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/

 

 

 

 

 

 



Steve Miller Band Live review at Freedom Hill Amphitheatre - 20th July, 2013

 

Steve Miller Band live at Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Saturday 20th July, 2013

 

 

So what did you do on your Saturday night? Well, a couple of weeks back, I went to check out Steve Miller and his band!

Last time I saw him was probably about five or so years back now, so when a good friend asked Rhonda and I if we’d like to go with them, who was I to say no, right?

 

It was a great night for a show, conditions a little cloudy but all in all, not bad.

We missed the opening act, but I understand it was a female folk singer, but I didn’t catch her name …

 

 

Steve Miller’s stage set was not too elaborate, it was kind of what looked like a ships mast at an angle with some lights on but then it’s Steve Miller and he’s really all about the music.

Steve Miller Band onstage in Sterling Heights, MI - Photo: Gary Shaw
 

 
The band opened with ‘Jungle Love,’ a familiar tune that gets everyone out of the bar areas pretty quick, we’d already taken our seats though, quite a ways back, a little to right of centre as you look at the stage but too not bad and the sound was pretty good too. The only down side for me was this young lad around aged about eighteen to twenty and his buddies, who appeared to have perhaps had a little too much ‘sugar’ – ahem! – or something and he and the guy directly next to him just kept on talking for most of the show, loud enough so that they made sure they could hear themselves over the band, nice … Not!

 

 

The seats were probably as full as it was going to get, about half to two thirds full by the time ‘Take The Money and Run’ started next.
Two good opening songs to have got the evening going!

 

Steve and the boys jamming! - Photo: Gary Shaw

 

 

 

‘The Stake (Nobody Loves You Like The Way I Do)’ was next and it jams not unlike say ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ in places if you ask me, but overall it’s a good number to those who aren't familiar with it.

 

The good songs just keep coming with another hit after hit when Steve first talks to the crowd saying, ‘How are you doing guys? Here’s a little magic for you,’ which then introduced ‘Abracadabra,’ and crowd just lapped this all up!

 

 

Steve then introduced the guy who then proceeds to share most of the lead vocals for the evening Sonny Charles.
What a great voice too, he totally did the songs justice. Then Steve says, ‘We’re going to do some songs from ‘Bingo’ now. This is a Bobby Blue Bland song ‘Somewhere Further Up The Road,’ that we’d like to play for you.’
It was a real blues jam, that the band got some audience participation going with and Sonny say, ‘We’ve got some singers here Steve, are you guys ready to sing?’
Big cheers follow …
That would be a yes methinks!!

 

 

Next track I understand was ‘Ooh Poo Pah Doo,’ then it’s onto an Otis Rush tune, ‘All Your Loving,’ which is a very laid back number generally, kind of reminded me a lot of Santana’s ‘Black Magic Woman,’ although then I heard someone else say, ‘This sounds like Hawaii Five-O!’ I didn’t think so, but there you go!
Steve’s guitar work on this was very Santana like if you ask me, nicely done.

 

 

‘Are there any jokers out there?’ asks Steve, "This is from The Joker album, in fact it was our opening track, a song called ‘Sugar Babe,’ " which sounded great to me!

 

 

Steve Miller is no spring chicken, but he's sounding good! - Photo: Gary Shaw

‘This next song we’d like to play, is about a girl from Detroit. It’s called ‘Mary Lou.’’

As I looked around the venue at this point, there still seems to be quite a few empty seats, mostly on the left side of the pavilion. 

 

“I’d like to dedicate this next song, it's called ‘Shu Ba Da Du, Ma Ma Ma Ma,’ to my old friend Carlos Santana. We used to hang out a lot back in the early 70’s … It’s another track from our Joker album.”

It has a nice bass run in it and once more Steve’s guitar work is great and I can totally understand why he dedicates the song to Carlos!

 

The crew bring out a bar stool for Steve, as well as an acoustic guitar. He says, “From The Joker …, this is ‘Going To the Country.’”
He also played a little harmonica in it, so you get the idea it’s pretty much an acoustic blues like jam.

 

 

Mellow tune time from Steve Miller - Photo: Gary Shaw

To introduce the next song, Steve says, “This is the last song we’re going to play from The Joker album, and it’s actually the albums last track!
I’d like to bring out an old friend from Nashville next to play some real pedal steel guitar, because as talented as my band is here, there’s no one that can really play it right, but this guy can!”
The song we get is ‘Something To Believe In.’
Sadly I did not get the guy’s name ….

 

 

 

Some great pedal steel guitar from Steve's friend from Nashville! - Photo: Gary Shaw

 



 

It really seemed by this point, that the show had really got pretty melancholy, as the applause tended to be just a little too polite and while there are some screams and cheers, it had mellowed down significantly!
Just the same, he asks his Nashville buddy if he wants to play another …

Why not I guess …?!
‘Dance, Dance, Dance,’ is another tune that came across as a very country style tune.

 

 

Back to the better known tracks for the crowd, with ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ next which of course garnered huge applause when it started.
The keys guy – Sorry, Steve's band introductions did not come across too clearly … - really jammed some killer, monster Hammond like riffs on this and then Steve himself played out some great licks once more!

 

Interesting stage set! - Photo: Gary Shaw

 

Next tune, ‘Serenade’ was perhaps not so well known next, but then ‘Jet Airliner’ got everyone back into it big time!
My favourite Steve Miller Band track ‘Rock ‘n’ Me’ closed the main set and then the band left the stage, but not for long.

  

Back they come to close out the evening with encores in the shape of ‘Swingtown,’ ‘Space Cowboy’ and final song of the night ‘The Joker.’

 

 

This was a pretty fun night. The photo’s I took, just really weren’t good enough as we were so far back.

 

So, my thanks to LeeAnn for the invite

Thankfully Gary Shaw provided me with all the attached photo’s, thanks Gary!

 

 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 for me.

 

 

Website:

http://www.stevemillerband.com/

 

 



Foreigner + Special Guest Gary Hoey live review

Foreigner + Special Guest Gary Hoey live review

 Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights, MI - Thursday 3rd July, 2013

 

 

 

 

Foreigner live on stage at Sterling Heights, Freedom Hill Amphitheatre.

Photo: Alun Williams

 

Every year when Foreigner has come to the Detroit area, I have always tried to catch the show, although last year we missed an appearance here, due to sole original member Mick Jones, undergoing some medical treatment that had followed his heart bypass surgery in February 2012.

Sadly we had also missed the previous year’s performance, with Journey and Night Ranger when my mother was taken ill and Rhonda and I had to make an unscheduled trip back to the UK to be at her bedside.
In fact, on that tour which was the precursor to Mick’s surgery, he missed a lot of shows and Night Ranger’s Joel Hoekstra actually stepped in for Mick on many dates.
 So another year on, what does this tour bring us?
 

Well, tonight’s show has the extremely talented – So I understood before the gig, but had never seen for myself until tonight … – Gary Hoey and his band opening for Foreigner.
He opens with an old classic blues rocker, ‘Goin’ Down,’ which gets my attention right away, nicely done!

 

Gary Hoey live at Freedom Hill, Sterling Heights - Photo: Alun Williams 

Then I’m stunned as he starts jamming ‘Lunatic Fringe,’ yes the old Red Rider / Tom Cochrane track, it misses keys but the fact that he goes out and gives it a go has my respect!

Then it’s to some of his originals in the shape of new tune and title track of his forthcoming album, ‘Deja Blues,’ which is a laid back style instrumental followed by another original in ‘Peace Pipe.’
For a three piece outfit, they make a great combined sound I must say.
 

He tells a story about losing his wallet that contained a sum total of sixteen dollars and how he couldn’t believe he’d done it, with his driver’s license and credit card in, but then someone return returned it and he gave them the sixteen bucks as a reward and his story about bad luck leads into his version of ‘Born Under a Bad Sign.’
I loved Pat Travers version of this tune and Gary’s is certainly enjoyable too.
 

More originals come in the shape of ‘Reaction,’ ‘Stranger’ and ‘You Turn Me On,’ the latter track starting out not unlike AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck!’

Some really nice lead work from the guy continues to impress.

With another cover in the form of ‘Lowrider,’ Gary Hoey introduces his band, with Brad Russell a Detroit native on bass and Matt Scurfield on drums.

 

The Gary Hoey Band live in Detroit, well, Sterling Heights actually!
Photo: Alun Williams

 

Wow! He’s certainly working the covers angle with the crowd, with ‘Hocus Pocus,’ by Focus next and to wrap things up, we get a little tribute to the troops ahead of the 4th July with the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ done (Jimi) Hendrix style closely followed by Hendrix classic ‘Foxy Lady,’ to close rather good set by Gary Hoey and band.

 

So to Foreigner ...

 

I’ve really missed seeing Foreigner live even if there is only one original member left in Mick Jones and when he doesn’t come out on stage at the start, I’m thinking this isn’t good, what now?

Bruce Watson – From UK rockers Big Country - enters the stage instead and immediately as confused as I am, I get a text from a friend here tonight saying, ‘No Mick Jones? Did you know? The guy behind me said he’s had a heart attack?!’

I fear the worst and wondering how the hell the rest of the band could continue if this is the case, I text back saying I have no idea. I look online, for news through my phone, I contact my wife at home who couldn’t make it tonight and we find nothing …
Now the night seemed soured with the not knowing ….
 Sure ‘Double Vision’ sounded good, but where’s Mick and is he alright?

 

Bruce Watson onstage in place of Mick Jones ... - Photo: Alun Williams

 

‘Head Games’ follows and I can’t knock the band, but my mind is kind of elsewhere at this point … I wish I knew what was going on ...?!
 

Kelly Hansen jokes about swallowing two bugs already tonight, sorry Kelly, but what is going on, that’s what I’m thinking about right now.

 



Kelly Hansen, Detroit bug eater! - Photo: Alun Williams

 

 

‘Cold As Ice’ next is a great jam, with some fantastic keyboard work from Michael Bluestein.

They then slow things down with Kelly saying ‘grab someone’s hand or hold someone, as we’re slowing thing down here for ya.’ Cue ‘Waiting For A Girl Like You.’

 

I get a text from my wife saying she still can’t find anything current about Mick Jones ...

Kelly rips on the crowd for ‘sitting on your asses …’
You have just played a ballad dude, come on?!

 

‘Blue Morning, Blue Day,’ next certainly gets most people on their feet and Kelly is taking advantage of everyone in the front row reaching out to him to touch their hand …
Again, the band is faultless in their presentation, it still seems wrong without Mick, but that’s me …
 

Kelly Hansen uses pretty much the same line he uses all the time next when he messes with the crowd talking about, ‘Are there any crazy, sexy women in the crowd tonight?’ Huge screams of response and he replies with, ‘Well that’s good ‘cos we’ve got some ‘Dirty White Boys’ up on stage here!’ Cue song …. It does indeed rock!

Then Kelly – Clearly interacting pretty well with the crowd. – says ‘the next song is one that was originally all electric, but our man Mr. Jeff Pilson here took it and rearranged it like this!’Bring on an all-acoustic version of ‘Say You Will.’

 

 

 

Acoustic time above, with Foreigner playing 'Say You Will.' - Photo's: Alun Williams

 

 

 

It’s time for introductions next as Kelly introduces Chris Frazier (Ex-Whitesnake) on drums, on keyboards Michael Bluestein, ‘on bass guitar and yes, he was in the movie ‘Rock Star’ alongside Mark Wahlberg, and yes he was in Dokken as an original member and he was in Dio .. Mr. Jeff Pilson!’

‘Next up the man who can play every instrument, with his hands or lips and has been a part of Foreigner for the past twenty years, give it up for Tom Gimbel!’
 Then Bruce Watson is introduced and I’m wondering if Kelly will at least have the decency to acknowledge Mick Jones, which of course he indeed does ...

‘… Finally, would you please give it up for the man who’s not been well lately and is only able to play part-time for Foreigner right now, but he’s the man who started it all, so please give it up for MICK JONES!!!!’
Massive response! Huge!

 

Mick Jones, the original Foreigner! Welcome back to Detroit!
Photo: Alun Williams



This jumps into ‘Feels Like The First Time’ next and sorry, but it’s sounding and feeling way better for me already!

Next Kelly, Tom, Jeff and Bruce all leave the stage leaving just Mick, Chris (Drums) and Mike (Keys) to provide the lead in to what becomes ‘Urgent.’Back comes the band with Tom Gimbel playing some very impressive saxophone and Mick remains with us – a good thing! – and a keyboard solo from Michael Bluestein, which is pretty impressive.

 

 

 

Mick Jones and Bruce Watson (Top) and Tom Gimbel and Mick (Bottom) making it 'Urgent!'

Photo's: Alun Williams

 

It’s drum solo time next from Chris Frazier and he stops for a drink which he proceeds in pouring it out on his drums and then lets rip by hitting the skins significantly, which splashes up very effectively in the white spotlights around the drums. Sweet!

Chris Frazier gets a solo spot! - Photo: Alun Williams
 

 

Back comes the full band for ‘Juke Box Hero,’ with Mick cranking some seriously heavy guitar riffs indeed!
It’s a track that has always rocked out and it does so, very well indeed especially Mick’s riffs / solo at the end of the song. Excellent and tis closes the set.

 

The band comes out once more and Mick steps up to the microphone to add some very moving comments.
‘Thank you! It’s great to be back in Detroit! I was thinking I would never get to play here again, you’re great, thank you all!’You have no idea Mick, how many people you probably moved right there!

Mick Jones and Kelly Hansen, the Foreigner frontmen. - Photo: Alun Williams


 

‘Long, Long way from Home’ kicks in next, one of the first songs to break through for the band and yes, it’s indeed still every inch a winner!

 

Kelly invites everyone in the crowd to come on down to the front of the stage to join them ‘to sing along with this next song,’ then the band bring out a local choir from Livonia, on the west side of Detroit to sing, ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ and I have to say, it is monster!!!


 

Foreigner with a local kids choir from Livonia. Detroit folks, see someone you know?

 Photo: Alun Williams

 

 

They close the evening with the stage drenched in red lights for ‘Hot Blooded!’

Kelly is slapping hand after hand at the front of the stage and for this number; Jeff Pilson has taken over Mike Bluestein’s keys while Mike takes over the role of bass player on the final song of the night.

 

What a great finale to a night that started with many folks very concerned as to the whereabouts of Mick Jones, but who were then very pleased indeed to see the man come out onstage even if it was towards the end of the set.

I know Mick is no spring chicken, but I hope we see him around again next year, praying for it Mick!

 

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Very entertaining night!

 

 

Weblinks:
www.foreigneronline.com/
http://garyhoey.com/