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