Scene and Heard

A hot Chicago hosted Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, Saturday at Toyota Soccer Park. It was a spectacular lineup mixed with Hall of Fame blues rock guitarists mixed with many of the new guitar superstars. All gathered for the third installment to benefit Clapton’s Antigua Center for Rehabilitation.

The sold out crowd endured the twelve hour classic through the extreme heat which reached nearly 100 degrees on field level.Medical stations were filled to capacity with fans suffering from heat exhaustion.

Event MC Bill Murray reminded the audience “ to keep hydrated and claimed that on this day beer qualifies as a hydrant”.

The conditions may have been tough but those who attended the festival enjoyed an historic day filled with outstanding music played by various combinations of legendary musicians. It was a marathon show filled with musical highlights. With every performer coaxing the other and carrying the audience to the highest levels of music heaven.

Host Eric Clapton asked as he began his set, “ Can you take any more lead guitar?” After a resolving yes, Clapton played with a purpose, dueling with his guest, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Winwood each pushing each other’s talent to the limit. Clapton sounded like the guitar god of the past. Its obvious that he is at his best when he is challenged.

If you missed the show you will have a second chance, both of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals were previously captured on dvd, but you don’t have to wait long to see this year’s show.

The guitar festival will be shown as a one night event in selected movie theaters nationwide as a special two-hour event on July 27th. Presented in HD beginning at 7:30 pm only on Tuesday July 27th, this special concert film will feature musical performances and artist interviews from this year’s show. More info atfathomevents.com.

Show Highlights

1. Eric Clapton and  Steve Winwood’s complete set  Voodoo Chile had people talking  in the parking lot. Clapton’s guitar solo was breathtaking!
2. Buddy Guy, Ronnie Wood and Jonny Lang playing the Stones “Miss You”
3. Robert Randolph and Joe Bonamassa dueling between each other
4. Jeff Beck’s entire set
5. Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Johnny Winter, Cesar Rojas and David Hillgado- Trucks Guitar was on fire!
6. Sonny Landreth and Eric Clapton :The Promised Land”
7. ZZ Top “Jesus Just Left Chicago”
8. Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton
9. EC and Sheryl Crow
10. John Mayer
11. Robert Cray with Jimmie Vaughn and Hubert Sumlin
12. Warren Haynes “ SoulShine”
13. Doyle Bramhall II, Sheryl Crowe and Gary Clark
14. B.B. King and a stage full of guitarist to close the show with “Sweet Home Chicago”

Cover Songs

1. “Voodoo Chile” –  EC and Winwood
2. “Foxy Lady” – R Randolph
3. “ Crossroads” – (Twice played)  J Mayer and Clapton
4. “Red House” -Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Johnny Winter, Cesar Rojas and David Hillgado
5. “Wait until Tomorrow” – John Mayer Trio
6. “Sittin on Top of the World”- Robert Cray with Jimmie Vaughn and Hubert Sumlin
7. “ I Want to Take you Higher” – Jeff Beck
8. “Shake Your Moneymaker” – EC and J Beck
9. “Well Alright” -EC and S Winwood
10. “Lay Down Sally” – Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow
11. “Coming Home” – Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Chris Stainton, Cesar Rojas and David Hillgado
12. “300 pounds of Heavenly Joy” – Hillgado and Rojas
13. “I Shot the Sheriff” – EC
14. “Live Together”- Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes
15. “ Luxury Liner” – Vince Gill, ALee , Keb Mo and, J Burton

Here are the ages of key performers at Saturday’s Crossroads festival. The average age is slightly more than 54 per artist, with a few twentysomethings lowering the curve:

B.B. King, 84

Hubert Sumlin, 79

Buddy Guy, 73

James Burton, 70

Jeff Beck, 66

Albert Lee, 66

Bert Jansch, 66

Johnny Winter, 66

Eric Clapton, 65

Stefan Grossman, 65

Steve Winwood, 62

Jimmie Vaughan, 59

Sonny Landreth, 59

Keb’ Mo’, 58

Robert Cray, 56

Earl Klugh, 56

David Hidalgo, 55

Cesar Rosas, 55

Pino Daniele, 55

Vince Gill, 53

Sheryl Crow, 48

Doyle Bramhall II, 41

Susan Tedeschi, 39

Joe Bonamassa, 33

John Mayer, 32

Derek Trucks, 31

Jonny Lang, 29

More photos at http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=tV8h7Mfk&a_id=4730242

The Moody Blues visited Horseshoe Casino Southern IN Saturday evening playing two excellent sets that covered a four decades span of their incredible roster of hits along with a few gems from past albums not often played. The band magically took you on a journey back through time and made you remember the days you first listened to these songs.

The Moody Blues gave a strong musical performance that ran through their gold and platinum staples, “Nights in White Satin”, I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” , “The Story of Your Eyes”, and “Question”.

The long time band members , Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge, were backed by a powerful band consisting of  standout, Norda Mullen on flute , vocals,and harmonica,  Alan Hewitt on keyboards, Julie Ragins keyboards and backing vocals, along with Gordon Marshall, whose performance on percussion pushed the band  with an energy that made the audience forget the high temperatures of the day.

Each song had a  powerful punch that seemed as if the songs were written only yesterday. The stage lighting was enhanced with a background video screen that switched between past photos, videos and psychedelic colors.

The legacy of The Moody Blues continues. The Moody Blues will always offer their fans a unique experience of a classical, pop and rock and roll , delivered with commitment and a sentiment of peace.

Almost 80,000 music lovers filled the now legendary 700 acre Manchester, TN farm for a weekend of music, camping and social vibes. Bonnaroo is an endurance test with four days of heat in the mid 90’s, acres of walking through hot and sweaty crowds and performances on seven stages that last until daylight.

People of all ages and personalities join together to celebrate the entire music spectrum.

Your senses are overwhelmed by the many activities, music, lights and attractions you find in this rolling field that turns the quiet little town of Manchester, into a music mecca for four days and forms one of the five largest cities in Tennessee.

In the center of it all you will find food clothing and plenty of artistic shopping. The main gathering place especially when showers are at a premium and the heat index is nearly 100 is a mushroom shaped fountain that many take advantage of to cool off while others just take in the sites of scantly clothed people splashing about.

At night a ferris wheel complete with spectacular changing light patterns, keeps you entertained even if you don’t go for a ride. For the ninth consecutive year, Bonnaroo, is the premier Midwest music event. A place to discover great new music and relish in todays top acts and enjoy a few of music’s legends.

Its impossible to take it all in, you have to make tough choices such as, the seven pm slot on Saturday between Weezer, Jeff Beck and John Prine or the Friday late night shows of The Flaming Lips, Darryl Hall with Chromeo or The Black Keys. Most of the time you try to split your time between shows.

Bonnaroo is a draining but wonderful experience. One that has us counting the days till next years version..

See more photos at t http://mikeseye.phanfare.com

Gary Rossington

Lynyrd Skynyrd brought their “Gods and Guns Tour” to Horseshoe Casino Southern In Memorial Day weekend.

The “2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “ powerhouse was formed 35 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.

Skynyrd has had it’s share of tragedy. Losing founding members Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), and Steve Gaines (guitarist) in a 1977 plane crash. It took ten years for the band to reform and move on after the crash.

The band regained it’s momentum only to lose founding guitarist Allen Collins, Founding Bassist Leon Wilkenson and longtime guitarist Hughie Thomasson, also founder of the Outlaws.

The band endured and began recording their new album” Gods and Guns” when the lost Founding pianist, Billy Powell and longtime bassist, Ean Evans.

The two can be heard on a portion of the album and the soon to be released DVD “Live from Freedom Hall” from the last show they played on right here in Louisville.

The latest version of the band is driven by core members, Gary Rossington the last original founding band member, Johnny Van Zant, brother of original vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant and the energizer, long time guitarist Ricky Medlock, formerly from Blackfoot.

Lynyrd Skynyrd play a strong hour and a half show to a large crowd made up most of the “Skynyrd Nation”.

It was a show filled with classic hits from their five gold and platinum albums with a tribute honoring our soldiers and veterans “ Simple Man” and to past  band members “ Tuesdays Gone”

The show ended with a long version of Sweet Home Alabama that had most of the audience sing along.

A predictable encore of “Freebird” led by a scorching  guitars from  Medlock, Sparky Matejka and Rossington  that sounded  exactly like the original version ended the evening.

Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member, Gary Rossington added, We’re still standing, still keeping the music going. We wanted to do the guys who aren’t with us any more proud, and keep the name proud too.”

Current Band members are:

Gary Rossington- Guitar 1964-1977, 1987- present

Johnny Van Zant- Vocals 1987 – present
Rickey Medlocke- Guitar 1970-71, 1987- present
Mark “Sparky” Matejka- Guitar 2006- present
Michael Cartellone- Drums  1999- present
Robert Kearns – Bass  2009 – present
Peter Keys – Keyboards 2009- present
Honkettes:         Dale Krantz Rossington- Backing Vocals 1987- present
Carol Chase- Backing Vocals  1987- present

more photos on http://mikeseye.phanfare.com

The Brown Theater hosted The Swell SeasonSaturday Evening. The unusual combination ofGlen Hansard (from the Irish band The Frames) and Marketa Inglova (a classically trained Czech pianist and vocalist) won an Academy Award in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly” from the film “Once” in which they both starred in.

They entertained the audience of over 1000 to a two hour plus show mixing music from all three of their albums, highlighting the newest album”Strict Joy”

Hansard and Inglova alternated between the piano and acoustic guitar and occasionally shared center stage together. The duo mixed the perfectly intertwined voices in heavenly harmonies .

They were backed by an excellent band made up of members of the Frames and a Colm Mac Con Iomaire on violin was excellent.

The Swell Season finished with an old Irish wake song to close their set. “So fill to me the parting glass,” they sang, “Goodnight and joy be with you all.”

That seems to be the case, whenever The Swell Season comes to town.

For the first time since his visit to Louisville at Farm Aid in 1995, Neil Young returned to Louisville. He played only four songs that day in Cardinal Stadium.His last appearance prior to that was in 1983 when he collapsed from flu symptoms  half way through a show in Commonwealth Convention Center causing a near riot. Sunshine Promotions promised a rescheduled show but that never occurred.

The 64 year old music legend spent his 90 minute show wandering the stage playing a variety of instruments and mixings songs from his music catalogue that spans five decades.

His strong voice was majestic and his musical talent is incredible. 

The show had many emotional moments from nearly tears on”I Believe in You” to chills on “After the Gold Rush”. The entire crowd was ready to march after “Ohio”

There were complaints in the local media about the high price of tickets $85-250 each. I spoke to fans after the show most agreed it was a priceless show and would pay every penny to see it again.

Young has earned the right to do and play what he feels. His fans understand that he is a complicated musical genius and what ever he does will be an exciting musical trip.

Set List

My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue) acoustic

Tell Me Why acoustic

Helpless acoustic

You Never Call

Peaceful Valley

Love And War

Down By The River “Old Black” 1953 Gibson Les Paul

Hitchhiker ” Old Black” 1953 Gibson Les Paul

Ohio White  Gretsch Guitar

Sign Of Love

Leia piano

After The Gold Rush Pump Organ

I Believe In You grand piano

Rumblin’

Cortez The Killer

Cinnamon Girl

Encore

Walk With Me

The eccentric, two time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer does things his own way. Restricting drink and food from the theater and repeating announcing to turn cell phones off.

Kevin Skinner

George Jones filled up Horseshoe Casino’soutdoor venue , as this years Summer Concert Series kicked off.

Unlike Friday evening’s Chicago concert, which was nearly washed out by severe thunderstorms, it was a beautiful night. Loyal fans filled he venue to have the opportunity to see a Legend of country music perform.

Jones at 79, complained of allergies, but did show up to the delight of his fans. He ran through his long list of hits as the older crowd sang with him. His songs of drinking and heartbreak still have their impact even if the famous voice has slipped a bit over the years.

The show was opened by “America’s Got Talent Winner”, Kevin Skinner who warmed up the crowd mixing his tunes with covers of Lynard Skynard and Garth Brooks.

See more photos @ http://mikeseye.phanfare.com

When Chicago released its first album in 1969, they weren’t sure how the public would react to a rock band that was dominated by horns. 40 years later the band has sold over 100,000,000 albums including 21 top ten singles, 11 of them were number one. Twenty five of their 32 albums have gone platinum and the band has 47 gold and platinum awards.

Fans braved a soggy night filled with severe thunderstorms and a hour and a half delay to see the current version of the band containing four original members, keyboard and vocalists Robert Lamm, the horn section of Lee Loughnane , Walt Parazaider, and Jame Pankow. The original members showed their love of entertaining by dancing and energizing the crowd.

They were joined by newer members bassist Jason Scheff , who did a great job handling the vocals on songs by departed member Peter Cetera, and Keith Howland on Guitar.

The band continues to deliver a strong performance. This night mixing the early music with their later hits. Legendary songs such as, “Make Me Smile”, “Color my World” , “I am a Man” and “25 to 6 to 4” blended nicely with, their later hits, “Saturday in the Park”, “Your My Inspiration” and “Hard to Say I am Sorry”.

The band has a Grammy, multiple American Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s hard to believe the haven’t been elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.