The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

THE ROLLING STONES Live @ Quest Field 10/17/06

(Yes, This is the actual Parking, and Stadium Ticket Quest Field 10/17/06)

I  will say on a personal note. My $118 tickets on the 316 level of Quest Field were useless! I was only 11 rows from the top of the building and we had a showing of over 30,000 people. So Dave Mathews was a total echo of crappy sound. The worst. I was so pissed. I could not even make out the songs from the rumble of noise emanating below! He played and hour and 15 minutes and when he spoke to the crowd I could not understand a word. I sat there disappointed as hell to say the least. So NEVER buy crappy 300 level tickets at Quest.

                                  (Dave Mathews opened the show)

For the Stones I said “To hell with this!” and walked all the way down to the floor and found an empty seat behind the sound booth straight in front of the band but at the back. I was actually only about 25 feet from the second stage. From here the sound was fantastic! Really good. In comparison with the last years concert, this was FAR SUPERIOR! They had more energy and it was way more high tech. The lights were better the screens were sharper, and all the folks behind them in the special on stage section were there. The fire flashes, bombs, and confetti worked well outside. They did not play a repeat of last years show either. The songs were in different order and a few new surprises added, which I found refreshing. It was very cold though. I stood for the second half of the show and moved as much as a I could to warm up a little. The sacrifice of being chilly, far outweighed the masterful music, and it did not rain a drop!

(Mick is strutting it in Seattle He really “Moves Like Jagger”!)

I can now see why they changed venues. So…. yes, it was a thumbs up for me, but I warn people to AVOID that dark 300 level of echo and poor sound. If I got sent back up there by an alert usher it would have sucked big time. However, I got away with it by acting like I owned the joint and never even talking to any ushers! I would have moved if a ticket holder asked me to! That never happened. So success! Oh yeah, we were running late and had to park in the official “Quest field” garage. It cost $25, but was an easy access to the show via the elevator to the second floor. We split the cost. After the show we had to wait it out on the 5th floor for a good half hour to 45 minutes before escaping to the free-way. No big deal. We had about 3 “Rolling Stones” cd’s to keep us company!

It was a great show and I had a lot of fun! I would love to do it again! And soon!

                                      (Sold out Seattle Show)!

So here is the PI article.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 Seattle, WA, Qwest Field

(Actual shot from the Seattle Show @ Qwest Field)
SET LIST:

Jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll
Let’s Spend The Night Together
She Was Hot
Let It Bleed
Streets Of Love
Midnight Rambler
Tumbling Dice
You Got The Silver
Little T&A

    (I love the way Mick Uses the big screen on  stage for His Moves)

B Stage
Under My Thumb
Oh No Not You Again
Start Me Up
Honky Tonk Women

Sympathy For The Devil
Paint It Black
Brown Sugar

           (This was a Souvenir Card I got at The Show In Seattle)

Encore
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Satisfaction

Stones fans get explosive Bigger Bang for the buck
By GENE STOUT   P-I POP MUSIC CRITIC
THE ROLLING STONES AND DAVE MATTHEWS BAND 10/17/06

It had been nearly 10 years since the Rolling Stones last played a stadium-sized Seattle show, making Tuesday night’s concert at Qwest Field a mega-watt event for fans of the British rock super group.

Though the Stones played Key Arena last October, the Qwest Field event was reminiscent of the enormous stadium shows the group played at the King-dome in the 1980s and ’90s.

An outdoor concert in October is likely to be wet and windy, but the marathon performance featuring the Stones and the Dave Matthews Band was mercifully rain-free. In fact, it was a beautiful fall evening.

True to its name, the “Bigger Bang” tour opened its latest date with a volley of fireworks and an explosive video that depicted everything from cars to bananas flying through the air.

The huge show featured a 300-ton, 20,400-square-foot stage. The 2,450-square-foot “video wall” stood nearly seven stories high. Flanking it were two multilevel structures resembling neon-illuminated hotels on the Las Vegas strip. Fans paid $500 a person for the standing-only boxes overlooking the sprawling stage.

Though the same tour played Key Arena less than a year ago, the Stones managed to fill about two-thirds of the stadium with concert goers of all ages. On the main field, many of the tickets sold for $350 each. For a group of teens sitting in row 17, it was a $2,100 experience, not counting the service charges added to each ticket.

The Stones opened with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” kicking off a two-hour-plus extravaganza that featured more than a dozen classics and a handful of newer songs from the 2005 “A Bigger Bang” album.

The 63-year-old Mick Jagger, wearing a maroon shirt, sparkly maroon jacket and black slacks, whirled about the huge stage. Without looking too closely at the lines in his face, it was easy to imagine him as a 20 something rocker with limitless energy. With Jagger at the helm, the Stones could still be playing high-energy shows a decade from now.

The first half hour of the show included such songs as “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” “She Was Hot” and “Let It Bleed,” featuring Jagger on acoustic guitar, Ronnie Wood on bottleneck guitar and Dave Matthews in a surprise vocal duet with Jagger.

                          
As always, guitarist Keith Richards (sans his trademark scarf) was impressive to watch, playing his guitar parts with dazzling skill. Filling out the core group was super-talented drummer Charlie Watts.

The show continued with “Streets of Love,” a spotlight song for Jagger, and “Midnight Rambler,” a raw and dirty blues-rocker that featured Jagger on harmonica.

Backing the group were a trio of vocalists, among them singer-guitarist Blondie Chaplin and singer Lisa Fischer; and a horn section featuring saxophonists Bobby Keys and Tim Ries. Also featured were bassist Daryl Jones and keyboardist Chuck Leavell..

During “Tumblin’ Dice,” Jagger skipped down the long, extended stage that divided the main field nearly in half. Richards sang the vocals on “You’ve Got the Silver” and “Little T&A.”

The group then boarded a tram, which rolled down the extended stage, for “Under My Thumb,” “Oh, No, Not You Again,” “Start Me Up” and “Honky Tonk Woman” (featuring the band’s lascivious, 30-foot-high lips on the main stage).

The remainder of the show included “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Paint It Black” and “Brown Sugar.” The Stones took a bow about 10:40, returning for an encore of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” featuring fireworks and huge streamers from the top of the stage.

The Dave Matthews Band, who broke their own attendance record at The Gorge with three shows in September, played a soulful, energetic opening set. Having a head-liner as the opening act surely increased attendance. But for Matthews, a part-time Seattle resident, it was a special honour sharing a stage with the Stones on his home turf.

Among the surprises in a set that included a number of DMB staples was the Buffalo Springfield classic “For What It’s Worth” which spurred an audience sing-a-long. Unfortunately, sound quality was very poor for Matthews’ set.

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

                                (Yes, this is the actual ticket Folks)!

Well. I made it to the DYLAN show on Monday. I left the house just after 4pm and hit the Rib-eye for dinner with James. I had a sandwich with salad, chowder, and coffee. I was able to hit the free-way just shortly after five pm.

I made it to Seattle about 45 minutes before show time. This was good because I drove some ten blocks out of my way, and had to retrace my footsteps. I found a place to park only 2 blocks from the show. They charged a flat $2 per hour, and I had to fork out $10 at the end of the evening. It was called “The Meridian”, a hotel with a pay parking garage. I was okay with it.

This was a sold out show! I got my tickets early because it was on a Monday and did not interfere with My work schedule as an all Pro Disc Jockey! I passed people looking for tickets, and others selling. It was a short walk so I ignored all advances with a smile. I did stop and buy a black Bob Dylan  T-shirt from a scalper, for only $15. It was half off from the originals inside. Normally I never buy shirts, but when you get a 50% discount then it is okay to break the norm!

         (this is a collection of killer Dylan Music I listened to on the way)!

I got inside al-right. I got my ticket only 5 days before show time on some internet site I had contacted when I discovered the show had sold out in only an hour. I paid $85 for a ticket worth $67 plus fees. I think I only had to pay about $8 more than the guy sitting next to me who said he was 10th in line at ticket-master when they first went on sale! Not bad! Scalpers online were asking an average $275 each with a minimum of 2 tickets purchased. Tee cheapest I found online was about $169, again in pairs so that was well over $300 clams! Rip Off!

                                         (Shot on The Freeway….)

The show started right on time at 7pm. The first of three acts was upcoming newcomer “Amos Lee”, who had just released his first record one week earlier. I gotta say that he was pretty good! He played a big Gibson acoustic J200. one of my dream guitars. I liked his music a lot but not enough to buy his cd! Maybe a burned copy or download somewhere down the road!

The First Opening Act was Amos Lee....

After a 15 minute break “Merle Haggard” hit the stage, I have seen Merle before, and am a HUGE fan of his. When it comes to country music and song-writing he is tops with me. An interesting choice that Dylan made for this cross country tour. Merle voice was clear and clean. The band was about an 8 piece all pro Nashville sounding sweet group. They had an opening theme they played and Merle finally made an appearance stage right, and walked on waving and smiling before taking his Fender trademark telecaster and strapping on for the opening song “I think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”. Followed by two more classics “Silver Wings” and my personal favourite “That’s the Way Love Goes”, which we used to perform live in past band I played with.

The Great Merle Haggard! Second Opening Act!

Merle was in tune, and had great mike control. Quite laid back, that is for sure. He made some jokes about Martha Stewart and sang a verse of an impromptu tune he said he was writing with Bob  Dylan. Next he did a Bob Wills classic fiddle tune, and he played the fiddle! Impressive. He started to do “Oakie from Muskokee” as well as a classic waltz that I love, but he stopped after about a half verse of each and complained about his voice not being loud enough in the monitor. “We’re an old beer and hanky-tonk band” he said. “This is way out of our league. I should be at home being lazy!”. Then he played “mama Tried” and “White Line Fever”. All in all he was only on stage about 50 to 55 minutes. He sounded great but I did not like the choppiness of his set. Stopping and starting all the time. At least he talked to the audience! That is something Bob failed to do.

Merle Haggard definitely took the night! Period!

About a 30 minute break this time. I went out and bought 2 cardboard posters, a metal Dylan pin, a Haggard 8 x 10 glossy, and a HAG Key chain. I dropped about $47 bucks plus the t-shirt early on. I also got some free Dylan postcards. I returned just in time for curtain call.

Bob Dylan hit the stage at 9:10pm. He was dressed in a dapper black suit with beads on the trousers and vest, and a classic rock star hat. He spoke not a word to the crowd, and never introduced his band. The first 2 songs I did not really recognize. The third one was “Stuck inside a mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”, which was barely recognizable. The melody was way off and he was dreadfully out of tune vocally for most of the night. It took about a half of each song to figure out what it was. Bob never picked up a guitar the whole night! He stayed right behind an electric piano, and only came out to sing in front of the band about twice. I was told he had arthritis or something and can no longer play which is sad. He was humped over his keyboard singing all night into a microphone that was way too low.  I kept wondering why he did not raise the boom stand by about a half a foot!

He played a couple of songs from his last studio cd, “love and Theft”, but he got the best audience response of the night when he played “Mr. Tambourine Man” and took about a two minute solo on the harmonica right out in front of the band where everyone could plainly see him! His version of the song was nothing at all like the studio track. It was, well lets say completely different. He also played “Watching the River Flow”. I was disappointed he did not play anything from my favourite records, “blood on The Tracks” or “Desire”. No religious stuff, or classics faves of mine that I have seen him do in the past. Most of these require an acoustic guitar though. (such as “I shall  be Released”, or “Knockin’ on heavens door”, and “Forever Young”). Not tonight!

It took us a good ten minutes maybe to get him to come back for an encore. As suspected it was “Like a Rolling Stone”, but a muddled and dishevelled version of it to say the least. It not sound right to me anyway. I guess I listen to his albums way too much!

He also performed “All Along The Watch Tower” but it was basically unrecognisable for a lot of it. The curtain went up and I was sure the show was over and started to leave. I got almost to the door and realized he was playing another song. This time I walked right down to the front of the stage, about 20 feet from him standing there hunched over his piano. This was the highlight of the show for me. He sang a Merle Haggard cover, one of my favourites “Sing Me Back Home”. I thought it was pretty cool. He obviously admires Merle’s song-writing, as do I,  and this was a shocker choice that even the vendor selling Merle merchandise did not expect. I could see the balcony from up front there, and everyone seemed to be standing and making appreciative noises at this sold out show.

All in all I am glad I went. There is something about being in the same room with Bob Dylan that is comforting. The sound of his live music is another story. This was my 7th show of his. and although I was not blown away by his reclusive style, somehow I believe that I will see an 8th show of his live, if he does not retire any time soon, which I personally believe would be a good idea! His song-writing is unmatched, a true genius. As a live performer though, his work needs a lot of help!

This is just my opinion. Not gospel. The show was what
it was, and yes, I did enjoy it.

Killer Dylan Autograph! Sweet!

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

                          The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

       AEROSMITH was AMAZING on 02/15/06 @Tacoma Dome!

                                      “Rocking The Joint Tour”

                              (The Actual Ticket from the actual show in Tacoma!)

I just got back from the Aerosmith concert at the Tacoma dome, and it was amazing. This was my 5th time  Kind of like a good bottle of wine. I still remember the “Rocks” tour in the Seattle King-dome back in 1976 when Jeff Beck and Rick Derringer were on the bill. The band has come a long way since then.  They called this tour “Rockin’ The Joint 2005/06, and man they sure did! I am tired, shnockered, and nursing a headache, but I am feeling alive at the same time from the awesome music. Man!

I went with a buddy, Todd Osborne. We left from Olympia early, around 4:45 and missed all the traffic. We found a FREE parking spot about  2 blocks away from the $20 pay spots since we were early. We had to walk about 5 blocks one way, up to  Pacific, to find a cocktail, but my 2 long island ice teas made it worth the trek. We snuck in the back door of the show with my friends handy-cap sticker. No waiting. We did not like our nose bleed seats, and moved just behind the mixer to the best seats in the house without getting asked to leave! I was able to grab my traditional key-chain and collectable band pins beforehand and beat the rush.

                                          (Killer Autographs)!

Lenny Kravitz played first. He had his usual sexy female drummer and the band rocked with plenty of hits. Their amps were twice the size of Aerosmith, but did not come close to matching the sound.  Lenny played about 1 hour and fifteen minutes, Some of the highlights were “American Woman”, “Are you going to go my way”, “Fly away”, and “Let love rules”. He was pretty good. Better than I expected actually. His stage props were laid back compared to the head-liner. He did not blow away, or steal any thunder from our boys from Boston, but seemed extremely convincing.

                                            Aerosmith took the stage at 10pm. They rocked solid for about an hour and 45 minutes. Steven Tyler had his trademark scarf’s wrapped around his mike stand, with some gems and glitter on the bottom of the bass. They opened with a Beatles song “Helter Skelter”. There was only 5 days left on this leg of the tour, so they rocked hard and had rehearsed well. The light show was wicked, They played most the songs you expect. “Walk this way” was like second, and “Sweet Emotion”, “Dream On”, “Back in the saddle”, “Toys in the attic”, “Train Kept a rollin”, “Baby Please don’t go”, “no more no more” which they mentioned was recorded in 1975 for the “Toys in the attic” album, which came out 31 years ago when I was in the 8th grade. I find that mind boggling in itself.

There was lot of 80s stuff from “permanent vacation”, “Get a Grip” and “pumped” cd’s. They had the screen behind them, very high tech, and a ramp that went all the way out in the audience. They were electric and all over the place. They wandered out the ramp whenever they felt like and were absolutely mind blowing. There was funny spot in the show where Steven Tyler changed the words on “Janies got a gun” to “Cheney’s GOT A GUN!”. That was humorous and news timely, and of course dedicated to our poor excuse for a  vice president. Late night though.Traffic sucked, and I did not get home until about 1am. It was worth it though, because I was due for a decent rocking. They really came through for me too! I would recommend this live act with two thumbs up. Rock and roll medicine for sure.

The band played arenas in major North American markets, from October 30, 2005 to March 2, 2006. Lenny Kravitz opened.

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

                  The POP Music Journal Of Eric Turnbow

Simon & Garfunkel “Old Friends Tour” Live in Seattle on 11-01-2003

     (Yes, this is the actual ticket Folks Just as it appears @ My House       Framed with the Collectible Tour Poster!  So Sweet!)

Simon & Garfunkel Tour Hit Seattle Washington on Saturday, November 1st at The Key arena. Professor Turnbow was on board for a full review!

Simon & Garfunkel opened the “Old Friends” concert to a wildly appreciative audience. Surprise special guests the Everly Brothers were introduced mid-way and sang three of their classic hits before Simon & Garfunkel returned to the stage to sing “Bye Bye Love” with them.

Here a brief overview of the show Saturday! It was about the 9th stop on an a 30 plus date tour through December. They played Denver before it, and were moving on to Portland next. I bought a collectable poster on thick cardboard as my souvenir. There was no pins or necklaces. Just shirts, cd’s, and programs. My poster is wicked. I even sacrificed my ticket to display with it. It looks like this!

I left at about 5 minutes to 6pm I had smooth waters until about the Tacoma Mall. Half hour back up. Coming into the center was a good 15 minute back-up. Total travel time was a whopping 90 minutes. My usual spot was taken but there was a pay lot with only 5 cars in it only 3 blocks from the show, right across the street from the usual spot! One credit card swipe on the visa and it only costs $5.00. Things were looking my way.

In the door at 8pm. They did not start until 8:30. Opening number was an instrumental “America” with a ten minute film. Too dark to see the band. Then they were there under the lights with an acoustic only to sing “Old Friends”. The band had legendary Jim Keltner on drums (Neil Young, CSNY, Travelling Willbury’s). Two keyboards, two Guitars, bass, two drums, very full).

Big bonus came 20 minutes in when THE EVERLY BROTHERS came out and sand about 6 of their biggest hits like “Wake Up Little Suzie”, “Dreams”, and “Let It Be Me”. Rejoined by Simon and Garfunkle for a blasting version of “Bye Bye Love”. This was am unexpected and cool bonus. Really cool! (But too short!)

The show ran for 2 and a half hours and was over at 11 pm. Their first official last song was “Bridge over Troubled Water”. The firsts of 4 big encores was “Cecilia”, then “The Boxer” and finally “Feeling Groovy” the 59th street bridge song. They had a second film moment in the show where they played clips from “The Graduate” and hammered out a rousing rendition of “Mrs. Robinson”.

My two bests moments were when Paul sang my favourite Simon and Garfunkle tune, after I was all but certain he would not and it was to obscure. He explained that Artie fly out to film a movie in Mexico called “Catch 22″, way back in the year of 1969. He was left home all alone and felt like he was “The Only Living Boy In New York”. Here are the lyrics. It is an obscure one, but allays my favourite.

Simon & Garfunkel – The Only Living Boy in New York From the album “Best Of Simon And Garfunkel”

**************************************
Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know your part’ll go fine.
Fly down to Mexico.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-n-da-da and here I am,
The only living boy in New York.

I get the news I need on the weather report.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather
report.
Hey, I’ve got nothing to do today but smile.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da here I am
The only living boy in New York

Half of the time we’re gone but we don’t know where,
And we don’t know here.

Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know you’ve been eager to fly now.
Hey let your honesty shine, shine, shine
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da
Like it shines on me
The only living boy in New York,
The only living boy in New York.

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

SET LIST

• Old Friends/Bookends
• A Hazy Shade of Winter
• I Am a Rock
• America
• At the Zoo –>
• Baby Driver
• Kathy’s Song
• Hey, Schoolgirl
• Everly Brothers (Short Set). What a surprise!!!!!!
• Wake Up Little Susie
• Dream
• Let it Be Me
• Bye Bye Love (with Simon & Garfunkel)
• Scarborough Fair
• Homeward Bound
• The Sound of Silence
• Mrs. Robinson
• Slip Slidin’ Away
• El Condor Pasa (If I Could)
• Keep the Customer Satisfied
• The Only Living Boy in New York
• American Tune
• My Little Town
• Bridge Over Troubled Water
•                       
• ENCORES:
• Cecilia
• The Boxer
• Song for the Asking
• The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)The second great moment for me was “Kathys Song”. Another obscure one about their hippie companion in London who collected the tips off the street when they were street musicians there and not so rich! It was beautiful! Art has a soft back off the mike pleasant tone that is unmatched. Remember that one? It started with the lyrics “I hear the dripping of the rain”.
•                        
• Note: Professor Turnbow may be reached at:
  (360) 943-7039    Emailetcosmic2000@yahoo.com
•                     (Yes, this is the actual ticket Folks Just as it appears @ My House  Framed with the Collectible Tour Poster!  So Sweet!)

                                     The Eagles Live @

             “The Rose Garden” in Portland Oregon      06-13-2002

                           The POP Music Journal of Eric Turnbow

            (This is the Actual Ticket From this very show is Portland!)

06-13-2002″The Eagles” is one of those Super Groups, that all song writers love to analyze and emulate. The combination of talent in that band is unbelievable, with the force of Don Henly, Glenn Fry, Joe Walsh, and yes even the bass man Timothy B. Schmidt. They compose slices of life, that the whole world can relate to. We are lucky that “Hell Finally Froze Over” in 1994, and the boys of summer were reunited to play music for the first time in some 14 years. If you get the opportunity to go to an Eagles Live Concert, you best better do it, just in case lightening refuses to strike again!

This reviewer was lucky enough to see the legendary band at the Tacoma Dome in Washington State, on November 3, 1994. Everything was $85 that night. The concert tickets, as well as the “Ramada Hotel” right next door that included FREE parking for my date as well as myself that night. Great cocktail lounge with the famous Electric Ice Tea to party at before and after the show, before retiring to your room…… So convenient! But that is another story. My job tonight is to review the most recent “Eagles 2002 Tour”.

Look at These sweet Eagles Autographs!

This one was in Oregon State, city of Portland at “The Rose Garden” where the “Portland Trailblazers” play Pro basketball. The show took place on June 13th 2002, about a two hour drive on beautiful Interstate Five Southbound, coming from home town of Olympia Washington. This was a three hour plus romp with a 20 minute break in the middle. A beautiful day, the sun was out and everything was glorious!

We arrived, parked, and entered the venue. The band came on and announced they were thrilled to be out on tour, and then proceeded to play almost all of their best hits, and some enticing solo gems as well. It’s amazing that Joe Walsh was able to cover songs the played with one of his early groups “James Gang” from the early seventies, and both Glenn Fry and Don Henly had allot of success in the Eighties when MTV was all the rage, they both were releasing relevant music, which they featured on tour this particular evening in Oregon.

EAGLES SET LIST SET ONE: Opener at 8:15 pm

• The Long Run
• New Kid In Town
• Wasted Time
• Peaceful Easy Feeling
• Pretty Maids All In a Row
• Love Will keep Us Alive
• Boys Of Summer (Solo Henly Tune)
• Take It To The Limit (One of Rocks best WALTZES!)
• All ready Gone
• In The City
• One Of These Nights
• (20 minute break)

SET TWO Opener at 9:35pm

• Witchy Woman
• Lyin’ Eyes
• I Can’t Tell You Why
• Walk Away (James Gang Gem by Joe Walsh)
• Tequila Sunrise
• Down At The Sunset Grill (Another Henly Solo Tune)
• We Belong To The City:(Glen Fry Solo gem from “Miami Vice” Sound track in 1985)
• Dirty Laundry (Rocking Henly Solo Material)
• Life’s Been Good (Joe Walsh Solo Tune)
• Funk 49 (Another James Gang Gem)
• Heartache Tonight
• Life In The Fast Lane

ENCORE #01 Hotel California (FM Radio Staple, their most famous to date)
ENCORE #02 Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh Classic)
ENCORE #03 All She Wants To Do Is Dance (Solo Henly)
ENCORE #04 Take It Easy (Co-written by Jackson Brown)
ENCORE #05 Desperado (Quiet Classic as sung by Glenn Fry, the co-writer).

This concert rocked! The songs all speck for themselves and remain classics to this day. Even country superstar Garth Brooks has said “The Eagles” were one of the most influential bands in the development of his musical style! High praise from a guy who has sold about the same amount of albums in his own right. Good song writing makes a good band, and tonight was no exception. I rate this one with a big fat “A”. I will try to catch them again, if we as a human race are lucky enough to have such a rare and outstanding moment to occur again! THUMBS UP…….. WAY UP!!!!!!!!!!

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

(This is a killer shot from  The Eagles “Hell Freezes Over Tour in 01-10-1994, just outside The Tacoma Hotel I stayed at that Evening!)

Check out that Bottle of tequila @ The Tacoma Dome Hotel shortly after the Eagles show on 01-10-1994!

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young are Live  Sunday April 28, 2002.

                   The POP Music Journal Of Eric Turnbow

    (Yes, this is the Actual ticket for the Actual CSNY show in 2000! Since the she show was rescheduled, it is printed for the wrong day! The red ink is my lame attempt to get the date right!)

 Never Mind that this concert was supposed to happen on Friday March 15th, 2002. Neil Young, the man who asked to regroup for a second CSNY tour in the last thirty some years, got the flu. We all know that it is next to impossible to perform when we are sick, so the show was “Rescheduled” for Sunday, 4/28/02. This worked out perfect or is reviewer, Mr. E.T., as it was a non-work night, and therefore easier to get away without a lot of pre-scheduled run-around! It was very convenient!

So, Reverend Lee and his wife, Lori Phillips, met me at “The Old Spaghetti Factory” in down-town Tacoma just before the show, for some delicious pasta, bread and spamonie ice cream, and even a cocktail. We were only minutes away from the Tacoma Dome where the legendary rockers, I often refer to as a law firm, (Get it? C.S.N.Y and Associates), were to perform in just a couple of hours! How exciting.

Parking was a blast, and we even skipped the customary Ramada Inn cocktail before the show, which is usually a long island ice tea. We had our cocktails at the restaurant, and were ready for some rock and roll, sensitive harmony, fantastic original songs, and a little legendary magic!

Our seats were fantastic. They cost about $92 which is kind of high, but this event only comes around an average of once per decade, so it was worth the price to us. Believe me. Neil Young is always good. I have been fortunate to see him now 6 times, including a rousing show with family members and historic players in Colorado “Red Rocks Amphitheatre” in September of 2000, but that is another story for another time! I was also lucky enough to catch CSN without Neil on the “Daylight Again” tour in Seattle 12/07/82 at The Key Arena, then named “The Seattle Coliseum”. That also is another story for another time! They were great though, I would like to mention, EVERY time I have been blessed enough to see them! So there you have it!

The show kicked off just ten short minutes late of the show time @ 8:10 pm. sharp! Believe it or not, they opened up with THE SAME SONG they did on the CSNY2K Tour I saw just two short years earlier on 02/02/2000, and the was the fitting “Carry On”. Great harmony on that one, and it basically said the band was continuing its message of peace and love and hippie madness from the sixties and earl seventies. “Carry on……. Love is coming…… Love is coming to us all”. Boy were they right! Just for starters, their backup band was none other than the famous “Booker T. and The M.G’s” featuring the original drummer, Legendary Bass Player Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Keyboard whiz Booker T. Jones himself. You may remember this was also the nucleolus of the “Blues Brothers” band led by Paul Shaffer of Dave Letterman fame, and immortalized in two classic movies directed by John Landis that starred Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi (Who’s role was replaced by a new character in the 2nd film played by John Goodman). This is some history for a band, and the only notable absent players tonight was the fabulous sax-man (who was unavailable touring with James Taylor), and guitarist Steve Cropper who was not needed in a band that all ready has FOUR lead guitar players, two of which can double on keyboards! (That would be Graham Nash, and Neil Young).

The band proceeded to put on a show that consist of two sets, with a twenty minute break, consisting of OVER THREE LONG HARD HOURS OF MUSIC)! Here is how the set went down!

CSNY SET SET #01:Opener at 8:10 pm

• Carry on
• Military Madness
• I’m Going Home
• Wooden Ships
• Meet The People
• Your My Girl (New Neil Young Solo cd, just released this same month called “Passionate”. He affectionately explained this song was written for his daughter who is growing up too fast and moving on to college before he is ready to let her go! Very touching story)
• I used to be a kid
• Southern Cross
• Almost Cut My Hair (David Crosby Gem)
• Cinnamon Girl (Classic Neil Young Rocker)
• (20 minute break) CSNY SET SET #01: Opener at 8:10 pm
• 

2nd Set Opening song at 9:50 pm

• Helplessly Hoping
• Our House (Classic about Joni Mitchell and Grahm Nash’s home they shared together in the seventies)
• Old Man (Young staple)
• “Guinevere” (Acoustic Duet with Crosby & Nash)
• Jam with Crosby and Neil on harmonica blues riffs
• Harvest Moon (From Mr. Young’s 1992 masterpiece)
• Steve Stills sings a classic Booker T. Jones song.
• Suite To Judy Blue Eyes (Stills classic about the folk singer JUDY COLLINS) HOT GUITAR SOLO HERE!
• Long Time Gone
• More New Neal Young CD Songs
• Woodstock (Group effort written by JONI MITCHELL)
• Rockin’ In The Free World (A Rousing Rocker in overdrive, reminiscent of Neil’s other band “Crazy Horse”)

Encore #01 For What its Worth (Buffalo Springfield Classic)

Encore #02 Teach Your Children Well

It was a lot of music, they wanted us to get our moneys worth, which came to a little more than $30 per hour, and in my opinion worth every minute of it. Having seen them twice in the last two years, it was interesting to note that each time they did approximately 30 tunes, and only did about 10 of them twice between the two tours, Some of their classics MUST be played at every show, or it just is not an authentic CSNY Show. Last tour they were promoting a new album called “Looking Forward” and therefore played about half of its tracks, and this time they did not play a single one of those cuts, to my dismay. That was a GREAT RECORD. They had to make the cuts somewhere though. they have so many great songs out, they cannot do them all………UNFORTUNATELY!

Thumbs up from this reviewer on a great show. Neal Young did make a snide remark about the way the Tacoma Dome echoed, and he also mentioned this was the 2nd to the last stop on the tour, which would do its final show in Oregon at “The Rose Garden” in Portland. This venue is owned by our own Paul Allen, who also happens to own the “Seattle Seahawks”  football team, “Portland Trailblazers” basketball team, and is the founder of the EMP museum in Seattle!

Bottom line! This tour ROCKED and was well worth the wait. The song writing talents of these four individuals (David Crosby, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young) is astounding. Together they make music magic! I only hope they choose to tour again…… and again……. and again!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

                        The POP Music Journal  of Eric Turnbow

                          “The Guess Who”, with Joe Cocker

                   live @ The Key  Arena in  Seattle on 11/04 01

                                (Yes, this is the actual ticket Folks)!

“The Guess Who” came to our humble town of Seattle on 11/04/01, playing at “The Key Arena”. This was the ORIGINAL REUNION with the whole group intact!

Not some cover band with only one original member, no, no, but the original guys, right down to singer/songwriter Burton Cummings, and Rock legend guitarist Randy Bachman! It was a magical night of impressive nostalgia and great sound. Professor Turnbow, (E.T.) was on hand to witness this triumph in the bitter-sweet reunion of an artistic and original “70′s Super-group from Canada! The opening act was a head-liner as well!

Yes, it was British rocker Joe Cocker who opened the show! “This is the last night of our tour” he bellowed, “and we are going to play extra special for you”. With that he began the night with the classic “Feelin’ All right” which woke this Seattle crowd up from the first chord to the final crescendo! They played all the hits, and then some including “You are So Beautiful”, “The Letter”, “Unchain My Heart” and the blistering Beatles cover “High With a Little Help From My Friends”, which frankly kicked ass!

He performed for good hour and fifteen minutes which included 2 rousing encores. It was tremendous, and yes, Joe, who was a veteran Woodstock performer, continues to rock with his spazzmatic dance and jumping vocal style that John Belushi loved to imitate in the early years of Saturday Night Live! After a fifteen minute pause, “The Guess Who”, hit the stage at precisely 9:20pm. They were hot, and poised, and sounded absolutely fantastic! They took the audience in the palm of their hands, and lead us down a road of classic rock nostalgia. Burton Cummings voice was in perfect pitch, and he sang like a kid half his age, rocking he coliseum with intensity!

GUESS WHO SET LIST:

• Seattle Show 11/04 01 Opener: When The Band Was Singin’”
• Guns Guns Guns
• Don’t Give Me No Hand Me Down Blues
• These Eyes
• Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet (BTO CLASSIC)
• Clap For The Wolf-man Glamour Boy (Start of Acoustic Set)
• Keep looking out For Number One
• No Sugar Tonight
• New Mother Nature
• Let It Ride (BTO Classic)
• She’s Come Undone (Last of the Acoustic set)
• Bop Bop
• American Woman
• Albert Flasher
• Takin’ Care of Business” (BTO Staple)
• She Took Me By Surprise
• Bus-rider
• No Time
• Encore: Baby I’ll Be There To Shake Your Hand Baby I’ll Be There To Share The Land
• 

The encore was fitting, what with the 911 Tragedy in New York just weeks earlier, they sent a message of hope and peace.  Randy Bachman has never sounded better on guitar, His BTO classics rocked hard, the acoustic set was tremendous, and overall the show was incredible! There was one particular special Seattle moment when the singer, Burton Cummings, mentioned that they had recorded their ONLY live album locally in town at “The Paramount”, on Fourth and Pine, in 1972. It was only fitting to end the tour here in the Emerald City.

They gave it “all they got”……………….AND THEN SOME! This reviewer LOVED this show, and could make no changes to its overwhelming, professional punch!  Be cool,  Keep on singing!

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

The POP Music Journal :            By  Eric Turnbow

Note: E.T. (Professor Turnbow) will be uploading his journals which he has accumulated though decades of concert going. The following is the first of many instalments to come.

                                    Elton and Billy Rocked!

                     Tacoma Dome 1/24/2001 “Face To Face Tour”

(Yes, this is the actual ticket Folks)!

I Went to the Elton John and Billie Joel “Face To Face” tour at the Tacoma dome yesterday! Let’s just say that it was not disappointing! I had a ton of fun, with my good and faithful Karaoke co worker Joel. I was touched by the way they sang each others music and hid their egos behind their amps! They opened up with “Your Song” and “Just the way you are” as a DUO, which totally was cool seeing them perform together without the band. Then, after 2 full sets as a single and their own bands behind them, They blew everyone away, when at the encore of a long 3 plus hour night, They came back together to perform again as a twosome. This time they played 11 songs with BOTH BACK UP BANDS kicking it out. First song was Beethoven “Ode to Joy” of all things, followed by 2 Beatles songs, both written by John Lennon. (Come Together, and A Hard days Night). I did not expect that! Finally the band split again, and the last song of the night was “Piano Man” and they alternated singing the lead every other verse pretty much for the entire encore set! It was GREAT! Basically they jammed for some 4 hours with little break! Not even enough time to drain the lizard or get another “Electric Ice Tea”. My thumb is way up, which is the spirit the concert left me with! I am sure that the Portland show must have sold out big time, but tickets go for $93.00 and way up, no thanks to ticket master.

Elton John and Billy Joel
         Live: Tacoma Dome 1/24/2001
         "Face To Face Tour" (A 4 Hour Bonanza)

Opener: Your Song (duo, no band)
        I Love You Just The Way You Are (Duo, no Band)
        Funeral For a Friend (Solo ELTON JOHN AND HIS BAND:)
        Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
        Someone Saved My Life Tonight
        Philadelphia Freedom
        All The Girls Love Alice
        Rocket Man
        Tiny Dancer
        Levon
        Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
        Uptown Girl  (A Tribute Cover of a Billy Joel Song)
        Sad Songs
        I'm Still Standing
        Crocodile Rock

 
10 Minute Break

        Movin' Out  (Solo Billy Joel And Band)
        New York State of Mind
        Theme From an Italian Restaurant
        Good night My Angel  (For Daughter Alexis, With Christy Brinkly)
        River Of Dreams
        Take Me To The Pilot (A Tribute Cover of an Elton John Song)
        I Don't Know Why I Go To Extremes
        Don't Be Cruel (Billy moves to Lead Guitar)
        We Didn't Start The Fire (Billy still on guitar)
        Still Rock And Roll To Me
        Only The Good Die Young
(Encore)Ode To Beethoven (Totally Classical)
(Encore)My Life

At this point we all thought that it was over and that
Elton had left the
building many moons before, but we were totally wrong,
to our delight!

  I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
       (Together, with BOTH Bands!!)
  Come Together (Beatle Tribute)
  Hard Days Night (John Lennon Tribute)
  Bitch is Back
  You May Right
  Benee and the Jets
  Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis STOMPER)
  Candle In The Wind
  (Back to DUO Only, No Band Piano Man
  (Band Returns For The Final Song)

 I really enjoyed seeing such hot studio back up players
 together in the final ensemble bonus encores done
 together. We had Nigel Olsen on the drums AND Liberty
 Devito as well, sort of the best of the best as you will.
 The song writing was incredible, with Elton penning
18 tracks to Billys 15. Plus 4 Covers to round it off.
 They both parked their egos at the door and paid
tribute to each other with one cover for each.
They also sang back and fourth through the duo sections
one verse each, which I had never seen before. To make it
even cooler, they had Elton's image on the screen above
Billy, and Billy's image on the screen above Elton!

Talk about an even steven match up. They sort of paid
tribute to each other that night, and they did it
"FACE TO FACE", which incidentally was the name of
the tour! Now how hip is that? Steinway grand pianos
parked next to each cranking out rockin' classic rock
classics for an unbelievable performance spectacle.
My score would have to be a "10". I would highly
recommend you to go see
this one if the opportunity presents itself!
You can't LOOSE!
   

Be cool,
E.T.
Keep on singing!

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

            (Actual Picture from the Show Tacoma Dome 1/24/2001)