Tuesday, March 23, 2004
David Crosby and CPR news/review, see below under March 14, 2004.
NOW TODAY's NEWS!
CHRIS STILLS NEW RECORD DEAL:
Chiristopher Stills (son and somewhat sound alike to his dad Stephen) announced on chrisstills.com that he has singed a new recording deal with V2 records in Paris, France. He also says he will be writing and working on a producer in France soon, for a world-wide release... and he will be singing in French (his mom is Vero Sanson, the French singer and one time wife of Stephen), for a release in the "francophone territories."
His first CD was no smash, but I really liked it, called "100 YEAR THING." Check it out!
Zeph, out
NOW TODAY's NEWS!
CHRIS STILLS NEW RECORD DEAL:
Chiristopher Stills (son and somewhat sound alike to his dad Stephen) announced on chrisstills.com that he has singed a new recording deal with V2 records in Paris, France. He also says he will be writing and working on a producer in France soon, for a world-wide release... and he will be singing in French (his mom is Vero Sanson, the French singer and one time wife of Stephen), for a release in the "francophone territories."
His first CD was no smash, but I really liked it, called "100 YEAR THING." Check it out!
Zeph, out
Sunday, March 14, 2004
DAVID CROSBY
THE BAND CPR
@ The FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
3-14-04
Showtime: 8PM EST
IN REVIEW
FIRST THE CD NEWS….
From the mouth of Mr. David Crosby this night, there are THREE new CD Releases coming out “this summer."
1. A two (!) CD set of a NEW Crosby-Nash album with “18 songs." WOW.
2. A “5.1" edition of "If I Could Only Remember My Name" (Crosby’s first solo album).
3. A three (!!!) CD boxed set of the work of David Crosby.
So begin saving now friends, and by the way, not a word about anything from CSN or CSNY or CPR, but I have read reports elsewhere that both members of CPR and (the old C-N backup band) “The Section" (their only album was on vinyl, called “Fork it Over" was all instrumental, and very very good), were in the studio with Nash and Crosby, and it should be a real treat to hear. The Music Zephyr can’t wait for this one!
NOW THE CONCERT
Opening act Reid Genauer, without any introduction strolled out with his acoustic guitar (I know the crosbycpr.com site said it would be him AND the Assembyl of Dust band…oh, well) and said, only, “ I have been opening for this tour and I am NOT David Crosby." He did a handful of strum-along songs, that were largely good, and actually reminded this writer QUITE a lot of early David Crosby. His singing was solid to great and this young man has a future in this business. Visit his web site at www.reidgenauer.com and note the AOD band sounds a little like CPR…. This night however Reid Genauer only played solo with his acoustic guitar for a whopping 15 minutes, calling himself the “musical appetizer," and rightfully so. His songs were strong.
After the micro-opener…we were treated to a wasteful 30 minute break. Note, the stage was already set up for CPR, with the singular exception of Crosby’s mike and a few guitars.
CPR
The five members hit the stage quietly, again with no formal announcement. David said his trademark, “HELLO, thanks for coming!" And we were off. Sadly, the house was only slightly better than half-occupied. Jerry Seinfeld the comedian played the same theater with a packed house in the recent past. But Jerry was only on stage for about 70 minutes. CPR played a good 2 hours and 15 minutes (including encore and no intermission) and were thus, the entertainment bargain by far.
THE SET LIST, in order with comments:
1. MAP TO BURIED TREASURE-- (from Just Like Gravity), with Crosby on vocal and shaker (and egg shaped hand-held percussion device), Jeff Pevar on acoustic guitar, James Raymond (Crosby’s new-found son) on keyboards, Andrew Ford on Bass, and Steve DiStanislao on drums (playing with brushes). This was a new arrangement, they did NOT begin with the hook of the song, and was decidedly mellow compared to the studio version, but a sweet start. Raymond’s piano was all electronic; if you get the chance listen to the studio version with good headphones and/or speakers and note the great acoustic (real) piano tones of the original (subtle difference, but I noticed).
2. LAY ME DOWN—a very CSNish song, written by Raymond per David.
3. THROUGH HERE QUITE OFTEN—another new song, angelic sound especially of Crosby’s voice, about a waitress practicing acts of kindness, anonymously. It had an applause line in it. Crosby sang something like, ‘they say don’t talk to strangers; I say why the hell not?’
4. YOURS AND MINE—the banter here was great! Some people started (and never let up, much) chanting for ALMOST CUT MY HAIR (ACMH to you insiders)…Crosby said, “Don’t cut it man, you’ll…" and he made the international signal for impotence, well-understood by the greying audience, believe me. Then, he explained how this (originally) CSN song appeared on their “Hotdogs in Space" album (the real name was LIVE IT UP). He said that album had one of the worst album covers in history, he claimed “at that time I was NOT stoned," and regarding the album cover of hotdogs, ummm… “Nash did it!" Oh well, the new arrangement was not as powerful as the old, but certainly without the original’s nearly-disco tempo. Nice touch.
5. LUCK DRAGON—the first real rocker (and another new song) of the night, with real soft/loud dynamics. David told the crowd, “if you gain some deep insight into this song, we’d like to know, ‘cause we love singing it," as if to say HE didn’t know what it was about. It will be super on a new CD, hope it arrives soon.
6. THEY WANT IT ALL—a new “pissed-off rocker" about ENRON and greed. It also reminded me of a lot of people with toll free numbers on TV that want a piece of every tragedy (you know who you are). Great tune, great lyrics. “Didn’t your mama teach you stealing was wrong?" The song featured Pevar on a double-neck slide lap-held guitar. Reminded me a bit of the work of David Lindley (who was on the 70s Crosby-Nash albums, and Jackson Browne's classic RUNNING ON EMPTY).
7. JESUS OF RIO—yet another newbie, a Crosby/Nash song (will be on new CD, per Crosby). About the famous statue, and a lot more he said. Written by Nash and Pevar.
8. AMERICAN GHOST TOWN—sang and written by Raymond on lead vocal, with Crosby on (capo-2 for you guitarists out there) acoustic, and Pevar on capo-2 electric, making liberal use of the whammy bar!
9. SHINE—a Crosby song (not unlike several in the past), with no words…except a “shine" refrain to the end. A little like the intro to WIND ON THE WATER. The only difference is the tempo and feel, AND the fact that CPR did this one completely live. C/N, CSN, never (to my knowledge) did a Crosby dah-dah-dee type song live without digital help. Correct me if I am wrong. AND CPR did this one WELL. The crowd loved it.
10. GUENIVERE—the CSN standard with Raymond and Pevar only, no bass or drums (they got a break here). GEORGEOUS!
11. MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE—the Michael Hegedus (deceased sadly) arrangement with Pevar just about hitting the mark on acoustic guitar. CSN did this a lot, even on the TONIGHT SHOW after 9/11//01, but only sang it to the Hegedus guitar recorded. I do wish Stills could have learned it as well as Pevar. By the way, Stills is my all time favorite guitarist, but nobody’s perfect.
12. KATIE DID—introduced by Crosby as follows, “CPR is a band that probably will never make any money…this song DID play on some radio station…somewhere!" This was a show high-light, a great rock tune, done letter-perfect. This song should have been a monster hit. Get the “Just Like Gravity" CD by CPR if you don’t have it yet, just for this song.
13. AT THE EDGE—another bona fide CPR tune that Crosby described as a real inspiration, “from where, I just don’t know." A beautiful rendition, similar to the studio version.
14. LITTLE BLIND FISH—a CPR crowd-pleaser from the first CPR studio album, wonderfully done with Pevar on acoustic guitar.
15. BREATHLESS—a nice re-telling of the studio CPR version, “for Jan," David’s love of “27 years" which got him a round of applause. She’s fine by the way he said to a guy who shouted asking about her. Crosby also said of his 27 years of faithfulness, “don’t applaud ME, applaud HER!"
16. SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK AND ROLL STAR—a real surprise treat, the old BYRDS hit, and done as a rocker. I missed the 12 string electric of the original slightly, but MAN did CPR cook this one. Hope they do it again for you and I soon. Did you know Stephen Stills and Manassas did this song in concert too? Chris Hillman was Still's other guitarist in Manassas (and he was the BYRDs bass-player).
17. DÉJÀ VU—what can I say, the long intro fooled a lot of people, but not me. Greatly sung (as well as CSNY in their day, was that the 1974 tour?), and beautifully jammed at the end. The show “closer."
18. ENCORE #1—HOME AT LAST—the Steely Dan song, Crosby said they learned “this afternoon." He in fact could not sing it without the lyrics from his music stand. Crosby only played shaker on this one, and they did a nice job with it.
19. ENCORE#2—ALMOST CUT MY HAIR—perhaps THE signature David Crosby song from the CSNY album Déjà vu of course, and a GREAT jam at the end with all players showing what a great group this truly is.
PERFORMANCE NOTES AND FURTHER COMMENTS:
Just a few more things.
I was surprised how Pevar uses a guitar pick somewhat sparingly, and does a lot of finger-picking on both electric and acoustic. That seems to be one of his secrets to great instrumentals.
The “pretty-boys" of this group are Raymond and Steve Di (the drummer), they are both boyishly handsome and have a great likability. Crosby looks all of his 60-plus years, but sounds much younger. His voice and at times his guitar playing were just amazing. Pevar is a smiling yet powerful stage presence as above. He was singing well, Crosby even told him so half way through the set. I had a really hard time picking out his vocals from the mix. I suppose that's a good thing. Crosby is the best voice here, with Raymond a qualifed harmony singer, by DNA alone. Andrew Ford on bass, according to Crosby is "the rock" around which they all revolve; I agree. He reminded me a bit of Bill Wyman (former Rolling Stones bass player); all business and no flash. Refreshing!
Crosby wore a T-shirt saying “Somewhere in Texas there is a village missing it’s idiot." Funny, but a not so nice dig at George W Bush. Note Crosby (and Nash) supported (yeeh-HA) Howard Dean for president (bad choice, men). Crosby made it a point before “My Country Tis of Thee" to say he loves this country. Paraphrasing he said anyone who has been to a few other countries, knows the USA is the best of them. We could not agree more. He then voiced a fair amount of dissatisfaction with our current president.
Just for equal time…I will defend his right to say what he said, but I disagree. Take all the time you need to decide who the terrorists want in the White House. Click on the link (above) “President Rocks!" for more information. OK, ‘nuff said, and thanks for listening.
The FM Kirby Center was a great venue, great sound and lovely people, clean safe and comfortabe. Parking in downtown Wilkes-Barre (a city of less than 100,000) on a Sunday night was a breeze. There were no CPR T-shirts or other band “stuff" on sale; that IS a way for CPR to make money David…I would have bought one.
Not a word was said about David’s problem (link to CNN below or go to 4 way site) in NYC recently. I hope he gets a break, and learns from it THIS time.
AND FINALLY, this off-shoot group CPR is indeed the best group to come out of the CSNY family since Stills’ MANASSAS. They currently sing better than CSN has in years, trust me. It is my fervent hope that a super-super group with all of CSNY’s projects will materialize, at least in the studio, for one last great album. And we see a CSNY live DVD/CD project in our lifetime!
If you have read to this point you are a real fan, and I salute you. If you saw this concert, you know it was a 5/5 star show. If you did not, check crosbycpr.com and try to catch them soon.
Zeph, out.
THE BAND CPR
@ The FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
3-14-04
Showtime: 8PM EST
IN REVIEW
FIRST THE CD NEWS….
From the mouth of Mr. David Crosby this night, there are THREE new CD Releases coming out “this summer."
1. A two (!) CD set of a NEW Crosby-Nash album with “18 songs." WOW.
2. A “5.1" edition of "If I Could Only Remember My Name" (Crosby’s first solo album).
3. A three (!!!) CD boxed set of the work of David Crosby.
So begin saving now friends, and by the way, not a word about anything from CSN or CSNY or CPR, but I have read reports elsewhere that both members of CPR and (the old C-N backup band) “The Section" (their only album was on vinyl, called “Fork it Over" was all instrumental, and very very good), were in the studio with Nash and Crosby, and it should be a real treat to hear. The Music Zephyr can’t wait for this one!
NOW THE CONCERT
Opening act Reid Genauer, without any introduction strolled out with his acoustic guitar (I know the crosbycpr.com site said it would be him AND the Assembyl of Dust band…oh, well) and said, only, “ I have been opening for this tour and I am NOT David Crosby." He did a handful of strum-along songs, that were largely good, and actually reminded this writer QUITE a lot of early David Crosby. His singing was solid to great and this young man has a future in this business. Visit his web site at www.reidgenauer.com and note the AOD band sounds a little like CPR…. This night however Reid Genauer only played solo with his acoustic guitar for a whopping 15 minutes, calling himself the “musical appetizer," and rightfully so. His songs were strong.
After the micro-opener…we were treated to a wasteful 30 minute break. Note, the stage was already set up for CPR, with the singular exception of Crosby’s mike and a few guitars.
CPR
The five members hit the stage quietly, again with no formal announcement. David said his trademark, “HELLO, thanks for coming!" And we were off. Sadly, the house was only slightly better than half-occupied. Jerry Seinfeld the comedian played the same theater with a packed house in the recent past. But Jerry was only on stage for about 70 minutes. CPR played a good 2 hours and 15 minutes (including encore and no intermission) and were thus, the entertainment bargain by far.
THE SET LIST, in order with comments:
1. MAP TO BURIED TREASURE-- (from Just Like Gravity), with Crosby on vocal and shaker (and egg shaped hand-held percussion device), Jeff Pevar on acoustic guitar, James Raymond (Crosby’s new-found son) on keyboards, Andrew Ford on Bass, and Steve DiStanislao on drums (playing with brushes). This was a new arrangement, they did NOT begin with the hook of the song, and was decidedly mellow compared to the studio version, but a sweet start. Raymond’s piano was all electronic; if you get the chance listen to the studio version with good headphones and/or speakers and note the great acoustic (real) piano tones of the original (subtle difference, but I noticed).
2. LAY ME DOWN—a very CSNish song, written by Raymond per David.
3. THROUGH HERE QUITE OFTEN—another new song, angelic sound especially of Crosby’s voice, about a waitress practicing acts of kindness, anonymously. It had an applause line in it. Crosby sang something like, ‘they say don’t talk to strangers; I say why the hell not?’
4. YOURS AND MINE—the banter here was great! Some people started (and never let up, much) chanting for ALMOST CUT MY HAIR (ACMH to you insiders)…Crosby said, “Don’t cut it man, you’ll…" and he made the international signal for impotence, well-understood by the greying audience, believe me. Then, he explained how this (originally) CSN song appeared on their “Hotdogs in Space" album (the real name was LIVE IT UP). He said that album had one of the worst album covers in history, he claimed “at that time I was NOT stoned," and regarding the album cover of hotdogs, ummm… “Nash did it!" Oh well, the new arrangement was not as powerful as the old, but certainly without the original’s nearly-disco tempo. Nice touch.
5. LUCK DRAGON—the first real rocker (and another new song) of the night, with real soft/loud dynamics. David told the crowd, “if you gain some deep insight into this song, we’d like to know, ‘cause we love singing it," as if to say HE didn’t know what it was about. It will be super on a new CD, hope it arrives soon.
6. THEY WANT IT ALL—a new “pissed-off rocker" about ENRON and greed. It also reminded me of a lot of people with toll free numbers on TV that want a piece of every tragedy (you know who you are). Great tune, great lyrics. “Didn’t your mama teach you stealing was wrong?" The song featured Pevar on a double-neck slide lap-held guitar. Reminded me a bit of the work of David Lindley (who was on the 70s Crosby-Nash albums, and Jackson Browne's classic RUNNING ON EMPTY).
7. JESUS OF RIO—yet another newbie, a Crosby/Nash song (will be on new CD, per Crosby). About the famous statue, and a lot more he said. Written by Nash and Pevar.
8. AMERICAN GHOST TOWN—sang and written by Raymond on lead vocal, with Crosby on (capo-2 for you guitarists out there) acoustic, and Pevar on capo-2 electric, making liberal use of the whammy bar!
9. SHINE—a Crosby song (not unlike several in the past), with no words…except a “shine" refrain to the end. A little like the intro to WIND ON THE WATER. The only difference is the tempo and feel, AND the fact that CPR did this one completely live. C/N, CSN, never (to my knowledge) did a Crosby dah-dah-dee type song live without digital help. Correct me if I am wrong. AND CPR did this one WELL. The crowd loved it.
10. GUENIVERE—the CSN standard with Raymond and Pevar only, no bass or drums (they got a break here). GEORGEOUS!
11. MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE—the Michael Hegedus (deceased sadly) arrangement with Pevar just about hitting the mark on acoustic guitar. CSN did this a lot, even on the TONIGHT SHOW after 9/11//01, but only sang it to the Hegedus guitar recorded. I do wish Stills could have learned it as well as Pevar. By the way, Stills is my all time favorite guitarist, but nobody’s perfect.
12. KATIE DID—introduced by Crosby as follows, “CPR is a band that probably will never make any money…this song DID play on some radio station…somewhere!" This was a show high-light, a great rock tune, done letter-perfect. This song should have been a monster hit. Get the “Just Like Gravity" CD by CPR if you don’t have it yet, just for this song.
13. AT THE EDGE—another bona fide CPR tune that Crosby described as a real inspiration, “from where, I just don’t know." A beautiful rendition, similar to the studio version.
14. LITTLE BLIND FISH—a CPR crowd-pleaser from the first CPR studio album, wonderfully done with Pevar on acoustic guitar.
15. BREATHLESS—a nice re-telling of the studio CPR version, “for Jan," David’s love of “27 years" which got him a round of applause. She’s fine by the way he said to a guy who shouted asking about her. Crosby also said of his 27 years of faithfulness, “don’t applaud ME, applaud HER!"
16. SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK AND ROLL STAR—a real surprise treat, the old BYRDS hit, and done as a rocker. I missed the 12 string electric of the original slightly, but MAN did CPR cook this one. Hope they do it again for you and I soon. Did you know Stephen Stills and Manassas did this song in concert too? Chris Hillman was Still's other guitarist in Manassas (and he was the BYRDs bass-player).
17. DÉJÀ VU—what can I say, the long intro fooled a lot of people, but not me. Greatly sung (as well as CSNY in their day, was that the 1974 tour?), and beautifully jammed at the end. The show “closer."
18. ENCORE #1—HOME AT LAST—the Steely Dan song, Crosby said they learned “this afternoon." He in fact could not sing it without the lyrics from his music stand. Crosby only played shaker on this one, and they did a nice job with it.
19. ENCORE#2—ALMOST CUT MY HAIR—perhaps THE signature David Crosby song from the CSNY album Déjà vu of course, and a GREAT jam at the end with all players showing what a great group this truly is.
PERFORMANCE NOTES AND FURTHER COMMENTS:
Just a few more things.
I was surprised how Pevar uses a guitar pick somewhat sparingly, and does a lot of finger-picking on both electric and acoustic. That seems to be one of his secrets to great instrumentals.
The “pretty-boys" of this group are Raymond and Steve Di (the drummer), they are both boyishly handsome and have a great likability. Crosby looks all of his 60-plus years, but sounds much younger. His voice and at times his guitar playing were just amazing. Pevar is a smiling yet powerful stage presence as above. He was singing well, Crosby even told him so half way through the set. I had a really hard time picking out his vocals from the mix. I suppose that's a good thing. Crosby is the best voice here, with Raymond a qualifed harmony singer, by DNA alone. Andrew Ford on bass, according to Crosby is "the rock" around which they all revolve; I agree. He reminded me a bit of Bill Wyman (former Rolling Stones bass player); all business and no flash. Refreshing!
Crosby wore a T-shirt saying “Somewhere in Texas there is a village missing it’s idiot." Funny, but a not so nice dig at George W Bush. Note Crosby (and Nash) supported (yeeh-HA) Howard Dean for president (bad choice, men). Crosby made it a point before “My Country Tis of Thee" to say he loves this country. Paraphrasing he said anyone who has been to a few other countries, knows the USA is the best of them. We could not agree more. He then voiced a fair amount of dissatisfaction with our current president.
Just for equal time…I will defend his right to say what he said, but I disagree. Take all the time you need to decide who the terrorists want in the White House. Click on the link (above) “President Rocks!" for more information. OK, ‘nuff said, and thanks for listening.
The FM Kirby Center was a great venue, great sound and lovely people, clean safe and comfortabe. Parking in downtown Wilkes-Barre (a city of less than 100,000) on a Sunday night was a breeze. There were no CPR T-shirts or other band “stuff" on sale; that IS a way for CPR to make money David…I would have bought one.
Not a word was said about David’s problem (link to CNN below or go to 4 way site) in NYC recently. I hope he gets a break, and learns from it THIS time.
AND FINALLY, this off-shoot group CPR is indeed the best group to come out of the CSNY family since Stills’ MANASSAS. They currently sing better than CSN has in years, trust me. It is my fervent hope that a super-super group with all of CSNY’s projects will materialize, at least in the studio, for one last great album. And we see a CSNY live DVD/CD project in our lifetime!
If you have read to this point you are a real fan, and I salute you. If you saw this concert, you know it was a 5/5 star show. If you did not, check crosbycpr.com and try to catch them soon.
Zeph, out.
Saturday, March 06, 2004
NEWS FLASH
DAVID CROSBY UNDER ARREST IN NYC
ALLEGED MJ AND LOADED GUN FOUND IN LUGGAGE
Read all about this sad happening at
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/06/david.crosby.arrested/index.html
Hope this doesn't put the CPR tour in the toilet.
Zeph, out
DAVID CROSBY UNDER ARREST IN NYC
ALLEGED MJ AND LOADED GUN FOUND IN LUGGAGE
Read all about this sad happening at
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/06/david.crosby.arrested/index.html
Hope this doesn't put the CPR tour in the toilet.
Zeph, out
Friday, March 05, 2004
PETER FRAMPTON AND STYX SUMMER TOUR DATES (from frampton.com):
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Cleveland OH
Blossom Music Center
Friday, May 07, 2004
Fishers IN
Verizon Wireless Music Center –
Indianapolis
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Bonner Springs
MO
Sandstone Amphitheatre
Sunday, May 09, 2004
St Louis
MO
UMB Bank Pavilion
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Oklahoma City
OK
Zoo Amphitheatre
Friday, May 14, 2004
Dallas
TX
Smirnoff Music Center
Saturday, May 15, 2004
The Woodlands
TX
Woodlands Pavilion
Sunday, May 16, 2004
San Antonio
TX
Verizon Wireless San Antonio
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Phoenix
AZ
Cricket Pavilion
Friday, May 21, 2004
Los Angeles
CA
Universal Amphitheatre
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Concord
CA
Chronicle Pavilion at Concord
Sunday, May 23, 2004
Marysville (SAC)
CA
Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Denver
CO
Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre
Friday, May 28, 2004
Salt Lake
UT
USANA Amphitheatre
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Idaho Falls
ID
Sandy Downs Outdoor Pavilion
Sunday, May 30, 2004
George
WA
The Gorge
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Columbus
OH
Germain Amphitheatre
Monday, June 14, 2004
Detroit
MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Atlanta
GA
HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Charlotte
NC
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Friday, June 18, 2004
Raleigh
NC
Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Pittsburgh
PA
Post-Gazette Pavilion
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Richmond
VA
Kings Dominion
Friday, June 25, 2004
Philadelphia
PA
Mann Center for Performing Arts
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Bristow
VA
Nissan Pavilion
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Virginia Beach
VA
Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre
Zeph, out
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Cleveland OH
Blossom Music Center
Friday, May 07, 2004
Fishers IN
Verizon Wireless Music Center –
Indianapolis
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Bonner Springs
MO
Sandstone Amphitheatre
Sunday, May 09, 2004
St Louis
MO
UMB Bank Pavilion
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Oklahoma City
OK
Zoo Amphitheatre
Friday, May 14, 2004
Dallas
TX
Smirnoff Music Center
Saturday, May 15, 2004
The Woodlands
TX
Woodlands Pavilion
Sunday, May 16, 2004
San Antonio
TX
Verizon Wireless San Antonio
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Phoenix
AZ
Cricket Pavilion
Friday, May 21, 2004
Los Angeles
CA
Universal Amphitheatre
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Concord
CA
Chronicle Pavilion at Concord
Sunday, May 23, 2004
Marysville (SAC)
CA
Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Denver
CO
Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre
Friday, May 28, 2004
Salt Lake
UT
USANA Amphitheatre
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Idaho Falls
ID
Sandy Downs Outdoor Pavilion
Sunday, May 30, 2004
George
WA
The Gorge
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Columbus
OH
Germain Amphitheatre
Monday, June 14, 2004
Detroit
MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Atlanta
GA
HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Charlotte
NC
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Friday, June 18, 2004
Raleigh
NC
Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Pittsburgh
PA
Post-Gazette Pavilion
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Richmond
VA
Kings Dominion
Friday, June 25, 2004
Philadelphia
PA
Mann Center for Performing Arts
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Bristow
VA
Nissan Pavilion
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Virginia Beach
VA
Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre
Zeph, out
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
TWO NEW "BEST OF" COLLECTIONS!!!
THE BEST OF HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH (1993 THRU 2003).
I own no other Hootie, except the Led Zep tribute with "Hey Hey What Can I Do" on it that the Blowfish put their mark on, and this tune does appear in this best of collection in slightly finer form. All the major (from "Cracked Rear View") hits are here to hear, and a good smattering of minor ones.
Did you know, all you CSN/Y & CPR & plain old David Crosby fans that David Crosby sang harmony on the very first Hootie Hit? Yup, it was on "Hold My Hand" the first cut of this disc, and with good headphones, I can just about pick out "the Croz."
The downside is most "NEW" greatest hits collections just HAVE to have a REALLY NEW cut on them, and this disc includes a TV Movie version of Gate's "Goodbye Girl" which the Blowfish recorded for the soundtrack. For one thing Darius Rucker sounds like he is nursing a bad cold on THIS cut (the rest are great), and it's a dull and droll adaptation.
Also, the disc runs only about 67 minutes; that could have meant another two average-length songs, gentlemen, ahem! The Music Zephyr runs on a platform that all "best of" collections should average at least 74 minutes long per disc.
Otherwise it rocks, and is a great collection to have.
Bottom Line 4.5/5 stars....and now...
THE ESSENTIAL CHEAP TRICK
What can I say, it's about as complete a "hits" and "gems" collection on 2 CDs that run a decent (just under) 74 minutes each, that you can legally obtain. The wonderful thing is also that it is a total (to date) career buffet, ending with "Scent of a Woman" from the "Special One" disc just out a few months back (and a tight collection itself).
Quibbles, they are few. You get a smattering of live cuts of older songs, "Gonna Raise Hell" in a 9 minute live performance from "Music for Hangovers" is the most glaring example, but heck it IS a better take than the studio version. And of course "I Want You to Want Me" and "Ain't that a Shame" is from Budokhan, which are definitive. If I had "the power" I guess I would personally include the CT version of "Day Tripper" and a few other minor selections.
This collection has a good NEW release, "Say Goodbye" with Chrissie Hynde, in a mix you can actually hear the great Pretender. And her voice ADDS so much, and intersects flawlessly with Zanders, it's a real treat (compared with the Hootie cover above).
But overall, it's a keeper, especially for the Cheap Trick neophyte.
Bottom Line 5/5 stars...
Zeph, out
THE BEST OF HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH (1993 THRU 2003).
I own no other Hootie, except the Led Zep tribute with "Hey Hey What Can I Do" on it that the Blowfish put their mark on, and this tune does appear in this best of collection in slightly finer form. All the major (from "Cracked Rear View") hits are here to hear, and a good smattering of minor ones.
Did you know, all you CSN/Y & CPR & plain old David Crosby fans that David Crosby sang harmony on the very first Hootie Hit? Yup, it was on "Hold My Hand" the first cut of this disc, and with good headphones, I can just about pick out "the Croz."
The downside is most "NEW" greatest hits collections just HAVE to have a REALLY NEW cut on them, and this disc includes a TV Movie version of Gate's "Goodbye Girl" which the Blowfish recorded for the soundtrack. For one thing Darius Rucker sounds like he is nursing a bad cold on THIS cut (the rest are great), and it's a dull and droll adaptation.
Also, the disc runs only about 67 minutes; that could have meant another two average-length songs, gentlemen, ahem! The Music Zephyr runs on a platform that all "best of" collections should average at least 74 minutes long per disc.
Otherwise it rocks, and is a great collection to have.
Bottom Line 4.5/5 stars....and now...
THE ESSENTIAL CHEAP TRICK
What can I say, it's about as complete a "hits" and "gems" collection on 2 CDs that run a decent (just under) 74 minutes each, that you can legally obtain. The wonderful thing is also that it is a total (to date) career buffet, ending with "Scent of a Woman" from the "Special One" disc just out a few months back (and a tight collection itself).
Quibbles, they are few. You get a smattering of live cuts of older songs, "Gonna Raise Hell" in a 9 minute live performance from "Music for Hangovers" is the most glaring example, but heck it IS a better take than the studio version. And of course "I Want You to Want Me" and "Ain't that a Shame" is from Budokhan, which are definitive. If I had "the power" I guess I would personally include the CT version of "Day Tripper" and a few other minor selections.
This collection has a good NEW release, "Say Goodbye" with Chrissie Hynde, in a mix you can actually hear the great Pretender. And her voice ADDS so much, and intersects flawlessly with Zanders, it's a real treat (compared with the Hootie cover above).
But overall, it's a keeper, especially for the Cheap Trick neophyte.
Bottom Line 5/5 stars...
Zeph, out
