Tina is Terrific!

Tina Turner, Verizon Center, Washington DC
November 23

Three days before her 69th birthday, the incomparable Tina Turner put on an energetic and thoroughly entertaining show tonight. On the first of two nights at the Verizon Center, Turner's 20-song set spanned her 50-year music career, and was packed with hits. Dynamic and simply radiant, Turner strutted her stuff in all her glitter and glory. She looked and sounded fantastic--and can still belt out high notes with strength and soul.

The staging was fitting for the star that Turner is. Ramps and stairs and platforms that carried her up, and during the encore over, the crowd were engaging. Dancers and two backing vocalists kept the show moving. At times, they danced to a theme while Turner was changing costumes, such as a James Bond theme preceding "Goldeneye," and a "Thunderdome" theme for "We Don't Need Another Hero."

Turner had the crowd singing and dancing and clapping, and celebrating decades of memorable songs. As she went through her set, one had to reflect not only on her talent, but also on the strength and courage of this remarkably independent woman who overcame great personal struggle and became, and remained, one of the most beloved female singers of all time. She is still simply the best and the crowd savored every minute.


SET LIST:

• 1. Steamy Windows
     
  2. Typical Male
  3. River Deep, Mountain High
  4. What You Get Is What You See
  5. Better Be Good To Me / Won't Get Fooled Again
  6. Acid Queen
  7. What's Love Got To Do With It
  8. Private Dancer
  9. We Don't Need Another Hero
• Intermission, then second set:
  
  1. Help (Beatles cover rearranged into a ballad)
  2. Undercover Agent for the Blues
  3. Let's Stay Together
  4. I Can't Stand the Rain
  5. Jumpin' Jack Flash / It's Only Rock and Roll
  6. Goldeneye
  7. Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer cover)
  8. The Best
  9. Proud Mary
     
• Encore:
  1. Nutbush City Limits
  2. Be Tender With Me, Baby

Ellen Cherry at Quarry House Tavern: God Bless Independent Music

Ellen Cherry, w/ Danielle Gasparro and Simon Lynge

at the Quarry House Tavern, Silver Spring, Maryland

November 12, 2008

Recommended beverage to go with this show:
Gouden Caroulis Classic

Let’s start with the venue. On the edge of downtown Silver Spring, next to an Indian restaurant on a corner of Georgia Avenue, a staircase descends to the L-shaped Quarry House Tavern. The place has a reputation for live country music, but other musical genres inhabit the place, including rockabilly and pop. And while it looks like a dingy dive bar, it ain't no place for Miller Lite fans. Quarry House boasts an outstanding beer list, including dozens of Belgian beers, from Witte to Bocks to Abbey Tripels. This place is a homey haven that’s been a neighborhood staple for 70 years, around since long before the downtown area's transition in recent years. Can’t believe I just discovered it now.

The music on this night was moving and enchanting. The headliner, the adorably personable Ellen Cherry from Baltimore, brought along a few other musicians and played two round robin sets with them. First up, Danielle Gasparro from New York City had such a powerful voice and lovely songs. On keyboard and vocals with a guitarist in tow, she belted out her original music—which showcased her sweet, smoky vocals. Her jazz background was evident long before her mesmerizing cover of “Girl from Ipanema.” This gal is one to watch.

Seattle-based musician via Denmark, the talented Simon Lynge was next up on guitar and vocals. He sang sweetly and his stories were most amusing. One of his songs was used in the film American Pie 2 though he was unaware until after the movie’s release that it’d be used during the, err, female ejaculation scene. Appropriately, the song is titled, “Love Comes Back to You.”

A surprise guest also came out to play, JP McDermott, a local rockabilly favorite who plays often around town.

Last up was Kristin Putchinski, whose stage name is Ellen Cherry. She played songs from her new cd, Heart Like a Lion, and a couple from earlier releases, including ones from her 2005 EP, Years, which focus on women in history. Bold songs with excellent lyrics and gorgeous vocals.

Busy Week of Music

Coming soon, some notes on:

Alejandro Escovedo at the Birchmere, Nov. 9
Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band at the 9:30, Nov. 10
The Alternate Routes at Jammin Java, Nov. 14
Yes! at the Ramshead-Baltimore, Nov. 16

Alejandro Escovedo Rocks the Birchmere

Alejandro Escovedo at the Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia November 9

Having been impressed just seeing Alejandro Escovedo with a full band at ACL in Austin, Texas in September, it was quite a treat catching him at the Birchmere playing in a trio. Along with Susan Voelz, who played masterfully on violin, and David Pulkingham, equally impressive on guitar, the trio performed songs from Escovedo's long, distinguished career.

Escovedo came to Texas by way of California and his music is an eclectic mix of Latin, punk rock, blues, and folk. The show focused heavily on his 9th studio album, Real Animal, including the soulful "Sister Lost Soul" and the rockin' and catchy "Always a Friend."

For the encore, the trio went unplugged into the crowd to play three songs each in different parts of the room, to give us folks in the back a close-up view of their excellent musicianship. What a wonderful night of music!

Top right: Pulkingham and Escovedo play a song in the crowd.


At right: ClubD (rt.) and ClubDave say hi to
Alejandro Escovedo after the show.

The Legendary James Cotton Blows Away Wolf Trap

Rockin' Out with The Who

The Who,
Verizon Center, Washington, DC

Singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist/singer-songwriter Pete Townshend each still take separate tour buses to their shows. But the two blokes--the only remaining original members of The Who--got along quite well on stage last night in Washington, DC. Townshend did his signature windmill guitar stroke and Daltrey swung his mic around as the two with their talented band, which included Ringo's son Zach Starky, played their hearts out.

The two-hour set included two songs from Quadrophenia, a Tommy medley in the encore that opened with "Pinball Wizard," a good sample of oldies including "Sister Disco," and a sprinkling of new songs. One catchy newer song, "Real Good Looking Boy," which appeared on a greatest hits but never on a studio album, was performed with photos of Elvis Presley scrolling on the big screen, appropriate in that the opening bars are ripped from "Can't Help Falling in Love with You."

The biggest cheers of the night came in the middle of the set when the all-too familiar electronic jumble of "Baba O'Reilly" began. The crowd went wild. After the song, Townshend said writing that song was a long process in getting it just right though he figured nobody would ever get that song. He said he's always amazed it gets the biggest ovation.

The band sounded fresh and full of energy as they went through some of their timeless songs, notably "My Generation" and "Won't Get Fooled Again," seemingly not at all bored after four + decades of making music. It was humbling to see several generations at this show; many middle age-ish parents had their teen kids in tow to share with them the music of their youth.

On the eve of the U.S. elections, this show was a wonderful outlet for everyone's stress, a time we could all unite to dance, sing, and cheer together.

ClubD thanks ClubDave for the most excellent seats.

SET LIST
I Can't Explain
The Seeker
Relay
Fragments
Who Are You
Behind Blue Eyes
Real Good Looking Boy
Sister Disco
Baba O'Riley
Getting In Tune
Eminence Front
5.1 5
Love Reign O'er Me
Won't Get Fooled Again
My Generation
Naked Eye

ENCORE
Pinball Wizard
Amazing Journey
Sparks
See Me/Feel Me
Tea And Theatre (just Roger and Pete acoustic)