as we walked out with the night moves.

Set List:

  1. Long Twin Silver Line
  2. Tryin’ to Live My Life Without You
    (Written by Eugene Williams and Originally performed by soul singer, Otis Clay )
  3. The Fire Down Below
  4. Mainstreet
  5. Old Time Rock & Roll
  7. Her Strut
  8. Like a Rock
  9. Travelin’ Man/Beautiful Loser
  10. Roll Me Away
  11. Come To Poppa
  12. California Stars
    (Lyrics by Woody Guthrie, Song: Billy Bragg/Wilco)
  13. We’ve Got Tonight
  14. Turn the Page
  15. Sunspot Baby
  16. Katmandu

Encore #1

  1. Against the Wind
  2. Night Moves

Encore #2

  1. Hollywood Nights
  2. Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Related articles

 

Rock and Roll (And Evie) Never Forgets

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I just have to share this wonderful human interest story with my readers. It is sure to bring a tear to your eye. It did mine :) Maybe you read or heard about this beautiful miracle of life, rock and roll and being a devout fan. We happen to be major Bob Seger fans ourselves and believe in miracles too.

Bob Seger wrote the song, “Rock and Roll Never Forgets”. I found out today that Evie Branan never forgot Bob Seger and he never will forget Evie Branan.

Evie Branan was is a coma for five years. Her first words when she woke up from that coma were, “I want to  go to a Bob Seger concert.” Talk about your dream come true.

Well I am happy to share that Evie Branan got to go to that concert. They picked her up in a limousine and drove her there in style. She sat in the special fan luxury box with friends and helpers. She had a beer, got up and danced to some good old rock and roll.

Then she was taken backstage to meet Bob Seger, Alto Reed and Bob’s family (among others) how cool is that!!!!

Evie Branan attends Bob Seger concert

God Bless her, Evie’s assistants and the Bob Seger Bullet Band Organization for taking great care of their new #1 Fan, Evie Branan.

Follow these links for more great pictures and video of a very special evening for Evie, Bob Seger and fans everywhere!

Picture Slideshow: http://photos.mlive.com/4466/gallery/evie_branan_attends_bob_seger_concert/index.html

Video: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=9062610&pid=9062612

Evie Branan, 79, smiles as Bob Seger wraps his arm around her for a photograph Thursday, April 11, 2013 backstage before his concert at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Evie Branan meets Bob Seger

Related articles

 

Grandmasters Unite in Tokyo

Posted on by Musicofourheart
English: Keith Emerson 日本語: キース・エマーソン

English: Keith Emerson 日本語: キース・エマーソン (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today’s blog post is inspired from a photograph that captures the inherent joy evident inside the music of our hearts. Standing together these musical legends are joined in common bond of the Moog synthesizer and music composition.

The Grandmasters pictured below from left to right are Maestro Sachio Fujioka, Takashi Yoshimatsu, Isao Tomita, and Keith Emerson. This conclave of wizards took place at the Orchestral “Tarkus” Concert in Tokyo.

According to the Official Keith Emerson Website:

Keith Emerson attended the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra‘s performance of “Tarkus” in Tokyo on March 20th, 2013 to celebrate the 60th birthday of a renowned composer, Mr. Takashi Yoshimatsu, who arranged “Tarkus”. His arrangement was used on the weekly epic drama on national TV station, “Tairano Kiyomori” in Japan last year. This will be the first time Keith hears this particular version of orchestral “Tarkus” performed live by a full orchestra.

The concert was held at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall on March 20, 2013

Tarkus – Classic Meets Rock

This is a fantastic composition performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Takashi Yoshimatsu has extended Tarkus creating a further masterpiece in the process.

Should you wish to listen to the original work Tarkus by Emerson, Lake and Palmer I strongly urge you to avail yourself of the Deluxe Edition. It has been remastered by yet another wizard of progressive rock, Steven Wilson. Listen to it in 5.1 surround sound.

This is my signed copy of the original audio CD by Carl Palmer.

Tarkus Signed By Carl Palmer

This Grandmaster’s photograph has also rekindled my interest in Tomita. I listened happily today to his classic recording, Snowflakes Are Dancing. I was reminded how picturesque and poetic Tomita’s Moog synthesizer compositions are to the music of our heart. One of the great treasures of all time is Isao Tomita.

The Concert Slut Scores Twice in One Morning!

Posted on by Musicofourheart

The concert portfolio for 2013 begins to materialize as ticket sales for artist tours gets seriously underway. There are two hot May Rock concerts happening the same week in Connecticut. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band on Saturday May 4th at Mohegan Sun Casino Arena and ZZ Top at Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford on Wednesday May 8th.

My close friends know how much of a concert slut I am ;) I have attended on average the past 11 years 20+ concerts a year. I am getting close to the 400 concerts milestone with 44 years of live performances attended. I added these two concerts to that illustrious list of live shows.

1) ZZ Top – La Futura Tour

Its hard to believe that after 40 years we have never seen ZZ Top Live in concert. I knew I had to fix that. That Lil Ol Band From Texas that I first heard and played on college FM radio has a special place in the music of our heart. In 1973 even though we were a college radio station we had a playlist we had to choose and play music from every time we were on the air. I never argued about playing ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres from that list.

Be it “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” or “La Grange” or “Jesus Just Left Chicago” those songs just snap, crackled and popped. I love a power trio group. First there was the super group Cream, followed by the American band Grand Funk Railroad, then ZZ Top. Three musicians creating a crescendo of sound.

They have released 15 studio albums, 8 compilation albums, and 42 singles.  ZZ Top has sold over 25 million albums in the US with additional sales internationally. I thought they had sold more product than that but 25 million is very respectable.

I will have to buy some earplugs because we are dead center in the eight row, psyche!

2) Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band

I am a stone cold Seger fan. I have loved the Bob Seger sound ever since Ramblin Gamblin in 1968.

We have seen Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band several times in concert in 17 years. He is tops in our books. The last Connecticut concert date was our first Bob Seger concert, the Hartford Civic Center in 1996. We next saw Bob Seger in 2007 at Madison Square Garden. The last time we caught Bob Seger and company was in Atlantic City, NJ in April of 2011. The Mohegan Sun Show in May will be our 4th Seger concert, that’s how much we love him and his music.

What can you say about one of the best singer/songwriters of our generation. He is Motor City Rock and Roll and so much more.

Now about that new studio album Bob? I’m sure we’ll love it when its time for you to release it.

Happy Birthday Bob Marley and Mystic Bowie – One Love

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I tuned the FM dial in the car to WPKN-FM 89.5 for the morning commute. I quickly discovered that tomorrow February 6th would be Bob Marley‘s 68th birthday. Steve di Constanzo the morning DJ was doing his Radio Basecamp show, playing some cool stuff.

He announced that starting at 1 p.m. WPKN would begin a Bob Marley 36 Hour Marathon. The radio celebration would be complemented by the annual Bob Marley and Mystic Bowie Birthday Bash on Stage One by the Fairfield Theatre Company. It was at that moment I said to myself this event can’t miss. Woah, Woah…. Stop the Clock! Our two favorite reggae superstars, Mystic Bowie and Bob Marley with special guest stars at this intimate venue. I purchased the tickets online pronto ;) The concert will be broadcast live over WPKN this evening!

It has been a One Love celebration ever since. I plugged into WPKN-FM this afternoon where I have been actively engaged and entertained ever since.

We love Mystic Bowie’s energy, its so infectious! Can’t wait to dance the night away.

Beyonce On Fire

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Beyonce brought it
So for all you doubters
Get over yourselves
Because you were wrong
Beyonce triumphed today

Beyonce and her troupe were on fire from the get go. The lighting and special effects were stupendous.

The crowd’s enthusiasm echoed the excitement felt all around the globe.

Beyonce connected with all her fans be they at the end of the stage or crowded in front of their hi-def television screen.

It is amazing how far Beyonce’s stage act has advanced since her first appearance with Santana at the Superbowl pregame show in 2007.

You will need a Pepsi to quench that fire Beyonce created with this years half-time show!

Related articles

 

We Mourn The Loss of Claude Nobs

Posted on by Musicofourheart

I am sad to learn that we have lost our patriarch of live jazz music. An intimate friend to musicians and music fans all over the world.

We salute you Claude. Your 46 year commitment to the Montreux Jazz Festival and the merits of live music lives on in all the music of our hearts.

The Rolling Stones Steamrolling Ahead

Posted on by Musicofourheart

The Rolling Stones continue to steam roll ahead with their 50th Anniversary concerts. Last night they played the first of four NY area concerts (this includes the recently announced appearance at the 12.12.12 Superstorm Sandy Benefit) at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Rolling STones

The Stones marketing machine is operating at fever pitch. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards will make their first appearance on the David Letterman Show to announce the Top 10 List.

Tickets have been next to impossible to get so we have decided to watch the Pay Per View show on Saturday December 15th.

I especially like this concert footage from the 2003 tour in Twickenham, England.