Toto live at Chene Park, Detroit, Michigan

Toto live at Chene Park, Detroit, Michigan

 

Sunday August 25th, 2013

 

 

 

 

Seeing the band Toto live is such a rare treat, especially when you realise that the last time they played Detroit was in fact July 19th, 2007 … Yes, I remember it well as I reviewed that show for http://classicrock.about.com at the time.

That was a great night, although sadly that night the lineup was missing a major player, as David Paich was missing and in fact the time I saw Toto here before that was back in 2002 and there was a massive storm here.
It stormed so badly that night, that opening band The Tubes pulled out of doing the show, because they didn’t figure it would go ahead …, but it did.

  

Anyway, whatever ... The band are back in town again and this time, WITH David Paich!
Indeed the current lineup that has been touring features original players Steve Lukather and Steve Pocaro as well as David, also Joseph Williams who sung on the ‘Fahrenheit’ and ‘The Seventh One’ albums.
Also long time drummer – one of my favourites – Simon Phillips who stepped into the band after Jeff Pocaro passed away in 1992 and Nathan East on bass wraps up the main band and then there are two very good backing vocalists too, Amy Keys and Mabvuto Carpenter.

The stage was set, as the band is opening for Michael McDonald (ex-Doobie Brother) on a bunch of dates across the US, they’re playing on the edge of the Detroit river in an excellent amphitheater in Detroit’s Chene Park.

We were a little nervous about heading downtown, but this was Toto after all a completely world class act who for way too many years have been so wrongfully overlooked by their home country here in the USA.
With the talent they’ve always had and still have in mountains – Don’t come much bigger than mountains right?! – it was a show that I for one, was not going to miss.

They opened the set going straight for the throat with ‘On The Run’ and it just sounded so, so good and it’s just great to see that David Paich is there on piano and keys, as well as Steve Pocaro.

Very happy to have been witness to this wonderful event first hand.

‘Goodbye Elenore’ next just never sounded better!
This band is just so on their game, so tight, I mean the interplay between them all is just spot on!

 

Toto, live in Detroit!
Top - Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams and Nathan East, brilliant!
Bottom - Simon Phillips, drum maestro!
Photo's: Alun Williams

I was beginning to think I’d died and gone to heaven when they chose to play ‘Hydra’ next, Luke’s guitar work just stunning, he just rips out the licks and Simon’s drumming, phenomenal!
The sound they produce is just so lush, so rich even in an outdoor setting, these guys got it so right. What a night!

 

 

For the casual Toto fan, ‘Rosanna’ reached many of the crowd to get them up on their feet, it’s just so sad they are not headlining the venue on the night. Perhaps also the fact that the gig was not strongly advertised, certainly not well enough is why there was not a big, sold out crowd in attendance.
Perhaps also the location scared a lot of folks off coming to the show as well.
Had it been Pine Knob / DTE Energy Music Theatre, Freedom Hill or even Meadowbrook, I think this would’ve been a lot better attended show. Shame …
Luke and Joe’s shared vocals on ‘Rosanna’ were just class, it all sounded simply immense and the band just jammed it out at the end of the song, great!

Toto live on Detroit's riverfront - Photo: Alun Williams
 

 

Luke stepped up to the microphone and said to the crowd, ‘Hey Detroit, wassup?!
It feels like it’s been a thousand years since we last played in town.’He dedicates the next song to his Mom, who he lost a few years back and shared how she always inspired him so much.
‘I Won’t Hold You Back’ was pure AOR heaven, just beautiful, it gave both Rhonda and I goose bumps.

 

 

From their last studio album, they provided us the title track ‘Falling In Between’ next which becomes a cool epic on its own.
 Simon’s sporadic drum fills, in sync with Luke’s guitar runs is just mint! Brilliant!

 

 

Top - David Paich and Simon Phillips
Bottom - Luke plays out in front of Simon Phillips
Photo's - Alun Williams

 

Luke dedicates the next song to ‘Our brother Jeff Pocaro … And our brother Mikey Pocaro back in LA … We thank you all, for your prayers and well wishes …’
‘Wings of Time’ from ‘Kingdom of Desire’ is a monster track, just so beautifully presented and as so much much of Toto’s work, so rich and very soulful.

 

 

Luke introduces, ‘Joseph Williams, the GREAT Joseph Williams, give it up for him!’

Joe steps up to the mic and says, ‘I’d like you all to join me in singing this next song that I wrote with David Paich, the GREAT David Paich! It’s called ‘Pamela!’Truly yet another strong song from the Toto jukebox and David Paich has an excellent solo piano spot in the middle that captures jazz and honky tonk moments and he’s just got the ‘it’ factor about him, no question! Magic!

 

Two masters of the keys, Steve Pocaro (Top) and David Paich (Bottom)!

Photo's - Alun Williams

 

 

Next up Luke grabbed an acoustic guitar and again talks it up well saying, ‘This is a song written by David Paich many moons ago and we’d just like the set the record straight on where David got his inspiration to write this and it’s actually about a new sexual position he invented, it’s called ’99!’Funny guy Luke!

 

They of course played it all so well, magic! Some excellent solo acoustic work from Luke and the band kind of eased off and then leave just David and Joe Williams, as David then starts jamming on his own and then the band all came back on stage and then wham! ‘White Sister’ kicked into play and they totally rock out brilliant, everyone, Luke, David, Steve, Simon and Nate, just jammed this out with David rocking on the piano and Simon plays powerhouse style! Loved it!

 

Then Luke said, ‘Are you guys ready to party?’ Cue ‘Africa’ and it was beautiful and once more, the sound was immense!
David stepped out from behind the piano and is gesturing that everyone should clap their hands as David was.
Another absolute winner!

David Paich - 'You need hands ... '
Photo - Alun Williams
 

 

As we realised it must be getting close to the end of the set … ‘Hold The Line’ just rocked the place and the set was done.

 

 

 

This was one great show, it really was and I for one really look forward to the new Toto live DVD coming out later this year.

Seriously, if you want to see a class act live, then look no further than Toto!They deliver the goods no question about it, thank you guys!

 

Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Website:

http://www.totoofficial.com/


Night Ranger Live ‘Rockin’ the Riverfront,’ Detroit, Michigan.

Night Ranger
Live ‘Rockin’ the Riverfront,’ Detroit, Michigan

 

August 16th, 2013

 

 

 

Well, this was another great summer evening for a rock show, especially on the riverfront in downtown Detroit.
Sure there’s the stigma attached to just being in the downtown Detroit area and stories of shootings, etc, then that the city of Detroit is bankrupt, but really being at this show it’s like that’s the last think you’d be thinking of!

This show is one of many in the area in and around Detroit that is for the most a free show …

What people may or may not be aware of though is that to see this show for free – Or any of the other local area ‘free’ shows - means being situated outside of the sectioned off assigned VIP seated area in front of the stage that is set aside typically for up to around 200 lucky punters, to sit pretty comfortably and not in the masses surrounding the VIP area.

 

As it turned out, we did not have VIP passes when we got there, but that’s another story …
Very kindly a local businesswoman saw Rhonda and I looking frustrated about what had transpired and asked us if we would like two VIP passes …



Thanks www.MoonMics.com you guys rock!

Ed side note: Drummer's - check these mic's out guys!

 

 

There is a Police presence at the gig location and other security on hand which then sadly later on in the show, made it clear why it’s needed when an overly inebriated fan started getting a little out of hand towards the front and required five or six of Detroit’s finest, to ‘man handle’ this guy out and down to the ground.
He was a big lad, clearly intent on wanting to stay and see the show out, but that wasn’t happening. Ah well … 

 

 

I’ve been lucky enough to cover most Night Ranger shows that have come through the area, not always that close to home and sometimes like this show, they have been like a forty five minute to an hour’s drive away, yet they still kind of fall as to what’s considered a Detroit gig. This one most certainly was though and right on the riverfront!

 

 

The intro track, AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long,’ cranked out at a slightly higher level than the music up until the point when the band hits the stage.
They opened with the excellent ‘Lay It On Me’ from their last album, 2011’s ‘Somewhere In California’ and while I love the track, there were some sound problems initially.

‘Sing Me Away’ was next and it all started sounding better and ‘Four In The Morning’ too, great stuff guys!

Jack Blades of Night Ranger (Top) 'Rockin' Detroit's Riverfront!
Joel Hoekstra, Jack Blades, Brad Gillis and Eric Levy (Bottom)
Photo's: Alun Williams
 

 

When they introduced Damn Yankees tune ‘Coming Of Age,’ from Jack Blades ‘little side project,’ the crowd sound level went up a notch, most likely due to the Ted Nugent connection and the band seemed to be taking it all in their stride now.
Anything related to Ted Nugent, is always a winner with a Detroit crowd!
Jack Blades is the consummate showman too, as he flirted with the crowd as well as he went walking backwards across the stage dragging the mic stand as he sang with him, just grinning from ear to ear.

 

 

 ‘You know what? We’re having so much fun here, do you mind if we just play whatever we want tonight?’ Jack Blades continued to toy with the crowd and received a huge roar of approval.
He asks the crowd, ‘So … How many of you know that Brad (Gillis) here used to play with Ozzy Osbourne?’It seems plenty from the response, he then says, ‘How many of you didn’t know?’Foolishly a few hands went up and Jack says, ‘Well, it’s about time you did!’

He went on to explain about how the sad turn of events in the loss of Randy Rhoads, led to Brad being asked by Ozzy to step in last minute to complete the pre-arranged tour dates, before then returning to the Night Ranger fold and recording ‘Dawn Patrol,’ their first album.
Jack turns to the band, ‘Hey, do we know any Ozzy stuff?’
Brad kicks off the riff to ‘Crazy Train’ and the band follows suit and the crowd go nuts!
Fellow guitarist Joel Hoekstra seems to take the lead vocal role here and does very well, although Jack does share some too.
Fun stuff …

 

 

 

Top - Brad Gillis get's crazy about time spent with Ozzy!

Below - Eric Levy and Joel Hoekstra, yeah it's Night Ranger!

Photo's: Alun Williams

 

Next up Jack spoke of the movies that they’ve done soundtracks for and introduced ‘Secret of my Success’ next which sounded as good as ever.
They really have written some fantastic songs.
‘Eddie’s Comin’ Out Tonight’ from ‘Dawn Patrol’ next still sounds as strong today as ever too. I love it!
 

Johnny Cash or Joel Hoekstra?! - Photo: Alun Williams

It was then time for Jack to make a little fun of Joel Hoekstra, as Joel brought an acoustic guitar out, ‘Doesn’t he look like Johnny Cash folks? You walkin’ the line there Joel?!’

Jack then adds, ‘We’re going to play another Damn Yankees son for you, is that good?’

‘High Enough’ hit the audience just as well as ‘Comin’ Of Age’ did and the cheers reflected the crowd’s more than happy approval.

 

 

Kelly Keagy and Jack Blades singing 'Goodbye' - Photo: Alun Williams



 

 

 

‘Now let’s play a song that Kelly sings,’ said Jack and ‘Goodbye’ was yet another winner.

‘When You Close Your Eyes’ rolled into ‘Don’t Tell Me You Love Me’ which the latter included the band taking things down a little with a few lines of ‘Hotel California’ before picking up the pace with a couple of lines from Deep Purple’s ‘Highway Star’ and then we had reached the end of the set.

Brad Gillis with Kelly Keagy, they rock! - Photo: Alun Williams

I looked at my watch and they’d only played an hour …

The crowd created enough noise to bring the band back out again and Kelly Keagy introduced the band, ‘Eric Levy on keyboards, Joel Hoekstra on guitar, Brad Gillis!!!
On bass guitar and lead vocals, the Damn Yankee … Jack Blades!’


 Jack of course returned the favour with the introduction of ... ‘Kelly Keagy!’

 

Plenty of appreciation all round from the crowd and they continued with ‘Sister Christian.’ Wonderful!
 

Jack then proceeded to thank all the local Detroit rock radio stations over the years that have supported Night Ranger and they close the night with the only song they could, ‘You Can Still Rock In America!’

 

So no complaints from the crowd, who seemd to go home happy, I personally wished they had given us a little longer of a set as there were plenty more well known songs they could’ve given us, but they were – as always – very good indeed!

Live, Night Ranger is one tough act to beat!
Thank you guys for so much great music, please keep it coming!
Looking forward to the new album next year, although I wish it would be here sooner!

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

 

Website:

www.NightRanger.com

 



Newman – ‘Siren’ album review

 

 

 

 

Newman – ‘Siren’ album review

Released on: AOR Heaven. Release date: Available now

 

 

 

So, here we have the latest and greatest release from Newman, 'Siren' is in fact the tenth studio release from the band and yes, Steve Newman and ‘friends’ have conjured up something magical once again!

The thing I have always enjoyed about when Steve puts out a Newman album is he is always consistent and I for one have yet to be disappointed by the project.

 

Much as I’m sure Steve will hate me saying this, Newman has really – At least in the studio. – always been just that, a project as he’s pretty much had different people involved each time, with the exception of one mainstay on drums – I guess the one instrument Steve really does not play, although I’m sure he could! – in Rob McEwen for the past five studio releases.
He’s the guy is who Steve has always called upon to play on each album since the 2006 release ‘Heaven Knows’ and I must say, he’s always done a fine job by me!
Steve has yet to call upon his full live band to perform on a Newman release, but I guess if you can pretty much do it all yourself, go for it!

 

For this release though, Steve has got other input by calling upon first, from his live band Shaun Bessant for some guitar work on one song, also to Robert Sall (Work of Art / W.E.T.) to co-write another of the songs here. Two other contributors here are Newman’s new live band drummer Pete Newdeck (Eden’s Curse) for co-writes on two songs and to another old friend in Nick Workman (Vega, Kick) on another.

 

 

If you’ve been a fan of previous Newman releases, then I’m certain you’ll love this, as I hear elements from various aspects of his previous releases across the board and perhaps as more of an added bonus, the focus is less on ballads / slower paced tracks and more on up tempo numbers.

 

 

So to open these twelve tracks, is the storming ‘Scar of Love,’ which kicks things off in a similar rockin’ fashion to say the likes of ‘Heaven Knows,’ or ‘Hero To Zero,’ just rocks like a good ‘un, pummeling double kick drums, huge chorus, great riffs …, you get the picture … Nice start Steve!

 

 

‘Had Enough’ has actually become one of my absolute favourites on the album through repeated plays and you know, it almost brings to mind a little of what Steve captured on his very first Newman album, back in ‘98.
Maybe I’m just a nostalgia freak! LOL!
It’s got great production value, just a really wonderful sound that stays pretty simple through the verses, but then the chorus is just so rich. Wonderful!

It’s perhaps because Steve has kept a lot of simplicity in the song structure, something that when you really strip down what Def Leppard do, you realize that the songs themselves from the band, are pretty simple and there’s a lot to be said for that, when it comes to writing hook lines / catchy choruses.

Now I come to mention Def Leppard – And Steve will probably hate me for this, but … - next song ‘Arcadia’ gives a little nod perhaps, not only to perhaps ‘Hysteria’ but maybe John Waite’s ‘Missing You,’ in its structure.
No bad thing, familiarity works great for many folks, but I am only saying ‘similar’ not rip off, as all three songs mentioned of course completely have their own identity.

 

 

‘Another Bitch Of A Night,’ is certainly a more edgy track certainly throughout the verses, but then comes the chorus and yes, great harmonies and rich sounding, then the bridge takes you somewhere else with some nice twists.

 

 

 

Next song ‘Feel Her Again’ is simply classic Newman from the building intro to the slick verse and strong chorus once more. Some great changes here and there and Steve calls upon Work of Art’s Robert Säll for the ‘guest’ guitar solo here.
Nicely done indeed, a solo Steve would be proud of.

 

 

‘Some Kind of Wondeful’ starts as strong as the opener ‘Scar …’ It just races out of the starting blocks and has another edgy approach to it, almost punky in Steve’s vocal in places, then it almost reminds me a little of something like Toto in their heavier moments. Kind of clever …

 

 

Title track ‘Siren’ kind of creeps up on you from its start and then the chorus hits and Steve does it again, winner!
There’s certainly classic Newman about this too where I’m reminded of ‘Heaven Knows’ and even ‘Art of Balance’
To a degree, but then Steve pulls out some great interplay with keys too, nice touches and …, next please!

 

 

 With ‘When It Comes To Love’ Steve brings his live band guitarist Shaun Bessant to provide the lead solo here.
It’s one of those songs that build and just really comes into its own, from a very familiar sounding opening riff and then it eases back through the verse and then grows in the chorus and then goes back and forth from easy verses into the up tempo choruses and there’s a little edginess in the bridge, that’s followed by the rather tasty solo from Mr. Bessant.
It's just magic stuff!

 

‘Crossfire’ seems to be classic Newman, but I really think there’s a very Journey like vibe to this song, certainly very much so through the chorus phrasing. The underlying musical interplay through the verses and pre-choruses is also very modern day Journey like too.
There’s quite a bit of layering about ‘Crossfire’ too, really nice, there's almost a likeness to ‘One Step Closer’ here and there too. Good 'un!

 

 

There’s quite a different feel / vibe altogether through the verses in ‘Waiting For The Day To Come’ although there are little elements not unlike ‘Primitive Soul’ at times as well.
I do like the - albeit too brief – harmony guitar part in the last third of the song, but there’s obviously a lot more to it.
It’s a relatively mid tempo number, with some edginess but still plenty of melody.
It’s all good by me …

 

 

So to the albums only true ballad, power ballad that is, made clear by the heavy piano presence. It's something that Steve has certainly mastered in his writing, not just 'the art of balance,' but the art of ballads too! Ha! Sorry, a little cheesy pun there!
The solo in ‘The Foolish One,’ here is to die for, magic Steve, absolute gem mate!

 

 

It’s funny as I mentioned on ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ that Steve had captured elements of Toto’s heavier moments in that song, well, there’s a heavy, kind of Toto feel about final track here ‘I Don’t Know Why,’ right down to some very Luke  - Steve Lukather - like guitar moments, but the keyboard touches are right there with some of Toto’s best moments.
It’s a great closing track it really is, very strong indeed in such a way that it sounds like an epic track yet it’s under five minutes long. Love it!

 

 

As I said at the start, the thing with Newman the band or Newman the man is that it’s consistent and that’s not bad.

  He may bring different guest players in, but for the most part, it is Steve Newman singer / songwriter / guitarist / all-round musician and producer to boot and he has not released an average album yet, let alone a bad one!!

 

 

So, hat’s off to you again Steve, you really do put so much time and attention to detail into your work and just ignore the doubters, clearly based on the gigs in recent years that the band is picking up, I’m not the only one recognizing that this talent deserves praise.
It’s a winner by me, no doubt!

 

 

Rating: 4.75 out of 5

 

 

Website:

 

www.Newmansound.com

Go here directly to hear samples of all Newman's work!
http://www.newmansound.com/Discography.htm



Chasing Violets – 'Jade Hearts' album review

 

 

 

Chasing Violets – 'Jade Hearts' album review

Released on: AOR Records   Release date: Available now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah and Melissa Fontaine are main ingredient that ultimately is Chasing Violets.

Indeed their melodic vocals, with their strong French phrasing, sometimes comes across as a little different perhaps for some people making their material difficult to gravitate towards. The thing is – IMHO – people should give it a chance as their last release, ‘Outside Heaven,’ I really enjoyed.

Review link:

http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2013/01/chasing-violets-outside-heaven-album.html

 

That said, it seems there is another driving force behind the band in Frederic Slama, who for me I am not sure if it’s just a case that he writes the majority of their material – He did on the last album. – or that he somehow manages the band ...?

Maybe it's that this is released on his AOR Records label that gives him overall say / control.

Whatever the case, he plays guitar, keyboards, sings and has produced both the first and this latest album 'Jade Hearts' by Chasing Violets.

Sorry Frederic, but this one just doesn't come across as strong as the first one.

 

Opening here with ‘The Main Attraction’ which is quite punchy AOR and the comments I have made before on the phrasing of words by Sarah and Melissa Fontaine is sometimes hard to accept for some people, as French is their native language, but I personally think it’s what makes it all the more different / unique.
One thing on this track where I was a little surprised was going into the chorus, the lead vocal seems to sound a little flat on the line, “Show me your love, Tell me the truth,” sadly to me it just doesn’t sound right. :(
Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the first album, but on an opening track where the listeners first assessment is focused, perhaps not so good.

 

I do wonder if this album was perhaps a little rushed in its production / mixing, because having played the first album back to back with this, I feel – IMHO - the first album seems to have better overall production / mixing control.

 

‘Web Of Lies’ without doubt comes across stronger to me song wise, although the guitar solo’s don’t sound clean and they almost come across rushed to me. Shame …

I am at more of a disadvantage review this album than the first, as the first album I got a physical copy, with all the sleeve notes on who played what on which track. This time around I only got the MP3 download and the press release, which put simply doesn’t tell you more than all the guests that appear on the album, but not what they contribute.
I am also not 100% sure on here whether it’s Sarah or Melissa singing which song …
It does tell the reviewer that the album was written and produced – In its entirety? – by Frederic Slama …
That’s disappointing to me, as I liked the songs on the first album that were written by or had contributions from both Sarah and Melissa.

 

 

Next song, ‘A Shot In The Dark,’ is clearly a duet I think with Frederic Slama, put simply I do not like the second vocal. It sounds kind of whiney and perhaps too forced … Frederic?
Doesn’t this track’s main chord progression also sound like a certain song on Bon Jovi’s first album …?!
The song itself is OK for me, but I really do like the guitar solo into the synth solo, that really works well. Nice.

 

 

‘Silent Victory’ comes across like it wants to be perhaps a little darker, but the overall production / mix of the album, and this is according to friends I played this to, to try and help spread the word on Chasing Violets sadly got frequent comments that each song sounds much like the one before.
I guess the more I think about it, the songs are very similar, wonder if this one was perhaps rushed to get out there?
Whatever the case, I do personally like this track.

 

 

With ‘Deception In Heaven’ at the start the guitar almost reminded me of Dare, but then it got back into the groove of the album’s previous tracks.
This one for me seems to sadly be a bit of an average track, not really grabbing me that much and perhaps it’s because of the similarity, repetition of songs here.

 

 

Title track, ‘Jade Hearts’ is next and I do like it, although it is as are many of the tracks here, just very similar to one another. I do hear it myself now ...

The first album now I’ve played it right alongside this one, does seem to have a little more variety or should that be depth, about it. Nice!

 

‘Secrets in the Shadows’ is yet again driven by the very '8o’s like synth sound at the start and the same familiar sound throughout.
It’s a mid-paced track, which is really the nature of the whole album, but then towards the end of the song, there’s a ripping guitar solo and then the drums pick up double time, to finish up.

With ‘Hollow Triumph’ it’s much the same tempo, on a duet with …, well, sorry I don’t know?!
No details in the accompanying press release of who duets on which song, really does not help at all.
The duet works and once again, the musicianship here is slick, I just wish the overall album had a little more variety in the songs.

 

 

OK, next up comes ‘Exile in Sadness’ which brings the pace down just a little, but it’s not quite a ballad.
It kind of reminds me a little of an AOR style Corrs track. A little more Pop / AOR, but the rhythm does seem to become a little repetitive perhaps. It’s OK.

 

 

The intro to ‘The Scarlet Nymph’ sounds almost like a laid back ‘Cum On Feel The Noize!’Then there’s some guitar that sounds a little like Paul Sabu, but again while I know he’s on the album somewhere, and since I haven't heard his playing in some time, with no details tell me who plays on which track?
The track doesn’t come across very strong to me and the chorus doesn’t sound strong either.

 

This album is really a little disappointing to me as a follow up the very enjoyable ‘Outside Heaven.’

 

 

‘Halo of Light’ is another duet track and it starts with a heavy synth driven intro and there’s definitely a little more edge to this track and the chorus sounds good, but the pre-chorus does seem a little like it waivers a bit.
Nice guitar work!

 

 

Final track ‘I Owe It To Myself’ starts with some heavy guitar power chords, then a little lead in solo too.
Edgy chords drive the verses and the chorus … Oh boy, does this sound like ‘Jane,’ the Jefferson Starship song in terms of the chorus guitar chords. Ah well …

 

 

    So, overall then, there is something endearing about Chasing Violets that really impressed me with ‘Outside Heaven,’ I think something has got lost since then, either that or this album was kind of rushed through the stages of its recording, mix and final production.

There’s a lot of well played material here, but I don’t think the final song presentation is as good as their last album and each song doesn’t have so much individuality as the last one.
I hope the third album can get better balance and a better end result,

 

 

Rating: 3 out of 5

 

 

Website:

 

http://www.chasingviolets.fr/

 



The Sweet + April Wine Live at St. Clair Riverfest, St. Clair, Michigan

 

 

 

 

 

The Sweet + April Wine

 

Live at St. Clair Riverfest, St. Clair, Michigan

 

Saturday July 27th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two bands with some great and lengthy history behind both of them, top selling albums for both acts too, although it’s been a while in the case of either act since they recorded any new album ... My understanding on The Sweet front is original Sweet member, bassist / vocalist Steve Priest has no plans to.

April Wine’s last studio album ‘Roughly Speaking’ from 2006 though would certainly be the latest studio album release from either band, even though The Sweet did issue a cover of the old Beatles song, ‘I Saw Her Standing There,’ back in 2010 through iTunes. It was also added as a bonus track on the reissued ‘Are You Ready?! - Sweet Live’ a couple of years ago.

Live recordings and compilations continue to be released though and the live release by The Sweet was pretty good and included Stuart Smith on guitar at the time, before he left in 2012 to work on the latest Heaven + Earth album, released earlier this year.

Two other Heaven + Earth band members are still a part of Steve Priest’s Sweet, in drummer Richie Onori and singer Joe Retta, although Joe was absent on this particular evening’s show, due to a prior contractual commitment.
In his place tonight is Chas West (Ex-Bonham, Foreigner) on vocals, while completing the rest of The Sweet lineup are Stevie Stewart on keyboards and Ricky Z (Zahariades) on guitar.

 

 

April Wine put out a nice double live album a few years back now in 2010, but recorded in 2003, titled ‘Greatest Hits Live 2003.’

 

Today in April Wine, the only 'classic' April Wine guys still in the band are singer / songwriter / producer / guitarist Myles Goodwyn and guitarist / vocalist Brian Greenway. Today’s current lineup of the band is completed by Richard Lanthier (Bass / Vocals) and drummer Roy Nichol.



 

 

 

 

As the stage continued to be worked on making it safe for The Sweet / April Wine, it was still looking touch and go ... Off with those tarps!

Photo's: Alun Williams

 

Anyway, to the gig and what a crappy day it had been with constant downpours and electrical storms, that the bands here although they tried, really did not get the chance to sound check.

The stage itself is a rusty old barge, tied up to the boardwalk and in terms of stage cover to protect ‘anyone’ – crew / techs included, there was next to nothing! Cover on the top yes, covers on the sides – to prevent rain coming in… - none.

Rain had been teaming down all afternoon, with thunder and lightning going on the whole time, this had certainly kept folks away from being there to check out the local bands who were trying to play.
The last local band The Gobies, only got to play 4 songs, which weren't bad covers at all before they were told to get off the stage for safety reasons.

 

 

The Sweet

 

Eventually the rain eased off for The Sweet to take the stage, they were due to start at 9pm, but the weather had pushed their start time back to 9.35pm so they had to cut out a few of their best known numbers.

 

 

 

Chas West alongside Steve Priest as Sweet kick off their short set! - Photo: Alun Williams

 

 

‘Action’ seems to be The Sweet’s favourite opening number and it starts the show for them tonight, it still sounded good.
Chas West I have not seen live in years and he appears as though he could be Sebastian Bach’s brother, same build, similar stage dress sense, perhaps just a tad shorter hair.

 

It’s ‘Hellraiser’ next and it didn't sound bad at all, all things considered - no soundcheck ... -  although Ricky Z’s Gibson SG sounds a little thin at times, comes across like it’s lacking punch and his style and chosen sound, is perhaps a little funky.

 

 

 

Ricky Z alongside Chas West - Photo: Alun Williams

 

‘Love Is Like Oxygen’ next comes across well, although it gives me a chuckle when the song comes to the bridge and the crowd thinks it’s over when the power chord wrapped up where the song finished on the original edited 45 release back in ’78.
As they wrap up the full length album version, Ricky ripped out a monster solo and now his guitar is sounding very strat like, kind of Ritchie Blackmore style, with a sound his predecessor Stuart Smith used to favour also.

 

 

 

 

Richie Onori is 'the man at the back,' keeping it tight on drums! - Photo: Alun Williams

 

 

 

Steve Priest introduced the next track as, ‘a song about a guy that wouldn’t go home and who has a name that does not refer to me!’

Cue ‘Little Willy,’ one of the band’s early 70’s bubblegum pop rock tracks, these days given much more of a ‘rock makeover’ angle.

 

 

The wind starts to get up again at this point, like the storm is about to roll in again, but the rain holds off and the band were about to launch into ‘Teenage Rampage’ when suddenly band members communicate that, ‘no, we’re not doing that one.’   
‘Fox on the Run’ though was next and it certainly seemed to make up for it with the crowd. It’s actually my favourite Sweet song, so it worked for me!

 

 

 

 

Steve Priest and Stevie Stewart, yes, with the kilt on! - Photo: Alun Williams

 

 

‘AC/DC’ was next and the band went for some audience participation at this part with Stevie Stewart, sporting a Scottish kilt getting centre stage with Chas, Steve and Ricky, to get the crowd clapping along and shouting the chorus.

 

‘Ballroom Blitz’ was the final song and possibly the winner of the set and it gets a few more of the seated VIP folks on their feet and the band wraps up their set with it.

 

Clearly warmly received, but since time is limited, there’s no encore opportunity for Sweet, so next up was April Wine.

 

 

April Wine

So to a delayed headline set from April Wine and as the band walk across the front of the VIP area to ‘board the barge’ Myles Goodwyn looked precariously at the water and walkway onto the barge and some of the movement of the barge, from the large sea freighters that pass through Lake St. Clair and cause some wakes / waves that physically rock the barge!

 

It had been about eight years since I last saw April Wine live, it’s been way too long, so I was looking forward to this, though I wish conditions had seriously been better. 

Their set like Sweet’s before was shortened and yes, they had to start late too.
By the time they hit the stage, I was soaked and temperatures were dropping and had dropped quite a bit already!
Not good …

 

 

 

Myles Goodwyn onstage with April Wine, St. Clair, Michigan. 'You looking at me?!'

Photo: Alun Williams

 

 

They opened with ‘Anything You Want, You Got It,’ from their ‘Power Play’ album, which I personally loved so a very good start for me.
The band’s vocals still sound as good as you would expect from the band, who've always focused on harmonies.

 

 

 

‘Say Hello’ next from the ‘Harder Faster’ album was also well received, although when I had looked at the original set list they had, this was planned to be the fourth song of the evening for the band.
They continued with songs from possibly their most successful 80’s period, ‘Enough is Enough’ next seems to come over just fine too, with a really nice solo from Brian Greenway.

 

 

The band are really putting on a brave face, as the evening gets cooler still, they’re up there with the wind blowing across the stage and it’s a cool wind for sure!
The old King Crimson track, ‘21st Century Schizoid Man’ that they made their own on ‘Harder, Faster’ came next and to be honest, looking around at the crowd there’s a lot of cold wet fans bracing themselves here …

The music sounded good to me, but boy …, it’s a lot cooler than the day was before the rain came in!

 

 

Brian Greenway taking care of lead vocals ... - Photo: Alun Williams

 

‘Before The Dawn’ next and a Brian Greenway vocal, as Myles Goodwyn’s voice, still sounds good these days and his solo totally rocks out!

 

From the ‘First Glance’ album we get ‘Right Down To It’ next, with what seems to be a lengthy intro, maybe I was just too darn cold!

 

 

 

Richard Lanthier (Bass) keeps it solid behind Myles Goodwyn. - Photo: Alun Williams

 

More of the folks in the seated VIP area, who for the most part stayed seated and huddled up to whoever they were with, seemed to be encouraged to get up as the opening chords to ‘I Like To Rock’ were played.
Certainly got people moving around a bit, before halfway through, the band walk off leaving just the drummer and Myles says, ‘Here’s Roy!’Surprised with the shortened set time, that they even include a drum solo, but the band came back out and wrapped that song up well.

 

To my point next Myles says, ‘We’re running out of time so next we’re going to do a slow song, really fast!’
Cue ‘Just Between You and Me …’

What a great track!

 

It had become so cold, my hands were going blue believe it or not and I was freezing, so I made my move at this point.
Long cold walk to the car and a forty five minute drive home …

Sorry folks, I wasn't sticking around any more on this cold and wet night.

I heard ‘Sign Of The Gypsy Queen’ as I walked away …, but that was it for me!

 

Both bands and their limited crew in each case, did very well in the circumstances, no real sound check and terrible weather.

Pats on the backs guys, all round! Thanks!

Wish the conditions were better nonetheless, I will certainly look to catch both acts next time around, still good to see live!

 

 

Rating: 4 out of 5 for me

 

 

Official websites:

 

http://www.thesweetband.com/

 

http://www.aprilwine.ca/