Tuesday, May 25, 2010
40th Anniversary of JEFFERSON STARSHIP
Scroll down for review.
Double click on any photo to enlarge.
ROCK AND ROLL ISN'T OVER!!!
JEFFERSON STARSHIP LIVE IN CONCERT 22 May 2010
Scroll down for review and story; double click on pic to enlarge!
JEFFERSON STARSHIP LIVE
22 May 2010
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania USA
Scroll down for review and story.
Double click on any image to enlarge.
JEFFERSON STARSHIP LIVE 40th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
For review, scroll down.
Double click on any picture to enlarge!
JEFFERSON STARSHIP
40th Anniversary Tour
Live in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania USA
22 May 2005
Walking to the theatre, we spied a woman who remarkably resembled Cathy Richardson, who took over Grace Slick's vocal duties in the Jefferson Starship strolling away from the venue, on the sidewalk. The woman was wearing sunglasses and had her attention glued to her phone...but I could have swore... Well, not 5 minutes later, in the lobby just after giving up our tickets, we saw the same woman (sans specs) and indeed it was the lovely vocalist and she had her backstage pass to prove it. We said hello and exchanged a few quick pleasantries, and what a charming and gracious lady she is!
And forgive me friends, I really do love the work the original Airplane/Starship singer has done and listen to it regularly. However after hearing the dynamic song styling of Cathy Richardson for 2 hours, one almost says to oneself, "Grace, who?"
The best reason to catch the current Jefferson Starship tour is indeed Ms. Richardson. When was the last time you were at a concert, and after a war-horse number was performed you screamed at the top of your lungs, "OH MY GOD THAT WAS GOOD!"? Well, I did so, and completely involuntarily after hearing the J.S. live version of "Wooden Ships." It is one of my all time favorite tunes. Moreover, I have heard "Wooden Ships" performed more than any other song in concert by the heavyweights. Over the years, I must have heard Crosby, Stills and Nash (and once in a while Young) do the song a dozen or more times. And of course Crosby (with or without Nash and with or without his CPR band) and Stills solo so many times (no pun intended), and this J.S. version brought a tear to my eye and a primal response like no other.
Now the show overall was a pull to the top of the mountain (pun intended!), starting in low gear, with classic Kantner Airplane and Starship songs, in reserved style. And then, the first shocker, "Jane" sang by guitarist (and author) David Freiberg, with the same abandon as Micky Thomas (who tours with his own version of "Starship" sans "Jefferson"). It was a killer!
Marty Balin popped in and out and did "Miracles" and "Count on Me," very well (the women went nuts for both), and Ms. Richardson really showed us how to sing "White Rabbit" with the help of a gifted stuffed bunny (see the photos, and note the bunny on the bass drum when not in use). A patron also donated a white chocolate rabbit to Cathy, who freely admitted to being a life-long "Chocolate-tarian!"
After a nice intermission, the band reappeared to really in Paul Kantner's words, "go crazy." Hardly Ozzy crazy, but really rocking! They climaxed with Ms. Richardson's spot-on take of "Somebody to Love," and closed the show with Mr. Balin and troupe singing a terrific version of Volunteers.
Do go out of your way to catch these folks if you can, and you will enjoy a few legends and a few newer faces, really playing and singing out their hearts and souls for you!
Bottom Line: 5/5 stars---a do not miss tour!
Zeph, out
