Rock & Roll (and Bluegrass) Music

It has been an incredible month of music. September ended with seeing a taping of the Sundance channel show "Spectacle" and October ended with me attending the greatest concert I have ever been to. Let's recap...

"Spectacle" Hosted by Elvis Costello with guests Ray LaMontange, Lyle Lovett and John Prine.

My very first trek to the Apollo Theatre. My co-worker was kind enough to remember my love of Ray LaMontange and offered me tickets. I took Cheryl, my designated events buddy. It was so exciting just to feel the history of the Apollo, knowing pretty much every musician I have ever loved has walked on that stage.

Elvis Costello has always been one of those musicians to fly under my radar. When I hear one of his songs, I really like it, and then forget about him until hearing the next song. Elvis begins the show by singing a couple of his older songs and then brings out John Prine. I was woefully unfamiliar with his music, so being at the show made a great first impression. An interviewed followed and then it was Lyle Lovett's turn. I have a couple of his songs on my iTunes, but they aren't on the Most Played playlist. Hearing him perform live, however, may have changed that. As a musician he really does have an incredible presence about him. His interview followed, and it was getting to be quite late in the evening. However, the second wind came when Ray LaMontange took the stage. He is so incredible. He started with "You Are the Best Thing" and then went into "Jolene". What impresses me most is that he has this deep, gravel-like voice and during his interview with Elvis, just the most humble, mild-mannered, soft-spoken man. It just made me all the more excited for his Beacon Theatre show.

Bruce Springsteen #5

The final concert at Giants Stadium. I took the new NJ Transit train from Hoboken to Giants Stadium, which was cheap, easy and took me right there. Sure beats paying $30 and waiting in traffic to park. I met up with my friends Beth and Frank, where most of the time was spent deciding which commemorative t-shirt to buy. I departed them and headed towards my seat. It was fantastic. There really is something to be said for getting single seats. I was on the 50-yard line, three rows up. As a football fan, Giants stadium is enemy territory, but for a concert, it was quite friendly and fun.

Bruce and the E Street Band took to the stage and opened with a new song Bruce wrote for the occasion called "Wrecking Ball". It did not disappoint. Neither did the rest of the 3 hour 10 minute show. They played the entire Born in the USA album, with one of the best version of "I'm Going Down" I have ever heard. "American Land" was another highlight. At 60 years old, Bruce was still rockin' and showing no signs of age.

Here's the setlist:
Wrecking Ball
Badlands
Spirit In The Night
Outlaw Pete
Hungry Heart
Working On A Dream
Born In The USA
Cover Me
Darlington County
Working On The Highway
Downbound Train
I'm On Fire
No Surrender
Bobby Jean
I'm Goin' Down
Glory Days
Dancing In The Dark
My Hometown
Tougher Than The Rest
The Promised Land
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
The Rising
Born To Run
Raise Your Hand
The Last Time (Rolling Stones)
Waiting On A Sunny Day
Seven Nights To Rock
Kitty's Back
American Land
Jersey Girl






Steve Martin #6

Back in May, I was fortunate enough to see Ideal Man Steve Martin play a banjo bluegrass concert at a 125-seat venue. Suffice to say that Carnegie Hall was a teeny bit bigger. I went with my friend Brandon, who I had met at the previous concert. One of these days I will actually sit somewhere else besides the upper levels of Carnegie Hall, but that will have to wait for another day.

Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley opened the show. In an conservative estimate, I think he's 150 years old. But can still sing.

But I was there to see Steve Martin and again he did not disappoint. Backed again by the Steep Canyon Rangers, Steve put on an incredible show. He could just sit and stage and do nothing and I would still pay $50 to see it. Sadly, no pics for this show. I was too high up.

Ben Folds #3

I had my tickets to see Ben Folds perform with the Boston Pops since May. I didn't exactly want to wish my summer away, but I was so excited to see him play with the Pops conducted by my beloved Keith Lockhart. Erin took the drive up to Boston with me. And our friend Jon also joined us.

Ben Folds is a genius, pure and simple. It is always a joy to see him. I had first seen him six years ago at a small Boston club. What impressed me most is that at the time, I didn't recognize a single song he performed, but still enjoyed the show nonetheless.

Obviously, this show was a much different experience. Each song was a gem and not too surprised to hear the orchestra enhancing most of the arrangements. Highlights were "Landed", "Gracie", and "Zak and Sara". Keith looked adorable in an open button-down black shirt and pants. Ben closed the show with a solo piano version of "Rockin' the Suburbs". I never thought I ever live to see the day where I yell "F***!!" in Symphony Hall.

A great time had by all and well worth the five months wait.

Rock Hall 25, Night 1 - Madison Square Garden

I was certain when I left the Billy Joel concert at Shea Stadium last year that that would be the best, most definitive concert I would ever attend. Billy, Steven Tyler, Tony Bennett, Roger Daltry and Sir Paul McCartney closing it out. The bar was set incredibly high.

The bar reached an insurmountable level on October 29th when I attended the concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden.

This was a very pricey ticket, but when I first saw the lineup I knew I had to be there. I sucked it up and got a ticket via StubHub. I was in the back, but the stage was set more forward than usual and MSG is a small venue anyways.

At 7:30pm, a video highlighting the 25 years of the Hall of Fame plays. Then Tom Hanks takes to the stage (his production company, Playtone, is producing an edited version of the shows for HBO) to intro the evening. From there he introduces Jerry Lee Lewis.

It has been a life goal of mine to see Jerry Lee Lewis perform live. He is one of those performers I am in awe of. Personal history aside, he is a legendary musician. OK, so "the Killer" looks like every breath will be his last, he still sang a rockin' version of "Whole Lotta Shakin; Going On". It was one song, short and sweet, but I was more than satisfied.

Next up were Crosby, Stills and Nash. Stephen Stills looks like the Eugene Levy character in "A Mighty Wind". They opened with "Woodstock" and looking at the line-up, I realize this might be the closest I ever get to seeing a collection of caliber talent, like Woodtock. They were soon joined on the stage by Bonnie Raitt. She performed a song and went back. Jackson Browne, who I also love, sang "The Pretender" while CS&N provided background. They did the same for James Taylor during "Mexico". James stayed on stage with "Love the One Your With" The set finished with all of them singing "Teach Your Children".

Next up was Paul Simon (solo - #5). Uber-heart Paul Simon. He opened with "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", then followed with "Me & Julio Down By the Schoolyard" and "You Can Call Me Al", one of my all-time favorite songs. Then Dion comes on to duet "The Wonderer". Dion still has an amazing voice. David Crosby and Graham Nash provided background vocals on a haunting "Here Comes the Sun". Little Anthony & the Imperials did an a cappella solo. Paul returned to the stage with Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel #4). This was the emotionally charged part of the show for me. It was a 1-2-3 punch of "The Sounds of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson" and "The Boxer", my second all-time favorite song. Only at MSG can Artie point to 7th Avenue during the lyric, "come ons from the whores on 7th Avenue". They closed with a pitch perfect "Bridge Over Troubled Water", but we wouldn't let them leave until "Cecilia" was played. It was already one of the best shows ever and it was only halfway done.

Stevie Wonder is next to take to the stage. Audio problems plagued his set some. He opened with a cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind". After a couple of songs, including "Signed, Sealed, Delivered", Smokey Robinson joined him for "Tracks of My Tears". Smokey needs to lay off the Botox. John Legend joined in for "Mercy, Mercy, Me" and stayed for a cover of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel". Stevie is having a really hard time with MJ's passing. Next up was B.B King (#2) and Stevie doing "The Thrill is Gone". Then Sting comes out during "Higher Ground", which soon morphs into "Roxanne". One of the big highlights of the night for me was having Jeff Beck some out for "Superstition", which closed out Stevie's set.

There was a bit of a delay to set the stage or Bruce. But it was well worth it at 11:45pm when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (#6) came on stage, with an electric version of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out". It only got better from there. Bruce brought out Sam Moore from Sam & Dave. They shared verses on "Hold On, I'm Coming" and "Soul Man". I was in full rock mode at this point. Those two together were magic. Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine assisted on a powerful version of "The Ghost of Tom Joad". More magic happens with John Fogerty comes on stage. I love, love, love John Fogerty and he went right into an incredible version of "Fortunate Son" and "Proud Mary". Bruce and John then pay tribute to Roy Orbison with "Oh, Pretty Woman". "Jungleland" followed and then Bruce introduced Darlene Love, who sang two songs. Tom Morello returns for "Badlands" and "London Calling".

Bruce calls for a bridge & tunnel summit. There is only one man who can unite New Jersey and Long Island. At 1am, Bruce says, "Ladies and gentlemen, the King of Long Island, Billy Joel!" This is when I go bat-crazy nuts and SuperHappyFunEllen fully emerges. How apropos that my 25th time seeing Billy Joel in person is at the 25th anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame show. Billy rolls right into "You May Be Right" and "Only the Good Die Young". Bruce and Billy duet "New York State of Mind". Clarence Clemons sax solo added more than I ever thought possible for the song. For their dueting finale, they traded verses on "Born to Run". I am euphoric.

For the grand finale, Bruce, Billy, John Fogerty, Sam Moore, Darlene Love, Jackson Brown Tom Morello and Peter Wolf all sing "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher)". It is 1:30am and I am beyond awed of what I just saw.

I cannot properly expressed how appreciative I am to have seen this concert in person. I have such a tremendous respect, love and admiration for all of these gifted musicians and it was incredible to honor this music I love so very much. Can't wait to see it again on November 29th on HBO.

Quote of the Day:
"Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone's task is unique as his specific opportunity to". -Viktor Emil Frankl