The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

                (The actual ticket from the actual show of course)!

(Concert Review) Rodger Waters “The Wall Reconstructed Tour”       05-24-2012  @ The Key Arena in Seattle WA.

Rodger Waters brought his amazing “The Wall Reconstructed Tour” to the Key Arena is Seattle WA. on 05-24-2012. This was one of the best Rock and Roll Theater Spectacles I have seen in a long time! Seriously!

(I left for the show with my ticket, phone, and a lunch that included some “Chicken Florentine”)

I left @ 5:25, and it ended up being a mistake. (Note to self. Leave at 4pm next time)!  I was on traffic literally for 2 full hours. From Olympia to Seattle.  I made 2 more mistakes. Coming in by the EMP Rock Museum there was an empty lot for a $5 fee but  wanted to check our normal spot just off “Denny Way”.  I got there and there is a new sign that says “No Parking” to the corner where we usually park. So I kept driving making my way through the back streets we usually walk. I passed another lot I should have stopped at for $7. But time was ticking away. It was already 7:20 I had been on the road for just about 2 hours. So right there where they park all the buses and stuff I ended up parking in a garage and paying $20! I was out of time and frustrated that I had not taken that first stall for $5. But this was just mere blocks from the venue, Right around and the corner. I had no choice if I was to be on time.

                                (Coming out of the tunnel from I5 exit 167)

No time for cocktails. I basically went in and went to my seat. But it was a GREAT SEAT! So much better than Tacoma. It was actually better and closer than Rene and Carol’s, who were also at this show, but they were strait on behind the sound board where is where I wanted to be. I had to turn my neck all night, When the pig came floating by I was only abut 20 feet away from it! This particular performance of “The Wall” was really tweaked, and rehearsed.       

(Early in the show Rodger is joined by a local choir)!

The lead guitarist was G.E. Smith who played with Hall and Oates in the 80′s and was the Band Leader on Saturday Night live for many years. He is awesome at that. And this show had so many visuals and theatrical triumphs. It was absolutely stunning. And the sound was just perfect! You could actually feel the thunder of the helicopters and the stereophonic surround sound of the bullets in the machine guns. Totally cool!

(This is the actual ticket from The Tacoma Show on -12-11-2010)

I was lucky enough to have seen this show already on 12-11-2010. The show had totally evolved and gotten way better! My seats were better, as reflected by the price, but Rodger had tweaked this show to perfection. This performance was substantially better sounding and visually uplifting. It just worked perfect in every aspect! His band was amazing as well! Consisting of  Dave Kilminster (guitar), GE Smith (guitar, bass), Jon Carin (keyboards), Harry Waters (Hammond organ), Graham Broad (drums), Robbie Wyckoff (vocals), Jon Joyce, Pat Lennon, Mark Lennon, and Kipp Lennon. They were tight and right on the money!

  (A shot of the show in Portland just a few days before the Seattle show)!

Set list

The Wall album is played in its entirety, as well as two songs not in the original release—”What Shall We Do Now?” and “The Last Few Bricks“^[26]—both of which were also played at every concert during The Wall Tour in 1980–1981, and documented on the album Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980–81, released in 2000. “One of My Turns“, “Don’t Leave Me Now” and “Run Like Hell” are all transposed one key down to accommodate Waters’ vocal range.

Set one

1. “In the Flesh?“
2. “The Thin Ice“
3. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 1)“
4. “The Happiest Days of Our Lives“
5. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)“
6. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) Reprise” The Ballad Of Jean Charles de Menezes.
7. “Mother“
8. “Goodbye Blue Sky“
9. “Empty Spaces“
10. “What Shall We Do Now?“
11. “Young Lust“
12. “One of My Turns“
13. “Don’t Leave Me Now“
14. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 3)“
15. “The Last Few Bricks“
16. “Goodbye Cruel World“

Set two

1. “Hey You“
2. “Is There Anybody Out There?“
3. “Nobody Home“
4. “Vera“
5. “Bring the Boys Back Home“
6. “Comfortably Numb“
7. “The Show Must Go On“
8. “In the Flesh“
9. “Run Like Hell“
10. “Waiting for the Worms“
11. “Stop“
12. “The Trial“
13. “Outside the Wall“

(A shot of the show in Portland just a few days before the Seattle show)!

During the show the road crew literally builds an entire wall right before your eyes. Pretty soon the band is totally blockaded from site and all you see it this huge projection. Rodger Waters stays in the limelight for all but 2 songs I would say. I was especially touched when He spoke about our Brutal Police state and the death of  Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes who was shot in the head seven times at Stockwell Road Tube station in London. They also displayed photos of dead soldiers from  war conflicts during the ”The Thin Ice” and intermission.

               (What an amazing spectacle of a killer show this was)!

I sat next to a European Dude named Alex who is a web site designer. We made friends and even went for a beer together at the 25 minute intermission. But the line was too long and I had to skip it. After the show, My new friend Alex and I went to the souvenir shop together where I bought a key chain and a  button pack. I gave him my info and I hope He sends me and email.  Alex paid the same as I did for His ticket, and He got it early, so it seems that I paid the right price for this seat, which was a very good location for this killer show!

(Beautiful shot of the “Space Needle” as I was coming into town. Note the reflection of my camera lens on the left)!

After the concert, and the purchase of my souvenirs, I ended up going out the wrong door and was on the other side of the Arena. But this happened to Me once before and I remembered and was able simply walk around the huge building and find the trucks. I was parked just across the street from these trucks. It was an easy find. But I was unable to drive down to “Alaska Way” and had to go a mile the wrong way, and then finally turn around. There was train blasting by at the “Spaghetti Factory”, so I went down a few miles before I finally waited for the train. But when I got on the right road, I hot a detour sign. So I followed the detours and finally got to Seahawks and Mariners land. I got on the free-way where we always do.

(Here we are, with  Rene and Carol after the show singing a Karaoke track from the concert “Another Brick in the wall”). That’s fitting!

I ended up meeting up with Rene and Carol at The Viking Lounge in Lacey WA.  for an after show rendezvous!  I am happy to say they never waited on me there so I spent no money! I also got to sing “Another Brick in The Wall” appropriately, with bragging rights, since I had just come from this Monumental show I might add! So that was fun. I spent only $40 on the trip for parking and buttons, plus gas I guess. But I get 33 MPG so that was kind of minimal maybe? Especially for such a mind blowing and amazing experience that I will never forget!

I

(These are the souvenirs I bought @ The show)

(When Rodger sings “Mother” early in the show they project video from Him singing it @ Earl’s Court in London 1980. Synced up!)

So that’s the poop. The show was BRILLIANT! I think Anyone would have loved it! In fact I will place it in the top 5 shows off all time that I have attended. Up there with Paul McCartney 2005, Simon and Garfunkle Reunion in 2003, Neil Young Unplugged “Silver and Gold Tour” in 1999, and of course the Rodger Waters “Dark Side of the Moon” Tour in 2008. And I have seen hundreds of great shows, so this means a lot for Me to make such a statement!  It was just too good to describe! Live is Best! For sure. This was a sweet Birthday gift!

             (This was a visually stunning part in the show)! Wow!

Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039    Email:  etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

(Concert Review) Rod Stewart in Concert in the round                     03-12-2007  @ The Key Arena in Seattle WA.

             The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

          (This is the actual concert in Seattle on 03-12-2007)

Rod Stewart was great in Seattle on Monday March 12th, 2007! Wow! Fantastic in fact. He played over 3 hours, after subtracting his 15 minute break. Good deal.  The round stage had 4 huge screens and a secret stairwell for Rod to go underneath and change outfits about a dozen times. I wish all stages were this cool! Thumbs up. Highly recommended. Sounding good these days. Oh what an entertainer! Rock and roll. Great back up musicians, Incredible performance. Here is a list that pretty much matched the show I saw in Seattle, Same tour and same songs. I bought a poster and a key chain for my rock museum here on Tullis. Fun night out. All safe and no  hassles. High tech and high energy as well. Amazing. Same FREE parking as Bob Seger show!

                          (This the actual ticket from the concert)

I have been lucky enough to see Rod Stewart live 3 times! The first time was 05-06-1999 “All Rod All Night Tour”, and again live with great Stevie Nicks on 04-23-2011 for The “Hearts and Souls Tour”, all 3 times @ The Key Arena in Seattle. But somehow the show I saw on 03-12-2007 was the most awesome and amazing one of the bunch! No really….. He was so on that night!

                                (Rod in the Round is truly amazing)!

After returning to classic rock music on his album Still the Same, Rod Stewart is setting out on an extensive North American tour in 2007. He will then turn the tour into a full stadium extravaganza in Europe over the summer.

Here is Rod Stewart’s 2007 Set list:

“Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)”
“Some Guys Have All the Luck”
“You Wear It Well”
“Lost in You”
“Reason to Believe”
“Infatuation”
“(I Know) I’m Losing You”
“Gasoline Alley”
“Ooh La La”
“Father and Son”
“I Don’t Want to Talk About It”
“Have I Told You Lately”
“Piece of My Heart”
“Hot Legs”
“Every Picture Tells a Story”
“Dirty Old Town”

(Intermission)

“The First Cut Is the Deepest”
“Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)”
“You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)”
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love”
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”
“Forever Young”
“Down town Train”
“It’s a Heartache”
“This Old Heart of Mine”
“Young Turks”
“Rhythm of My Heart”

Encore:
“Maggie May”Note:

Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039    Email:  etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

              (This the actual Poster and  ticket from the concert)

(Concert Review) Hall and Oates Live @ The Puyallup Fair 09/22/2010

The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

 
(This is the Tour Poster and actual Tickets For The Show in Puyallup)!
This was pone of those easy trips to Puyallup and the Fair on a decent September day in September. $20 for the show, and maybe another $10 to get in the fair. Not bad at all for a couple of Legends!

(Waiting for My Date @ Gravely Lake. Live disc to get Me in the mood)

So we parked in the usual free place and walked about 6 blocks. This leaves more money for food, drinks, and souvenirs! Plus a walk  down the long hill is exhilarating and good for You!

                              (Art exhibit on The Fair Grounds)

So of course being at the Fair You have the obligatory tour, a small feast of sorts, Art Shows, Live Bands, Crafts, even a ride on the Tractor that took Us halfway through the Fairgrounds. But we were actually there for the Music! And it was an early start at 7:30.

                   (This is The Boys that Night! Photo By Eric Turnbow)!

So the first time I saw these Guys, I took The Late great Rick Riley who I was playing in a band with.  It was @ The Key Arena in Seattle back on 11-27-1984 for the “Big Bam Boom Tour. We were playing a lot of their stuff in Our Hionky Tonk Band so we were on a real mission to get down with the Boys! Music education as it were!  The tickets were only $18 each! Back then the ticket fee was only $1.50! (I miss those days).  In a way I had come full circle getting to see them again some 26 years later!

               (This is the Ticket from that 1984 show! I saved it! Duh?)

Soi this time they played all the hits! Hall and Oates was great! We danced the entire show, and started a mini- dance party with some pretty out there gay dudes that were cool as hell! and it was all hits except one! Really. We knew all of them. I managed to take pictures and video that night as well. A splendid time was guaranteed for all! we got home by Midnight!

                              (These Guys were always MTV Staples)!

Do What You Want, Be What You Are 2010 Tour  SET LIST

1. Maneater
2. Family Man
3. Out of Touch
4. Say It Isn’t So
5. Adult Education
6. Las Vegas Turnaround
7. She’s Gone
8. One on One
9. Sara Smile
10. I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)
11. Encore:
11. Rich Girl
12. You Make My Dreams
13. Encore 2:
13. Kiss is On My List
14. Private Eyes

                    (Here I am after the show @ The Golden Gate)!

Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039    Email:  etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

                                          Puyallup Rocks Baby!                      (Yes, it’s the actual tickets! Of course!)

(Concert Review) Rodger Waters rocked the best show this year! Key
Arena Seattle 10/12/06   The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

I thought Rodger Waters show was the best of the year at Key Arena last week. Even better than the Stones! Best since McCartney anyway. I would love to go and see it again. In 2000 I caught his “In the flesh” Tour
in Portland at The Rose Garden. I watched them film the show and release it on dvd, and bought one and can still watch it whenever the mood strikes me. This was a cool show, but not nearly as good as the Seattle show in 2006!

(This is My Dvd and ticket from the 2000 show in Portland)

Now onto 2006! And What an amazing show! Rodger Waters rocked the best show this year! Key Arena Seattle 10/12/06  (By Eric Turnbow)
                
(Yup! This is The Actual Ticket for this amazing Show Folks $47.55)

I was impressed. The entire “Dark side of the moon” record and a 3 hour concert packed full of Pink Floyds best classics. Great sound, video screens, imagery, flying pigs and confetti, moon men, and  the works.
This was the must see concert to see in Seattle and it will not be topped this year. My god. Easily one of top 5 shows EVER! That is saying a lot. It was the LAST tour in North America. No more chances to see it
unless you hit Europe or something and it may be worth the plane ticket! I am still reliving that show. Impossibly killer. I cannot rave enough! WOW says it best! Amazing straight A’s! Having seen this man 3 times live that is saying a lot!

Set List SEATTLE SHOW:  10/12/06

FIRST HALF: *In The Flesh  * Mother * Set The Controls For the Heart Of The Sun *Shine On You Crazy Diamond  *Have A Cigar  *Wish You Were Here, *Southampton Dock *The Fletcher Memorial Home *Perfect Sense parts 1 and 2  *Leaving Beirut  * Sheep

SECOND HALF: Dark Side of the Moon. (Whole album! Striking)!

ENCORE:  *The Happiest Days Of Our Lives *Another Brick In The Wall (Pt 2) *Vera* Bring the Boys back Home *Comfortably Numb.

***************************************************************************

So Here is a quick local review of this great show in Seattle!

Pink Floyd alumnus goes over to the ‘Dark Side’ at
KeyArena  By TRAVIS HAY SPECIAL TO THE P-I

Roger Waters transformed KeyArena into a place where pigs flew, lunatics were on the grass and lost souls swam in a fish bowl Thursday night.

ROGER WATERS WHEN: Thursday WHERE: KeyArena

Waters and a 10-piece band performed more than two hour’s worth of material spanning the epic catalog of his former band, Pink Floyd, taking the capacity crowd on a masterful, mind-bending and, at times, seemingly maniacal musical journey. Of course, that’s maniacal in a way that reflects the twisted genius of what many consider to be the greatest rock band of all time.

The set began with “In the Flesh,” one of several tracks from “The Wall” that were performed, including “Mother” and, of course, “Another Brick in the Wall (Parts 1&2)” along with “The Happiest Days of Our Lives.” From the iconic imagery of marching hammers to the unmistakable bass riff to “Money,” the show was 100 percent Floydian in nature.

A large inflatable pig with “Impeach Bush Now” and other political messages written on its sides   the crowd during “Sheep.” Only at a concert filled with performances of Pink Floyd songs could a pig fly, and the floating swine made it feel like the real deal despite Waters being the only member of the band on stage.

The absence of former Floyd bandmate David Gilmour was heavily felt during the songs on which where his vocal parts were handled by a guitarist or keyboard player. But Waters made up for that with a gripping new solo song that, in keeping with the Floyd tradition, heavily criticizes the current political climate.

The centerpiece of the show was the performance of Floyd’s landmark record “Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety during the second half of the concert. The album, released in 1973, seems to transform into something different each time you listen to it. (Ask anyone who has watched “The Wizard of Oz” while listening to “Dark Side.”) It was more powerful and grandiose performed live, making Waters’ concert one of the best, if not most ambitious, shows of the year.

But there were no images of Dorothy or Oz on display during “Dark Side,” just songs about lunatics, time and money and that thumping heartbeat signalling the entrance and exit points of madcap journey maestroed by rock’s most epic songwriter!

**************************************************************

(And yet another raving review)!

Heading back home to Seattle, I was in line to get on the plane. It was a slow moving line, and the flight stewardess was staring at the prism on the shirt I was wearing. She asked, “Is that Pink Floyd?” I said yes,and she responded, “Oh, my son loves Pink Floyd!” I told her that I got the shirt at the Roger Waters concert in Hollywood Bowl. I told her that I’d be seeing his concert in Seattle, too. She said, “You must be a big fan.”

It was uncharacteristically warm October day in Seattle which gave way to a typical chilly night. What a way to spend the night! What an experience! How do you top a Roger Waters concert? Well, with another

Roger Waters concert! I was privileged to see Roger in two different venues. One, in an open-air venue, Hollywood Bowl. And the other, an indoor venue, at Seattle’s Key Arena. Gone are the huge flame throwers that shoot flames four to five story high. Gone are the rooftop fireworks. Gone is the giant prism over the stage.

What the Key Arena offered was the incredible surround sound especially during the DSOTM segment. You can feel the sound, and hear it travel! Roger could have just turned off all the lights and just played, and it would still have been perfect. He could have done without all the visual stimuli, and one would still experience a moving and memorable evening with his words and music. Nick was not there but the drum solo for Time was amazing. It was like one giant sound demo room for Bose speakers.
                    

I was able to get four more tickets from a co-worker who was unable to go. I brought my daughter, two cousins and brother-in-law. They didn’t know what was in store for them prior to the show but they were certainly very impressed after. I commented, that’s just Roger, showing how it’s done. Roger obviously enjoyed the Seattle crowd. He even signed a couple of autographs before he left the stage after the DSOTM segment.

This show could possibly be the last of the tour; hopefully it won’t, but what a memory to cherish. But of course, it is certainly an individual experience as njk (Hollywood Bowl, 6th) mentioned in his review.

I did not mention in my review (Hollywood Bowl, 5th) that Neil Young’s songs were being played prior to the start of the shows. Wearing a Neil Young hat from the CSNY Freedom of Speech tour, I was hoping that songs from Neil’s new album would be played.

I don’t understand how one would come to a Roger Water’s show and be dismayed with his political and anti-war views. He has been writing and singing about them all along. This is probably not the appropriate
forum for this but here it is anyway. I agree with the views of Mr. Waters and Mr. Young. I am grateful that these “outsiders” are here in America, and are raising awareness since U. S. policies have global effect, and creating a big mess. I believe that Bush should be sitting next to Sadam, and is tried for war crimes himself.

Unlike, California Governor Arnold Schwarznegger, who made adjustments with his policies in response to his constituents, and is slowly gaining back their approval; Bush is stubborn, whose credibility is shut, and whose mentation is in question. Unlike, the British politicians, who forced Blair to resign; the do-nothing U.S. Congress is in perpetual gridlock and power grab. It’ll be great if Roger and Neil can be on the Keith Olbermann show.

By the way, Nelson is my first name. It is somewhat misleading because I’m a first-generation Filipino-American. I retired from the U.S. Navy after serving honourably for 20 years, and currently; I’m serving my community as a registered nurse. I believe that I earned my soapbox.

Thanks Roger! Thanks Col!

We again remind readers that the views expressed in reviews published on this site are not necessarily those of A Fleeting Glimpse.

(Concert Review)  WAYNE NEWTON Live @ Lucky Eagle Casino 10-04-2008      The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

              (Yup, this is the actual Ticket from the show in Rochester)!

I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the Wayne Newton concert at the casino in Rochester Saturday, October, 4th, 2008.

We entered the venue, and I was surprised that over the loudspeakers they were playing his old teen age music from before his voice had changed. He actually sounded more like a female in those days, but later went through puberty and got his masculine velvet voice that we all know and love today. This was the first time I heard the actual artist of the night featured before the concert. The music was very jazzy and seemed to hold up well after some 4 decades since it was recorded! I had low expectations, but was frankly blown away by his show! Believe it.
He was very pro, slick, funny, diversified. He even played a full 2 hours. it was awesome sound and he was on target. He does mostly cover tunes of Elvis an d Bobby Darin, but delivers with an all pro slick and sophisticated style. A Las Vegas show in Rochester Washington! Fantastic. Who needs to fly to Vegas?

He actually opened with the classic Elvis Presley show fro the 70′s of theme from the movie 2001, followed by CC Rider. He had a diverse mix of music and humour that was astonishingly good. Who would have guessed that he is a staunch Republican? No me!

I was most impressed with his amazing musicianship. He did have an 18 piece astounding orchestra with great female singers, horn players and the works.  At one point he played piano, lead guitar, acoustic guitar. banjo, and the best of all was his fiddle playing. His jokes were reminiscent of Johnny Carson. He was the consummate pro… all the way. Thumbs way up! Mimi and paid $55 a ticket for this event, and it was well worth it. Plenty of cocktails, and also a great dance at the Red Barn afterwards on the way back!

I picked up a key chain, button, and cd at the souvenir shop. We had a great time. This show was way better than Al Green, Chuck Berry, and other recent fandangos. Really good! The people were very old though! I guess Wayne is 66 now, and the audience seemed to be about the same age as him!  But We  were about the youngest people there! No really!!

Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039    Email:  etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

So now lets hear from our friend in Las Vegas and what He thinks of Wayne Newton performing live!

Wayne Newton A Concert Review July 29, 2001
The Wayne Newton Theater Las Vegas, NV
A Review by “The Dude on the Right”

I had two choices. Choice one was to hang out with the boys who were going gentleman club hopping. This meant spending too much money on women whom I had no chance of taking home at the end of the night. Choice two was to go with Trash and Stu Gotz’s dudette to see Wayne Newton where I knew exactly how much money I would drop and still got to hang out with women whom I had no chance of taking home at the end of the night. I opted for Wayne Newton.

As the three of us took our seats I kind of wondered what to expect. Really, other than “Donke Schoen” and seeing him in “Vegas Vacation” I wasn’t familiar with the stylings of Wayne. I surveyed the crowd noticing that the three of us were, well, some of the youngest people in the crowd, and then the announcer came on to introduce Wayne.   

Entering dressed in a spacesuit and walking down a rainbow colored ramp, Wayne greeted the audience, the band rose up from under the stage, and Wayne kicked into a couple of Elvis tunes, “Norfolk VA” and “Suspicious Minds.” It was during “Suspicious Minds” that I truly realized Wayne Newton has one of the greatest gigs in existence. Why you ask? Because at the end of “Suspicious Minds” Wayne started to work through the crowd. Women all wanted to kiss him, dudes tried to shake his hand, and Wayne obliged just about everyone (even I got to shake his hand). But singing wasn’t all this show was about, nope, Wayne had the joke machine rolling as well. Introducing his piano player and conductor, Greg Macaluso, Wayne went to grab his handkerchief from his jacket pocket only to find a pair of ladies underwear. Wayne seemed shocked, asked whose underwear they were, and although Greg seemed stymied, all of a sudden Stu’s dudette screamed out that they were hers. The joke was funny even without Stu’s dudette blurting out, but now I wondered if Stu knew about his dudette and the piano player.

As the show continued it was a seeming endless mix of joking and singing with Wayne spanning lots of different musical stylings. You had your “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” You also had Wayne paying tribute to Hank Williams with “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and of course “Donke Schoen.” And although Wayne’s voice wavered quite a bit, he still knew how to work his fans to having a great time, a lot of time by just utilizing his band and back-up singers, especially Jeff Brandt who does some killer imitations of Tom Jones and Willie Nelson and is pretty good in his own right at making jokes.

Wayne’s show was everything I expected and then some, and by the then some I didn’t know Wayne was so talented as a musician. He kicked butt on a piano solo, impressed me with his guitar prowess, even wailed on a fiddle and played some banjo. And who thought all he could do was sing?

Wayne Newton put on one hell of a show even if he did have trouble hitting some of the high notes. It’s easy to see why he is called the King of Las Vegas and for Wayne I’m giving him TWO “It’s good to be the King of Las Vegas” THUMBS UP!

                            (This is the cd I bought at The Show!)

                    Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039    Email:  etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

(Concert Review) Ronnie Milsap Live @ Puyallup Fair  Monday 11-15-2008 15th, 2008          The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

(Here I am posing in The City of Puyallup Washington)!

I met my date  at  Gravely Beach drive where she works in Lakewood. We drove her car back to the VA Hospital where it would be safe and took me car.

                          (This is the actual Ticket from the show)

We parked in the same spot I have for decades now! FREE! People were paying, and foolishly I may add, just a block away. We ate a free pear and some black berry’s on our walk down.

We were unable to save the ten bucks with the coupon. It is only good on Tuesday. Drat! So it was ten dollars to enter.
            (Epic fun at The Puyallup Fair! Photo by Eric Turnbow)

We ate some chicken tacos, nachos, pop, and wine. I bought a photo button of us, a fair shot glass, fair magnet, 2 fair pins (One fro last year!), a KZOK backpack loaded all kinds of goody’s and coupons, which was way cool, and of course I had to find some cool framed collectibles of The Beatles, McCartney, and Elvis! 4 in all. Not cheap.

                  (Abstract art of Eric at The Fair in the “People Mover)

We had to go to the FREE concert of Ronnie Milsap who was backed up by the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. I wanted to get a ticket for my cd case of his greatest hits so we used a coupon from the back pack and got very close seats (About 15 rows back), for just $10 each! We were able to take pictures of the show and I took a bunch. The Orchestra played, Beethoven, Broadway, and then Raiders of The Lost arc theme. They were very good. Lot’s of people and even a harp! dad would have dug this.

                (Making our way to our seats. Picture by Eric Turnbow)

Ronnie Milsap, came out and put on a decent show. Opened with “Almost like a song” and closed with “Smoky Mountain Rain:” just one before America The Beautiful. I have to say that The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra was absolutely incredible as a backing band, I was impressed.   I especially enjoyed it when He sang “Almost like a song”. His voice was fantastic, what a crooner.

(Churning out another hit at The Puyallup Fair: Photo by EricTurnbow)

He made a lot of blind jokes. We already knew he was a blind dude. He paid a big tribute to Ray Charles, and other keyboard players like Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis. he also did a 3 song acepala set with no instruments. It was over 2 hours and the sound was very decent. They also had big screens which helps. So it was good show, unalike the Chuck Berry concert Friday which had the worse sound I have ever heard in my life of concert going. really pathetic.

                      (Playing it “Live”! Picture by Eric Turnbow)

We took the Fair Sky ride across the park and saw the enormous fair from the air. It was way cool. Reminded me of Dysnyland in fact. We were only able to cover about ten percent of it, That huge! Next year we want to go on a Sunday and leave early! Too much to see.

All in all it was successful and very fun Puyallup fair experiance.

Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039    Email:  etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

(The Puyallup Fair is a really good venue frankly!  By Eric Turnbow)

    BB King Show @ Little creek Shelton 11-17-2011

The POP Music Journal of Eric  Turnbow

   (This is the actual ticket with souvenir guitar picks from Shelton)
So Vikki and I decided to go out to Shelton to the Little Creek Casino and see the Legendary B.B. King live and in concert. I was scheduled for  work at “The South Bay Pub” that night, but I go My Employee “Guy” to cover for me so that I could jet off and see this concert.

    (Here is a shot I took of the big Guy at that very show in Shelton)

We are always on time and I picked up Vikki wit time to spare and we made it to the concert ahead of schedule. This gave me a chance to grab a “Key chain” and some Guitar picks to take home for my collection!

   (A shot of B.B. King on the Casino screen Taken By Eric Turnbow)

We had to grab a couple cocktails. I had 2 long island ice teas, as a double fisted drinker it saved me time getting back for another order. The opening band came on and played for about a half hour. Riveting blues that were terrific. As it turned out this was the actual B.B. King band and it included several of His Young Relatives. They were quite good!

So when B.B. King played the guitar it was just great. You could his guitar “Lucille” cutting through crisp and trebley. But He stopped a lot and talked way too much about about Viagra and Cialis. At one point after he did a Christmas blues song”Merry Christmas Baby”, He tried to do a another song and plum forgot it. So He went back into the Christmas song instead. I wish He would have played more and talked less!

                                   (Live shot taken by Eric Turnbow)

But He did play the songs! Here is a selection or sample of some of tracks He performed in Shelton: Every Day I Have The Blues, Key to the Highway, Rock Me Baby, The Thrill Is Gone, When The Saints Go Marchin’ In. Plus a bunch more. Lots of talking. He forgot the words a few times. But He is 86! I decided to cut Him some slack!

     (Here is Vikki posting after the show. You can see Mr. King signing)

The best part of the show was at the end. They turned up all the lights as he continued to play on. We could see great and I even shot a decent video at this point. He announced that he would sign stuff and He just sat there in a chair on stage surrounded by security signing away. For about an hour! He was resilient and electric.  And He did it for the fans!

      (Eric  posed by the fountain outside the casino after the show)!

Recent Video from the same tour: http://youtu.be/tqpCFxVrOTY

        (Vikki posed by the fountain outside the casino after the show)!

BB King – Why I Sing The Blues – Live 2011

Band plays for about 10 mins
BB is introduced
BB walks out goes straight to a chair
BB plays 2 songs
BB starts telling stories as band plays in background
BB plays another song
BB plays “When Love Comes to Town”
BB stops midway and starts to interact with his band
BB tells more stores and starts making Viagra Jokes
BB plays another song
BB tells more stores and starts with Cialis jokes
BB has bass player and other guitarist sit by him and jokes around for 20 good minutes and eventually play a song.
BB plays “You are My Sunshine” for 10 Mins
BB makes more Viagra and Cialis jokes
BB plays “Thrill is Gone”
BB hands guitar to handler and starts throwing out guitar pics and crap from his pockets to the audience.
BB is helped out of his chair and is escorted off the stage.

Here is a disappointed fans view of show earlier this year:
No joke, here is BB’s show:

In 80 minutes you get maybe 9 songs and a lot of talking. I know he’s 84 or 85 yrs old, but, it’s getting really sad. If you see him off stage he is surrounded by his handlers who act like they are from the Nation of Islam. Very militant and aggressive these days.

     (B.B. stayed and signed stuff for about an hour as you can see here!)

Looks like he is heading to Portland on Sunday. After a  3 day rest! He was in Wenatchee Wednesday night if you can believe that! One night prior! Not bad for a Dude of His age! I would be tempted to stay home and watch cable in bed if I had His type of Money!
http://www.songkick.com/artists/14318-bb-king
And here is the Bio and other cool info for you!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.B._King

(This limo was parked right outside the Show Taken  By Eric Turnbow)

Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039    Email:  etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

          (This is a live shot from the show taken by Eric Turnbow)

FARM AID 18 JOURNAL by Vikki Turnbow: 09-18-2004 White River

Yes we made it to Farm Aid 18! It was a big fast long blast! I went with My nephew Jesse, and My Step Mom Vikki. In fact, being the Journalist type she is, Vikki made a “Rock and Roll Journal” to document the days activities. We have reprinted it here for all to re-live and  enjoy! So lets get going!  (Eric said this)…..

                           (Here a photo taken that very day of the stage set up By Vikki Turnbow)

FARM AID 18 JOURNAL by Vikki Turnbow: 09-18-2004 White River

I’m so lucky.  Eric not only enjoys going to concerts at least as much as I do, but he also doesn’t mind driving!  FAD stands for Farm Aid Diary and I’m writing to share it with you and to remember it by later Farm  Aid  2004 was held Saturday, Sept. 18 at White River Amphitheatre.

(This is the crowd lining up to get into the show. Photo By Eric Turnbow)

Eric picked me up around noon and we tore up the free-way at the new breakneck average speed of 35 MPH for most of the drive up I-5 and a good portion of 512, arriving around 1:40.   I jammed all my unauthorized outside food into every pocket, Eric noted he should have brought a hat and worn double jeans (as I had as we stood in the longest line I’ve ever seen there in the drizzle,  herded by horse crowd control people with southern drawls for 45 minutes until we reached the door just in time  to hear the last song by the cows-with-guns guy. (cowswithguns.com)….

                                   (Here is Eric and His Nephew Jesse at Farm Aid 18 on 09-18-2004)

We got Eric his gyro and our coffees and found our seats as Native American dancers and blessing ceremonies were beginning at 3. Steve, anther concert guy who works at the counter line at the post office and is a friend, had 2nd row seats.  I could see him and his son in place already when Willie Nelson  came out and welcomed everyone. More dancing, including the hoop dance I recognized from somewhere…

Our seat neighbours to our left arrived.  They’d also seen Neil Young and Lucinda Williams last time around and he told  me Dave Matthews’ wife is a nursing student in Seattle and that’s why he’s living in the  area.  We’d already heard he had suggested doing Farm Aid out here this year. The first act was Kate Voegele, an acoustic duo and excellent–as was every act, so I won’t repeat that each time.

Grandson Jess arrived at 3:25 and joined us up in row 17 of section 210 (the best seats available one hour into PRE-sale ticket availability that I had access to a day before general sales began(!)  No wonder so many people had to sit in the rain on the grass! At least our seats were under cover and the sound was perfect! We got a chance to visit with Jess and catch up on his new Seattle life, in between acts.

Kitty Jerry from  Memphis who called her music country soul, as she’s black and very country had a full band and Eric said  the guest  harmonica guy was Mickey Rafael. We were to see him sit in with many of the acts–class act. Blue Merl, with a stand up  bass, violin and mandolin were up next, then Tegan and Sara, two waif like dark-haired pixie girls with voices to match, then Trick Pony was joined by Willie for “Whiskey River”.  They were southern rock & did about 4 more tunes. I liked them quite a bit. The set changes went very fast; each band was set up on a rolling platform, so each performed for about 20-25 minutes, then the set change took 5-10, so things moved along at a steady clip, not dragging, but giving a  little chance to chat in between–

Tony Goeman, a black singing drummer is  a  man after my own heart.  He did the blues and had a Hammond B3 with a Leslie speaker in his band. (Eric recognized his sax player as one from the original Blues Brothers.) He had Willie come out and play some  blues on his incredibly beat up looking but great sounding guitar.

Lucinda Williams came on at  5:40 and Steve Earl joined her for “Concrete and Barb’d Wire”, I’d never heard him before, but liked what I heard. He writes controversial songs and did Copperhead Road, Devil’s Right Hand  (gun control) and  a song about the   poor sons fight the wars.. not a lot of talk on topics up to this point from the early acts.

                        (Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle put up the jams at Farm Aid 18)!

Jerry Lee Lewis was helped on stage and then put out the most energy so far  in the show when he did “Roll Over Beethoven” and Hank Williams song, “Whole Lotta’ Shakin’ Going On, and closed with “Great Balls of Fire”. He looked older than dirt but had great energy and brought the intensity level up a couple of notches.

(Jerry Lee Lewis  tore it up at Farm Aid 18)!

By now it was dark and I’d just about finished all my goodies. Eric had popped for a pizza and I think Jess had purchased something.  I felt  smug because I only bought 2  cups of coffee as I’d brought my own water too, and I’d see folks coming back to their seats with food several times, and I hadn’t needed to stand in the very long lines (20 minutes for an espresso– I don’t think so! Neither did Eric, so we didn’t have any. At 7:30 Dave Matthews was introduced by John Mellencamp. Dave talked sort of loopy between songs but had us mesmerized by his performance.  I’d been wishing he’d have his whole  band, but he was riveting solo and the sound was so clear–  very intense.He talked about a  movie he’s in & wrote a song for that I now want to see.

(Dave Mathews played a killer acoustic set that night @ Farm Aid 18)!

John Mellencamp and small band came on at 8:24 and their set included  Paper and Fire -one of my favorites. I especially enjoyed his hot fiddler lady and the little accordion on that song. Most everyone  stood up for his closing “Little Pink Houses”

(John Mellencamp  tore it up at Farm Aid 18)

Neil Young took the stage at 9:10 with a Willie Nelson introduction– he did the most talking about biodiesel and buying organic in  between a great group of songs: Harvest Moon, Pocahantas, one about winter rain in Canada, Cowgirl in the Sand, Old Man by the side of the Road (at this point, the big screen focussed in on Steve as he sat mesmerized and that image  was broadcast not only all through the arena, but over the internet, so I now call him Famous Farm Aid Face guy). When Neil began Pocahantas, Eric dialed Avaton for me and I held it up so Avaton could hear it. I told him I figured we’d be leaving around 10:30.  I guessed wrong– way wrong!

                                     (Neil Young as He looked that Night @ Farm Aid 18)

After It’s Over, Neil had his wife come   out to sing harmonies for Human Highway and King (his dog song) and 4 Strong Winds.  He finished just after 10 and Willie Nelson’s video lead in clip came on at 10:20.  Then Dave Matthews and Neil Young came on stage, both carrying a beer bottle, and Dave gave a rambling intro so long  that I began to wonder if it would ever end (sort of like this report), then Willie and the biggest band of the night did Promised Land, Whiskey River, Still Still Moving to Me, whiskey for my men and beer for the horses, Poncho’s Legend, Time Slips Away (with Carla–cute young blond), Night Life. Then his sister played Down Yonder on the piano, and a song about his drummer Paul and his adventures on the road. . His son Paul had been on stage with him, but Willie now introduced him and he did an excellent version of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Texas Flood”, then Willie was back up front for “Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” and one about an angel flying too close to the ground.  So when he did “On the Road Again”, I figured it was the perfect end to a perfect day.

    (The legend of Willy Nelson Live @ at Farm Aid 18: Neil and Willy)

I thought wrong– there was more! He did “You Were Always on my Mind”, then at 11:15 brought out Jack and Jerry Calhoun. I suspect if you knew country western music in the 1950′s that would be big news. They did a couple including “I’m Glad I’m an Okie from Muskogee”  I believe it was about here that Jess bowed out, getting a head start on the notorious post-concert traffic jams. Eric and I hung in there for the last new face on stage, Danny Goodfeller, who was supposed to be a fiddler, but had this stick with pots and pans nailed on it that he jammed onto the stage and bounced and gyrated to  “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” as the other performers filtered on stage. We were leaving the grounds as the group all sang Amazing Grace, then headed for “the” tree in the parking lot, arriving there to find there were two trees and we’d spotted the wrong one. We scampered across to “our” tree and I was able to call Avaton at the beginning of the actual driveway out that we were headed home at 11:44.  Eric got me home at 1– and we were both pretty shot all day Sunday. That was a close to a rock festival as I’ve been in decades. Bye!

L&L,
Vikki

              (Parting was such sweet sorrow. This is what the Stage looked like from our perspective)

                   The POP Music Journal of Eric  Turnbow

(Concert Review) Stevie Nicks  Live in Seattle @ “The Key Arena”: Sunday August 12th, 2001

(The Actual Ticket from the actual show in Seattle!)
Stevie Nicks dazzled the audience with a fantastic Rock and Roll show covering all aspects of her brilliant career. The show took place at “The Key Arena”: Sunday August 12th, 2001, which is located next to the landmark large fountain we all know and love so well in The Emerald City. We know this area as “The Seattle Center”.

                                     (Stevie is a real Godess!)

The opening act was uneventful,Bob Schneider Homins, and his band just filled time for the first 40 minutes of the evening. However, at precisely 9pm sharp Stevie took the stage for her “Trouble In Shangrila” tour, her first solo outing in some 3 years when she was out promoting her box set “Enchanted” which made its stop over at “The Gorge Amphitheatre” in George Washington, some 4 miles East of Seattle.

The band was led by Guitarist and musical director WADDY WATCHELL, who has made a living putting touring bands together for the likes of Linda Rondstadt, Harry Chapin, and Jon Bon Jovi among many others. They had worked together before, and documented a fantastic tour they did together in 1988 for HBO “Live At Red Rocks”, now available on DVD. He came through as the perfect pro for this project, as the band was tight and well rehearsed, like a well oiled machine for the fabulously sexy artist Stevie Nicks to perform her original classics to perfection with.

(That Stevie sure has some nice Legs!)

She opened with the duet she penned with Tom Petty and The Heart breakers in the 1980′s “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”. With no Heart beaker handy to sing Tom’s part, WADDY came through just fine, and they were off on a nostalgic musical journey covering classic songs from that other famous band she played with (Fleetwood Mac), as well as her own solo hits, and new tunes from her most recent album “Trouble In Shangrila” in which the tour was named for. Her mike stand was covered in black lace, which she sensually would flick and wave about from time to time as she belted out her FM staples to perfection! She was awesome and gets HIGH MARKS from this reviewer, (Who, ten years her junior like to father a love child with her). Waiting for a call from Phoenix Stevie!

Stevie Nicks has an unusual, yet provocative voice style that can not ever be duplicated, or mistaken! Her song writing has matured, and she is not afraid to collaborate with other established writers such as Don Henly, Tom Petty, and Mike Campbell)! Known for having intense stage fright, on this enchanting evening in Seattle, you never would know it. She had the poise, presence and beauty to carry on as the natural born Rock Royalty we all know and love. LONG LIVE STEVIE!

Stevies Set List: Seattle Show 08/12/01

• “Stop Draggin My Heart Around” (Opener)
• “Trouble In Shangrila” (New cd)
• “Dreams” (Fleetwood Mac gem)
• “Gold Dust Woman” (Another Fleetwood Mac gem)
• “Every Day” (New cd) “Sorcerer” (Performed on the cd with Sheryl Crow) piano solo
• “Rhiannon” (New Unplugged Version of this F.Mac tune)
• “Stand Back”
• “Too Far From Texas” (New cd) Band Intros
• “Desert Angels” (Co written with Mike Campbell)
• “Edge Of Seventeen” (White Wing Dove” mtv staple) ENCORE #01:
• “I Need To Know”(Classic Tom Petty cover)ENCORE:#02
• “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You” (This song was written and inspired by The Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, who is one lucky individual!)

BOTTOM LINE! GO AND SEE THIS MAGIC PERFORMER IF YOU GET THE CHANCE! SHE ALWAYS SURROUNDS HERSELF WITH QUALITY MUSICIANS, AND TENDS TO FEEL AND PERFORM HER MUSIC FROM A GUT LEVEL, WHICH ENABLES US TO CAPTURE, AND HANG ON TO A BIT OF HER SOUL!
Be cool, Keep on singing!

                 
Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
(360) 943-7039 etcosmic2000@yahoo.com

(Computer art Made By Eric Turnbow, as a tribute To Miss Nicks!) sigh!