Category: Show Reviews

America’s Got Talent Breakout Star Robert Channing Awes & Amazes Central New Yorkers

What do 45,000 runners, Howard Stern, and Jimmy Fallon all have in common? They were all blown away by the amazing talent of Robert Channing, spell binding mentalist and artist from New Hartford, NY. Most recently seen on this season’s America’s Got Talent, Robert Channing wowed the judges and audience collecting four straight “Yeses” to move on into the next round on the NBC summer hit show.

As Utica prepared for the 2014 Boilermaker Road Race, a worldwide event with runners from all continents, it only seemed fitting to have a worldwide star like Channing take the stage at the beautiful and grand Stanley Theater in Utica the night before to send off positive vibes for all those racing the following day.

As Channing began his performance, he immediately won the audience over with his charismatic presence and quick wit. His unique talents, albeit different, demonstrated both Robert’s creative mind and talents splendidly. After being blindfolded by two complete strangers, Robert showed off his inept intuitive ability to identify articles, individuals, and facts, stupefying the audience more and more as the show progressed. This mental capacity to call out things that nobody could possibly know is an amazing gift.

Robert Channing – Mentalist/Speed Painter

As Channing wrapped up his show, the last two minutes were the most impressive. To paint a painting is a talent not many of us can achieve, and if a time limit was added to that task, the result would most likely resemble a round of drawing during a game of Pictionary for most of us. This was not the case for Channing as he painted and danced in a performance, captivating the audience and leaving them on the edge of their seat to see who the subject of this artwork would become. Literally within two minutes, Robert completed his painting, and in cloud of glittery dust, a still life of the iconic Marilyn Monroe came to life on the stage.

Channing’s works of art have become highly collectable pieces, being sought after with prices upwards of $100,000. As the artist performed for Heidi Klum, Mel B., Howie Mandel, and Howard Stern on AGT, the artwork came to life, and Howard, who is never at a loss for words, was stunned by this amazing creation,while the other judges were left in jealous awe of what they had just witnessed.

Robert Channing – Mentalist/Speed Painter

I had the opportunity to interview Robert and found him to be the most interesting individual.

Kathy Stockbridge (KS) – How long have you been sharing your mental abilities with audiences? When did you discover this gift?

Robert Channing (RC) – Since I was five years old, I have been messing with not only my mind skills, but other people’s thoughts. It’s 35% Extra Sensory Perception, 35% Showmanship, and the rest is dumb luck.

KS:  What is your most memorable mental performance?

RC:  Performing in Monaco for Billionaire Alex and Carrie Vik and their lovely family for a private event at his home on the ocean. My family and I were flown first class and performed two private shows for the Vik’s and their clients. Amazing Place!

KS:  Have you found this gift to be one that you can use in everyday life to help others?

RC: The gift that was given to me and helps me put smiles on people’s faces and provides me the ability to help people in need. So far, over the last five years, I have helped raise over $150 million for a charity called “Hunger to Hope” with YUM Brands! as a sponsor alongside President Bill Clinton, Maria Carey, and Christina Aguilera. Yum Brands! It is the largest food organization in the world.

KS: What are some drawbacks being able to read others thoughts?

RC: My reading of minds is just that..a show. A show of what you can do if you just tap into your own mind’s ability. Scientists believe we only use a fraction of our minds in a lifetime.

KS: How did you begin painting?

RC: In 1988-1989 I performed with a gentleman named Denny Dent who did a speed painting show called “Two Fisted Art Attack”, and his performance and energy along with his ability to inspire people motivated me to study him and this performance art form. I’ve had this doormat for a few years and decided after some trials and tribulations in my life to express myself with painting, creating extraordinary pieces of art for clients, celebrities, family, and friends.

KS: How did this speed painting using glitter come to be? And how did you know it should be part of your performance?

RC: It was something that I created with my daughter as an art project, and one that I was inspired to perform on stage by the reactions of my test audiences who first fell in love with my glitter paintings.

KS:  As a contestant on AGT, how did it feel to completely surprise the unsurprisable Howard Stern?

RC: Being on America’s Got Talent, it was an exhilarating experience that will never be forgotten. To have Howard, Heidi Klum, Mel B., Howie Mandel, and Nick Cannon give me over a 2 1/2 minute standing ovation along with the packed audience of over 5,000 people at Madison Square Gardens in NYC, and to have Howard Stern join me on stage to sign and ask to own my painting, was like a beautiful dream that I could only imagine. That it came true is amazing to me!

For those of you who have yet to see Robert live, your chance is right around the corner. He will be returning to The Stanley Center for the Arts once again, November 15, 2014. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, July 18 at noon. Patrons can get them online at www.mvcc.edu/tickets and www.thestanley.org, by phone at (315) 724.4000, or by visiting the Stanley Box Office. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the BELIEVE 271 FUND, which provides awareness, educational programming, and financial assistance to volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and Ladies Auxiliary members in Oneida and Herkimer Counties who suffer from a life threatening illnesses. Don’t miss your chance to see the phenomenal Robert Channing and his amazing works of art come to life this fall at The Stanley Center for the Arts.

When asked to provide a quote for the readers, Robert left me with this thought that absolutely encompasses his performance and the man behind the spotlight:

“Do not go where the path may lead…instead go where there is no path….and leave a trail” Unknown author

July 16, 2014
Paul McCartney Performs at CONSOL Energy Center

Fans flooded the streets outside the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh last Monday as they waited for the doors to open for Sir Paul McCartney. Pittsburgh was McCartney’s second date on his “Out There” tour after recovering from being severely ill and postponing tour dates.

The arena was filled to the top with people and barely any floor space could be seen. Fans waited anxiously in their seats as the lights went dim, the wide screens on the stage started showing a timeline of McCartney’s life. Pictures of him as a baby, The Beatles first starting out, to their rise of fame, The Beatles last show and all the while, his band Wings, played along with the images on the screen. The slide show went on for about half an hour. But the arena grew louder when the pictures started to show more recent images of McCartney. The last picture of the slide show ended with a picture that was taken last year. It was an image of the Beatle, with his fist up in the air, looking towards the crowd. The screens went black and the whole arena went dark before the stage was drowned in a blue haze.

The crowd roared as the band took their place on stage and the screens suddenly showed McCartney coming up the stairs to the stage. McCartney waved to the crowd and bowed and the band opened up with a classic Beatles hit, “Eight Days A Week”. The stage filled with lights and images on the screens but the band could have just stood there with their instruments and the audience would have been pleased.

McCartney did not skip a beat. He kept the crowd going and thanked the audience after each song. A water bottle could not even be seen on stage, none of the band seemed out of breath, it was as if they were living off the crowd’s energy. McCartney played a mixture of Wings, Beatles, songs off his Kisses On The Bottom and his recently released album, NEW. McCartney sang hit after hit and the crowd sang loud and proud right along with him.

McCartney played popular songs like – “All My Loving”, “Maybe I’m Amazed” (which he dedicated to his late wife, Linda), “Blackbird” and “Band on the Run”. McCartney switched around with playing guitar to playing piano and it showed only a few of the talents the left-handed guitarist can do.

But one song that made the crowd go quiet with remembrance was when he played his song “Here Today”. McCartney told the audience that the song was about a conversation that he never had with John Lennon. It has been 34 years since John Lennon was killed, McCartney sang raw emotions during the song and the fans held up lighters without saying a word. But to lighten the mood, McCartney continued to talk to the audience telling stories about Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. McCartney sang “Something” which George Harrison wrote for Abbey Road and a memorial of pictures appeared behind the band of Paul and George.

He talked quite casually to the crowd in between songs. He even took a moment to look at all the signs that people held up for him to read. He joked with the fans, “You know, I’m old and signs are distracting to me. If I mess up on any songs, it’s your fault.” McCartney looked at another sign in the audience and read out loud “Paul, will you sign my butt?” The crowd laughed and McCartney teased “Okay, let’s have a look at it.”

Towards the end of the night, McCartney made his way towards the piano and began to perform “Live and Let Die”, as the chorus came, flames shot out from the stage and fireworks shot up towards the ceiling. The crowd screamed and cheered as the powerful chorus erupted the whole arena. After the song ended and the smoke cleared, McCartney stood up and put his forearms on the top of the piano with his head down but in seconds he raised his fist to the crowd. One would think that bringing all the energy to that song would ware him out but McCartney was far from over.

McCartney then slowed things down when he started “Hey Jude”. McCartney ended the song with guys and girls in the crowd taking turns to sing the famous “Na! Na! Na!” – all while holding hands and bowing to the crowd and left the stage. The crowd cheered louder for the band to come back and in a matter of minutes, Paul and the band came back out with McCartney holding the American flag and Wickens holding the British flag. The band performed an encore of “Day Tripper”, “Hi,Hi, Hi” (Wings), “Get Back” and once again the band bowed and rushed off stage and the crowd stood up and cheered for another encore.

The crowd got their wish as McCartney came back on stage to sing “Yesterday” and then immediately went into the mighty powerful song “Helter Skelter” – McCartney’s voice sounded exactly how the studio version was, with the screaming and the rough vocals. McCartney went to the piano for the last time and did a combination of “Golden Slumber and “Carry That Weight”. He looked at the crowd and said, “This is when we actually have to leave,” and the band went into The Beatle’s hit, “The End”. The band for the third time took a bow but as they stood up, confetti exploded from the stage and covered the audience on the floor level seating and McCartney thanked the crowd and said he would see them next time.

Paul McCartney and his band put on a show that was not like any other show. McCartney’s music seeped through the heart of everyone in the audience. His passion for music filled the souls of everyone. That night, Paul McCartney showed that true rock n roll never dies and his legend from the fab four still lives on after fifty years.

McCartney’s current line up is Rusty Anderson (electric guitar), Brian Ray (bassist), Paul Wickens (keyboardist) and Abe Laboriel, Jr (percussion).

July 15, 2014
Justin Timberlake was Worth the Wait in Buffalo, NY

Justin Timberlake apologized from the start saying, “We owe the city of Buffalo, so tonight we’re gonna give it to ya.” Fans had been eagerly anticipating his performance since the postponement of the original concert date five months ago in February 2014. With cool confidence and smooth moves Timberlake poured himself into a stellar three-hour performance at the sold out First Niagara Center.

The ambitious world tour dubbed, “The 20/20 Experience”, boasted pure energy from start to finish. Along with his band, the Tennessee kids, JT dazzled the insatiable fans with nearly 30 songs including favorites, “My Love”, “Cry Me A River” & “SexyBack”.

Looking dashing as always, Timberlake owned the crowd with slide and swagger that only built as the night went on. During the second set, the crowd went wild when the front of the stage detached and transported JT, along with four back up singers, over the floor seats to the back of the arena.

Timberlake paid homage to influential legends when he covered Elvis Presley’s “Heart Break Hotel”, Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” – and took a moment to toast deceased Buffalo Bills founder Ralph Wilson saying, “Here’s to better late than never. Y’all know I’m a big sports fan. So, we’re going to do this one for Ralph Wilson.” If there was anyone left in Buffalo that didn’t love JT already, his toast to Wilson surely won them over.

Clearly a born entertainer, Timberlake seduced the crowd with ease. With boyish charm and undeniable talent, he proved to Buffalo that he was well worth the wait.

Set 1: Pusher Love Girl, Gimme What I don’t Know (I Want), Rock Your Body, Future Sex/Love Sound, Like I Love You, My Love, TKO, Summer Love, LoveStoned, Until the End of Time, Holy Grail (Jay Z cover), Cry Me a River

Set 2: Only When I Walk Away, Drink You Away, Tunnel Vision, Senorita, Let the Groove Get In, Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley cover), Not a Bad Thing, Human Nature (Michael Jackson cover), What Goes Around…Comes Around, Take Back the Night, Jungle Boogie (Kool & the Gang cover), Murder, Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe cover), Suit & Tie, SexyBack, Mirrors

July 15, 2014
Deltron 3030 Takes Buffalo Back to the Future

Seeing a band or artist for the first time can be a unique high that is only escalated by how long you’ve waited to finally catch them. It’s quite rare though for that personal experience to be shared by an entire room. As the futuristic rap group Deltron 3030 ascended upon Buffalo this past Friday, it’s likely that the majority of the crowd was collectively sharing a moment of seeing a longtime favorite for the first time, at the same time. Walking into the Waiting Room in Buffalo, you could feel that energy of built-up anticipation. The hype for Deltron was everywhere with small groups arguing over his best track and why he ever went on hiatus. Regardless of the reason, Del was in Buffalo and, judging on how packed the venue was, every die-hard in the city was clearly not missing this one.

Kid Koala, Del’s trusted turntablist, played a DJ set before the full group joined him onstage. For most DJ’s that open up for a group or band, they are typically there to warm up the crowd who is usually less than interested. This was not the case tonight as hip hop appreciators from around the city came out in droves and weren’t just going to grab another drink while waiting for the main act. The sea of heads nodded to every scratch as the Kid took to three separate decks. As if for only a taste of what was to come, beats were served up raw, giving samples of samples while juggling all that was coming out of the speakers. Kid Koala’s prowess was immediately noticed as he sliced and spliced his way through his set. As it ended, the crowd bellowed in enthusiasm and appreciation for how he started things off.

With Del up next, nobody seemed to move during set-break. For anyone who thought they’d be able to sneak up to the front, like me, they were sadly mistaken as everyone was holding their ground for the best seat possible. The crowd continued to bob their heads through the intermission as whoever was in control of the house music knew exactly what to play. Classic hip hop from A Tribe Called Quest was sent blasting through the speakers with songs from their ’93 album Midnight Marauders like “Sucka N***a”, “Midnight”, and “Electric Relaxation” all playing back to back. True hip hop is alive and well in America, you just have to know where to find it. We can only hope that with this many appreciators in Buffalo alone, that groups like Deltron 3030 eventually make it back to the top.

As each song finished, every head would turn towards the stage before another would begin to play over the PA. You could feel the tension across the room as everyone wanted to make sure they were ready to catch the first glimpse of Del when he finally walked out. Kid Koala and Dan the Automator were the first ones onstage along with, oddly enough, a full band. There were instruments setup from the time everyone walked in, yet it still took everyone by surprise when band members began picking up their instruments. As Del prepared to make his grand entrance, Kid Koala started spinning “State of the Nation”. Del the Funky Homosapien came out on fire as he launched into “3030” and “Positive Contact”, immediately feeding off of the crowd’s bursting energy. His older rhymes might be dated, technically, but they’re still just as relevant today as they were fourteen years ago. Everyone in the room was expecting Del, Automator, and Koala on their own, but with the band, the music from the past decade plus came alive through full instrumentation.

With so much love and appreciation filling the room throughout the entire night, the group made their way through a mix of songs from their two-album catalog. Kid Koala continued to showcase his skills, switching records mid-song and doing some serious scratching. The ying to Koala’s yang is Dan the Automator. While Kid Koala is a traditional DJ, employing three turntable decks, Dan the Automator embodies the next evolution, utilizing multiple gadgets and adding to the futuristic vision that’s realized through Del’s words. The group wasn’t leaving anything on the table for their first show in Buffalo.

About midway through the set, the group asked for some crowd participation during the new track “Nobody Can”. Dan the Automator asked the crowd to sing along with “Deltron is our hero/If he can’t do it, nobody can”. Del ripped into the intro, swiftly spitting and reinforcing the crowd’s anthem. The room was hotter than it had ever been, but that didn’t stop anyone from moving or getting down. As Deltron 3030 touched on old favorites like “Mastermind”, it was clear the crowd still preferred the old tracks with cell phones being taken out regularly to capture the moment. Throughout then night, the entire group brought so much energy to the stage. Hearing Del’s words live after listening so many times was electrifying, and you could tell the crowd was just absorbing that and giving it right back.

Taking a break, the band and Del left the stage to regroup. Dan the Automator stayed on with Kid Koala as Dan wanted to bring some much-deserved attention to the Kid. He specifically called out that the DJ only spins vinyl, poking a little fun at himself in the process. He went on, describing the inherent risk in Koala’s job as the needle can skip due to crowd noise. The paradox is that it’s the greatest shame for him to have his needle skip as he takes great precaution to stop that, yet it’s the biggest honor when the crowd is going crazy enough to make it do that. Kid Koala then dove into a solo segment like nothing I’ve ever seen live. His ability alone left a lot of jaws open, and upon finishing, had the crowd in a downright uproar.

After coming back out and playing a few more, Deltron 3030 finished up their set with a huge favorite in “Memory Loss”. For everyone who had the album version engrained in their brain over the years, being able to see it live was a real treat. You could see how much Del was enjoying the show as well with frequent grins and clearly giving it his all on the closer. As the song finished up, there was no way the crowd was going to let the group just go home. With some of the loudest cheering I’ve ever heard at a smaller venue, Deltron 3030 happily came back out for a two-song encore of new song “Do You Remember?” and the Gorillaz track “Clint Eastwood” to close out an incredible night of historic futurism.

As Kid Koala spun his turntables into a swirling build, it sounded as though the futuristic spacecraft known as Deltron 3030 was taking off again, leaving the crowd left to wonder when they would see the group again. I can’t say I’ve ever been to a show like this one where eagerness, anticipation, history, and appreciation ran so deep. Knowing it was the first time many in the room got to see Deltron 3030, it’s tough to say if I’ll ever run into those same circumstances; maybe in the future though we can all do it again.

Set #1: State of the Nation, 3030, Positive Contact, Stardate, Pay the Price, Nobody Can, Mastermind, Melding of the Minds, The Agony

<DJ Kid Koala Solo>

Set #2: Virus, Madness, City Rising from the Ashes, Memory Loss

Encore: Do You Remember?, Clint Eastwood

July 14, 2014
Boy Hits Car In CNY Over Fourth of July Weekend

Article and Photos by Rebecca Clark – Twin Images Photography – Family time is an absolute must while celebrating the Fourth of July. When Boy Hits Car came into town to perform in Verona, NY on July 4th, it was as though they were returning back home for the holiday to visit their family.

As fireworks went off outside, Boy Hits Car was lighting it up inside playing a killer set as though there were thousands of people in the audience. Boy Hits Car’s love for performing in Upstate NY is truly evident, and the feeling is mutual as the crowd was rocking out to all of their songs, jumping up and down, head banging, and dancing by all who ventured out to the show.

Touring with their new album, All That Led Us Here, it was very exciting to finally see them perform their new song “The Extremist”, as well as fan favorites. On the final song of the night, “Benkei”, lead singer Cregg Rondell amped up the performance, literally, as he climbed up the amplifiers and began crowd surfing.

Veer Union

As the night came to a close, Boy Hits Car turned over the wheel to allow The Veer Union to close out the show, leaving the crowd satisfied yet wanting more.

July 14, 2014
Paul McCartney Gets ‘Out There’ at the Times Union Center

Sir Paul McCartney had a highly anticipated and greatly publicized return to the stage took place at the Times Union Center in Albany on Saturday July 5^th. After cancelling a string of dates due to a virus McCartney had contracted overseas in May, the Out There tour’s new departure place became Albany, NY. McCartney fans can now rest easy as Paul assembled a 40 song, three-hour set that left no musical stone unturned, reaching into his plentiful Beatles, Wings, and solo catalog for a satisfying and awe-inspiring evening of music.

The diverse and excitable crowd greeted the dapper McCartney, who was dressed in blue blazer, with a massive truck rally applause. ‘Macca’s impressive and road tested group of musicians of the last twelve years immediately ascended the opening bars of the Beatles hit “Eight Days a Week”, barely audible over the massive response from the audience. While McCartney’s voice may contain some nicks and dings from fifty years of rock vocals, similarly to an antique, its patina only increases its value and emotional strength.

The first ‘movement’ of the concert contained McCartney on famed Hofner bass as well as multiple classic guitars and his band electrically charging through a series of rockers spanning his career. The fuzzy “Save Us” from 2014’s New, famed Beatles tracks, “All My Loving” and “Paperback Writer” and Wings favorites, “Let Me Roll It” and “Listen to What the Man Said”. “Let Me Roll It’” featured a slightly extended and rocking “Foxy Lady” jam in which McCartney showed off his ample soloing abilities on his multicolored Les Paul. McCartney spoke early and often, telling tales familiar to tour veterans, but awe-inspiring to first timers. McCartney has the innate ability to make a large venue feel like it’s a living room through his interactions and personable explanations of his songs.

The crowd was given a brief respite at this point in the proceedings so McCartney could sit at the grand piano for a series of big songs. The recent paean to his wife and Upstate native Nancy Shevell “My Valentine” was a fitting cool down period, to be followed by Wings rarity “1985” and then knocked out of the arena with the dynamic duo of “Maybe I’m Amazed” and “The Long and Winding Road”. McCartney cooed in a sweet falsetto, stroked the black and whites through every climax, and illustrated why he is the definitive performing rock artist in the world. I feel lucky to be attending this musical spectacle, and looking around, so does everyone around me as they stand in rapt amazement.

Paul McCartney concert experiences not only open up his catalog of amazing and enduring compositions, but also spotlight his prowess on multiple instruments and in variegated contexts. The acoustic set followed next with the band joining in on tasteful backing for most of it. The set also found McCartney standing solo on an ascending platform for “Blackbird” and his always stirring tribute to John Lennon off of ’82s Tug of War, “Here Today”. Highlights were the perfectly fitting and purely ‘Macca’ “On My Way to Work”, which made its live debut during this segment to great effect as well as a china-doll-delicate reading of the Beatles, “And I Love Her”.

Returning to the full band format, McCartney’s psychedelically painted piano was placed at center stage for the two power tracks on 2014’s release New. A bouncy version of the title song is played as well as a sturdy rendition of the regal “Queenie Eye”. Both songs illustrated how McCartney’s recent compositions nestle into the current of the set list next to his greatest songs, a testament to his longevity and unmistakable talents.

Following the stare down with “Queenie Eye”, the juicy central section of the concert revealed a series of Beatles tracks, many rare and all enthusiastically played by the band and beautifully received by the audience. Each song stacked on top of the next, raising the temperature and elevating the applause. Beatle tracks “Lady Madonna”, “All Together Now”, and the rarely performed “Lovely Rita” played with every set of hardcore Beatle fanatic lips in the venue as they mouthed the words.

The highlights kept coming with McCartney breaking out the arsenal of Wings most beloved songs intermingled with more Beatles! “Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite” was incredible; McCartney’s bass line pulled from the grooves of Sgt. Pepper in a legendary display, a reflection upon his instrumental innovations and ground breaking ideas. A tribute to George Harrison with a poignant version of “Something” began on solo Ukulele and concluded in a full band tribute. Stellar versions of “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da”, “Band on the Run” and “Back In the USSR” followed, peaking with the concluding “Live and Let Die” and “Hey Jude” finale. Explosions, lights, strobes, multimedia clips, banging instruments and sing-along smiles filled the concert’s concluding moments in disorienting joy.

Just when you think the 72-year-old McCartney and powerhouse band couldn’t possibly give any more to Albany, NY, they come out with two encores and a wedding proposal on the stage. The first encore was the perfect blend and a nod to the heads in the audience hailing from the ’60s and right up to the present day converts. “Day Tripper” and “Get Back” thematically sandwiched a rare and smoking “Hi, Hi, Hi”, an incendiary concert favorite from ’70s Wings performances. All the windows were down and the band had the pedal to the floor for this first set of encore numbers.

The second encore found McCartney on golden acoustic for a performance of “Yesterday”, expected, yet still magical. Following this performance, a Rochester, NY couple was engaged on the stage, with McCartney inviting the couple up due to their enthusiastic and persistent waving of signs in the audience. It worked and added up to a special and unique concert moment with the future groom singing a verse of “When I’m 64” with backing from the band. This dream moment for the couple was followed appropriately with a death-defying slide downhill into a threatening “Helter Skelter” by McCartney and band.

The final and unbelievable conclusion to the concert came with a flawless version of the triad of songs closing the Beatles 1969 LP Abbey Road, “Golden Slumbers”, “Carry That Weight”, and fittingly “The End”. The final moments found McCartney expressing with deep gratitude and warmth the parting lines of the concert, “And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make”.

Paul McCartney’s performance at the Times Union Center was a memorable and, I would say even, historic experience. The wealth of quality music, the lack of unpretentious stage antics and the genuine feeling of enjoyment emanating from the stage made the show an evening worthy of long-term reflection. The anticipation of a rare appearance Upstate in addition to the questions surrounding McCartney’s ability to tour, layered the concert in pretense. McCartney, like always, delivered, silenced critics, and gave his admirers reason to celebrate. There are not nearly enough superlatives available to be applied to Sir Paul McCartney and his continuing artistic growth, unbelievable concert experiences, and musical achievements.

July 12, 2014
Phish Close Three Night SPAC Run in Full Force

The experience that “is” Summer Phish is not easily comprehended by those who have not yet partaken. It is unlike any other show or concert, with a fan base that travels from all over the country, and sometimes world, to come together for a brilliant evening of lights, music and a crowd experience opposed by no other band. Walking through the parking lots surrounding the shows one will see so many unique individuals from all walks of life spanning ages young and old. For some, it may be their first experience, and for others it is just another notch in their belt touring with one of the greatest bands in the world. The three-day Phish run at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) was capped off with another amazing performance by the four-piece rock phenomenon on July 5^th.

Photo by Jim Gilbert

The band took stage later than the prior nights leaving the crowd restless with anticipation. The moment the band members strutted onto the stage, the crowd erupted into a roar of celebration. They opened with a short but sweet “Crowd Control” setting the mood for a fantastic evening of music. From there they went from the dark “My Friend, My Friend,” into “Scent of a Mule” which erupted a full on hoe-down on the lawn while members of the crowd linked arms to the kitchy-spacey-bluegrass. From there they busted out two back to back songs from their 2004 album Undermind with a short “Undermind” and “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing.” The set veered back into their wacky light-hearted typical “Phish-ness” with “I Didn’t Know,” fully equipped with a Fishman vacuum solo and “Foam > Wombat”, which kept the crowd cheering for more. The first few notes of “Divided Sky” reverberated through the crowd sending the lawn into a full-blown glow stick war, lighting the sky with a multi-colored war zone. From “Divided Sky” they ventured into the tear-jerker “Wading in the Velvet Sea” which took the crowd down a couple notches before the explosive set ending “David Bowie” that left the crowd excited and whirling with song predictions for set 2.

Like in Phish fashion, they came back for second set with a vengeance opening with a high energy “Carini.” Once you’ve heard thousands of people screaming in unison, “Carini had a lumpy head!” you will start to realize that Phish is not just your average concert experience. The “Carini” went from dark, evil jams, twisting with intensity into light, bouncy jams truly encapsulating all that is “Carini.” From “Carini” they segued into a personal favorite and absolutely beautiful and delicate song “Waves.” From “Waves” they went into “WingSuit”, which was perfectly executed for the set which had been intangible from beginning to end. A fantastic and energetic “Piper” kept the theme going straight into the crowd pleasing “Fluffhead.” After “Fluffhead” they took the set to a surprising place with a short and sweet “Heavy Things.”

From there they went into “Slave to the Traffic Light” with enough intensity to make you think the set was over, but sure enough those first sweet notes of “You Enjoy Myself” were ringing through SPAC as the crowd went wild and the glow sticks soared. At the past few three-night SPAC runs they had saved this treasure as their encore, but instead they utilized it for the set closer to end all set closers. They pulled out the trampolines for some super YEMmy, bouncy jams and Trey proved he still had the moves as he danced with full vigor through Mike’s solo. The band finished with the crowd still cheering for more, as only they could after a spectacle as amazing as “You Enjoy Myself” and the band took stage one last time for Summer 2014 with an encore of “Suzy Greenberg.”

From beginning to end Phish proved that they still had the energy and capability to take the crowd on a journey through their music, and not simply take stage and hammer out a bunch of crowd-pleasing songs. All three nights seemed to be slowly building the energy for one hell of a third night at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

Set 1: Crowd Control > My Friend, My Friend, Scent of a Mule#, Undermind, A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing, I Didn’t Know*, Foam%, Wombat, Divided Sky, Wading in the Velvet Sea, David Bowie

Set 2: Carini > Waves, Wingsuit > Piper > Fluffhead, Heavy Things > Slave to the Traffic Light, You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Suzy Greenberg

July 10, 2014
America and Fuego – Night 2 of Phish at SPAC

Phish, an American summer tradition for more than 30 years, celebrated the 4th of July with arguably the high-watermark for Summer 2014, and the tour is only four shows old. The second night of the nearly-annual three night run at SPAC was arguably the strongest of the shows and featured new material from Fuego and not a single cover song – a stretch dating back to December 28th, 2013.

Photo by Jim Gilbert

Naturally, the show opened with “The Star Spangled Banner”, on the 200th anniversary of the song’s birth during the War of 1812. “555”, the 2nd in 3 shows, filled in at the typical “Let’s play ‘Moma Dance’ and get the party started” slot, followed by “Kill Devil Falls” and then the first liftoff of the night with “Moma Dance”, later than usual but no complaints could be heard.

Then “Reba” appeared mid-first set, a seemingly rarer placement, but so perfect, as it kept things interesting and gave a chance for earlier than second set ethereal bliss. Speaking of bliss, “Waiting all Night” was a good pair to Reba, but also a good break time for anyone who hadn’t yet taken a minute to collect themselves amid an inspired and active first set. “Runaway Jim > 46 days, Rift” followed for a happy sing along dance time on the lawn.

“Split Open and Melt” – the potential set closer – continued the off and on dance frenzy of the show, flip-flopping back and forth between staples and jam vehicles. Melt’s ending jam was on par with versions from its last era of strong set closers, 2000. But this was not the end – “The Squirming Coil” emerged as the PERFECT first set closer, just as the sun was going down and the last bit of light left the Saratoga skies. Fishman hit the high note during “It got away…” and Trey lost it briefly before recovering. Page’s beautiful outro could have brought a tear to your eye.

When it comes to a seven-song second set, it means you have no complaints. Even with “Backwards Down the Number Line” showing up both expected and unexpected, we had one helluva time in those first five songs. “Fuego” is straight fire. Start to finish, a growing jam with a vibe in the same class as the 12/31/10 “Holy Ghost”, began with Mike’s bass groove and slowly pushed the jam, keeping Trey in check and progressing towards the beautiful jam that developed from the patience. The first must hear jam of the SPAC run, and the first Type II “Fuego” means we have a long and awesome summer ahead of us if this show is any indication.

“Down with Disease” and “Twist” were a nice 1-2 follow-up to “Fuego”, keeping the energy consistent and exhibiting great patience, a trait that ~~Phish~~ Trey does not always put forth. The result was Mike taking the lead on “Disease” with a recurring bass groove that flowed nicely while Page was nowhere to be found for a spell, although the mouth-popping noises were interesting as things eventually descended into “Twist”, full of ‘Woos’ and whatnot, but nothing too spectacular in this version.

Photo by Jim Gilbert

“Light” quickly emerged for a solid and progressing jam that built around Trey’s guitar riff, leading to a psychedelic jam straight from the late ’60s and Bob Ezrin’s tutelage on Fuego. Trey’s ‘Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind’-esque repetition comfortably landed “Light” right next to “Theme from the Bottom”, as pleasant and well placed as you could ask for after four powerful jam vehicles. There was hope that this would be a “Theme” ala Atlantic City 2013, but that may have just been a one-off treat.

“Backwards Down the Number Line” served as a breather song for both band and fans, and although we still danced, this song could be in the first set of any given show and receive far less audible groans than it did tonight. But when you follow “BDTNL” with “First Tube”, all is forgiven as we couldn’t have asked for a better closer to this show. And having Jedi Trey slowly rising his guitar into the air to cap it off – Priceless. A “Character Zero” capped the night and did nothing more than increase anticipation towards the final night of the run at SPAC.

Photo by Jim Gilbert

Setlist:

Set 1: The Star Spangled Banner, 555, Kill Devil Falls, The Moma Dance > Reba, Waiting All Night, Runaway Jim > 46 Days, Rift, Split Open and Melt, The Squirming Coil

Set 2: Fuego > Down with Disease > Twist > Light > Theme From the Bottom, Backwards Down the Number Line, First Tube

Encore: Character Zero

July 9, 2014
O.A.R. and Phillip Phillips Pack a One-Two Punch at Artpark

There was a nice breeze and a stunning sunset on the gorge that Artpark sits upon on Wednesday, July 2. The venue was filled to capacity with a sold out crowd to see O.A.R. and American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.

Phillip Phillips brought an intense energy and proved to a lot of people that he is much more than an American Idol winner. He also showed the heavy influence that Dave Matthews had on him as everyone in the crowd was commenting on it. Did he sound, move and act like Mr. Matthews? Yes, but he was also very good in his own right and has the potential to be just as big with this next generation of music fans.

He played his hits “Fly”, “Gone, Gone, Gone” and “Home” as well as his own version of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”, which all the young girls swooned over. Phillip Phillips will be much more than a former Idol winner and he produces such a great show filled with an energetic stage presence, great fan interaction and just plain great music.

The heart of the crowd was there for O.A.R., veterans at this point to the live music scene and always a band that likes to come to the Western New York area. The band wasted no time coming out to the stage and busting right into the music with “About Mr. Brown”, a song from their first album, The Wanderer, and had everyone singing right from the start.

The band dove into their most commercially successful song “Shattered” just as they warmed up, turning up the heat on a very humid evening. What makes these guys so fan-friendly is the fun they have onstage together. A clear example was Jerry DePizzo (saxophone/guitars) and Richard On (guitars) who both threw their picks into the air following a solo, giving someone in the crowd that souvenir to remember the night. Marc Roberge (vocals, guitar) loves to get the crowd up and moving with his reggae inflection, dictating the mood of the entire show. The band ended the night with their biggest fan favorite, “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker“. This band knocked it out of the park as they have many times when visiting the area, and coming off their eighth album that was released last month, their doesn’t seem to be any letting up.

O.A.R. Set List (provided by oarsa.org):

About Mr. Brown, Black Rock, Love and Memories, Dareh Meyod, Night Shift, Favorite Song, Shattered (Turn The Car Around), Old Man Time, Hey Girl, Two Hands Up, City On Down, Delicate Few, King Of The Thing, We’ll Pick Up Where We Left Off, Heaven, War Song

Encore: Peace, That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker

July 8, 2014
Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, July 3rd – A Strangely Designed Setlist

Maybe it was because the run began on a Thursday night. Or maybe it was because of the delayed gate opening from the round of thunderstorms that rolled through Saratoga just before the venue was to open, but the Latin phrase ‘Non sequitur’ for “that which does not follow” can easily be used to sum up the first night performance from Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on July 3rd, 2014.

Photo by Jim Gilbert

Expectations are always high when Phish comes to play at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Phans based in the Capital District consider SPAC to be Phish’s summer home venue. Even the band themselves have said as much in media interviews. With one night of summer tour already under their belt, a new album from which to showcase material from and rumors that few covers were to be played this tour, the hard-core phans question was ‘How would the band handle song selection and position?’ The answer: Rather oddly.

The other oddity was drummer Jon Fishman’s scaled back drum kit with fewer cymbals, snare drums and the absence of the wood blocks under his hi-hat. Phish heads were lamenting the elimination of the woodblocks and various cymbals from which Fish draws distinctive sounds for certain songs like “Walls of the Cave”, “It’s Ice”, “Reba” and “Fluffhead”. Summer tour has just begun and already phans are in crisis mode: First, there may be no covers which traditionally serve as launch pads for exploratory jamming (think “Torn & Frayed”, “Cross-Eyed and Painless”, “Boogie on Reggae Woman”) and now the possible elimination of other songs from the repertoire because of the changes to the drum kit. Or perhaps new takes on old favorites from our favorite drummer with a less is more approach? You have to love a band that knocks you out of your comfort zone.

7/4/2014 Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY. Photo by Dave Vann © Phish. All Rights Reserved.

We were certainly knocked out of our comfort zone with the odd selection of “Farmhouse” as the opening tune. First songs lay the vibe for the rest of the set and a slow tempo song about cluster-flies and swatting them on what was turning out to be a damp, cloudy, and foggy night did make for an unusual statement. “Wolfman’s Brother” was funky as usual but delivered at a sleepy relaxed pace as if the band was still warming their hands and fingers up from the lingering drizzle. The band seemed to pick up the tempo with “Maze”. It was jarring enough to get our attention but a little rough around the edges in the interplay between Anastasio and McConnell. Would “Maze” prove to be the launch pad for the rest of the set?, one that flows with synchronized dark nasty jams or would it continue to be a disjointed mishmash of singles? We got our answer with the sleepy reggae of “Yarmouth Road” and another song with lyrics about insects. So this means “Bug” is coming, right? Nope, “Strange Design” was up next. But it is clearly making sense. The set-list is just strangely designed so that is why they are playing “Strange Design”.

Now that we are all feeling strange and sleepy about this set, Trey takes us to REM sleep with “Devotion to a Dream”, the first of four songs to be played tonight from Fuego. We are on a dreamy journey of the band’s 30+ year history. It seems to now be headed in the right, albeit strange direction which is beginning to seem by design . “Ocelot” begins the wake-up call and delivers with its usually jamtastic but too short ending. The alarm clock has sounded “Chalkdust Torture”. “Mound”, the dreamlike but awesome “Roggae” and “Possum” closed out an odd strange first set.

Photo by Jim Gilbert

Set Two began with a 15-minute plus “Bathtub Gin” and a 12-minute plus “Limb-by-Limb”, which was by far the highlight of the evening. The almost half hour of music in Set Two’s first two songs makes up for the sleepy weird first set. Everyone is stoked for the energy to continue. But would “2001” make an appearance in the three spot? Nope, that’s a cover. Mon dieu and Merde! Instead, the second song from Fuego, “WinterQueen” bats third and allows those of us who danced and raged silly during the first thirty minutes to dial it down and catch a breath (not that we needed it after set I). My own personal feeling is that “WinterQueen” is a first set song and will hopefully find a home there. “The Line”, the third song from Fuego (for those readers unfamiliar with the story), is about basketball player Darius Washington, Jr., who as a freshman and Conference USA Rookie of the year and a 72% free throw shooter for the University of Memphis missed two of three free throw attempts during a game vs University of Louisville. Had he made all three attempts Memphis would have beaten the then sixth ranked Louisville Cardinals.

“Tweezer”, “Prince Caspian” and the playful and fun “Sparkle” are always fun and frolicking, but a not-so-special/best all time “Antelope” ended Set II. Phish returned to the stage and performed a two song encore: “Sing Monica”, which has a throw-back 60’s vibe to it ala the Beatles era, and Tweezer Reprise.

Photo by Jim Gilbert

A brief recap of night one of Phish at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) would sound like this: Interesting song selection and placement in a definitely weird somnolent first set. The Fuego material is all worthy of being added into the rotation and the songs will find their homes. The show definitely left us with questions about covers, and how Fishman will get the same sounds in songs on his stream-lined drum kit. We definitely have something to talk about and ponder and as always the carrots were dangled that leave us wanting more. Just no clusterflies please.

Phish, Saratoga Performing Arts Center – July 3rd, 2014

Setlist
Set 1: Farmhouse, Wolfman’s Brother, Maze, Yarmouth Road, Strange Design, Devotion to a Dream, Ocelot, Chalkdust, Mound, Roggae, Possum
Set 2: Bathtub Gin > Limb By Limb > Winterqueen, The Line, Tweezer > Caspian > Sparkle, Antelope
Encore: Sing Monica > Tweeprise

July 8, 2014