All Their Heart

It's been a mostly quiet July, as I dealt with picky stuff like an ongoing bathroom repair. But all seems to be fixed, now.

Saw a couple of great movies: "Ant-Man" and "Far from the Madding Crowd."

Last night, after an amazing Mets game, one they won 15-2, hubby and I saw Heart in concert at Citi Field. They really rocked the stadium!

Heart

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Teen Idols

Friday night was a bit trippy. Kinda time trippy. Hubby and I went to see Peter Noone, Micky Dolenz, and David Cassidy. What was really cool is that all three were on stage together through the entire performance, along with the backup band. They were all in good voice, too, and seemed to be having a grand ol' time on stage. We've seen both Peter and Micky often, but this was our first time seeing David Cassidy perform, so that was nice. Interestingly, all three were young actors before they got known as teen music idols.

Cassidy, Dolenz, Noone

David Cassidy

Peter Noone

Micky Dolenz

Feeling: mellow


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What I've Been Up To

It's amazing how one can go from vegging for days on end to busy busy busy.

Friday night, hubby and I saw Don McLean perform at B.B. King's. He's one of my favorite performers and, as usual, didn't disappoint.

Don McLean

Saturday, I ran errands.

Then on Sunday, I went with a friend to see Paul Taylor Dance Company. No photos allowed, but I managed to get a shot inside the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center before the performance. They did three dances: Offenbach Overtures, Promethean Fire, and a world premiere, Perpetual Dawn. The first two were beautifully performed, with the dancers having all settled into their roles a couple of years after some retirements meant shifting parts for some of the dancers. The new dance was quite lovely and I really liked the earth tone costumes.

David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center

Yesterday, I ran more errands and today is cleaning and laundry day. The rest of the week will be busy, too.

Feeling: accomplished

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Neil Sedaka in Concert

Neil Sedaka has probably written more hits than anyone, or at least, as much as anyone. It's been a few years since hubby and I saw him in concert and I'm happy to report he's as energetic as ever and in fine voice. And it's very obvious he loves to perform. His music is happy music, guaranteed to make you feel good. But not quite as good as chocolate. :)

Neil Sedaka

Feeling: mellow


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Happy Together

Last night was concert night. Hubby and I went to see the Happy Together concert at whatever they're currently calling the theater at Westbury. This year's lineup: The Buckinghams, The Grass Roots, Gary Puckett, Mickey Dolenz, and The Turtles.

The Buckinghams were fun as usual, their singing in fine form. The Grass Roots were fine, but really, not the same since Rob Grill's death last year. The new lead singer, who also filled in for Grill last time we saw the group while Grill was ailing, is Mark Dawson. While Dawson is a good singer and does a good job with the songs, including, it seems, using the old arrangements, he doesn't put his heart into the lyrics the way Grill did. Grill's voice might not have been what it once was, but he put his heart and soul into the music. Dawson is just energetically singing songs. And I was annoyed that no tribute was made to Rob Grill.

Gary Puckett was quite energetic, himself, but his voice, alas, has long since seen better days. Micky Dolenz was his usual wonderful self, and he did two songs the late Davy Jones was known for, dedicating them to Davy's memory.

The Turtles

Finally, The Turtles. They were, well, the Turtles. What more can you say about a duo that came out wearing meat-patterned capes and Lady Gaga wigs? If you haven't seen these guys on stage, you're really missing something special. They're funny and fun and their songs are pretty darned good, too. I don't much have favorites, at least, not one or two favorites. I tend to have lots of favorites, like my favorite 50 songs. But one album I played probably more than most others when I was growing up was The Turtles Battle of the Bands album. Good stuff.

Happy Together Concert

Feeling: mellow


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Concert Night

Hubby and I saw Don McLean and Burton Cummings in concert last night. Don McLean is one of my favorite singers (and songwriter) and I love seeing him in concert. For one song, it was just him singing and strumming his guitar, which is a nice reminder that a good song doesn't need a band and it doesn't need augmentation or pyrotechnics. And at one point, being that I was close enough and had an unobstructed view of the stage, I'm sure Don looked over at me and smiled as I was singing along to "American Pie." (There's actually a site dedicated to this song.) Ah......

Don McLean

The second act was Burton Cummings of The Guess Who. This was the first time we saw him and I gotta say, the man sure sweats a lot. He went through a couple of towels as he toweled off after each song. He really threw himself into his music and put on a good show. I'd forgotten how much I loved some of his songs, especially "These Eyes."

Burton Cummings

Feeling: mellow

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Ventura Highway

Hubby and I went to see America at Westbury. They're one of my favorite bands; I've loved them since their first record, so it's been a while, 4 decades plus, actually. Last night, they mixed in some Christmas songs, including ones they wrote, which were really nice, and at the end, they tossed mini candy canes into the audience. I got one, but as you can see, it wasn't intact. :(

Broken Candy Cane

Opening for America was Jim Messina, of Loggins & Messina fame. He was very good, as was his band.

Unfortunately, I somehow managed to forget my little Point&Shoot camera, so no concert pics this time. :( :(

But that didn't change the fact that the concert, billed as the Holiday Harmony tour concert, was awesome.

Feeling: mellow

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STAYCATION!

It's been a busy, and fattening, week. A real rehearsal for retirement.

Sunday, I did the laundry. (I tried to find a fun link for laundry, but settled for the Wikipedia definition. It's late, give me a break.) I needed clean clothes and didn't want to go shopping for them.
Monday, I cleaned. Yeah, I know, hardly a vacation activity, but it needed to be done.
Tuesday, I went to lunch with a friend and had yummy mac and cheese at Sarita's.
Wednesday, I played online and caught up with stuff at home.
Thursday, I went taking photos on the High Line park with another friend. We had lunch at Chelsea Market which may become my new favorite place.
Friday, hubby and I went to see Air Supply at B.B. King's. It's a restaurant/club. I had yummy southern fried chicken and mashed potatoes with cole slaw.

Air Supply

Saturday, I went to Philadelphia Miniaturia. I bought stuff.
Sunday, I stayed home and am catching up on the social web. :)

Feeling: pooped



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The Weekend Report

Went to the Happy Together oldies concert Friday night: The Buckinghams, The Association, The Grass Roots (minus Rob Grill who is in the hospital, and no, I don't know why), Mark Lindsey of Paul Revere and the Raiders, and The Turtles. No photos this time. I didn't take my camera, and felt like a civilian. ;)

Recorded Torchwood and watched it when I got home. Awesome start to the "Miracle Day" 10-parter!

Worked yesterday, then took a nice long walk after because it was just so nice out.

Slept late and stayed in today despite the gorgeous weather. Did some crafting.

Draft Blogger has the new Blogger layout for the dashboard. I like it, but the colors of the type and the size of the text are tough to read.

Feeling: accomplished

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Hey, Hey, It's the Monkees!

Peter Tork, Davy Jones, and Mickey Dolenz are touring as The Monkees (Mike Nesmith declined to participate) and hubby and I saw them uh, I guess it's now technically, last night. Much fun. They were in good voice and had lots of energy, sang most of their hits and some songs that weren't hits but were album cuts, I guess. I've seen both Davy and Mickey in concert individually, but this was the first time seeing Peter and the three together. Great fun!

Feeling: tired


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Franki Valli in Concert

Hubby and I saw Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons last night. Of course, these aren't the original Four Seasons, just the foursome Valli's had backing him up for a number of years now. And looking at them, I think they should be called the Four Studs, instead. They're cute, fairly buff, and play well to the audience. Oh, and they can sing, too.

Feeling: busy


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American Pie Night

No actual pie, but definitely the song. Hubby and I saw Don McLean in concert at Town Hall last night.


He was in fine form, as always. We've seen him in concert a few times now. He did some old favorites and a lot of other songs and he can cover Roy Orbison as well as anyone. Photography is allowed, which is cool, but not for his opening act and they do keep an eye out for cameras there, so no pics of the delightful Dar Williams.

BTW, are you aware the song "Killing Me Softly," the huge hit as recorded by Aretha Franklin, was written about Don McLean? Here's the story.

And, just for fun, this sign tickled me. And no, I didn't have time to stop for some. :(



Feeling: tired



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Concert Night

Hubby and I went to an oldies concert tonight out at Westbury. They change the name of that theater so many times, it's not worth mentioning its current name. Anyway, on the bill was Andy Kim (remember him?!), Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, and Tommy James and the Shondells.

We've seen Tommy James many times and he was as awesome as ever. I love his guitarists, too. They're so energetic! But it was nice seeing a couple of acts new to us, especially since both Kim and Negron put on solid performances. Negron's son was playing guitar with his band, which was nice.


Andy Kim


Chuck Negron


Tommy James and the Shondells

Rock Me Gently (Andy Kim)

Ain't it good
Ain't it right
That you are with me
Here tonight
The music playin'
Our bodies swayin' in time
(In time, in time, in time)

Touching you
So warm and tender
Lord, I feel such a sweet surrender
Beautiful is the dream that makes you mine

Mmm
Rock me gently
Rock me slowly
Take it easy
Don't you know
That I have never been loved like this before

Feeling: tired







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Glad This Week is Over

It was a week of Mondays. There was some good. Wednesday night, hubby and I saw Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band in concert. Ringo and the group, which usually includes the inimitable Edgar Winter, was amazing as usual. He's done "Frankenstein" all three times we've seen the All-Starr Band. It's one of the truly classic instrumentals.

And now, here's a big Happy Independence Day! to my fellow Americans.

Happy July 4th from UglyDog, Peaco, and Wedgehead

Feeling: mellow


~~~o0o~~~Technorati Tags: concerts

Happy Together

Went with hubby to see the 25th Anniversary Happy Together tour with the Buckinghams, Mark Lindsay (lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders), Rob Grill (of the Grass Roots), Mickey Dolenz (my favorite Monkee), and The Turtles. Each act got a half hour and the band played for all of them.

The Buckinghams, mainly Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna, always put on a solid show and tonight was no exception. Both were in fine voice.

It was great seeing Mark Lindsay, especially since he's not someone I've seen in concert much, just once and not in a separate set. Paul Revere and the Raiders had some great songs and Lindsay can still do justice to "Kicks" and "Indian Reservation," among others.

As for Rob Grill, I'll be charitable and assume he was a bit more out of it than the other times we've seen him because of pain meds or something. Apparently, he's having back trouble and I know he'd previously had hip replacements done. His singing was okay, but he was mostly perched on a stool and there were times I feared he'd fall off. He did stumble a bit getting on stage, with assistance and a cane, and getting settled. Still, I do love those Grass Roots songs.

Mickey Dolenz is an energetic performer, still, and gave a solid 30 minutes of songs and fun. He's got style, that's for sure.

The Turtles filled their slot with their usual energy and humor. They're the funniest musical act I've seen. And it was great to see that Mark Volman, who'd been looking positively porky, has slimmed down. He looked great. Howard Kaylan looked good, too, though he's starting to look like he'd make a great Tevye from "Fiddler on the Roof."

I did learn something tonight. One of my favorite Monkees songs, written by Boyce and Hart, was first recorded by Paul Revere and the Raiders. Though I did enjoy the Raiders, I never got their albums, and the song apparently, was an album cut, not one of their hits. The Monkees had a hit with it. When Mickey started to sing it tonight, Mark Lindsay came back out to do a duet of it with him.

(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone

By Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone

You're trying to make your mark in society
Using all the tricks that you used on me.
You're reading all those high fashion magazines
The clothes you're wearin' girl are causing public scenes.

I said
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
Not your stepping stone,
Not your stepping stone.

When I first met you girl you didn't have no shoes
Now you're walking 'round like you're front page news.
You've been awful careful 'bout the friends you choose
But you won't find my name in your book of Who's Who.

I said
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
Not your stepping stone,
Not your stepping stone.

Feeling: content



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A Celebration of Harry Chapin and His Music

Hubby and I saw the Chapin Family in concert tonight.

Pictured, from left to right: Steve Chapin, Tom Chapin, Tom's daughters Lily, Abigail, and Jessica (They're known as the Chapin Sisters, and I think I got them in the right order), and John Wallace on the end. Tom's daughters have lovely, powerful voices, as does Jen Chapin. Tom and Steve did a wonderful job with Harry's songs and others, including songs Tom wrote. Steve's son played guitar. And they introduced their younger brother Dave. I never knew there was another brother.

I'd been fortunate to see Harry Chapin in concert a few times, and a couple of the memorial concerts his brothers held, but it's been many years since I'd seen them, so tonight was special.

Yummy chocolate chip brownie

My hubby went to the Mets game last night and brought back this chocolate chip brownie from the ballpark for me. Yum.

Feeling: mellow
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Technorati Tags: concerts

Two Posts in One

Been busy and too tired to post, so here's the updates I meant to post earlier.

Hubby and I went to see Kenny Vance and the Planotones, pictured here, and Jay Black perform at a high school (yeah, hardly the biggest venue, but I do enjoy Kenny Vance and it had been years since we'd seen him). Jay Black was fine, but his show was shorter than usual and his act is feeling somewhat tired. There was a less than impressive opening act, a young woman who sang, but not all that well.

I'd been wanting to try these black and white cookies sold at my favorite bagel shop, but they, too, were less than impressive.


Feeling: mellow

~~~o0o~~~
Technorati Tags: concerts

Concert Season

Last night, hubby and I saw America at the Nokia Theater and tonight we saw three acts at Westbury: The Turtles, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, and Tommy James and the Shondells.

No pics from the America concert, but I got shots at Westbury.

The Turtles


Felix Cavaliere

Tommy James.

America was wonderful, performing a nice variety of their hits and not hits for over 90 minutes. They're one of my favorite "classic" bands, not "oldies" (as they put it). Seeing them perform is more like hanging out with friends who sing and play instruments rather than sitting in an audience.

The Turtles were, well... The Turtles. They're manic and funny and thoroughly entertaining. They once performed with Frank Zappa and now usually work some hard rock into the mix.

Felix Cavaliere is a fine singer and great musician who seems to put his whole self into his music. He puts on a great show.

Tommy James and the guys currently the Shondells also put on a great show. Tommy's a wonderful showman and singer. He has a book coming out: Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James & The Shondells, about the music industry back when payola was the norm. Tonight, he sang a song he hadn't performed in 42 years: Little Latin Lupe Lu. I know it from the Righteous Brothers (Bill Medley wrote it) and Tommy sang it with another song I can't recall now (memory? what memory?) and did a bang up job with it. It's a fun song, good to dance to and singalong with. I couldn't tell how many other people besides me were singing along, but it was a lot fewer than his other songs. It was nice hearing him do something different, too.

If not for having to work today (well, now, technically yesterday/Saturday) and being dead tired all day, it was a perfect couple of days.

Feeling: tired

~~~o0o~~~
Technorati Tags: concerts