CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE - Rock log 061512

Recently the Den has booked several different bands which pay tribute to the same legendary Rock N Roll groups.  We’ve seen the Beatles done as Classics Album Live and as the Fab Four.  We’ve also seen Great Escape do their version of Journey then watched Voyage (w/ Hugo) do their rendition of the same.   Friday night brought another of such events.

Back in March, Zoso: The Led Zeppelin Experience (Rock Log 032512) demonstrated a ‘looks like/sounds like’ set of Led Zeppelin’s best and did a very good job.   Classics Album Live performed Led Zeppelin II and took it to a new level on Friday – at least on the audible front (as a Classics Album Live show will never be mistaken for a look-a-like band.)

What amazes me most about the Classics Album Live shows I’ve seen is the amount of musicians it takes to re-create the sound of the originals.  The Who and The Beatles have four band members and in each case it took eight musicians to replicate their sounds.   In the Led Zep case – it was another seven to match the original four.  

Tonight was all about the lead singer.  While you would expect the Jimmy Page guitarist to be the show stopper in a Led Zeppelin show – and he was very talented, the guy doing Robert Plant was absolutely amazing.  I’m just an average Led Zep fan – but smart enough to know that this guy had it going on....long notes, high notes, low notes, grunts, harmonica, timing, screams...everything on cue and to perfection. 

After forty five minutes of straight forward Led Zeppelin II, highlighted by a strong opening tune of “A Whole Lot of Love” – the band played another forty five minutes of other Zep favorites.  A first for all of us was the song where the drummer played with four sticks (a la Jon Bonham)...I found it really unique and fun to watch, but unfortunately couldn’t actually hear the difference the extra two stick made.

Fearing “Stairway to Heaven” would end the show, we were all pleasantly surprised that this song was nixed from the setlist and they ended in grand fashion with “Kashmir”.  Definitely one of the Top 10 songs I’ve heard play live at the Den since I started oh so many years ago.

This night provided no oddball people, no drop dead gorgeous gals, no extravagant sets – nothing to remember it by except the music.  I guess that’s the way it should be....

Randall

AMERICA - Rock Log 060912

Last year at about this time, America came to town to play at the Wolf Den.  Seven of us cleared our schedules to have dinner and watch a show.  Unfortunately circumstances changed that evening and we never got to see these vintage musicians.  This year, America’s return to Uncasville drew only two of those original seven.   For myself, seeing this band for the first time was simply another notch in my Rock n’ Roll show belt, but for NK, it seemed a real treat.

Time is a funny thing – depending on context, forty-two years can be seen as very short duration or a very long duration.  If you are a 42 yr old grandparent, one would think that is amazingly young.  Yet if you started a Rock N Roll band 42 years ago and continue to perform to this day, one would consider you a relic.  America falls into the latter. 

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell formed two-thirds of the original group and rose to stardom in the 70’s with an array of easy-listening Top 10 hits.   They were joined on stage by Willie Leacox on drums -a 39 yr veteran of the group, Mike Woods, lead guitar, 34 years, and the rookie on bass Richard Campbell, 11 years.  Together these guys showed their true musicianship and played a very good set to a packed, yet strangely motionless older crowd. 

Being much older Den Men than yours truly, this group is far more up NK’s & Vick’s alley based on the kind of music and timeframe of their popularity.  Still, I knew several songs and some that I didn’t know were very good (“Sandman” comes to mind as an unbeat- rockin’ tune).   They played the hits: “Lonely People”, “Sister Golden Hair”, “You Can Do Magic”, and of course “Ventura Highway” and even ventured into some covers including the Mama’s & Papa’s “California Dreamin”.  One highlight of the show was the very effective use of the video monitor behind the stage.  They showed vintage America concerts as well as news clips of the world from back in the 70’s and earlier including war scenes.  Overall I enjoyed the show as the concert had a Crosby, Still and Nash feel to it -softer music with good harmonies.  It’s no wonder they have their star of the Walk of Fame.

One last highlight occurred as NK and I were downing some Trash Ribs at Bubba’s and enjoying the Celts game.  We both watched in awe as Den favorites, Greg and Squatch, mosied up to a table to feast on a full rack and half a chicken.  Surprised – I think not.

Randall