Post by newey on Jun 6, 2016 6:03:44 GMT -5
Saturday night I took in a show by Ringo and his All-Star Band, which may be my only opportunity to see a Beatle perform unless I can catch McCartney sometime in the future. I was expecting a good, fun time, but ended up being pretty blown away by how good this ensemble is.
Who knew Ringo could be such a frontman? Sure, he played drums on the hits done by the others in the band, but for his own songs he was out front, dancing and singing, and engaging with the audience throughout. His voice, I would say, has never sounded better. He played most of his solo hits and most of the Beatle songs that he sang with the band.
The current all-star lineup includes Steve Lukather of Toto on guitar, Todd Rundgren on guitar (and on percussion, along with Ringo, for "Bang on the Drum All Day"), Richard Page (Mr. Mister) on bass, and Greg Rolie on keyboards. Each of these guys gets his turn to play their hits, with Rolie offering up spirited versions of "Black Magic Woman" and "Evil ways", Lukater doing his Toto hits, etc. All of the guys were loose and engaging onstage, and seemed to be having a ball playing together. Rundgren was particularly animated, although his voice was a little rocky.
I was never a Toto fan, though I certainly knew of Lukather's reputation. His playing Saturday blew me away- guy has serious chops, pulling off some very inventive lead stuff throughout. On the Santana tunes, he had Carlo's leads down note-for-note.
Also notable in the lineup is a guy I had not heard of, Warren Ham, a multi-instrumentalist who filled in on various saxes, percussion, and keyboards, as well as providing all the high harmonies. He is apparently an ex-Kansas member in one of its later iterations.
All in all, one of the best concerts in recent memory. The crowd was averaging around age 60, and was into it. Show was sold out at the Seneca Allegeny Casino in Salamanca NY.
So, if Starr is around your locale this summer, I highly recommend catching the show.
Who knew Ringo could be such a frontman? Sure, he played drums on the hits done by the others in the band, but for his own songs he was out front, dancing and singing, and engaging with the audience throughout. His voice, I would say, has never sounded better. He played most of his solo hits and most of the Beatle songs that he sang with the band.
The current all-star lineup includes Steve Lukather of Toto on guitar, Todd Rundgren on guitar (and on percussion, along with Ringo, for "Bang on the Drum All Day"), Richard Page (Mr. Mister) on bass, and Greg Rolie on keyboards. Each of these guys gets his turn to play their hits, with Rolie offering up spirited versions of "Black Magic Woman" and "Evil ways", Lukater doing his Toto hits, etc. All of the guys were loose and engaging onstage, and seemed to be having a ball playing together. Rundgren was particularly animated, although his voice was a little rocky.
I was never a Toto fan, though I certainly knew of Lukather's reputation. His playing Saturday blew me away- guy has serious chops, pulling off some very inventive lead stuff throughout. On the Santana tunes, he had Carlo's leads down note-for-note.
Also notable in the lineup is a guy I had not heard of, Warren Ham, a multi-instrumentalist who filled in on various saxes, percussion, and keyboards, as well as providing all the high harmonies. He is apparently an ex-Kansas member in one of its later iterations.
All in all, one of the best concerts in recent memory. The crowd was averaging around age 60, and was into it. Show was sold out at the Seneca Allegeny Casino in Salamanca NY.
So, if Starr is around your locale this summer, I highly recommend catching the show.
