Three Monkees in a Corral

Sunday, June 26th, 2011 by The Professor

Dolenz, Tork & Jones 45th Anniversary Reunion Tour is a stunning stage rebirth

by Radio RockonTour host Timothy Tilghman

The Monkees as a faux musical unit were initially a television creation for a Saturday morning viewing audience, singing hits crafted by top pop composers. As their popularity skyrocketed, the individual Monkees endeavored to record their own original music as a band. Whether you were a Monkees fan or not, one must respect the fact that they strove to establish a genuine musical identity for themselves.

The Monkees first regrouped as a trio sans Michael Nesmith for their 20th Anniversary and conducted a successful 1986 reunion tour that stretched from Summer into Fall. To commemorate their 30th Anniversary, Nesmith rejoined the fold and produced their only studio reunion album Justus in 1996. The full quartet toured England together in Winter 1997. The trio last toured for their 35th Anniversary in Spring 2001.

The terrific trio are now back on the road to mark their 45th Anniversary and simply put – Wow! The Monkees delivered an incredible performance at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. The intimate outdoor venue is nestled in between the playing fields of two major sport stadiums just along the riverbank. The cool evening weather was picture perfect to enjoy an extended live repertoire of classic Monkees material.

Credit for The Monkees reunion rebirth rests with their Tour Director who rearranged their live stage production to rock with an audible edge rather than rehash their sound as saccharine pop confectionery served up for the masses. This enhanced Monkees stage production was embellished by an eight member musical touring entourage that enriched the individual performances.

The sheer number of numbers the trio played was impressive itself. Dolenz, Jones and Tork each took turns alone and together singing their signature hits as well as mixing choice album tracks with several unexpected rare tracks for added measure. A diehardcore Monkees fan could not have asked for more than what the band knocked out under a blanket of sparkling stars in Pittsburgh.

Bassist Peter Tork participated in an expanded musical role on this overwhelmingly enjoyable tour. Peter sang lead vocals on a total of six songs from an exciting setlist of 37 titles. A good deal of unanticipated album tracks were pleasantly dusted off for inclusion and welcomed by an appreciative audience. The individual musicianship of The Monkees was demonstrated throughout the evening by the differing instruments each played on stage.

A magnificent montage of Monkees excerpts spliced from the television series accompanied the stage performances as background visuals. Dolenz, Jones and Tork each shared comments with the Pittsburgh natives recalling their experiences as a Monkee. Micky mentioned his 1955 appearance with an elephant at nearby Kennywood Park. Their humorous stage banter was an amusing and popular means of interacting with their loyal fans.

Without question, The Monkees reunion romp has to be one of the best tours going during the Summer of 2011. The gents were entirely entertaining and gave the crowd beyond what they bargained for as an overall presentation. Davy, Micky & Peter are solid entertainers and together, they prove themselves to be a powerful team. Hey! Hey! They are The Monkees.

The Monkees Stage AE, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 22, 2011 setlist: Here They Come Again [ensemble intro] * I’m A Believer * Mary, Mary * Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) * The Girl I Knew Somewhere * When Loves Comes Knocking At Your Door * Randy Scouse Git * Valleri * Papa Jean’s Blues * Saturday’s Child * I Wanna Be Free * That Was Then, This Is Now * I Don’t Think You Know Me At All * All Of Your Toys * Hangin’ Round * She Hangs Out * Sometime In The Morning * Someday Man * Can You Dig It * As We Go Along * Didn’t I * Porpoise Song (Theme from Head) * When I Grow Up To Be A Man * For Pete’s Sake * Cuddly Toy * Words * She * Shades Of Gray * Goin’ Down * It’s Nice To Be With You * Auntie Grezelda * Last Train To Clarksville * A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You * (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone * Daydream Believer * Encore: Listen To The Band * Pleasant Valley Sunday * I’m A Believer

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Musical Mavens on the Go

Thursday, June 16th, 2011 by The Professor

The Go-Go’s parade on stage with a catalogue jam

by Radio RockonTour host Timothy Tilghman

The Go-Go’s looked like goners in 2010. Their scheduled Farewell Tour was entirely postponed after Jane Wiedlin injured her leg while hiking a year ago. It’s therefore fitting that God blessed The Go-Go’s in 2011, marking the 30th anniversary of their seminal album Beauty And The Beat. The unanticipated calendar upgrade generated an advantageous twist of fortune after all.

Even though the lovely lassies have developed their own distinct personalities as musicians outgrowing their group association, vocalist Belinda Carlisle, guitarist Charlotte Chaffey, guitarist Jane Wiedlin, bassist Kathy Valentine, and drummer Gina Schock still produce that collective magic to effectively entertain their loyal audiences.

The Go-Go’s brought their beauty & beat to the Feline Center at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, on Friday, June 10, 2011. A party atmosphere dominated the patrons populating the lawn section. Although the evening heat got more than a little hot, the gyrating women bebopping to the melodic music worked up unrelenting perspiration.

Strutting out onto the stage to burlesque fanfare, Carlisle barked, “Are you ready to rock?”, igniting crowd anticipation. The ladies launched their performance with “Vacation”. An `80’s revival commenced as the female fans sang in unison on the incorrigible chorus.

Valentine introduced Carlisle’s 1985 hit solo single “Mad About You” as having been refashioned into a Go-Go’s styled tune for fan appreciation. Gina Schock stepped forward to quiz the crowd, “Is it hot enough for you?”, soliciting a roar of approval in response. Chaffey wasted no time in prompting Schock to proclaim she was born in neighboring Baltimore. Gina proudly mentioned that her parents and her brother were seated in the audience.

An uncommon surprise in the concert was their cover of The Rolling Stones’ 1966 classic rock single “Mother’s Little Helper”. Carlisle seemed to emphasize the spoken intro, “What a drag it is getting old”, but they dispelled that notion as the feminine quintet rocked on a number the Stones themselves have long since abandoned from their tour repertoire.

Having acknowledged the 30th anniversary of Beauty And The Beat, the band showcased several selections in their setlist from that popular 1981 record. Touring as a nostalgia act in a lethargic economy can forecast risky business, but The Go-Go’s are indeed a unique group that attracts a loyal fanbase.

The closing three numbers, “Our Lips Are Sealed”, “Skidmarks On My Heart”, and “We Got The Beat”, were the perfect trifecta. Schock appeared front and center for a second time during the first encore to introduce her colleagues in the band. The Dollyrots power trio who opened was invited to dance about in freeform on stage.

The Go-Go’s treated the outdoor audience to a second encore of a Wiedlin composition “Fun With Ropes” identified as one of their earliest original songs. Many may not know that The Go-Go’s began their stage career as a punk band at the end of the 1970s. The ladies climaxed in a thrashing crescendo swamped by applause having delivered an energetic romp that left the Vienna crowd still wanting more.

The Go-Go’s Feline Center at Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA, June 10, 2011 setlist: Vacation * Tonite * How Much More * Get Up And Go * Mad About You * Lust To Love * Mother’s Little Helper * Automatic * Fading Fast * Cool Places * This Town * Unforgiven * The Whole World Lost It’s Head * Our Lips Are Sealed * Skidmarks On My Heart * We Got The Beat * 1st Encore: Sur > Beat > Surf * Head Over Heels * 2nd Encore: Fun With Ropes

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Cruising Once Again: The Cars Live

Thursday, May 26th, 2011 by The Professor

The Cars rev up historic hits and switch into high gear with new stage oscillations

by Radio RockonTour host Timothy Tilghman

The Cars cruised into the Capitol on Monday, May 23, 2011, appearing before a sold out SRO audience at the 9:30 Club. As luck would have it for those fans without tickets staked out in front of the venue before showtime seeking to score entry, essentially every single person searching for sellers was able to buy a ticket priced marginally above face value.

Leader Ric Ocasek finally consented to a Cars reunion in the studio and on tour with his former bandmates lead guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer David Robinson. Touring only as a foursome, they made the right decision not to replace their fallen partner and bassist Benjamin Orr. Hawkes picked up a bass guitar to play on two songs during their high-octane performance.

The quartet simply walked out on stage and immediately plugged into “Good Times Roll”. Their stage motif resembled Move Like This the cover art from the new disk. The Cars were primarily preoccupied with promoting their new album as the setlist featured a total of six fresh tunes. Although the studio recordings were rather thin on Easton’s distinct lead guitar wizardry, these new numbers sounded better live.

The classic Cars tunes from their initial 1978 self-titled album were exceedingly well received. The handful of selections originally sung by bassist Benjamin Orr generated an intense response from the Capitol crowd. Hawkes voiced an acknowledgment with, “A tip of the hat to our friend Ben Orr”.

Two exceptional unanticipated album choices unearthed for this modern tour by Ocasek that deserve recognition as major stage surprises were the apologetic heartfelt ballad “I’m Not The One” and the whimsical psychedelic vibe of “Heartbeat City”. Ocasek certainly left an indelible impression on the top pop hits of the 1980s with an innovative quirkiness unmatched by contemporary composers during his career peak streak.

Their triple-whammy encore drove audience hysteria to ecstatic heights. Incredibly after the concert concluded, each member of The Cars made himself available before boarding to sign autographs for the anxious fans crammed behind a barrier set up adjacent to the alleyway where their tourbus was parked.

Ocasek may not have broken any new ground in releasing a new collection of Cars material; however, this action reconstitutes The Cars with a creative rebirth in the new millennium. Depending on the level of success this present reunion project produces, there may be hope for Cars fans that more music and tours will follow in the future.

Even though practically a quarter century has passed, The Cars were rightly welcomed on the tour circuit by their loyal fanbase. Demand for the band was demonstrated in 2006, when The New Cars conducted an overwhelmingly popular nostalgia tour orchestrated by Todd Rundgren who handled lead vocals. Cars fans have Ric Ocasek to thank for this exciting 2011 Spring tour.

The Cars, 9:30 Club, Washington, DC, May 23, 2011 setlist: Good Times Roll * Blue Tip * Since You’re Gone * Up And Down * My Best Friend’s Girl * Hits Me * Touch And Go * I’m In Touch With Your World * Keep On Knocking * You Might Think * Drag On Forever * Free * I’m Not The One * Sad Song * Heartbeat City * Let’s Go * Encore: Moving In Stereo * Just What I Needed * You’re All I’ve Got Tonight

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Auburn Afire On Stage: Melissa Auf der Maur Live

Thursday, May 26th, 2011 by The Professor

Melissa Auf der Maur’s bass resonation batters Manhattan

by Radio RockonTour host Timothy Tilghman

Melissa Auf der Maur delivered an incendiary performance on Thursday, March 3, 2011, at the Highline Ballroom in New York City. This was the final date on her Out Of Our Minds World Tour and the only concert scheduled on U.S. soil. MAdM fans traveled from up and down the Eastern seaboard, across the border from Canada and afar as France to attend this singular event.

The second floor audience was eager for an engaging appearance by MAdM and she delivered 100% on all expectations. Dressed in form-fitting black attire and lengthy black boots, she and her trusty bass guitar rocked the intimate venue with absolute abandon. Auf der Maur enjoyed being in her element – live before an audience. Her impressive stage presence confirmed she is one woman who is secure in her sense of self as a professional female musician in a male-dominated field.

Melissa sang five titles from her old-new album also promoted as her multimedia project Out Of Our Minds. Surprisingly, seven songs in her blistering set were from her first phenomenal solo album issued in 2004. Having reached the climax of a world tour, her touring band of seasoned young musicians was tight and accelerated the jams on stage.

MAdM blew out a puff of smoke and opened her energized set with “Isis Speaks” off her sophomore effort. However, “Lightning Is My Girl” propelled the eclectic crowd into hyper activity with its kinetic melody. Her vocals were audibly captivating, and her spontaneous interaction responding to audience commentary displayed a raconteur sophistication.

“Happy Thursday New York, it’s Jupiter Day!”, proclaimed MAdM before she launched into a power-pop jam on “Real A Lie”. A lead guitar intro prefaced the band’s instrumental romp through “Lead Horse” from OOOM. “Merci Beau Coup, New York City”, MAdM said mentioning that this was the last date on her Out Of Our Minds world tour. She interjected her sense of humor during stage chatter between numbers.

“My Foggy Notion” was another high-octane highlight that prompted immediate gyrating. The energy level of the standing-room-only spectators spiked in response to the intensity of the music. In an unanticipated departure from her stage presentation, MAdM sang “Father’s Grave” as a prerecorded duet with Glenn Danzig. Her writhing body pulsed in time to the rhythm of the power-ballad melody.

Prefacing “Paranoid”, a tune Hand of Doom covered on her now out-of-print live 2001 Black Sabbath tribute album, she stated, “This is a song for those taken too soon”. To end the all-too-brief set, her distinct bass riff began “Followed The Waves” with her holding a note and hollering for maximum effect. Her band decisively cranked the volume, but Auf der Maur’s lone vocal finished in silence.

Returning for an encore, Melissa announced, “There are wild horses in my head tonight”, before kicking into high gear with a galloping version of “Skin Receiver”. She sang sans her instrument to the accompaniment of buzzing dual guitars with the charging music brought to an abrupt completion. Pausing to thank and introduce the members in her band, Baltimore was acknowledged with a shout from the MAdM.

The stellar one-its-kind concert closed with her rearrangement of the Doors’ classic “When The Music’s Over” reworked into a fantastic psychedelic blues vibe. Her unique rendition eventually surged into a climactic crescendo. Having sincerely thanked NYC, MAdM placed her throbbing bass guitar on the floor allowing the instrument to continue vibrating after she exited the stage.

17 countries in 17 weeks. Supporting MAdM on her 2011 Out Of Our Minds world tour were drummer George Donoso and dueling guitarists Alex Crow and Will Tendy. Segments of video clips from her 28 minute featurette The Hunt were projected on screen to introduce the show and then later shown behind the band to accentuate her prolific lyrics and stage action.

Melissa Auf der Maur is simply an incredible bassist, composer, singer and performer. Her live musicianship before an audience is unparalleled. Her movements on stage behind the microphone balance a subtle gracefulness with an alluring sensuality. She and her instrument of choice move and groove together on stage in a fusion of melodic bass animation.

Several dedicated Auf der Maur fans parked themselves in front of her merchandising table after the performance waiting for a meet & greet with the MAdM herself. Their investment in queuing up paid off as Melissa did indeed make a point to sign autographs and pose for pictures with a score of fans. Melissa has been blessed with an abundance of good luck being born in Montreal on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Auf der Maur built her bass career touring and recording with Hole in the 1990s. Billy Corgan later invited Melissa to play bass on The Smashing Pumpkins final tour at the turn of the millennium. Considering that she has spent a decent amount of her time as a backing musician touring with popular stage attractions, it’s amazing just how sincerely defined MAdM is as her own original artist before an appreciative audience.

Melissa Auf der Maur, Highline Ballroom, New York, NY, March 3, 2011 setlist: Isis Speaks * Lightning is My Girl * Real A Lie * Lead Horse * My Foggy Notion * Out Of Our Minds * I Need I Want I Will * Father’s Grave * 22 Below * Paranoid * Followed The Waves * Encore: Skin Receiver * When The Music’s Over

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