Genesis Turn It On Again

September 23, Verizon Center, Washington D.C.

The original members of Genesis (Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, and Tony Banks, and Daryl Stuermer) reunited for a world tour this year minus Peter Gabriel. But this works just fine for me, considering I was 2-years-old when Collins replaced Gabriel as the lead singer (1975) and am most familiar with and fond of Gabriel’s solo work.

Genesis actually formed in 1967 (Collins joined the band in 1970) but gained much-due recognition and fame in the late ’70s and the ’80s. Last night’s show paid homage to the entire span of Genesis work, including several early songs that Gabriel originally sang. And staying true to the original band configuration, Collins, who started as the band’s drummer, played a dual role last night, alternating between drumming and singing lead out in front.

The band played a 140-minute set, featuring some 20 songs, including a few medleys with seamless transitions. My favorite of the night was “Home by the Sea,” a song essentially about ghosts. It starts with an ethereal intro, then moves into a driving pop-rock song, and then transitioned into “Second Home by the Sea,” a moody, atmospheric instrumental, providing one of several synthesizer-laden mini-symphonies during the show.

There definitely were signs of the band’s aging. There was a glimmer a couple of times of the band’s former playfulness, such as their choreography during “I Can’t Dance” in the encore, but the band was otherwise subdued on stage, letting the music speak for itself. Musically, they were tight as ever and Collins’ voice was strong, his vocal range still intact.

One song noticeably absent from the setlist was “That’s All” from 1983, which was their first U.S. top 10 hit, but omissions are of course expected with such an enormous catalogue of material. All in all, this was an excellent reunion show. Good job, boys!

Setlist included (not in order): “Throwing it All Away”; “Domino”; “Land of Confusion”; “No Son of Mine”; “Home by the Sea/Second Home by the Sea”; “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight”; “In the Cage”; “Hold on My Heart”; “Invisible Touch”

Encore: “I Can’t Dance,” followed by “The Carpet Crawlers” (1974)

Technorati tag:
Phil Collins

Good Golly! Little Richard Plays a Free Show

September 20

Little Richard: entertainer, comedian, and preacher

At 75, he's still got it. He hits every high-pitched "woooooh" flawlessly.

Little Richard played a 90-minute set outside the Reagan Building, in part pounding out his hits such as "Good Golly, Miss Molly," "Lucille," "Long Tall Sally" and a bit of "Tutti Frutti," and in large part being a ham with the crowd. "Shut up."

He emerged on crutches, due to a leg giving him some trouble, in a sequined suit and flashing a smile. During his set, he also paid tribute to some of his musical heroes, covering Fats Domino and the late Ray Charles.

A brash and daring soul, Richard snuck in a few comments that may have made some of the more politically correct in this town cringe but most in this crowd just laughed and hollered.

It was impossible for me to stand still during this show. Was jumpin' and twistin' the whole time. My momma raised me on this music. She fondly would recount her childhood days going to the Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll shows at the Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn. The kids would all stand on the seats and dance manically, she said, particularly to Little Richard and Bo Diddly.

Opening act the Jewels were the perfect complement, playing some great covers and a few of their originals such as their 1964 hit "Opportunity." The doowop band, fronted by three charismatic ladies, turned the place into a veritable club circa 1965.

This free-to-the-public show was the finale of an evening concert series called D.C. Grooves, sponsored by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

The Editors; The National at the 9:30

9/4: The Editors

9/5: The National

Recommended beverage to go with these shows:
From the upstairs bar: Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat on tap; from main-level bar on right: Leinenkugel Red (bottle).

On back-to-back nights, I checked out two fantastic shows at the 9:30 Club, both full of indie-rock goodness and both fronted by distinct, deep vocals.

British rockers The Editors sound like a vocal fusion of Echo & the Bunnymen's Ian McCullough and Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore. Tom Smith's vocals sounded particularly like Gore on “Fall." It really was uncanny. The band played most of their debut album, The Back Room, and threw in some from their second album, An End Has a Start, which continues along with the same infectious style and sound as the first album.

When a debut album works, it’s great when a band clings to that sound so you can hardly tell where the first album ends and the second begins. I especially enjoyed the new song “Racing Rats” and the title track. They opened the encore with the driving drums in the new song, “Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors,” shoegazing at its finest and a song to clap to.

Other than being blinded a few times by obnoxiously bright flashing white fluorescent lights, particularly during the song “Bullets,” the show was perfect.

The National, I say, are simply too good to not be British, and yet they're from New York! This was simply high-octane shoegazer music. Loved the explosive guitars.

Rock on!

Club D in Chicago: Night 2

September 1, Chicago's South Loop

Ain't no city got the blues like Chicago. With the exception of Memphis, Chicago's blues scene is unparalleled. The city also seems to boast an unparalleled number of street festivals and, in that spirit, I went to check out the Bash on Wabash, this year paying homage to the culture of New Orleans. The fest, on South Wabash between 13th and 15th streets, had been going on since noon that day in this up and coming Chicago neighborhood. I arrived at 6 pm, with my Chicago friend who has attended three New Orleans Jazz Fests with me over the years.

I truly believe that if you ain't dancing to the zydeco, then you ain't got no soul. Such wisdom held true for the two bands at this Fest: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas followed by Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience. Both bands just tore it up during their 90-minute sets.

It's a family affair for the Cha Chas, as band leader Nathan Williams is surrounded almost entirely by family on stage, a brother and several cousins. With the signature accordion and scrub-board that lends a distinct sound to zydeco, this constantly touring band had the crowd jumping and singing along. The set included "Zydeco Hog," a favorite at the famous Rock n Bowl, "Fa Fa Fa," and selections from his 2006 Hang it High, Hang it Low. Etoile!

(It helps having a connection at a festival; thanks to Robert the bassist for the continuous flow of wine and use of a clean RV bathroom!)

Also from Lafayette, Louisiana, Simien, barefoot and sporting his Senegalese hat, played a vibrant set while tossing beads (with his foot) into the cheering crowd. He tended to slow it down quite a bit, which allowed him to showcase his beautiful voice. Simien ended the night with a great medley of Louisiana classics that included "Iko Iko" and "Jambalaya."

But the night was still young so we wandered over to Buddy Guy's Legends, just a few blocks down from the street fest. The legendary Chicago native Ronnie Baker Brooks took the stage around 11. His raw, powerful guitar and soulful vocals rippled through the club. Promoting his most recent release, "The Torch," Ronnie, son of famous blues man Lonnie Brooks, was still going strong in his second set when we left at 2 am. A blues marvel, indeed.

Off topic: On Sunday, September 2, I saw a fantastic nail-biter of a game at Wrigley Field, arguably the greatest ballpark in the country. After great struggle, including bases left repeatedly loaded, some weak pitching early on, and a frustrated player thrown out of the game for slamming down his hat, Derrek Lee smacked one outta the park with one man on base in the bottom of the 8th, giving the Cubs a 6-5 win over the Houston Astros. Nice job, Cubbies!!!

Club D on Location: Chicago Blues

James Wheeler Blues Jam
Rosa's Lounge (West Armitage Avenue/Humboldt Park)
August 31

recommended beverage: Wild Goose Amber
or Leinenkugel Red, both on tap there

One need not look far in Chicago for good blues; the city is covered with great clubs. But there's something truly special about finding an intimate locals place on the city's edge that's brimming with warmth and soul.

My friend Andy and I took a trip to the west side to hear the real deal, and so it was. James Wheeler's band is usually the house band at Rosa's on Thursday nights, but on this Friday night, the club had him do a special gig in honor of his birthday. A huge happy 70th birthday cake sat at the entrance, and everyone in the club helped consume it later in the night.

Wheeler, on guitar and vocals, was backed by Ariyo on keys; Tony Mangiullo on drums, and Vic Jackson on bass, with the occasional guest sitting in. The show was positively outstanding.

Equally fantastic was the club. Rosa's is a family establishment. Rosa, who was working behind the bar, has run the place for more than 20 years and is usually there each night it's open. Her daughter also was working behind the bar and her son, Tony, is the house drummer. At about 11:30 pm, a server walked around with plates of lasagna. She said, "Take some, it's free! Rosa made it herself."

While many think of Chicago's south side as the place to hear blues, this one club on the west side is well worth checking out for some down-home blues and hometown experience.