Trombone Shorty @ The Bluebird in Denver 12/29/11

,It's been awhile since I've been out here on the blog.  One of my "goals" for 2012 is to get back on track with my writing and of course, my photography work, too.

2011 was a year of lots of live tunage for me...Yay!  I LOVE live music.  I had the pleasure of catching national acts, regional acts and homegrown acts as well.  I was lucky enough to hang out with my brothers, (and sister) as they took the stage(s) to share their talent with the masses.  Throughout the year, I caught Rock N Roll, Metal, New Age, Jazz, Blues, Celtic, Classical, Old World and Everything in between.

In deference to a colleague, I plan to refrain from blogging about shows that I an attending as a photographer first and fan second.  For the following, I was Absolutely there as a fan & such, didn't have a rig with me, so not so much in the way of pix.

OK, now we're ready to roll...

  This time out, Bobby & I saw a Great sold out show at the Bluebird Theater in Denver.  Bluebird Theater Denver  Dr. McCoy was supposed to attend, but was sadly a sicko..I mean a sickie, arrg was not healthy.  Thursday, December 29 and it was time to Par Tay!

  Even though I could use one word to sum up the show, and it would be Fanstical!!!, I'll do my best imitation of one what knows how ta tolk gud. 
  The Fox Street Allstars opened the show with a bang.  Fox Street Allstars are a local Denver area band and really show the crowd a good time.  While I heard influences such as Derek Trucks and some good ol' down home Suthern styles, and even a touch o the Blue Brothers thrown in.  The band definitely was in their element and was having a good time. 

Fox Street All Stars

  The Fox Street boys got the house jumping and in a great groove.  Bobby & I were already smiling a bopping a bit, just seconds into their first song.  We all know that opening acts sometimes, (often), get a bum rap and in worse cases, fans and concert goers can be down right rude.  This was definitely different & with good cause.  These guys know how to have a good time and know how to share that with the audience.
  The Band played the better part of an hour and were entertaining the entire time.  I'll keep my eyes open for a chance to see them again and perhaps in a more "headlining" capacity.  For now, if you get the chance, check out Fox Street All Stars.  You WILL have fun!  If you don't well, then you ain't tryin'! Fox Street Allstars

  Now, on to the night's headliner; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.  Can you say, "Boo-Ya"! This show was Off The Hook!
  Let's put this out there right now.  Trombone Shorty is one Talented young man!  He plays trombone, (uh, duh...), trumpet, (Extremely Well), sings, (Very Well), and even plays the drums.  In between all of that, he dances, works hard & plays hard.

Trombone Shorty

  I was lucky enough to see Trombone Shorty & boys a couple years ago in Telluride, CO with my boys Marc & Hans.  I was impressed with the energy back then and Very impressed with the price...it was a "free in the park" show.  I was So impressed that I knew if I ever got the chance to see him/them again, I'd have to go for it and even pay.  Well, lemme tell ya what...it was WELL worth the price of admission!
  The band hit the stage a bit after 10.  They Rocked & Rolled, Jazzed & Bluesed, Funked & Souled their way through about a 2 hour set and had the crowd on it's feet, (well, we woulda stood up for it even if there Had been seats), for the entire time.  I can honestly say that I haven't had quite that much fun at a show in a long time. 

Trombone Shorty

  When it comes to "shakin' my groove thang", I'm afraid I am terminally Caucasian.  These guys are so fun & awesome that yes, even I was dancing around a bit, (OK, head bobbin' and toe tappin anyway).  Trombone Shorty was channeling the great Jazz and Funk players and at any given time throughout the show, you got the feeling you were partying with the likes of James Brown, Cab Calloway, Lenny Kravitz, George Clinton & P Funk, ("bow wow wow, yippy yo yippy yay..." and any number of cool cats, even had a touch of Louie Armstrong.  Of course, it's all wrapped up in a you man from NOLA.  Trombone Shorty and the band have two recent full length discs out and they played much of both of them.  For Me, the biggest highlight, (there were several), was one of my favorite songs and one of my new theme songs.  This one is "Right to Complain".  Do yourself a Huge favor and check it out on YouTube or better yet, Buy The Disc!  Without swiping the entire lyrics, it's goes a bit like this "...now you say you want change, if you won't change yourself, you got no right to complain."  Hmm, Imagine That.  If you ain't gonna make a change, then you shouldn't oughta be shootin your mouth off.  What a concept. 

Trombone Shorty

  There were other highlights as well, such as the "Back it Up" segment where the band took turns, well, backin' it up NOLA style.  The boys have some dancing talent as well and Big D was down right Funny!  As Shorty put it, Big D was backin' it up like a dump truck.  Excellent!
  The final "segment" of the show was a chance for Shorty to show his skills on yet another instrument as he moved to the drums.  As impressive as that was, it was way cool that the entire rest of the band moved "over 1" and played other instruments.  Everyone in the band is multi talented.  Oh Yeah, I nearly forgot, yet another highlight was the fact that the singers in Both acts actually...wait for it...SANG!  No Cookie Monster vocals here!.

  Trombone Shorty

  Bobby put things into perspective on the way home, so long as he keeps his head in the game, he'll be around for a Long time.  The Kid's got talent AND he knows how to get & keep a Great band with him as well.

  Here's my hope for Your 2012.  I hope you get a chance to head out, experience some Great live music and you will Support Live Music whenever you can.  That means, National, International, Regional and Yes, Even LOCAL Music.  It's Good for the Soul!

  Bring it on 2012, let's DO This Thing!

Peace,
Joey

Heart @The Paramount Theater, Denver 8/26/10

Tonight is Thursday 8/26/10.  We're seeing Heart at a great old theater in Denver, The Paramount.  The Paramount is basically on 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver & has been around since about 1930.  This theater is one of my favorite small venues.  It's got a great vibe and is large enough to pull in national touring acts, but still considered small and intimate.  The capacity here is about 1500 people and nearly all the seats have an excellent view of the stage.

Heart is currently on tour promoting their new release Red Velvet Car which hits the streets on Tuesday 8/31.  Here's a touch of useless trivia for you, "Street Date" for new music is always on Tuesday.

Tonight they had a local Denver artist named Laura Brown (sp?), open the show.  We were somewhat surprised because there was nothing to indicate there was an opening act.  Laura was pretty good; she plays the 6 and 12 acoustic guitar and electric piano.  Her songs are OK.  I know that all sounds vague and perhaps it is.  She's pleasant enough, but really her songs lack a certain soul, as they say, IMO.  I also know this will sound odd, but she sounds like she sings in church and not like "gospel" type singers, just your everyday normal person singing.  She's now 20, I believe she said and has 2 cds out now, but I can't seem to locate them.  Anyway, big kudos to Heart for showcasing local talent.  Love to see more venues and artists do this.

Heart hit the stage around 9pm and rolled through 34 years of music; their first album Dreamboat Annie came out in 1976 and I've been a fan for at least 30 years.  I remember back in the day when I first heard my brother's 8 track of Dreamboat Annie & Little Queen.   For those of you wondering,  an 8 track was a funky thing that people used to have in their cars to listen music.  This was before cds and cassettes...you DO remember what a cassette was, right??  Ask your parents or grandparents about those things.  :)

The band started out with a revamped version of "Cook With Fire" and rolled with hits from nearly all of their albums.  They played "Magic Man", "Crazy On You", "What About Love", at least 4 new songs such as "Hey You", "Red Velvet Car" and a song by the title of  likely one of my favorite sayings, "WTF".  Of course, they also Rocked out "Barracuda".  I think "Barracuda" has one of the coolest guitar riffs ever and I knew this song WAY before Guitar Hero.  Their encores were Led Zep's "What is and What Should Never Be" and The Who's "Love, Reign o're Me."

All in All, an Excellent show.  I've been able to see Heart several times over the years.  My first time was back in 1981.  Here's a little story about how shy I really am; when I first saw Heart, of course the Ladies, (Ann & Nancy), were looking Amazing!  My brother Dave, who by the way, also saw this show with me, and I were hanging out in the hotel lobby in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  As we were standing there the band came in & sat down, hanging out.  I was literally standing shoulder to shoulder with Howard Leese, the former lead guitar player and just couldn't bring myself to say anything.  I'm here to tell you that being shy is a HUGE drag.  If a person has the opportunity to meet someone new; famous or not, they need to step up and do it.  You can never get anywhere being shy.  Of course, that being said, to this day, I still can't bring myself to talk to a pretty girl...just a big chicken, I guess.  :)

Peace, may the music rock your world.

Scorpions with Cinderella @ 1st Bank Center - Broomfield 8/17/10

Tonight is Tuesday & it's the second night this week we are rockin'!  Gotta love live music!!!

Tonight's show is Scorpions "Get Your Sting & Blackout" World (retirement) Tour with Cinderella opening up.  This was a night for a couple of firsts.  This was the first time I had been to the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield.  I'd been past it a few times before, on my way to Boulder on 36.  It's tucked back in a little neighborhood that is just starting to fill in with some businesses & condos.  Anyway, good close by parking, (we were there early enough to get Free parking).  We had a couple of beers at the nearby pizza place and then walked to the venue.  I gotta tell ya, I LOVE being able to walk to a venue after enjoying a beverage.  Kinda like Vegas, but WAY cheaper drinks.

We were a little bummed that it seemed to take forever to open up the doors.  Luckily, the weather was nice, so it wasn't all bad, but I have to wonder what it would be like in winter.  The show was to start at 8pm, so 7pm doors wasn't altogether out of line.  The venue is what you'd expect of a multi-use place and according to the website holds up to 7000.  It wasn't sold out, (too bad) for the Scorps, so we figured about 5k for the show.  They had the sound dialed in pretty well and security seemed to be doing a pretty good job; you know escourting out the knuckleheads that just got to a concert to drink, smoke & get stoopid.  It seems pretty crazy to spend a pretty good chunk of change on a ticket, $7+ on a beer and whatever on other substances only to get tossed out & not see the show...Duh!

OK, now on to the Fun!  Cinderella hit the stage at 8ish,  (that's rock n' roll for nearly on time).  The band from the 80's is back with all the original members, (as we know 'em) and put on a really good solid Rock & Bloos show.  They did all their hits, Night Songs, Shake Me, Gypsy Road, Shelter Me and of course,  Don't Know What You've Got, (til it's gone).   This was the second "first" this night as I hadn't seen Cinderella before.  I was suitably impressed.  Tom Keifer, lead vocals & "stuff'" plays 6 & 12 string & double neck guitars, piano & even sax.  Not bad, not bad at all.  The rest of the band put together a very solid show and they rocked out for about an hour.  I'd have to say, based on the show here, I'd definitely seem them again. 

After a relatively short stage reset, Scorpions hit the stage and man did they Rock the House!  From the first chords of Sting in the Tail, (I think...I'm Old, so I forget sometimes), throughout nearly ALL the hits you would expect, the Scorpions Kicked Major Butt!  The guys had a major huge video screen (or three) set up at the back of the stage that showed members of the band as well as video clips that went along with the particular song.  The show started with James Kottak's drum kit probably 20 feet or so in the air and the rest of the band running around the stage.  By the way, perhaps one of the coolest things about the stage was the section that jutted out into the crowd so that everyone was able to be out in the midst of the crowd during the show.  The band has been around for roughly 40 years and they know how to rock & roll. 

These guys rocked like guys in their 30's and didn't look at all like this was a "retirement" tour.  The Scorps brought all the tunes you would expect, The Zoo, Loving You Sunday Morning, Blackout, several tunes from the new (latest) album and for the encore, No One Like You, (Denvah....) and you got it, Rock You Like  Hurricane!  If you have the chance, you might want to pick up the new album; "Sting in the Tail".  All around very good tunage.

Each member of the band was showcased for a solo with James' being the longest.  While good, it might have been a touch too long.  Rudolph ran around the stage and looked like he was still back in the day when the Scorpions Ruled MTV and their videos were everywhere, (you DO remember when MTV actually played music, right??), Mattias played all over the stage and Truly looked like he was having the time of his life.  It's a Great feeling for the crowd when the band are enjoying themselves.  You know how it goes, when the band is having a good time, they feed off the audience and the audience feeds off them and so on.  I've been lucky enough to see the band on several occasions and I have to say that this was definitely one of the best and most energetic shows I've seen from them.  It's nice to see a band go out near the top of their game, unlike, (insert OLD /tired band name here).

Throughout the show, the lights and pyro played a integral part of things and on more than one occasion, the crowd was singing right along, not me of course, well, with the exception of Still Loving You...perhaps.  For me, I think one of the highlights was seeing the band rocking out together on the stage extension and shaking hands & bumping fists.  For a true music lover, it's the things like this that make the difference between a good show & a great show.

Besides a great show by a great band, having my brother there also made it special.  This was also Dave's first time to see the Scorps and likely the last, but he had a Great time & then it was time to close the show.  Sad for us, but great that we were there to see it.  In addition to watching the band, before the show, during intermission & a bit after the show, it's often entertaining to people watch as well.  Always interesting and fairly eye-opening.  It takes all kinds and really, I guess it doesn't matter what folks look like, it matters what's in the heart.

I must say that nearly everything about the night and the show was great, except for the pictures.  I was pretty disappointed in the pictures I took, (my fault or at least my Blackberry's fault).  Now I'm looking for both a small digital camera AND a video camera...here's at least one or two that came out OK.

Peace and may the music be guide for your soul!

Rush @ Red Rocks 8/16/10

If I had to pick just one "perfect" outdoor concert venue, it would be Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.
If I had to pick Only one, (as if I could choose Only one), band to showcase Red Rocks, it would be Rush.

Put these two together and you get August 16, 2010.  On this night, Rush played the first of 2 nights at Red Rocks on their Time Machine North American Tour.  The first night, (Our night) is sold out.  Rush brought well over 2 1/2 hours of rock and roll to this amazing natural amphitheater.  While there really isn't a bad seat in the house, of course, there are better seats.  Our seats were good, but as luck would have it, they couldn't have been a touch closer.  No worries, the band helped up out as I'll tell you later.

If you know nothing about Red Rocks, you are Missing Out!  Red Rocks is located in/at Morrison, Colorado, just west of Denver.  This is an outdoor venue with few, if any peers and has been hosting concerts on a regular basis since the 1940's and even had some before that time.  Many musicians have claimed over the years that Red Rocks is the greatest outdoor venue in America or even the world.  Having been to many concerts here & living in Colorado, I would heartily agree.

Tonight, I'm joined by two of my brothers.  Dave, my oldest brother out here in Colorado from Illinois and my brother Bobby LaRosa from here in the Springs & Denver.  Dave is out here for 2 weeks and while here, we'll be seeing several shows.  This is his second time at Red Rocks, but his first time hanging out with Rush.  He was suitably impressed.  This time out, Bobby is the photographer and a good one at that.  My Blackberry camera just didn't take care of bid'ness that night.  So, a Grande Grazie to Bobby!

Rush started off the show with some video footage of  what Rush "coulda" been...Rash.  it was kind a cool.  You'll have to see them to get the full effect, but imagine a young Rush before being "discovered" and playing polka's.  The band - Rash, that is, plays a couple of more times throughout the night and added some interesting chuckles.  Word has it that the guys from the movie "I Love You, Man", (sorry, I don't recall seeing the movie),  make an appearance at the end of the show, so don't duck out without seeing the last video footage.

OK, so on to the Real Deal.  Rush hit the stage after the video lead in and Rock for well over an hour. In fact, overall, the band played for nearly 3 hours. They played the classics, the more recent stuff AND added a couple new songs that will be on an upcoming record...yes, that's right, I said record.  I'm old enough that I always say record or album...just can't even get in the habit of saying "new CD", so there!  The band had no opening act, so it was All Rush, All of the Time.  Tonight's show was their Colorado stop on the Time Machine tour and we were definitely treated to a band that knows what they are doing.  This three piece band can rock the socks off most bands half their age and get more sound out of the show than bands with twice as many members.

Alex Lifeson is perhaps one of the best but most under rated guitarist in the world, Geddy Lee is the "voice" of the band and while perhaps not the most "out there" bass player, does a fine job and also plays keyboards & bass pedals while singing, last there's Neil Peart.any rock drummer, ( many other genres as well), can tell you that he is the Shizzle.  He IS amazing and plays two kits during the night with the second spinning around in front of him while he's playing.  Neil is the chief  lyricist in the band and for a biker like me, some of his lyrics really hit home.  If you ever get the chance, please read Ghost Rider...you get a true feeling for a man who has been to hell and back &  it also gives you insights to some of their songs and the origination's  of those tunes.

I believe the first song of the night was Spirit of Radio...a Great way to rock the night off to a great start.  Rush doesn't necessarily yack to the crowd much, but that ain't all bad, as it just means you get more rock & roll for your buck.  Geddy did say, that when you get to be their age; all of the guys are in their 50's, they need to take a break, so, the band took about 15 minutes intermission.

When the band came back, it was time for Moving Pictures, in it's entirety.  It's pretty amazing when you hear the whole set of that classic album and realize you were just starting high school when it came out.  I have to admit, I wore out two or three cassette copies of Moving Pictures...I Loved that!  By the way, cassettes are what came before cd's, but after vinyl & 8 tracks...the band was pretty much flawless in delivery and you could have envisioned yourself back in your buddies basement listening to the album with the lights down, lava lamps & black lights going and a hint of a certain herb in the air...not ME of course, but I heard of folks that did that.  Oh yeah, and top off the fashion for the night with jeans and a Rush concert shirt with maybe a flannel shirt over it, ( hey, I grew up in Iowa, what do you want), oh, and don't forget the mullet~  " Business in the front, party in the back!"

The band took another short break after "Moving Pictures"and then came back for a couple more songs and of course more "Rash" videos.  The closed out the night with a song from their very first album;  "Working Man".  Excellent way to close the show!  Throughout the show the band was on the Huge screen behind Neil's drum kit that gave a up-close & personal look at the guys for everyone and included a split screen that at some times, showed all three band members at the same time and they also had a jumbo tron screen on the "Exit Stage Left" side of the stage.  Both help the enhance the view of some of the more vertically challenged individuals amongst us.  Yes, that would include me.

Ultimately, it was a beautiful night for awesome Rock & Roll.  Often, what puts a good show over the top and makes it a Great show is the people you see it with.  While I'm not opposed to seeing a show by myself, (hey, it's not like I can get a date anyway...), it IS more fun to see it with someone who enjoys it as much as you.  

That's All Folks!
Peace!!

Ottmar Liebert @ The Soiled Dove 8/6/10

Tonight, we're enjoying some great live music!

Let's tell you about it a little.  The Soiled Dove is a very cool, intimate, small club in Denver.  They're located near 1st Ave & Quebec on the old Lowry Airforce Base site.  Above the Soiled Dove is Tavern Lowry.  Our crew, Mizz Vick, Sunny, Sue, Bobby & I, decided to eat at Tavern Lowry this night.  I must say, I was quite impressed.  This is no ordinary bar food, this is reasonably priced, good food.  What a pleasant surprise.  Each of the five of us had a very nice meal AND it was reasonably priced.  Go figure...  After our meal we walked downstairs to the Soiled Dove.  I SO love being able to walk to a venue after a good meal.

OK, so let's talk about the venue a bit.  The stage is a bit of a semi circle with seats right against the stage, higher tables a little farther out and then a set of seats right along the rail/bar.  The capacity for this club is right around 350.  There is really no bad seat in the house.  This is now the fourth time I've been here and I always have a great time.  http://www.tavernhg.com/soiled_dove

As there were five of us this time, we got seats on the rail/bar table instead of a table, (those only hold 4), so we were nearly center stage and about 20 feet or so from Ottmar, his bass player and drummer.  Ottmar and he band Luna Negra, play what is referred to as "Nuevo Flamenco"  That may sound rather New Age-ish and that may conjure up thoughts of "elevator".  Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Ottmar is very laid back and treats you to a show that makes you feel like you are in your living room with an old friend.  Along those lines, there's a large lava lamp on stage and Ottmar's "uniform" for the show is jeans, t-shirt and bare feet.  That is what gives it a very comfortable feel.  Ottmar and Luna Negra give you a stripped down show that is just about the music.  He gives you a very full sound and only plays an acoustic guitar with a mic stuck in front of it.  The bass & drums simply add to the sound and never over power it.  Ottmar doesn't sing, so it was a night filled with amazing guitar music.  He is very intense and as you watch, you can see the pure joy in his face and that he is lucky enjoy to do something he truly enjoys AND wants to share that with you.  He makes the guitar sing and talk for him. 

Long ago, my brother Vinny and I had the opportunity to meet Ottmar and we found him to be very generous, honest and personable.  I've not had the opportunity to see him  4 times and he never disappoints.  If you have the chance to see him, please do it.  It will be a great, relaxing time and you'll get to someone, in a very intimate setting and you will not be disappointed.   Sorry for the picture quality, it from my cell phone.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottmar_Liebert

If Ottmar might not be to your taste, no worries, check out The Soiled Dove online and look through their concert schedule. Lots of great artists play here.  By the way, should I ever have a date again, this just might be the place to take her...yeah, you're right, I should just plan on going anyway, instead of waiting for a date.  ;)

Enjoy!

In The Machine @ The Black Sheep 8/7/10

Tonight Colorado Springs originals In The Machine headlined at The Black Sheep.  Let's take a minute to give you the rundown of Who the heck In The Machine is.  You WILL need to know this because you'll be hearing great things about them.

In The Machine:
Corey Brown - master vocalist.  Corey has that type of voice that really gets in your head and makes you go, Yeah!  He's got the pipes to make anyone with ears to stand up and take notice.  Corey can easily rock the house and makes you believe you are in the presence of a world class lead singer.

Doug Brown is the man behind the drums AND vocals.  Doug has the skills of a madman back behind the kit.  You may not see much of him, but there is no doubt that he lays the foundation that keeps the band rocking and keeps your head bopping.  Doug also adds the perfect harmony & layer to Corey's lead vocals.

Next up is Jsin Elliott on guitar.  Jsin is a presence on stage.  He's an amazing fluid player that is very well at home on stage and makes things look effortless.  Things you notice about Jsin are the smile that let's you know he's having fun, an intense playing style and of course, the big guns that make the guitars look like toys.

Now it's time for Ian Ringler.  Ian is the second half of a simply amazing rhythm section that Screams, "We are gonna ROCK YOU!"  Ian plays an unbelievable 12 string bass.  Yes, that's right, I said 12 string.  The bottom end that Ian lays down is the kind of thing that will make you feel the music all the way to your soul.  It IS that cool.  Anybody can play a 4 string or even a 5 string, (well, anyone with talent), but it takes someone on a Mission to play the 12 string Hamer.

Lastly, simply because I went left to right as the guitars are lined up on stage, is Eric Madrid.  Eric is a true guitar animal.  Eric can do it all.  He's the consummate rock star with an Amazing attitude that goes with it.  I mean that in the BEST sense of the word.  Eric gives it 110% every time out and makes sure the audience gets more than their money's worth.  He plays with style, grace and what can I say, he has FUN!  And really, isn't fun what music is supposed to be all about?

OK, now down to bid'ness.  In The Machine is a band that comes together and is so much more than just the sum of its parts.  Here's a group of guys that has all the qualities of a multi-platinum rock n roll band that could easily put some of the so-called "Rock Stars" to shame.  Each guy has talent that could carry any band, but playing together makes a great combination.

The band took the stage at The Black Sheep as the headliners.  The Boys were Ready to Rock the House!  The guys all have absolutely amazingly humble attitudes.  I've heard it said that it doesn't matter if there are 12 people or 12,000 people facing the stage.  It's up to the band to give the best they've got and they absolutely did that.  Have you ever been to a show by a band you really liked and they seem to be just up there going through the motions or worse give you the feeling that they think you are there to worship them  In The Machine make it very clear that they enjoy what they do and they are truly there to entertain YOU!

This show featured songs from their upcoming debut album that is currently being recorded at Enharmonic Studies, right here in Colorado Springs.  These songs are tight, solid and could easily be heard anywhere on the radio, that is, if only radio stations and record labels would actually listen for talent and not what's "popular".  The songs played on Saturday night were flawless.  The combination of intricate drums, thundering bass line with the twin guitars flowing in, out and over the foundation gives a perfect spot for soaring vocals.  This is history in the making.  If you haven't yet seen this band, you are missing out.  Next time they play, do yourself a favor and get to the show.  You'll be able to tell your friends, "Dude, I saw these guys before they got big.  They were frickin' Awesome!!!!"


In the meantime, check out these websites to find out what's happening with the band. http://www.itmband.com/itmmain.html
http://www.myspace.com/itmband

Channel 27 @ The Back Sheep 7/26/10

Do you enjoy music?  I mean Really enjoy live music when the musicians are really having fun?  I DO!!!

These are my recollections of my most recent live concert experience.  This was a show at The Black Sheep on Platte Ave in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Monday 7/26

Channel 27 is a Colorado Music Original.  I have to admit that in the past I've used "local music" or "local band" and while those monikers  are true, they just conjure the image of bands playing in their garages.  That being said, there's nothing wrong with a garage band,  if you're in high school.  Well, maybe Colorado Original Music, how's that?

So, here's a quick current rundown of Channel 27.  Currently, the line up is Ames on Lead Vocals, Eric on Lead Guitar, John on Bass and Mike on Drums.  This night the band is opening up a show for the band Fuel.

This time out Channel is number two on the bill, between Non Compliant and the headliner Fuel.  Tonight the band was Ready to Rock!  Channel 27 is a band that has a really great vibe.  They write their own songs that have a very cool groovy/funky/rock and roll feel to it.  In this show, as with most of their gigs, they line their setlist with nearly 100% original music.  Sure, there are cover songs here and there, but not enough to be considered a true "Cover Band"...Yay!!!

The original tunes are well constructed, intricate and well played.  The covers are a nice representation of tunes I like.  Tonight, the Band is Totally On!  As one who has seen a good share of bands over the years, I can safely say that when the band is ON, the show is SO much more fun!  Anyone who knows Anything knows that when the band is having fun, the crowd has fun and they feed off each other.  It makes everything So much better.  Both were happening at this show.

I've had the pleasure of seeing and hanging out with Channel 27 over the past few years.  Make no mistake, I've seen them put on good and even great shows, but this would have to be in the top 1%.  Yep, it was that good!  Channel did about 30 minutes of pure energy.  The Amy's vocals were tight, harmonies were spot on, John's bass was the perfect foundation, along with the solid drumming of Mike.  Everything combined to lay the groundwork for some fantastic guitar licks by Eric.  This show was fun for Everyone!

When you have the opportunity, please check Channel 27 out on the web at:
http://www.myspace.com/groovyfunkychannel27rockband,
http://www.channel27band.com/ or perhaps even better, LIVE!

Please support Local Music or even better Colorado Original Music.

Peace