recent concerts

Discussion in 'Off Topic Area' started by wcrane, Sep 28, 2014.

  1. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    For the first time ever I attended concerts on 2 Saturdays in a row. The first one I had planned on for a while, the second one was a last minute invite.
    Last Saturday I saw Natalie Cole. I wanted to see her because I know that she is starting to get a little bit older, and I consider her to be one of the great singers of her era. She looked and sounded fantastic, really glad I went. I was a little disappointed that she didn't do more of her hits, but still a great show.
    Last night I saw Gregg Rolie. If that name is not familiar let me clue you in to who he is. Gregg was a member of the original Santana line-up, playing keyboards and doing the lead vocals on all the classic songs(Evil ways, Oye Como Va). He then formed a band called Journey, playing keys and singing on 7 Albums before leaving. He is in the R&R Hall of fame as a member of Santana. Great show, he had excellent musicians playing in his band as well. During "Soul Sacrifice" it began to rain. After the song Gregg commented on the fact that playing that song has caused a lot of rain thru the years, a reference to Woodstock. While he may not be considered a legend himself, he sure was a part of many legendary albums and songs.
    Definitely a good music week for me.
     
  2. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Went to a great show last night at a local winery, Pasos Winery in Lockeford Ca. My good friend Travis Vega(Guitar) was playing a debut concert with his new band Quantum. The Genre was primarily smooth jazz with guitar, drums, keyboard, and bass. All four of the musicians were great and played together well. They had a guest vocalist, Tonya Sweet, who sang 5-6 songs with them. She was a pleasure to listen to, and added a nice touch to the show. A couple of the songs that included vocals went into a soul, R/B groove which sounded good mixed in with the smooth jazz set. They even ended with some Santana music. Overall a great show. How nice to travel only 20 minutes to see/hear great music from local players in a small, intimate setting. Travis Vega has a website if anyone is interested in listening to some cool smooth jazz guitar.
     
  3. belltoller

    belltoller OffTopic MonstreOrdinaire Supporter

    Some of the best memories I have is when me'n the wife walked into some hole-in-the-wall joint and were treated to one of the best musical performances I've ever heard in the form of a jazz quartet. There warn't many people in there and it was very intimate. You could feel the stand-up bass through your bones.

    Ja, if they included Santana in their set - they'd have to be good.
     
  4. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Saw Robert Cray last night at Jackson Rancheria Indian Casino. I remember when Cray got some play on MTV with Smoking Gun & Right Next Door(Strong Persueder). That was mid to late 80's as I recall. Wasn't too familiar with anything he had done since then, but I know the company he keeps and am aware of how talented he is. This was really my first concert seeing a true bluesman. As I expected he and his band were excellent. The venue was small and cozy, not a bad seat to be found. Great to see a first class act in a small venue only 20 minutes from home. Overall I made it to 6 concerts this year, hope to equal or exceed that amount in 2015.
     
  5. aikiMac

    aikiMac aikido + boxing = very good Moderator Supporter

    I saw Minnie Driver a couple months ago. Yes, the actress. I didn't know what to expect going in. (Who even knew that she sings?) I bought my ticket only for her name.

    She sings jazz, and it turns out, she sings it well. She has a great voice for jazz -- a sultry, smokey lounge singer voice. I wanted her to continue the show for another hour, because I liked her singing so much.
     
  6. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Went to San Francisco last night to see The International Guitar Night Tour Live at the Brava Theatre. This is the 16th year that Brian Gore has assembled a line-up of acoustic guitarists from around the world to tour together. This years line-up was Brian, who I would consider to be more of a classical style guitarist, Maneli Jamal, Diego Figuierido, and Andrew York. Maneli was my favorite. He is of Iranian descent, although he never lived there. He has lived in several different countries(currently Canada) and draws from all of their influences. Diego was also a crowd fave, from Brazil his style was a bosa nova latin-jazz mixture, very cool. Andrew York, a two time grammy winner, I believe is a east coast American who plays a very nice classical style. They each played 3 songs solo, then played in different combo's of 2-3 at a time ending with 2 songs they all 4 played together. For an amateur guitarist like myself it was a very enjoyable show. I got to shake hands and talk to each one after the show, all very nice, classy guys. If you like good acoustic guitar music look these guys up online, especially Maneli.
     
  7. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Last night I saw living legend Buddy Guy in concert at the Gallo center in Modesto ca. What an honor to see and hear a true master at work. Dude is 78 and went non-stop for 2 hours. Not only can he still play the axe but his voice was incredible considering his age. He started off playing the blues, but by the end of the show he did an awesome Hendrix tribute. Buddy sprinkled in some humor and stories of the early days. I'm telling you, anytime you can see a legend, you must do it.
     
  8. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Went to a cool local show at Pasos Winery in Lockeford Ca. Fri night. Pasos has a beautiful courtyard which sets up nicely for a small outdoor concert venue. My good friend Travis Vega opened up with a half-hour solo guitar set. While Travis plays several genres of music, he focused on acoustic Spanish guitar music tonight. The headliner was a Stockton group called Latin Magic. These guys (and Girl) were really good. They are a 9 piece band with a horn section and percussionist. As you might guess from the name they played a mix of latin jazz and some traditional Mexican music. They opened up with an instrumental version of The World Is A Ghetto(War) that featured the 3 piece horn section. During the night we heard some Santana, Malo, Disco, and even some old Motown. The core of this group have been playing together for 25 years, and they were tight. A great night with a lot of Wine, Dancing, Laughter, and of course great music.
     
  9. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland Ca. was the venue last night for a wonderful show by Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra. .I saw these guys three years ago(almost to the day) and was very exited to have the opportunity to hear this great guitarist live again. Ottmar gets tossed into the Nuevo Flamenco category by most, but there are only traces of true Flamenco in his playing style. Being an ordained Zen monk he brings a sense of peaceful , relaxed sound to his playing. Bottom line , Great show , Great music, And great musicianship by Ottmar and the other two players.
     
  10. aikiMac

    aikiMac aikido + boxing = very good Moderator Supporter

    Idina Menzel

    Took the girls last night to see Idina Menzel. The show started 30 minutes late without an explanation (bad) and her opening song was weak, but she warmed up as the show continued. The girl sings well, and she sang a variety of styles (her Cole Porter was great) which made the night more interesting to me.

    When she got to "Rent" she walked into the audience and let three or four people sing with her in the aisle, and then brought two people on stage for a duet (with Idina just prompting lines a couple times). That was very cool. :happy:

    She closed by calling all the little girls to the stage steps to sing "Let It Go" with her, on the steps. :heart:

    I was impressed at least as much by the drummer as I was by Idina. I don't know his name but he was rocking the house. :happy:
     
  11. aikiMac

    aikiMac aikido + boxing = very good Moderator Supporter

    Took the girls to see the musical "Wicked" for the second time. Words do not describe how FULLY AWESOME that musical is! Chills and shivers, it is the most amazing thing EVER!

    It was a different cast than before, and whoever played Glinda (I have to look up her name in the playbill) was --- well, give that girl the Tony right now! You can't do better than that! WOW!!

    Ya, I liked it. :)
     
  12. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Back to Yoshi's in Oakland last Saturday night to see smooth jazz keyboardist Brian Culbertson. Great show. Brian plays Trombone as well as keys, and was backed by a six piece group of talented musicians/vocalists. Along with a lot of his original jazz/R&B songs he also mixed in some covers of old school funk. One of the highlights was a cool version of Hollywood Swinging. Always a pleasure to hear and see great music live in an intimate setting.
     
  13. Ben Gash CLF

    Ben Gash CLF Valued Member

    With two young kids, teaching commitments and shift work I don't get out much :(
    A couple of weeks ago I went to see one of my student's bands, it was really good.
    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0qv0mK2Omk"]The Teddy White Band at The Vic Swindon on the 16th January 2015 - YouTube[/ame]
     
  14. E-Rocker

    E-Rocker Valued Member

    This past Saturday, me and my buddy saw a punk bluegrass band from Kansas called Split Lip Rayfield at the Double Door in Chicago. They're really good.
     
  15. belltoller

    belltoller OffTopic MonstreOrdinaire Supporter

    I'll have to check them out. Do they tour the SE ?
     
  16. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    The Gallo Center, Modesto, Ca. Monday Dec 21st. Dave Koz and Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas Concert. Dave was joined by Candy Dulfer, Jonathan Butler, And Bill Medley. I saw the smooth jazz Christmas shows in 2010 & 2011 I was very happy when it was announced that they would be in Modesto again this year. Dave, Candy, and Jonathan have played at all 3 shows that I have seen with the fourth person being someone different each time. While not a big Bill Medley fan it was nice to see a R&R Hall of Fame Legend live. The show was magnificent as always with several highlights. The main moment was Jonathan Butler doing an inspiring version of " O Holy Night". A standing ovation in the middle of the concert. Would go to this show every year if they would bring it local.
     
  17. slasha

    slasha Banned Banned

    NIGHTWISH

    wembely Arena, last Saturday, AMAZING
     
  18. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    For the second year I attended the International Guitar Night concert Tour Friday in Livermore California. This is an annual event that has been going on for two decades now and a must for lovers of great acoustic guitar music.
    Brian Gore is a very nice classical player who arranges and participates in the tour every year. He recruits three other players from different countries to join him each year. This year he was joined by Lulo Reinhardt, Andre Krengel, and Mike Dawes.
    Lulo is the grand-Nephew of Guitar legend Django Reinhardt. As you would guess the family influence was apparent in his playing, blending in the Gypsy-jazz sound of Django with some other influences. He was an amazing player.
    Andre was the surprise for me as I knew little about him. I was very impressed with his solo set, his second song evolved into him playing three different guitar parts at the same time, by himself. His music is very passionate and emotional, check him out.
    Mike dawes was the unconventional player of the set, using some pedals and effects with his acoustic and incorporating an unorthodox method of playing. His sound was a little more aggressive and brought a rockish edge to the night.
    The two best things about this show is 1) the players play solo, in combo's of two, and all together. By doing this each guy shows his versatility by playing each others style.2) During intermission and after the show they artists are in the lobby to autograph their cd's, take pictures, and just to talk to. While last years show was great( I found about Maneli Jamal) this years show was even better. The rest of the tour is in the U.S. and I believe Canada. Each year they start in the U.K. and Europe. Catch this show if you can!
     
  19. aaradia

    aaradia Choy Li Fut and Yang Tai Chi Chuan Student Moderator Supporter

    Just got back from seeing Loreena Mckennitt. First concert I have been to in a few years. Wow! Just Wow! I had high expectations and she did not disappoint me. I understand this was a stripped down performance. She usually travels with a large ensemble of musicians, but most of the night it was a trio. A violinist came out as a fourth member for a couple of songs.

    Just stunningly beautiful muscianship. Brought me to tears a couple of times.


    This clip is very similar to what I saw, although we were in this nice old theater. (Nice except my ailing knees did not like the cramped space.) And one of the musicians played the Cello most of the night. But she did both these songs and telling stories and chatting in between like in this performance.
    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8QQC2DuzTk"]Performance By Loreena Mckennitt - YouTube[/ame]
     
  20. wcrane

    wcrane Valued Member

    Thursday August 11 - The Gallo Center, Modesto ,Ca.
    Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Been a Fan of R&G for some time now, jumped at the chance to see them live. Great show by 2 very talented musicians. The sound they are able to produce with just 2 guitars is awesome. Very high energy show.
     

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