PYROMANIA - Rock Log 073112

It’s gotta be hard to be from Chicago and try to sound like the British accented Joe Elliot. That’s what Paulie and I had to listen to and try to figure out as Pyromania hit the stage. While musically flawless, vocally some songs were very good – others, not so much. While I’ve loved Def Leppard music for years and thoroughly enjoyed the show, this, comparatively speaking, was not the best tribute band we’ve seen at the Den.

Randall

POCO - Rock Log 072412

Homework and I are worlds apart in musical taste.  He is “head-banging, guitar-shredding maniac guy” and I am “sip lemonade, rock on the porch, listen to elevator music guy”.  He is the teenager and I am grandpa.  But tonight we both hopped in the V-hicle and went to see country rock pioneer, Poco.  Poco was established in 1968, we know this because both bought the same t-shirt after the show that reads “Poco established 1968”.  Why did we buy Poco concert t-shirts?  Because this was a supremely outstanding show, that’s why.  Who would have thought that Poco was our common ground? 

From the beginning they came out rocking with “All Fired Up”, a song that was good but not special.  However, it did provide a glimpse of what great musicians were in the band, led by sole remaining founder Rusty Young.  The other members were all top notch musicians, both in terms of quality and quantity.  On set there was one drum set, one piano, one organ, one accordion, three electric guitars, two acoustic guitars, one steel guitar, one lap steel guitar, a dobro, mandolin and a couple of shaker things.  All played expertly by gifted musicians.

The night only took off after song three, “Call It Love”, which highlighted Young’s vocals, which were both strong and uniquely innocent, kind of like the big dude from The Blind Side.  From that point on, then night was sheer magic with notables such as “Crazy Love”, “Kind Woman” and a fantastic Cajun version of “In the Heart of the Night”.  Also, Young told a story of early Poco’s roots and his meeting with Neil Young just prior to playing a great song aptly titled “Neil Young is not My Brother”.  The stories were great, the music was superb, the banter was fresh and genuine and the show is now in my top three ever seen in Uncasville.

Finally, and most importantly, if I were to rate the five best songs I have ever heard at The Den, two of them were at this show.  “Hard Country” was simply out of this world with a Don Henley meets Mark Knopfler quality to it.  At eight minutes long it was not long enough.  This was still outshone by “Rose of Cimarron”, which was almost ethereal in its intertwining vocals and musical interlude which led Young from electric to steel guitar.

So, a show that we were ho-hum about turned out to rock our collective worlds.  We met the Poco boys after the show and were impressed in their humility and real appreciation of their fans.  Poco has just claim itself as my Number One Must See Band at The Den.  Outstanding!    

Vick

Established 1964

BURTON CUMMINGS - Rock Log 072012

Randall once said, when a Rock n' Roll legend comes to The Den then it's our obligation to make sure we are there.  Well, such is the case for Burton Cummings, known to all as the frontman of the legendary Guess Who.  I was very much looking forward to the show, Randall was game but did not share my level of enthusiasm.  By the end, we were both pleased.

The show opened strong with "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature", which sounded fantastic.  Cummings clearly has some miles on the pipes, but he brought it big tonight, covering all of the hits of the Guess Who and a few solo songs.  I must admit that of the fifteen song list, two fell flat, those being "Star Baby" and Guns, Guns, Guns", the latter he introduced by saying what a shame about the recent shootings in Colorado (poor timing).

Otherwise, thirteen songs were solid, none more so for me than "Undone", "Laughing" and "No Time".  Highlights for me was the UH in "American Woman" and "These Eyes", which I found to be completely captivating.  Randall really got jacked, meaning he moved greater than 3/4 of an inch, when BC played "Share the Land", which was perfectly done.

My sole complaint of Burton Cummings would be to stop criticizing the current line-up of the Guess Who.  We all know that you are The Voice of the band, we do not need your sourness, let them be.  Just play baby...and sweat, my goodness does this man sweat.

Overall, a very good show by one of rock's true legendary voices.

Vick

LITTLE RIVER BAND - Rock Log 071512

Tonight Homework and I ended the weekend with a trip to Uncasville to see the greatest Australian import this country has ever seen, the Little River Band.  The house was as jam-packed as you will ever find on a Sunday, with a heapin’ helpin’ of hot middle agers and a side order of Viz.

To say it was really LRB is a misnomer because there is not one original member in the band.  Wayne Nelson, bass and vocals, joined the band in 1980 in the middle of their glorious six year run atop the US charts.  The other four joined the group in 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2012.  So while it was legally the Little River Band, it was not THE Little River Band.  Thus, I really did not want to like this group because of the absence of Messrs. Shorrock, Birtles and Gobel, who founded the band and were the key to their success.  However, I found myself enjoying the show…a lot.

The show began with “It’s a Long Way There” and ripped through hit after hit for the next eighty minutes.  The band members were strong, none than Rich Herring on lead guitar.  His flawless delivery and solos drove the band.  Keys, drums and rhythm guitar were okay.  Nelson was a good front man in terms of banter.  He was engaging, affable and generally appreciative of everyone being there, offering autographs to all after the show over by the merch table, and boy did they have merch.  His vocals were good, by no means Glenn Shorrock good, but good.  Tonight the highlight of LRB was, and has been from the beginning, their harmonies.  When all members harmonized there was electricity in the air.   

The set-list was a seemingly endless collection of yesteryear chart-toppers.  Songs that I thought were exceptional were “Take it Easy on Me”, “Reminiscing” and “Man on Your Mind”.  The crowd seemed most into “Happy Anniversary”, during which Nelson implored the crowd on the floor to get up and sing, most of whom did not as their advanced age prohibited them from doing so.  I should mention that in April I e-mailed Nelson and asked that they play “Home on Monday”, which is in my all-time top five favorite songs.  He acknowledged receipt of my correspondence and then proceeded to lay down a nice version of this LRB deep cut.  Much thanks for that.  They closed the show with “Lonesome Loser”, which unfortunately they dragged on too long, but nonetheless was done very well. 

Overall, good show, great songs, gifted musicians, killer merch, but it did have a “tribute band” feel to it for me.  My recommendation is, go see LRB for the music and not the personnel and you will truly enjoy yourself.

Vick

WARRANT - Rock Log 070812

While Jani Lane was the face of Warrant as well as the key song writer and reason for much of Warrant’s success – his falling out with the band and subsequent legal battles left Warrant in disarray for years with various line-ups. Enter Robert Mason (formerly of Lynch Mob) in 2008 on vocals and the reformation of four original members (Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, Steve Sweet & Joey Allen) and all is well for Warrant. Mason’s voice and stage presence actually seem better than recently deceased Lane back in his heyday.

Good crowd, lots of audience participation and 90 minutes of in-your-face electric guitar driven music and rock anthems. Great show.

Randall