Gordon Lightfoot in Concert

Monday - June 28,2007

Last Thursday - June 24 - Bill and I had an evening with Gordon Lightfoot (along with about 1,200 other people) at the Paramount Theatre in Ashland, KY. It was a great evening listening to an icon from the musical world!

If you could read our minds, you might learn about the wide variety of music we have found that we enjoy. One genre includes Folk Music in which Gordon Lightfoot is well known. If you could read Lightfoot’s mind, you would find about all of the obstacles he has overcome to continue with a career that has spanned over 45 years. He was persistent in his willingness to write, tour, and entertain his fans from the 60’s to new ones of today.

Lightfoot, 72, contracted Bell's palsy in the early '70s, a condition that partially paralyzed his face for a while; he battled alcohol abuse until the '80s. In 2002, he was in a coma for six weeks after suffering a ruptured aortic aneurysm, and in 2006, he suffered a minor stroke while performing. Yes, it appears he could have and should have taken better care of himself, but . . . . . too many in the entertainment world tended to drink and use drugs way too much. Many times it was the way they decided was the only thing to keep them going! So Sad!!!!!

A picture of the Gordon Lightfoot we remember from the past!

If you loved the voice of the man who sang songs such as “Early Mornin’ Rain,” “Wreck OF The Edmund Fitzgerald,” “If You Could Only Read My Mind” (which was his breakthrough on the charts at #5), “Sundown,” and “Did She Mention My Name,” then you might have been disappointed with his voice today. We were pleasantly surprised that his voice was much stronger and he looked healthier than he did when we saw him in concert last year in Columbus.

A more updated promotion photo of Gordon Lightfoot - he looks healthier in this photo.

When the entertainer is one with a few years behind them, we have to know that the years of singing have taken a toll on their voice. No it’s not the same as he was in the 60’s and 70’s, but he is singer/songwriter who is still trying to entertain his fans and forging onward with what he loves to do. We both enjoyed the concert in a small venue and appreciate the fact we were able to see one of the great legends from our younger days!!

June 24, 2010 - a little older and thinner, but still an entertainer!

The last three photos were actually taken by me at the concert. At 72, Lightfoot is frail, thus the reason I am sure he has only 70 dates a year in which he performs! He told the audience he breaks the touring up into sections with this latest tour having fourteen venues in which he and his band were to perform. Ashland was # 11 on this tour. HE performed for about 50 minutes; took a break; and came back and performed for another 50 minutes!!! He sang; the band played along with him!! All in all - it was a great evening with Gordon Lightfoot and his band!

Keith Albee - Marshall Artist Series - CATS

Sunday - April 18, 2009

Living in a college town has its advantages. While attending Marshall many years ago, I was aware of the special shows they would have come in and perform not only for the student body, but for the citizens of the Huntington area too. However, as a student I did not have the time to attend many of these events. Study - Study - Study!! That's what my college days were like! I wish I had taken advantage of these special shows since I had paid for them when paying my tuition.

It wasn't until Bill and I were married that I actually went to see some of the special artist that were brought in to perform at the Keith Albee Theater. Artist such as Judy Collins, Stan Getz, Wyton Marsalis, YoYo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern, and the Labeque Sisters - Katia and Marielle. Yes, we have seen some really talented and world renown artist. Had we not lived in the Huntington area, chances are we would not have been able to see most of these artist. Marshall University's Artist Series has taken pride in the fact they are bringing in the best of the best!

As with most shows, we are not permitted to take pictures, but with modern technology many of these artist pictures can be located by simply typing in their name into a search engine of your choice. How I wish I had a picture of these artist with my own camera!!!! These artist were brought in to perform at the Keith Albee Theatre in downtown Huntington.

The Keith Albee is a beautiful theater that opened it's doors back in 1928. It was actually a vaudeville theater which eventually was turned into a movie theater. Mom took us to several movies when we were younger, and the school system had special programs in which they would take the student body to to watch. Not only did I go watch the "silver screen" movies of my day, but it was also the site for the high school graduation of my brothers and me!

When "We Are Marshall" has its premier, the Keith Albee was the place for the first viewing of the movie. The actors, producers, and distinguished member of Marshall, the city, and the state walked the red carpet - actually green carpet - as they do in Hollywood when a film is first shown. It was a great day for Marshall and the city.

Bill and I have tried to see many of the shows that have been brought in by Marshall. This year one that stands out to me is the musical CATS. It was an unbelievable performance. Chances of us seeing a musical would probably have been very unlikely unless we had made a special trip to NYC! The song, "Memories," still remains in my head! The young lady who sang the song was absolutely wonderful.

Later this week we are planning on seeing another show - "The Lord of the Dance!" We have seen the show before, but never at the Keith Albee!! We are both very anxious and excited to see them perform in the beautiful Keith Albee. We have had the tickets for months and will be sitting in the loge section. We try and get tickets that are elevated so I can see!!! Many times I have not been able to enjoy a show because of the tall person in front of me!

This is a picture of two of my friends - Peggy and Trudy - standing out side of the Keith Albee on our graduation day from HHS!

The stage of the Keith Albee.

I don't think the stage looked quite like this when I walked across it to receive my diploma!

. . . looking at the side of the auditorium - breath taking!!!!

My first musical was "CATS"

The make-up and costumes were unbelievable!!

As we have gotten older, we enjoy the variety of the talent that Marshall is bringing to the area. We hope to be able to continue attending many of these shows!!!

Three Show Weekend!

Thursday - April 8, 2010

Since our retirements, one of the things we love doing is going to concerts which are not too far from home. What do I mean too far? We love going to Charleston, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Lexington. We have even gone to Pittsburgh and Toledo. Bill browses the Internet to see who and where we might see in concert. We do not stay with one music genre. We have seen Elton John, Billy Joel, BB King, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, George Jones, Roy Clark, Celtic Thunder, and Celtic Woman to name a few! :) We have also been to see Cats, and most recently a ballet in Cincinnati!

Bill found that during the weekend of March 27-28 we could see three shows in Cincinnati at the Arnoff Center. Two show would be Celtic Woman performing "songs From the Heart," and one performance would be by the Cincinnati Ballet with the Xavier University Concert Choir accompanying them. They performed "Mozart's Requiem." Adam Hougland was the choreography. I really don't know a lot about dancing, but I do know that the performers did a wonderful job! The music was powerful with the dancers showing the adrenaline rushing through their bodies and into their performance. It was a captivating dance drama that kept the audience dazzled with what was happening.

According to the program we received before going to our seats, "Mozart's Requiem" is a non-narrative drama that depicts a journey from the darkness into light. Knowing this, you could understand what was taking place. The set was unbelievable helping us see the characters grappling with grief, loss, and the reality of their inevitable mortality. It is during the second act that we saw the characters process of acceptance of finding a hopeful path towards the light. They are letting go and finally accepting the ultimate unknown.

This photo was one they took when performing at on of the castles in Ireland. Now that would be a great place to see them perform!!!!

For the past four years I have grown to love listening to Celtic Woman more and more. I became acquainted with this group from Ireland when off from work with a bad back and right after Dad passed away. I could do nothing without being in pain. I would sit in my rocker and try and watch some TV. PBS had Celtic Woman on one of their fund raiser drives. I was mesmerized by their voices and how well they would blend together. At the time their was a sixteen year old who was part of the group and had the voice of an angel. I was hooked.

I ordered their DVD and CD. After I received them, this was all I would listen to and watch!! Bill knew how much I liked them and found a time and place for us to go see them. We actually got to see them here in Huntington. We were one of the first one's in line when the tickets went on sale. We got and our tickets for that first show and as they say the rest is history!! We have also seen them in Toledo, Columbus, Lexington, and Cincinnati. Some can't understand why we love to go see them again and again, but what is the difference in going to watch the same group when they are close to home than going to a ballgame - MU, Reds, or Bengals - it's because we like them. Yes we both like Celtic Woman!

March 28, 2010 was a date in which Celtic Woman did two performances at the Arnoff Center in Cincinnati. Bill managed to get tickets for both performances! We were on the second row for both shows. "Songs From the Heart" was a remarkable show. Three of the original members - Chloe, Lisa and Mairead - are still with the group. The two newest members - Alex and Lynn - have been welcomed with open arms by fans. Their voices blend so well with the others. The songs are definitely song "from the heart."

The composers and musical director has certainly managed to put together an awesome show that has captivated people from all over the world. Each has a personality that shines through the songs they sing. Mairead's playing of the fiddle is absolutely unbelievable. The talent she displays when playing has given her the name of "the Dancing Fairy."

Bill and I both thoroughly enjoyed both shows!!! Will we go and see them again?? Yes when the date and place is right!!!!

BB King in Concert

Saturday - October 17, 2009

B.B. King’s concert at the Aronoff Center Friday night was one of the best concerts we have attended. At 84, the jazz musician still could play the guitar and sing the blues. We were fortunate to have gotten front row center seats! We felt we were right on stage with him! At times when he would look down at the audience, he was actually talking directly to us!!! He interacted with the audience throughout the entire concert. Those of us up front had a really great chance to see his facial expressions which made what he said and sang even better! There were some older ladies next to Bill who had apparently been BB King fans for a long time!! They had their 95 year old mother there who has not missed one of his concerts when he comes to Cincinnati. BB King was a true gentleman and gave this lady a special token of his appreciation for her being there! This little lady just smiled from ear to ear!

When BB came out on stage with the assistance of his closest friends, he was throwing something out into the audience. Of course being on the front row allowed us to see what it was. He was throwing out guitar pick with his name and picture on them as souvenirs. Bill caught one!! Wow, a pick given to us by BB King. Some think this is no big deal – maybe not, but it sure is a nice memento for the evening we spent listening to BB King!

It was nice that King has the motivation to stay on the road, especially for those who want the chance to see a living legend! If what he sings is to be believed, King doesn’t plan on slowing his pace. From what we could tell, he was having a blast, not only with the audience, but with his eight member band! Seated in a chair at the front of the stage for the duration of the performance, King played his guitar, Lucille, sang his songs, and told stories. We laughed till I cried with some of his stories. According to one of the reviews, BB King was a little absent minded and lost his train of thought when telling a story. This may have been true, but he is 84 years old!!! Bill and I both felt it was a great concert – guess the “real” music experts felt otherwise!

Some of the musical moments involved King going pop. There was a a section where U2’s “When Love Comes to Town” was sung and then it was followed by “You Are My Sunshine.” Those two songs typically appear in a B.B. King setlist, as did most of the rest, like “Let the Good Times Roll,” “Rock Me Baby,” “I Need You So” and his signature “The Thrill is Gone.” A notable addition was “See That My Grave is Kept Clean,” which he said the producer wouldn’t let him sing until he was 84!

If we can take the hint he gave us through song, BB King is nowhere close to quitting doing what he loves to do – tour and sing the blues! When he first took his chair center stage he sang, “I’m gonna roam this old highway till the break of day,” and he added a line with an ad lib, singing: “I guess I’m gonna do it till I die, folks.” He received a round of applause from a very appreciative crowd!

BB King performed for over two hours! At the end, his “helpers” and band member gave him something – he was throwing more souvenirs out to the audience! Being on the front row did have advantages! He threw out lapel pins which I was able to catch. He threw them right towards us!! Wow – two souvenirs now.

But wait, it gets even better. He was not finished with the souvenirs. I could see a gold chain (not real gold) with a pendant in his hand, and he was pointing toward the person he wanted to give one to!!! He had given out about ten when he pointed at me!!! YES, ME!!!! He tossed it to me and I caught it – this was a big “old have mercy” as Marty one of the Reds’ announcers would say! We now came away with memories of a great show, a few photos, and three souvenirs!!!!

BB King is not only a legend in the blues, but he was a true gentleman, and a great entertainer! Thanks BB for a great evening!

This is an example of the facial expressions we were able to see from our seat. He was very animated with his expression at time when telling stories, or interacting with the audience!

He loved playing "Lucille!"

Reacting to what one of the band members said!

BB leaving at the end of the show!

Some of our souvenirs!

. . .

The man on the left is BB's nephew!

At 84 and with "bad" legs, BB said he needed to sit through the show!!

He really got into the mood of the blues!

His way of showing appreciation and love for the audience!!!

The necklace thrown directly to me!!!

One more tidbit: the opening act was done by Willie Nelson's son, Lukas, and his band! Apparently BB king and Willie are great friends!!! The warm-up act was really great too!!!!

Willie Nelson Concert

Saturday - September 26, 2009

I always like to research a little about the person/group we have just seen in concert before doing a post about them and the concert. Even though I thought I knew a lot about Willie, I found out a lot of interesting things about Willie! To start off with, he was raised by his grandparents who gave him music lessons via mail. Apparently you could order music lessons through the mail – more or less self-taught from sheets. Both he and his sister were taught music this way. Willie learned to play the guitar, while his sister was taught to play the piano.

It wasn’t until we bought a book at the concert did we find out that the piano player on the stage was Willie’s “older” sister, Bobbie. She could really make that piano talk!!!! She has taken a back seat to the “lime light” and let Willie take all the fame and glory! It wasn’t until she was 76 that she actually had an album produced which show cased her talents. That was a couple of years ago. You could never guess that it was a 70’ish lady playing the piano on the stage! She was fantastic.

Willie’s voice is not where it what it us to be, but then whose is when they are 76 years old and has been performing continuously since hitting it big back in the mid 70’s. I will never forget the year he was chosen male vocalist of the year – 1975. Mom could not believe he was the winner! She was going more by his looks (long stringy hair and a bushy face) than his musical abilities.
Another tidbit learned from researching Willie was very interesting. The guitar which he uses the most has a name. He calls it “Trigger” which he named after none other than Roy Rogers’s horse. Due to the constant strumming with a guitar pick, he has worn large holes into the guitar near the sound hole. The guitar has been signed over the years by hundreds of Willie’s friends, associates, which included fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. When looking closely at some of the pictures we took, you can see the holes and autographs!!

September 22, 2009 was a beautiful evening. Bill and I ate at Bella Fonte Italian Restaurant which across the street from the parking lot next to the Paramount Theater in Ashland. It was a great dinner with a fantastic show to follow. The first thirty minutes of the show was started by an opening act by Billy Joe Shaver. Personally, I felt it was a little long and the audience was beginning to get a little restless. We had come to see and listen to Willie. Shaver did well and was given a round of applause when he had completed his performance.

We had an intermission for the stage crew to change the stage. Willie would soon be on the stage. Willie was soon on stage and was backed up by his sister Bobbie at the piano; brothers, Paul and Billy English; and Mickey Raphael who was a harmonica whiz! As the band started playing a giant Texas state flag unfurled behind them which engaged the audience from their seats with a round of cheers! The audience was then getting to hear Willie deliver non-stop many of hits! Following is a list of the ones we could remember!

SETLIST (not necessarily in order of performance)

BLOODY MARY MORNING
BLUE EYES CRYING
CRAZY
FUNNY HOW TIME SLIPS AWAY
IF YOU’VE GOT THE MONEY
MOMAS DON’T LET YOUR BABIES . . .
NIGHT LIFE
THE PARTY’S OVER
STAY ALL NIGHT, STAY A LITTLE LONGER
UNCLOUDY DAY
WHISKEY RIVER
ALWAYS ON MY MIND
ANGELS FLYING TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND
MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
MILK COW BLUES
NOTABLE NO PLAYS
ME AND PAUL
LAST THING I NEEDED

Once again, we were able to see a legend perform. We would like to share some of our photos from that night with you!

The state flag of Texas had just been unfurled behind Willie and his band!

Willie's black hat soon became someones prize!!!

Gone is the hat and on is his bandanna!

Now his bandanna is some one's prize!!!!

Moody Blues' Review

Wednesday - September 2, 2009

This is the last of the pictures and reviews from our trip to Cincinnati. We saw the Moody Blues on Saturday - August 29 at Riverbend. I opted to "use" Bill's review he posted about the concert. I have to say he was more familiar with the songs than I was. I did recognize some of them. I enjoyed the concert very much, and we had fantastic seats.

These are the words of Bill:
The show was in the much smaller (4,400 seats) PNC Pavillion at Riverbend. It was probably 90-95% full. The weather was fantastic. Temps in low 70's and no humidity. We had 3rd row seats in the center (orchestra pit). Got them from Stub Hub and paid too much, but I really wanted to be close for this one. I have only done that for three other concerts, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Gordon Lightfoot. Guess that will show you how far up my list the Moodies are. Again the stage was nothing special, and the lighting was adequate. You could tell it was a show about the music. However, they did you a screen behind the band to show live shots interspersed with videos from the past.

From our seats we were never more than 12-15 feet from Justin Hayward who stayed at the mic in the center most of the time. John Lodge was just off to our right about 20-25 feet. Graeme Edge was on a riser at the back of the stage. He had to have help to get up and down the steps, (or he just wanted to hold a pretty woman's hand:) She was the person who took Ray Thomas' place when he retired. There was another woman on keyboard, but they stayed in the background. There were two sets of drummers. I read somewhere that Graeme couldn't keep up now, don't know. Seemed fine to me. Justin and John still have their voices, but they may be saving them and that's why the show was a little under 2 hours. Graeme's voice on his recitations was not quite as full and deep as it use to be, but was still good.

Overall, the music was really all a Moody's fan could have wanted. They sang mostly hits and old songs, and made everyone feel good. Justin did mention one song that they had dusted off and were doing this summer. He said they hadn't done it live since the Isle of Wight in 1970, "Lunch Break:Peak Hour." John Lodge said on the Isle of Wight DVD, (I got one at the concert) that he felt they were better now than 40 years ago. I listened on line to some of the tracks from them and he may be right. They were near perfect that night in Cincinnati.
I have had trouble coming up with this setlist because songs I wanted to hear, have heard on CD, or just locked in my mind are jumbled up, but here goes;

These I know for sure;
Tuesday Afternoon
Lean on Me (Tonight)
Never Comes the Day
Steppin' in a Slide Zone
The Voice
I Know You're Out There Somewhere
The Story in Your Eyes
Isn't Life Strange
The Other Side of Life
Higher and Higher
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock n Roll Band)
Nights in White Satin
Question?Your Wildest Dreams
GypsyThe Dream
New Horizons
Ride My See SawMaybe??
When You're a Free Man
Melancholy Man

Notable songs I would have liked to have heard;
For My LadyGo Now
Lovely to see You Again
Dear Diary
Lazy Day
Have You Heard
Lost in a Lost World

Saturday - August 29, 2009

The stage!!!!

One of the members of the band ???? Oh no - it's Bill ready to go! :):)

Yep, I'm ready to go too!!!!! :):)

Justin Hayward

John Lodge

Graeme Edge

Norda Mullen - back vocalist and flutist

Norda Mullen and Bernadette Barlow

Waving goodbye - the finale!!!!!

Bill and I both enjoyed the concerts as well as the games we attended in Cincinnati. It was a great four days!!!!!!

Earth, Wind, and Fire

Friday - August 28, 2009

Wednesday we were able to see Earth, Wind, and Fire in concert (along with Chicago). I've already posted pictures of both groups being on stage and have opted to do a separate posting for the individual groups which will show pictures and give you a list of the songs we heard - not necessarily in the order they are listed!

For those who may not know, this is an African American R & B band which formed in Chicago in 1969. In the beginning, they were known as EWF the Elements, or the Elements of the Universe. After a year together, the original group broke up going their separate ways. Two of the originals got together with another group of great musicians and the group Earth, Wind, and Fire was reestablished!

Maurice White, who is a vocalist and plays the drums, percussion, and Kalimba, along with Verdine White, who plays the bass guitar, were two from the original group in this second formation. These two gentlemen along with Philip Bailey – vocalist, plays the percussion, Conga, and Kalimba – and Ralph Johnson – plays the drums, percussion, and is a vocalist – have been playing together for 40 years. Their age appeared to deceive us in the audience as the energy they displayed was that of most twenty year olds!!!

This group has been known for its dynamic sound especially due to the horn section. Their performance was dynamic, energetic, and electrifying – almost too much so for a couple of retired folks!!! We both enjoyed their performance tremendously and would like to share picture of Earth, Wind and Fire with you, our readers! Enjoy!

One of the thing we noticed first was the fire on the drums - foreshadowing for what was to come - playing the drums until they catch on fire - and they almost did! :)

Our first look at Earth, Wind, and Fire performing by themselves!!!

Notice the images on the lights above the stage - they changed throughout the performance depicting different elements of the universe!

The three on the top part of the stage have been together for 40 years - they were bringing the house down! Bill loved Verdine White's outfits - he's on the left playing the bass!!! WILD

I know this is blurry, but I wanted to show what they did with the lighting throughout the entire show - it was unbelievable!! The image of flames was projected on the screen in the back!!!

I tried to get shots with all ten members on stage - they moved around way too much for me to capture that!! They were never still for more than a minute - good way to loose weight! :):)

They didn't just stand on stage and play or sing to themselves - they played and interacted with the audience!

They were really singing out!!!!! They did this the whole time!!!

I think I got them all in this shot!!!

This was their finale!!! hey had the whole place rocking!!

Set list:

Boogie Wonderland

Sing a Song

Shining Stars

Sun Goddess

Serpentine Fire

Kalimba Story

Evila

Brazilian Rhythm

I'll Write a Song for You

After the Love is Gone

Reasons

In the Stone

Got to Get You Into My Life

September

Wishing You Were Here

Fantasy

Groove

The Way of the World

Devotion

You couldn't prove it by me that these were the songs played:):) I did recognize some of them, but I had already turned to "country" by the time this group became popular!!! I remember John listening to them and driving me crazy! :):) Bill loved them when he was younger - so we are trying to catch some of these performances of some of the groups from our youth!!! I am really getting to like these groups now - they still may not be at the top of my list, but if Bill likes them and wants to go - so shall I.