DIERKS BENTLEY - Rock Log 102211

I’ve always considered myself a classic Rock N Roll fan – big guitars, crazy drums, powerful vocals, catchy hooks – never a big fan of pop, rap, classical, or country.  I just don’t get the appeal of that music.  You can scratch country off that list for me – I now get it.  Dierks Bentley was showcased as another top act celebrating The Mohegan Sun’s 15^th Anniversary bringing his fresh brand of country music to the Den on Saturday night.  I’ve seen my share of shows at the Wolf Den over the years, but I must say I was in awe of how many people showed up for this concert.  A few years back Ace Frehley put on a show that drew a crowd that exceeded all others.  Dierks blew the KISS guitarist out of the water on the attendance front.  Best of all, it had to be a 3 to 1 ratio of girls to guys.

Chazbo & I arrived 2 hours before showtime and got a decent standing spot, stage right.  There was eye-candy everywhere and you knew it was going to be a good night when we were witness to a stunning 20-something year old brunette who was “Sharon Stoning” off to our right at the slot machine.  Never seen quite a sight like that in all my days of Denning.  I physically had to put my counterpart’s eyeballs back in his head. 

Then the Tennessee native took the stage on time with no opening act – (that’s +1 in my book).  He played for 75 minutes of not-so-twangy country music.  His band did have the signature fiddle player, but also had plenty of guitar and drums.  Thank god Chazbo prepped me a bit for this show because I seemed about the only person there who didn’t know every lyric to every song. There was fist pumping, cowboy hat waving, boot tapping going on all around us.  This dude is a babe magnet to the nth degree.  I mean if we had a FingerHut booth set up next to the merch booth  – we would have sold out in 10 minutes with or without a coopin.

He even came prepped for the anniversary night by adding a third verse to a song that referenced the Wolf Den – (another plus in my book).  My pre-show research on this guy had me watching his videos to become familiar with several of his songs – and to my surprise they were pretty damn good.  And to top it off this country boy loves to sing songs about girls in white tank tops...how can you not appreciate the artistry of this guy. 

I’ve learned that many country songs are pretty short in duration (in the 3 minute range) and he performed a bunch them.  The 75 minutes went by pretty quick but a couple of highlights included the song “Sideways” and the drinkin tune “Am I the Only One”.  All the while he was high-fiving those fortunate to be stage-side and signing some mid-show autographs. He finished with his popular “What Was I Thinking” and left to a huge ovation.

Not pursuing country music over the years....What was I thinking, indeed.

Randall

STEPHEN STILLS - Rock Log 102111

The Mohegan Sun has scheduled some heavy hitters this weekend to celebrate the casino’s 15^th Anniversary.  Among them was Rock ‘N Roll legend Stephen Stills who took the stage on Friday night to entertain a packed Wolf Den.  When I say legend, I mean legend....For those familiar but not well versed in Stephen Stills, consider this – He has twice been entered into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame for his work with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young as well as for Buffalo Springfield.  He also ranks 28^th on the list of Rolling Stones’ Greatest Guitarists of All Time.  And perhaps lesser known, but most importantly and very near and dear to me, he is a fellow prostate cancer survivor.

NK and I arrived late and were 10 deep stage right (still with a decent view) as the clock approached 8:00 – you could feel the excitement in the air as the middle-aged crowd’s anticipation of the concert was building.  Then déjà vu.  Circle back to RockLog 092411 for the Zombies.  What the....an opening act...Again!!  Please stop the madness. Some unknown guy, bless his heart - a 29 year old war vet, come on stage and acoustically performed for 30 minutes of slow paced, run of the mill guitar tunes.   All I can say is thank God Vick wasn’t there, because I’m sure we would have witnessed a guy in his late 40s having a full blown tantrum complete with plenty of stomping, pouting and foaming at the mouth. 

Fast forward to showtime and the reason we went.  A much slimmed down Stephen Stills (lost 40 lbs) came on stage at 8:45 and played for 75 minutes.  We weren’t expecting much more as you have to remember this guy is now 66 years old.  There is no doubt Stephen Stills is a guitar genius – he seemed to have a different guitar for every song and man can he play.  His voice, on the other hand, showed glimpses of his age, but overall he did a great job.  He knocked out several solo songs, both acoustically and with his band and then dropped in some CSN&Y and a Buffalo Springfield tune.

While Stills has been on his own for a while now, the concert had a Rice Krispies feel to it...it was good, but it was Snap without the Krackel and Pop.    You can eat a whole bowl of Snap and that will satisfy, but when you add Krackel & Pop that will gratify.  While musically on target this show lacked the amazing harmonies of a Crosby Stills & Nash concert.  I suppose that’s nitpicking but as blogger, I’m entitled.

Still, for me, the highlights were those CSN tunes “Southern Cross” & “Love the One You’re With” and his show-ending Buffalo Springfield song “What It’s Worth”.  Hearing these classic tunes made putting up with the hordes of people and the opening act a worthwhile show.

Pass the milk....it’s on to Dierks.

Randall

LENNON LIVE - Rock Log 100911

October 9 is seemingly an ordinary date - nothing marked on the calendar, no holiday or historical event to speak of.  Yet if you’re a music fan or more specifically a Beatles fan that date means a great deal.  You see, John Lennon was born on that date in 1940.  He would have been 72 on Sunday.

To celebrate John’s birthday, the Wolf Den, maybe purposefully, maybe co-incidentally, scheduled a tribute to the rock legend.  Tragically taken from us nearly 32 years ago, many rock fans obviously never got the opportunity to see this master musician live.  Fortunately a man named Peter Gendron has devoted himself to recreating the John Lennon experience and performed in Uncasville last night as “Lennon – Live”

NK and I arrived right at showtime and lucked out with two front row bar spots.  The Den was well attended with plenty of die-hard Beatles fans.  Gendron, was a spot-on likeness to Lennon, both vocally and in appearance with his signature round eyeglasses and Beatles haircut.  He even donned military fatigues and later a ‘New York City’ shirt that Lennon was often seen wearing in old concert/interview clips.  So good was his resemblance that if you closed your eyes, you’d swear you were hearing the real Lennon.  So good was the resemblance that if you blocked your ears, you’d swear you were looking at the 40 year old Beatle.  If you closed your eyes and blocked your ears, well you missed a very good show.

The set list was comprised of Beatle tunes as well as Lennon’s solo stuff.  “Come Together” and “Imagine” started the show and were alone with the trip.  Then hearing Gendron rip into “Well we all shine on...like the moon and the stars and the sun”...was a true thrill.  Hearing less mainstream songs like “Dear Prudence”, “Woman” and “Mind Games” only heightened the experience.  Gendron was very capable on both guitars and the keys and was backed by a solid core of musicians which included a 3 horn section.   “(It’s Just Like) Starting Over” was very popular with the crowd including a favorite mainstay old couple who were dancing in the aisle.

Celebrating Lennon’s 72nd, the night’s highlight had to be when Gendron fittingly belted out “You say it’s your Birthday, well it’s my Birthday too yeah!!”  The song was very well done and got the crowd up and moving, followed shortly by a rocking version of “Twist & Shout”.

October 9, 2011 was no ordinary date.

Randall