ZOSO: The Led Zepplin Experience - Rock Log 032512

When Sunday evening has nothing on the agenda, I like to Den. Tonight Randall, NK and I met up with 2K at The Den for ZOSO, the Ultimate Led Zepplin Experience. Do I like Led Zepplin? Not really, as their music is not in my preferred genre known as Nursing Home Rock. But the stars aligned tonight which meant a trip to the Houses of the Holy.

The Den had a larger than expected Sunday night crowd. We were immediately pleased that The Squatch was in attendance, meaning regardless of the band, this was worth the trip. Well, fast forward ninety minutes and I was seriously impressed. This band not only paid tribute to the Hammer of the Gods, but were so in character that even the banter was full of Led.

The show opened with “Good Times Bad Times”. From the onset it was clear that the guitarist John McDaniel had dedicated his professional life to Jimmy Page. He looked and acted the part, and in addition he was a gifted axe man. He ripped through every song without flaw. Matt Jernigan (Robert Plant) started a little weak as his voice was hard to hear, but eventually the sound guy got it to a point where any discernible ear could tell that he was dead-on with the vocals. Jernigan’s mannerisms and look were eerily similar to that of Plant, straight down to the nut-hugging dungarees complete with thread-bare junk impression (see opening footage of the movie The Song Remains the Same). The drummer, Greg Thompson, was superb though he did the ten minute drum solo, which I can always do without. Lastly, the JPJ bass guy, Adam Sandling, was talented and mute, which in its own right was on the money. Thompson and Sandling notwithstanding, this show centered on the performances of Jernigan and McDaniel, both meticulously accurate in their portrayals and both extremely talented.

Now, if you are a Zepplin fan, I strongly encourage you to see this band. If you’re not a fan, then go anyway. They were just plain enjoyable. The first thirty minutes were great as “Heartbreaker” and “Going to California” were most memorable for me. Then the show derailed for the fringe fans with a fifteen minute version of “No Quarter”. The last twenty minutes was a flurry of high-octane old school rock not seen often at The Den, from the “Song Remains the Same”, to “Stairway” and then finally “Kashmir”. Noticeably absent was "Rock and Roll”, but that was okay. This show was flat out rock solid. Twice I removed my glasses and with blurred vision actually transported myself back forty years and had a moment.

The show ended with a slew of band-handshakes and a five minute waiting period for a full viewing of The Squatch. She did not disappoint, short sundress with a plunging neckline that revealed tattooed cans that were only marginally shrouded by what appeared to be a full size bison pelt wrapped around her shoulders.  A pair of Kremes and home by 9:30pm. Overall, a good night.

If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now…go see ZOSO.

Vick

THE FAB FOUR - Rock Log 031712

Ladies and gentlemen..THE BEATLES!

When Ed Sullivan uttered those words on February 9, 1964, the entire landscape of music changed.  The Beatles completely changed every facet of music with each new song they released.  So it makes sense that there are a multitude of tribute bands, one of which, The Fab Four, was at The Den tonight.  Randall, NK and Homework joined me for the trip to Uncasville.

The show was expectedly mobbed, but we managed to get some prime viewing space from the bar.  This is generally our preferred spot but when Hank Finkel (Google a photo for proper reference) decided to go back and forth approximately eleven times, it became a bit annoying.  Regardless, there was nothing that could derail this show from being a homerun.

This was simply put, an entertaining show filled with nostalgia and excellent reproduction of The Beatles music.  All of the music was played by the four musicians with nothing dubbed or piped in.  As expected, there were three segments which included “mop-top”, “Seargent Pepper” and “Let It Be” motifs.  To everyone’s appreciation, the show started with Ed Sullivan impersonator Jerry Hoban (was in Pulp Fiction)  cruising through an opening monolog before introducing the lads from Liverpool.  And these lads are; Ron McNeill (John), Frank Mendonca (Paul), Gavin Pring (George) and Erik Fidel (Ringo). 

Fidel was strong as Ringo, emulating the drums well and sounding serviceable during “A Little Help” and “Yellow Submarine”.  Mendonca was very good as Paul, looking similar sounding similar and playing the Hofner bass left handed.  McNeill and Pring were creepy good.  First Pring (left), looked like George’s twin, sounded like George’s twin, and played like Georges twin.  Now get this, he is from Liverpool.  His actions and mannerisms were spot on.  McNeil (right), the founder, was even closer to John than Pring was to George.  He was an instrumental master taking on guitar, keys and bass.  Honestly, looking at Pring and McNeil took me away to the 1960s and I believed I was actually watching The Beatles.

The show began with forty minutes of early stuff all done exceptionally well, from “She Loves You” to “Help!”  During the costume change break, Paul wooed the crowd with “Yesterday” followed by Ed Sullivan for a few words and then straight into “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.  This era of Beatles music was a little shorter in time, lasting only twenty five minutes, but incorporating four Pepper songs and.  My Favorite of this era was the reprise which flat out rocked the house while leading into “A Day in the Life”.  “Penny Lane” was also done to perfection.   The Let It Be era ushered in more great songs such as and the absolute show-stopper of the night “Revolution” and ending the show with “Hey Jude”.

The problem with a Beatles tribute is that you can play for ten hours and after the show somebody will always say “I wished they would have played….”.  The catalog is so vast, so great and frankly so perfect.  I needed The Fab Four to remind me how perfect The Beatles music was and is.  These four lads from Liverpool created in seven years what the aggregate society of rock has not been able to duplicate in the forty two years since their break-up.  If you want to see a tribute band of the Beatles, I have been told to see Rain.  However, I cannot imagine it getting much better than The Fab four.  This band was truly fab and I would actually PAY to see them again.  You heard me, PAY!

I'd like to say 'thank you' on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition!

Vick

CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE - Rock Log 031612

Back in 1971, when I was 5, The Who released their fifth album simply titled ‘Who’s Next’.  That album was so much a commercial success that it continued the ascent of the English Rock band to heights few other bands have attained.  Currently ranked at the 13^th best -selling album of all time, it is no wonder that it was chosen to be replicated by Classics Albums Live.

To understand the true musician-ship of the 1990 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, consider that a quick glimpse of the Wolf Den’s stage showed 8 members of Classics Album Live group were needed to recreate the music of Daltry, Townsend, Moon and Entwistle.  While I really don’t care if it took twenty musicians, the idea is to nail the album note-for-note.    They did just that.

The show began with a spot-on version of “Baba O’Riley” – the anticipation of how well the lead singer would hit Roger Daltry’s voice was quickly answered with “We’re all wasted!”  It included a very good violin solo by a young lady who surprisingly looked disinterested at being there.  No emotion in her at all.  Highlights from the album portion of the show included “Bargain”, “Going Mobile”, “Behind Blue Eyes” and the eight minute long crowd favorite “Won’t Get Fooled Again” in which the Daltry screams were timed right and hit to perfection.

Once the fifty minute album portion was over, they stayed and played several more Who classics such as “Pinball Wizard”, “I Can’t Explain”, “My Generation”, “Happy Jack”, “Tommy”, and “Substitute”.  Two omissions I was hoping but didn’t see were “Squeeze Box” & “I Can See for Miles”.

Usually overlooked in our Rock ‘n Roll adventures is the work of the drummer.  Aside from Vick’s love affair with Tom Scheckel, few drummers have made mention in our reviews.  While I have no idea who the drummer was by name last night, I will say he did a great job in the unenviable task of keeping up with Keith Moon.  His speed and precision were fun to watch.  Keeping up with Townsend is no smart feat in itself, so much so that this group had two guitarists handle the duty.  They did it well but again – it’s a tip of the hat to the artistry of Townsend.  The bassist was a non-entity in my opinion.  He was a pillar standing downstage by the drum set.

The group featured two lead singers, one for Daltry the other for Townsend and Entwistle.   First the Daltry guy...nothing but praise...his voice was clear, strong and timely in every song.  Now the other guy.  To visualize this guy imagine Colin Blunstone of The Zombies fame (Rock Log 091110) at age forty.  A shuffler to and from the mic all dressed in black.  Aside from his appearance and annoying stage presence he did a good job with Entwistle’s “My Wife” and as Townsend’s voice.

The biggest issue I had with this group is the seventh-grade music stands that they had on stage and kept reading the music from.  Please – you are a Classics Album Live group...do away with sheet music – There’s nine songs on the album which has been around for 41 years – For the love of God - learn the words and music from memory! 

Randall

Dedicated to our dear friend....Pray, Hope, Don’t Worry.

WICKED PEACH - Rock Log 031312

Tuesday night at the Den stirred up a two-fold meaning for “IV”.  It can mean an intravenous device for delivering electrolyte solutions, medicines, and nutrients or it can represent the Roman numeral four.

When the solutions/nutrients are Corona’s and Absolute and soda (sans the needle)...and the Rock and Roll show is Wicked Peach for the fourth time in 15 months you have the makings of a good evening.  Throw in the fact that Orbann came off the bench to pinch-hit for the regular IV (Vick, Chazbo, NK and Homework), who were all otherwise disposed, the night jumps to the stellar category.....well, not really stellar, but very enjoyable.

Wicked Peach has been well-documented in several other RockLogs - and true to form, they delivered a vast array of well-done tunes spanning the 80s through the present.  The IV member band continues to be driven by two members:  an impressive lead singer/guitar player and a very talented lead guitar player jamming through a 3 hour setlist. 

Of note is the conclusion I drew that the Wicked Peach band members must be Wolf Den Blog members because they heeded the advice in RockLog 120711 and did not play any Journey. 

Summary: when Orbann leaves a Rock & Roll Show with a buzz, a BOGO and a smile, you know Wicked Peach V is soon in the making....

Randall

ORLEANS - Rock Log 031112

Tonight Lady Vick and I caught the 1970’s pop-rock sensation Orleans at The Den.  This was billed as a special night as it 2012 marks the fortieth year of the band, the last thirty-six of which have been without any hit songs.  Nonetheless, Orleans did have three top-twenty songs back in the day so it made sense for us to pay homage.

Orleans was founded by two Hoppen brothers, John Hall and Wells Kelly in 1972.  The band had three popular songs in the mid-70s but failed to keep the momentum as the 80s approached.  They spent the next thirty years playing shows and doing session work in Nashville.  The band evolved over the years; a third Hoppen brother and guitarist Fly Amero were added in 1980, Kelly died in 1984 and Hall was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2006 and served two terms.  So clearly this is a band that has seen it all but has largely spent their days providing a dose of nostalgia to the likes of me.   

We arrived fifteen minutes before show time and there were plenty of seats to be had.  In fact The Den did not reach capacity despite the aura of reunion in the air.  The band (three Hoppens, an Amero and a Morgan) opened with Let There Be Music and sounded strong.  Before the second song, the band was joined by Hall, who entered the stage unannounced and undetected, save for a smattering of applause from the AARP-card holding faithful.  The reunion was on, as this was a collection of all living founders!  

This was a feel good show, not a great show, but just a show by a group of talented musicians who understood their place, played their music and did not attempt to prove that they are relevant in modern music.  There did appear to be some friction between Amero and Hall as the latter was clearly more appreciated than the former.  Amero came off as a spotlight hugger and should have accepted his role as “glad to be here” guy.  Larry Hoppen sounded great on vocals, is an excellent guitarist and was affable and engaging.  The other two Hoppens were cordial, yet devoid of emotion.  The drummer was quite good but mute and Hall was talented yet rusty.  Overall, the band was good.  They nailed the hits perfectly, first with “Dance With Me” twenty minutes into the show, which provoked a standing ovation.  At the one hour mark they played my favorite “Love Takes Time”.  This was a nice extended versions and was solid.  They ended with “Still The One”, which brought the house down, until the encored with a slow ballad “Please Be There” which brought me down and was not the best way to leave the crowd.  Lowlights of the show were two Amero-led blues songs, which seemed out of place.  The highlight for me was Power, a John Hall composition about the evils of atomic energy, which was a nice message packaged in strong vocals and melodic rhythms. 

When asked, the Lady Vick said “the show is exactly what I expected”.  Her summary is perfect.  It was good to see the boys back together, but there was nothing life-changing about their performance.  I wish Amero had lost the directions to The Den and Hall would have been more involved, but otherwise this was a pleasant show at a smoke-free yet smoke-filled venue.

Vick