It’s been an active 2018 Spring/beginning of summer concert season so here are done quick hits of what I’ve seen so far.
I had not seen U2 perform since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concerts at MSG some years ago, and I had not seen the band perform a full show in person since The Ritz on Saint Patrick Day in 1980 following the release of the album “October”. U2 had not been on my radar until I read a review of the album “October” in Esquier magazine and I then decided to check them out for myself. Needless to say that the show at Nassau Coliseum this year was quite different than the one I saw at a club in New York City decades ago. U2 has many great songs and they have become one of the great stadium acts in rock and roll. The giant “interactive with the band” screen which pretty much split the arena in two halves is pretty cool and the band gives you your money’s worth (at least my money’s worth as I did not opt for the $300 plus seats for anything close to the stage that took up the entire floor except for the standing room and uber-expensive Red Zone). I found the concert to be entertaining and although the band is obviously talented and legendary, I would prefer to scale back the gimmicktry and just play the tunes. The Sirius show at the Apollo had to have been awesome but unfortunately I was not fortunate enough to attend that one.
Poison and Cheap Trick at Northwell at Jones Beach Theatre was a mixed bag for me. Is there any band that Cheap Trick has not opened for? The band is as tight as ever and sounds great. What impressed me the most is that Cheap Trick has a great new summertime song as good as anything in their catalogue. In a climate where new music by classic bands rarely gets played on the radio any more, the fact that I heard the “Summer looks good on you” tune on a terrestrial radio station in Los Angelos this past week absolutely floored me. It’s a catchy tune that will stay in your head and have you singing it for awhile. Check it out.
My wife loves Brett Michaels and Poison, sans make up, played their hits and the 1980’s hair metal fans seemed to have a rockin’ good time. To Mr.Michael’s credit, he is vociferously pro-military and although much of his act is shtick, he seems to love performing and appreciates his fans.
My wife and I traveled to Pasadena, California for the Seco Arroyo Music And food festival with a line up that included Neil Young and the Promise of the Real, Kings of Leon, Robert Plant, Jack White and three stages of continuos music. The two day festival was a great experience with great music, food and perfect weather. Neil Young played without a set list and seemed to be having fun, Robert Plant was awesome and the rock and roll elder statesman brings with him a great band, new music and some takes on Led Zeppelin tunes. Mr. Plant is a true artist who continues to create new music pushing the boundaries where world music and rock and roll converge.
The North Mississippi All Stars and Trampled by Turtles (the best band name sine The Teardrop Explodes) impressed but the real surprise was how good Alanis Morissette was. An enthusiastic crowd in front of the main stage watched a confident, and seemingly content, Morrissette belt out most of the songs ffom her big hit album. Alanis wore a white t-shirt that said HER on the front and MAN on the back and tried her best to work the large stage. Ms. Morrissette has great pipes and sounded great.
On Friday, my wife and I went to the refurbished St. George Theatre in Staten Island to see Stephen Stills and Judy Collins for the second time on their tour. We got stuck in Friday evening Belt Parkway traffic and jumped in to a little Italian restaurant to grab some food. I had forgotten there was an opening act and at 8:15, after everyone else had already made their way in to the theatre, we were hustling to get yo our seats. As we passed two parked tour buses and an alley way next to the theatre I saw lone figure dressed in black halfway in to the alleyway walking toward us. I focused my eyes to realize it was Stephen Stills trying to make his way back to the tour bus pre-show. We walked toward him and I helped him move the metal barricade so he could get through. I do not get starstruck but this was my opportunity to speak with one of my rock and roll heros with literally no one else nearby. I told him that I was a huge fan and that we had just seen Neik Young with Promise of the Resl in California. Mr. Stills said that Neil is out there working. I told Stephen we had seen him perform with Judy at Westbury as he continued to make his way toward the bus. I told Stephen to have a great night and he got back on his bus. The encounter was so unexpected but I was glad I had the opportunity to speak with the legendary performer who has provided much of the soundtrack to my life. Now I saw Neil Young perform last week, about two weeks ago I saw Graham Nash attending Roger Daltrey performing the rock opera “Tommy” with an orchestra at Forest Hills Stadium, and now I run into Stephen Stills in a Staten Island alleyway. Perhaps this is an omen that Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young can find their way back together for one last go round.
The Stills-Collins concert was tremendous. Stephen voice has been rough the past few years but it is beautifully offset by Judy Collins who sounds incredible and provided harmonies where needed throughout the performance. Ms. Collins sang some of her own songs and the two interspersed great stories and anecdotes making it a very special evening.
Stephen Stills played “Long May You Run” from the Stills-Young Band and “I Won’t Back Down” for his north Floridian comrade Tom Petty.
For What It’s Worth
Rock on!
GQ