Bruce Springsteen @ the Spectrum Philadelphia, Pa 10-13-2009

This review is not so much about music as it is a man. It was the late 70's when I discovered Bruce. Common ground , was what we 1st shared, but then it became stories. Fast forward to somewhere 'round 81. Springsteen was touring and we slept out for tickets at the Cherry Hill Mall, in a borrowed car. Drove those lined spaces at the mall all night long; daylight came and a little before opening a "list" appeared. The list of people who would not get 1st in line. The fact that Kim & I, noses pressed to the glass of the door did not matter when the Woolworths store unlocked. The four or so shows that were available sold out 10 minutes after the store opened and not even the list helped most. Bruce was a man of justice and sure enough Philly was getting some shows on the end around of the tour (does it really ever end?) and this time....Bruce had initiated a mail order system! For people like me!! I got 4 tickets, 1st level center @ the Spectrum. I don't remember any of it, well a little, like where we sat and that it was great. Then came Nebraska. One of my favorite albums of all time. And like Nebraska I drifted. It was to hard to go see Bruce, EVERYBODY went to see Bruce. Now it's 2005 and we are at war, Greetings is still getting heavy play; it's where I was weaned and Bruce puts out his 3rd solo record....Devils & Dust. Wow. A tour is coming and I am going to get a cup of coffee and beat everyone out for tickets whilst sitting at my desktop computer. I have the system beat. Sure I would love to see him in Philly, but Cleveland, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame....ROAD TRIP?! Yup, Cleveland tickets were scored and the trip was planned.

The Hall of Fame was great and worthy of more space, Springsteen was unreal as expected. I'll say this, his performance of Dream Baby Dream was my favorite performance of any live show to date. He sang it to us, instilled it in us and led us. TO BE CONTINUED...

Tracy Chapman @ the Keswick in Glenside, PA on 8-3-2009

This was a show of discovery for me to go beyond my self discovery of Tracy's music and dig deeper into her catalog of lyrics and find Tracy the lover and Tracy the musician who sings it as she sees it. I love the song Change and Behind the Wall is beyond words for me.

Contrary to a comment before I completed this post, my wife Margaret and I both thought the sound was crisp and clear. We sat about 10 rows from stage right. We generally think the Keswick's sound is above average in clarity and quality, this was evident with Gabby Moreno, the opener for Tracy who with just her guitar and her sultry romantic voice sounded dead on (we bought her disc)!

Tracy could do no wrong in front of this audience. A base of fans who adore her and everything she is. Tracy's musical talents and love for music shined as she utilized several gorgeous guitars, a drum box, bongos and a harmonica. Accompanied by a female drummer; Donna?, an electrical guitarist and a keyboard player her music was brought to life not so much as by the band but by Tracy herself.

Tracy was at ease and enjoying herself and even though the typical hecklers were ever present, she professionally ignored most (even the "nice ass" heckler) and played on which eventually kept most quiet. I was impressed with how well her new songs performed were received. I do not believe the audience was fully knowledgeable of them, but yet they were beautifully done and enjoyed by all.

She was a bit talkative and mentioned how challenging it was playing a new cover song for every gig, but this was held true on this night as they performedfor the 1st time a Sam Cooke classic Bring it On Home To Me. She also encouraged a friendly competition between the American and European audiences with the playing of "Sing For You".

To go into highlights from this show would be unfair given my unfamiliarity with many of the songs performed of which many of those unfamiliar songs are now becoming faves. I think she could have done herself well to shorten the time between the opener and perform a few more of the new songs. I don't think, if Philly is any indication that she will be ill received anywhere in the states....her fans are just happy to see her.

Tracy is a talented singer songwriter and I have always been intrigued by her early busking experience and wanted to be sure to see her if ever she should tour. This now accomplished, I recommend any fan of a singer songwriter format to catch her. Her lyrics are as beautiful as she is and spins the truth of life both lyrically and musically.

Setlist from memory
Baby Can I Hold You
Change
Across the Lines
Sing For You
Mountains O' Things
You're the One For Me
Save Us All
Bring It On Home To Me- Cover Sam Cooke
Subcity
Fast Car
Our Bright Future
Telling Stories
America
Say Hallelujah
Give Me One Reason
Talkin' 'bout a Revolution

Encore
She's Got Her Ticket
Promise

Switchfoot @ American Music Theatre Lancaster, PA 6-21-09

The American Music theatre is not your typical rock n roll venue. Every seat in this 1,600 seat arena is superb and each seat is extra cushy. The staff is some of the most accommodating concert staff I have experienced. The venue did not provide for wild rock n roll; even though the staff would have allowed the patrons to rush the stage, the venue's ambiance prevented it as did the overt politeness of most of the attendees. The sound quality was studio perfect and I have not experienced too many shows where the sound quality was as crisp/clear as it was here.

The stage set was instruments and a backdrop, the large TV screens on either side, blank throughout the set allowing the crowd to focus on the what Switchfoot does and who they are~ a rock band!

The lights dimmed and When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin) was pumped through the sound system pulsating the crowd with anticipation as the band members took the stage and the crowd arose and remained so for the entire show as they broke into Meant to Live.

Song highlights included an acousticaly performed Only Hope and a stirring, romantic On Fire punctuated by Jon's authentic lyrics sung true. The final song; Dare You to Move started off very mellow and acoustic and built to a crescendo of rock.

Three new songs were performed. Mess of Me of which the lyrics were stellar, proving this will become a crowd fave and a staple for their live shows. Hello, Hurricane with Jon on the mandolin is the title cut of their forth coming fall release and was well received. For the two song encore, as they took the stage Jon announced this would be the 1st time Bullet Soul was to be performed and this rocking tune was excellent. Great guitar work and a fun song, again proving Switchfoot's true rock roots.

The "foot" is embarking on a tour with Blue October this summer and one can only hope that once the new disc is released that they do a full fledged headliner solo tour.

This is a rock n roll band that has passion for what they do and who they are and frankly I look forward to the day when they are inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Set List Changes- Add Bullet Soul & Dare You to Move to bottom of the set list for encores.

Colin Hay @ World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA 4-6-09

Mr. Colin Hay!

After his show (and during) you feel like you know him. Great storytelling!

This was my 1st show at World Cafe Live---WHY DID IT TAKE ME THIS LONG? Absolute one of the best venues I have attended. The sound was crisp, clear and B E A U T I F U L.

This was a FUN show, from Colin's continually humorous banter and his trademark sound, the crowd was enlightened by his lyrics as he sang of life and the ability to enjoy the life all the while a smile.

I have a set list, if you will, but I don't know all the titles. I will give the lyric snippets and you can fill in what you will, known titles in yellow italics.

1. No time to live, no time to die, no time for sorrow.
2. California- Golden Promises
3. New & unreleased-Play the highlights, came into your store you don't work there
4. Who Can it Be Now
5. Conversation
6. Melbourne Song
7. Down Under
8. Nothing left, nothing came, can't stop my mind from doing prison time
9. Bees buzzing in my ear
10. Norwegian Wood
11. My Hometown
12. I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You
13. Maggie
14. Circles Erratica

15. Beautiful World
16. Overkill
17. Waiting For My Real Life to Begin


When a musician is enjoying himself on stage it shows and Colin enjoyed himself immensely. When the crowd was asked for requests the crowd jokingly shouted out "Freebird" & "Norwegian Wood"....thank goodness he made the right choice!

Colin has a new record coming out in April on Compass Records; Transcendental Highway. If you make the purchase it will surprise you--you can't miss with poetry, Colin's accent and his trademarked guitar sound!

Colin's 15 minutes of fame (Men at Work 1979-1986) continues from the time he takes the stage and begins his strumming and storytelling till his last song which in this case, appropriately was Waiting For My Real Life to Begin his 15 minutes has been extended.

Ray LaMontagne @ the Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, PA 4/4/09

The voice that is described as an "amplified whisper"; Ray LaMontagne.

After speaking with his bassist of the past few years Jennifer Condos, she commented "that the trick to working with Ray is to not get in his way".

On this tour Jennifer's boyfriend Ethan Johns is drumming. Jenn and I talked about the past US Guster tour as well as Ray's European fan base and she mentioned that the next leg of the tour in Europe may be a threesome.

LaMontagne refers to himself as a "very private person", and rarely gives interviews. He also usually does not interact much with the audience between songs. LaMontagne has been known to perform live shows in the dark in order to separate himself from the audience. Source: Wikipedia

Ray's music is the spotlight and his humility shows in his performance. This is one reason I believe he receives more appreciation in Europe and my guess, an audience that is discerning and refined, something I would think Ray appreciates.

For this Philly show he omitted the final song Wild Horses and during Empty a fight had broken out towards the rear of the theatre causing the audience to be distracted.

Two unreleased songs were performed: Allie a ballad of love and Achin All the Time a country sounding song.

About 2/3's of the way through the show the few hecklers gave up shouting out "I love you's" and song requests given Ray's total ignorance of their voices. Ray is an artist that when performing is showing his heart. This is where his communication comes in and for audience members who seem to want the spotlight or to connect with Ray this can be difficult. I say let him sing and play whatever/whenever/however he wants to.

It is hard to come away from his shows and not feel "moved" and I think this man's talent is amazing and his shows are pure art.

The click between audience and artist did not take place at this show. The music performed sounded as good as the albums and Ray's voice can give you goosebumps. The missing element of connection and Ray's ommission of the last song showed that he did not feel the electricity as well.

Various Artists, Philadelphia, PA 2/21/09

Hard (literally) to review yourself.
The Guitar Students of Mike Weiss Presents a Winter Recital

Set List
Peace, Love & Understanding- Tate Perazzelli guitar/vocals & Aaron Weiss drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCL-NT7JhqU
Everybody Hurts- Tate guitar, Aaron drums, Mike Weiss keys & Greg Jehanian vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhd-AB2Jp10
The Bottom of the the Rhine, Take Two- Matt Chapin guitar & Mike guitar
Starman- Louie Reyes guitar, Mike guitar, Greg vocals & Aaron drums
I Want You- Louie guitar, Mike guitar, Greg vocals & Aaron drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-a_88yex2Y
Disarm- Barbie Welsh guitar, Aaron drums & Greg vocals
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea- Barbie guitar/vocals, Aaron drums

Wow....we made our mistakes, but we had a BLAST! A serious blast! Music is communication and this was an evening of communicating love. Yes, we are all amateurs, but on this night we were letting the music live.

The music took on it's own persona within the crowd, it wasn't about us as individuals, but about the songs- the lyrics, the sounds they echoed in every one's heads and hearts. The crowd was as loving of a crowd as I have ever experienced, so positive and affirming I was in awe of their patience and "understanding".

Everyone had a really good time & we would all do it again in a heartbeat.

Special thanks to Mike our guitar teacher....he is an excellent teacher and did a more then admirable job in producing this Winter Recital!

Chris Tomlin @ the Electric Factory, Phila. PA 1/25/09

ahhhh.....the EFC-- One of the most intimate venues I know.

super convenient to my home, secret parking tricks

and an intimacy with the performer

Daniel Carson & Chris Tomlin

Israel Houghton New Breed



be light

This is my first "christian" concert review on my Concert Review blog.

Chris Tomlin & crew had a Sunday evening gig scheduled for Philly and what a way to continue what is typically a morning of worship, stretch it out into the night and even the next morning as I type this.

This concert was one of pure unadulterated worship to Jesus Messiah.

I love most general admission shows since it gives me the opportunity to get super close and me not being one to miss too many opportunities in life got right up there. We brought a total of 14 people with us for this venture and I know that God; working through the audience and musicians alike enlightened many and lifted up the name of Jesus Messiah on this night.

Israel Houghton & New Breed---Excellent musicians full of energy and passion. These guys got the crowd worked up and ready and really were worthy of headlining even though most had never heard of them. On the way home most all of our attendees commented on how Israel was such a great performer. Israels voice was amazing. When they took the full band took the stage there were three female backup singers and one male.....everyone's singing, band's rocking out etc and then all of a sudden it gets super quite and you hear this sweet, sweet voice singing over the din. My eyes quickly searched out all the backup singers to see which of the ladies was singing from their heart---I quickly assessed that none of them were singing and was disappointed that this band would use background tracks till my eyes caught a glimpse of Israel himself singing....his voice like pure butter.....beautiful.

Tomlin rocked the house for Jesus Messiah. Normally when a song is completed the audience claps and cheers for the band. This was not really the case; when a song was complete everyone in attendance kinda of collectively clapped for God and not the band....it's a bit hard to explain properly and a credit to Chris' worship abilities.

I usually grab a set-list and was unable to do so @ this show. The band covered a lot of stuff off of Hello Love and a good amount of older popular material. Chris is a master at being part of the audience and bringing it all to God in a beautiful package. Major highlights for me included- Jesus Messiah, God of this City, Amazing Grace (My chains are gone), Your Grace is Enough and I Will Rise as well as countless others. Going into How Great Thou Art after singing How Great is Our God was awesome. It was great to sing acapella several times throughout the show....made me feel right @ home :)

I truly felt that the band and audience was acting as one in unison to Jesus Messiah, This was not your typical concert, but an act of worship.

In closing, Chris' authenticity was amazing. What an appreciative, loving Christ-centered individual.....he has my prayers.