IT'S NEXT WEEK
ALREADY??
Wow,
time goes so quickly when you are anticipating another concert.
Here I am at
Dick Fox's Doo Wop Adventure in Westbury, Long Island. The MC is our vibrant
Emil Stucchio of The Classics. I really do enjoy him as a presenter because he
loves the music and the people producing the songs. He tells us that every act
tonight has the original lead singer so I am expecting to recognize some voices,
even if I don't remember the names or faces.
Lenny
Dell and The Dimensions start off. They are an early 60's group recording before
The British Invasion hit our shores. Their final number (from 1960) is 'Over The
Rainbow'. Gene Wilder requested Ella Fitzgerald's version of the "Song of the
Century" as his "exit song" from earth. I understand it was indeed played at his
parting, and so now ... it is very difficult to harness my tear control any
time I hear it. Beautiful harmonies, beautiful HIGH notes achieved. A great way
to start.
The
Chiffons? Judy Craig? OMG, they look gorgeous in those red and black pants
outfits! Judy combines her niece, her daughter and her hits to present a display
of songs I sang to my radio: 'One Fine Day', 'Sweet Talking Guy', 'He's So Fine'
and 'The Way It Goes'; a song The Chiffons sang before they hit it big. These
ladies are on target with my memories and their voices ring out sweet and true.
Both
of these groups hail from The Bronx. There was a round of applause to this.
However the same people clapped for Patterson, NJ, AND Brooklyn. As Emil said,
"You guys really moved around, I guess." So, let's get the group from Patterson,
NJ, on stage: The Happenings! In previous reviews I have explained my personal
connection with their music director / guitar player and I always look forward to
seeing them whenever I can. The 'house band' changes participants from group to
group as each performance brings along their own staple players. But the
transitions run smoothly and all the musicians are professional. It works, It
flows. It rocks.
Bob
Miranda and The Happenings open with a non-Happenings song: All The World's
People Just Got To Be Free. As with all stages, Bob Miranda finds a hidden
trampoline and jumps excitedly throughout their set. 'Go Away Little Girl', 'See
You In September' and 'I Got Rhythm'. I didn't know that 'See You In September'
had become a Vietnam soldiers' song during the '60s. They say it gave them hope
that they would return and the war would be over. More tear time.
If
you google all these groups that I saw perform tonight, you will find they are
in various Halls of Fame. There is the Vocal Hall of Fame, the Hit Parade Hall
of Fame, the Song Writers Hall of Fame, and more. This is NOT a shabby
turn-out.
Closing the first act is a performer I have not seen live before.
Gary US Bonds, comes down the Westbury ramp and breaks into 'New Orleans'. Now,
Westbury is most often theatre-in-the-round. It is so tonight. Others have made
mention of this but Gary brings it into the limelight with. "Oooooooh, this damn
thing's turning." A turning stage adds another dimension to the experience for
both audience and performer. When he sings a medley of his songs, he states,
"We're doing this 'cause we're tired of them ... over 60 years and the same old
crap." I love his casual, honest and still dynamic approach. He is fun! He talks
about the song Bruce Springsteen gave him and then makes a joke that Bruce may
have shared his song, but has never shared his money with Gary. Of course not,
but Gary US Bonds makes you think that's funny. His back-up singers consist of
his daughter and his wife of 52 years. Like The Chiffons, it's a family project.
OK, Brooklyn, we open act 2 with Jay Siegel's Tokens. Jay also produced The
Chiffons and The Happenings. More Musical family ties. Their third song is the
1967 easy listening winner. 'Portrait of My Love'. I could listen to that ad
infinitum. OK, eventually I might grow tired, but those lyrics partnered with
the haunting melody is magic. Of course the magic of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'
has caused that song to be reinvented and re-established for younger successive
generations. A WEEM A WAY! The beauty of the harmonies that carried through The
British Invasion up to today. And make no mistake, I LOVE The British Invasion!
Why can't I claim many genres?
Who
ends the show?
Well, Billy J Kramer already gave it away. Lightning Lou
Christie! Thank goodness he decided to go after and release 'Lightning Strikes'
or he could have been known as Rainy Rhapsody Lou Christie. Lou has re-released
his cd 'Pledging My Love' with an additional song, 'Dream'. In honor of this
release he sang 'I Sure Fell In Love', the third song on 'Pledging My Love'. He
wrote this song for Frank Sinatra, but Frank never recorded it. He died so Lou
never got to play it for him ... but Sinatra's family and friends say Frank
would have loved it! Lou has a great delivery on his jokes, and a very down to
earth presentation that allows us to peek into his summer travels and shock at
returning to the States and our political nonsense. He did not refer to it as
"nonsense". He was more specific, but "nonsense" covers it. His hits, his
encore (only encore allowed this show) were well worth the wait we have had in
the northeast. EVERYONE this night was at the top of their game. You really
expect that most multi-group shows, will average out and you will enjoy it
overall. However, this show didn't need a "grading curve".
I hope
you made it Billy J.
Next
week?
BACK TO WESTBURY FOR HOT AUTUMN NIGHTS.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
From Billy J ...
Hi Kent ...
Lou is always great!
Billy
*****
Last night we went to see The Legends of Rock in concert in Fort
Lauderdale. I have my doubts on who there was a true legend, but
anyway ...
Opening up was Mitch Ryder. He had a few big hits in the 60's.
Legend? Meh. He sang Little Latin Lupe Lou, Sock it to Me Baby, Jenny Take a
Ride and, of course, Devil With The Blue Dress On. He tried telling a few jokes
and stories that fell completely flat on the audience. He was kind of "out
there". But he sounded good.
Backing him was Rick Derringer and his band. He is a legend. I
didn't realize he had written Free Ride and Frankenstein! He was kickin' on that
guitar playing them! Apparently he wrote a lot more hit songs than that for
others. My favorite part was when he sang Hang On Sloopy! I knew, but I guess a
lot didn't, that he was in The McCoys back then. He sang the "missing verse"
that he said was cut from the song when played on the radio back then.
He then introduced Mark Farner, and told us he was not allowed
mention Grand Funk Railroad. Apparently, GFR is also on tour with three singers
taking Farner's place. He did all the big GFR hits, except We're An American
Band (which surprised us). But the real audience favorite was Closer to My Home,
and mine, too! He is a phenomenal guitar player, also.
After the intermission, came the headliners ... Jefferson Starship. I
felt like I was seeing a cover band. Oddly, just plain Starship was appearing in
Orlando at the same time. I wonder who was in THAT band? There was one original
member, David Freiberg, and the lead singer looked like a Stevie Nicks wannabe
with her long blonde hair and cowboy hat and boots. She had a raspy, powerful
voice. A lot of people left the theater while they were on. They sang Miracles,
Somebody to Love White Rabbit and a bunch of songs I didn't know. The finale had
everyone back on stage to do Volunteers, the song Jefferson Airplane played at
Woodstock.
Eileen
Here are a few photos from the show ...
(You'll find her review here: http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2016/09/some-of-your-mid-week-comments.html)
Next up for us ...
Tommy James and the Shondells ...
This Saturday Night at The Arcada Theatre (another sold out show!!!)
Aw heck ... one with Nelson, too!!!
