Concert #223 - British Rock Symphony at the Bridges Auditorium in Claremont (March 23, 2000)

I went to the concert with high expectations, and how could I have not, when the event was announced to feature a full symphony orchestra, a gospel choir, a rock band and a few vocalists of the highest caliber, brought together to play some of the musical gems of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Who. A few hours later, I went home with a strange mix of utter disappointment and joyful exaltation. The disappointment stemmed from the total absence of a symphony orchestra and gospel choir, while the exaltation came courtesy of the truly amazing performances put on by Billy Preston and Darlene Love.

During the first half of the show, I was not a happy camper, as I could not get over the deceitful way the show had been advertised. While I was brooding in my seat, Mike Messer, a New York singer I was not familiar with, sang a few oldies - he wasn't bad, but I had no patience for anyone who wasn't a world star.

Then, after the intermission, out came Billy Preston and in no time he brought the house down. Playing with religious fervor, banging on his keys with abandon and soulfully belting out "Get Back" as well as his own hits "Will It Go Round In Circles" and "That's The Way God Planned It", Billy put on a show that, with its intensity, could have raise the dead.

Billy Preston

A fabulous-looking Darlene Love came out toward the end of the show and unleashed some of the greatest vocals I've ever heard, bar none. If my memory serves me well, she sang "Ruby Tuesday", "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and one or two more songs.

Darlene Love

Mike Messer

The house band featured Simon Townshend on guitar and vocals and his son Ben on drums. Simon made a good impression on me.

Simon Townshend

The Bridges Auditorium in Claremont

The Bridges Auditorium in Claremont

Concert #705 - David Bromberg at McCabe's Guitar Shop (March 16, 2014)

 

Prior to the fateful date of August 6, 2011, my attitude toward David Bromberg's music could best be described as criminal neglect. But then came the aforementioned date - sitting right in front of him at McCabe's, I discovered an artist like few others. Since then, I've been passionately exploring David's recordings, both old and new, with thoroughly pleasurable results.

Sunday night's show featured a different David Bromberg than the one I first met in 2011. Gone was his electric guitar and there was no band to accompany him, either. Instead, I witnesses an all-acoustic show of outstanding quality. Of course I would have liked him to grab an electric guitar for at least a couple of songs, but he didn't. Was I disappointed? Not really, as I found his finger-picking to be as impressive as it was intricate.

David Bromberg at McCabe's

David Bromberg playing his mandolin at McCabe's

David's set consisted of a well-balanced mix of covers and self-penned songs. For these ears, the high point of the show was his rendition of "Delia", a masterful mix of singing, picking and storytelling. The songs from "Only Slightly Mad", his current album, were very good, especially "I'll Take You Back", a song that shares some common ground with "Will Not Be Your Fool", the hilarious gem David wrote in the seventies. By the way, the latter song was not included in Sunday night's set. 

PARTIAL SET LIST

I'll Take You Back

Nashville Again (Paul Siebel)

Mr. Bojangles

900 Miles

Bring It With You When You Come / Wooly Bully

Delia

Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke)

Fool For You (Ray Charles)

Maple Leaf Rag (Rev. Gary Davis)

I Like To Sleep Late In The Morning

A Closer Walk With Thee

Dark Hollow (Grateful Dead)

The Strongest Man Alive

Wagoner's Lad

If The Rabbit Had A Gun (Memphis Slim)

Rambler, Gambler

Don't This Road Look Rough And Rocky

Playing without a written set list and seemingly deciding what to play right there on the spot, David covered quite a bit of musical territory, from folk to blues to gospel and more. His surprising rendition of "A Closer Walk With Thee" stayed with me long after the show had ended. David also played a couple of instrumental tunes, among which Rev. Gary Davis' "Maple Leaf Rag" stood out.

Mike Russo, David's road manager and an accomplished guitar player himself, joined his employer for a few songs. David received yet more support from Brantley Kearns, an old band mate, who sang backup vocals on two or three songs.

David Bromberg and Brantley Kearns at McCabe's

David Bromberg at McCabe's

The stage

David Bromberg T-shirts

Concert Director Lincoln Myerson giving out the tickets before the show