I saw Bonnie back in the early 70's. Then, she was playing almost entirely blues and she was good. Then the pop tunes took over.

Funny you would describe Raitt as attacking the guitar. I've met her a few times at charity events and do not like her at all. She has an underlying anger and contempt for people she doesn't know. I noticed she's a bit of a loner. On stage she radiates this charming 'women', but in private she is queen bitch with an attitude. One time I observed a young girl about 10 politely ask her for her autograph and Raitt rudely blew the kid off and walked away. Her husband was more down to earth and gave the girl a few guitar picks he had in his pocket.

My guess is that when she started off, she put that undercurrent of anger into the songs and her playing - then after a while she decided to keep that for her private life.

G

Try not to post about pub bands, because there are too many to get through and a lot have similar setlists. But the Badgers played Once Bitten Twice Shy on Friday. Hooplah has a telepathic link to any local band that plays this, and his subconscious tells him to stop in so he can grumble about "f#ckin missing it again!"

Other songs included Hey Joe, Alright Now, Cinnamon Girl, Rockin in the Free World, all of which are covered by a number of local bands. Nice versions of Baby Please Don't Go and Radar Love. A standout was Johnny Nash's I Can See Clearly Now The Rain has Gone - played as a rocker. And it worked. Lots of others in a 2 hour set but I lost a few brain cells and can't remember everything.
Mick

Todd Rundgren's Utopia
Nov. 12, 2011
Akron Civic Center
Akron, OH

Set list: Utopia Theme, Freak Parade, Another Life, Something's Coming, The Wheel, Seven Rays, Heavy Metal Kids, Do Ya, The Ikon, Freedom Fighters, and Just One Victory

This was a reunion of sorts of the original Utopia from the first two albums. Rundgren managed to get original drummer Kevin Ellman, keyboardist Ralph Schuckett, bassist John Siegler, and keyboardist Moogy Klingman to sign on. Kilngman is only doing the New York area show due to health issues. Kasim Sultan, who played bass later in the 70s for the trimmed down Utopia, filled on vocals and keyboards. Rundgren's guitarist Jesse Gress was also a vocalist and played keyboards. The band members were all dressed in wild, multi-colored Power Ranger pajama-like costumes which just added to the fun.

They played the whole first album, which included prog masterpieces the Utopia Theme and The Ikon which they whittled down to 27 minutes. And they did the entire Another Live album except for Mr. Triscuits. As always, Rundgren had the nearly sold-out crowd in the palm of his hand. Rundgren can do no wrong in Ohio, even though there were numerous clunkers throughout the two-hour show. None of the were very bad. Bassist John Siegler was a kind of musical director and guided everyone else through the somewhat complicated set. Ellman did OK on the drums but it was obvious he has not played professionally in some time. Schuckett was good on keyboards and Sultan and Gress filled in nicely on keyboads and vocals.

It was fun going back to 1974, again. We had a great time.

I'm on Moogy's mailing list, and he's been trading on his Utopia connection for years. He, Siegler, and Ellman have been playing out recently as "Moogy Klingman's Utopia Brothers". I'm guessing that it didn't take all that much to "manage" get them to sign on

Justin
.

I haven't heard of them filling many arenas lately. Siegler is really good. I have not heard Klingman since the 70s. How is he doing? Does he share much with his mailing list fans on his condition?

How many mailing lists etc are you on?
I'd think Ian & co would keep you busy enough.

Saw Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings last night. A bit like Mick Ralphs, this is a bit like Bill enjoying himself with a few mates rather than "playing for a living", although they had Mary Wilson come on and do a few songs - all but one Motown and most of those old Supremes songs (well - she was the only Supreme who stayed from when they started until they folded - but she ain't Diana Ross). Her best song was actually CCR's Green River and this was a show highlight.

They actually had a better girl singer as part of the band. Also in the band were Georgie Fame, Albert Lee and Geraint Watkins (boogie pianist) -plus a couple of guys who played sax and occasional alternative wind instruments - incl harp, a lead guitarist who apparently set the band up with Bill in the first place and some other bloke on drums.

Another highlight was Honky Tonk Woman - they absolutely nailed the riff with twin guitars - all grit and controlled distortion - possibly better than the Stones actually play it !

As Bill said at the start - they play some songs that they like and these range through R&B, Blues, Gospel and Rockabilly.

Worth seeing.

G

Leann,

I am on more mailing lists than I can count. I guess I'm too polite to ask to be removed

Dan,

Actually Moogy doesn't say anything at all about it.

Justin
.

King Mob didn't disappoint.It was a fairly short set,which wasn't unexpected as they've only done 1 album,but I don't think anyone would have any complaints.Definitely recommend that you go see them

All,

Speaking of random mailing lists I am on, Tygers of Pan Tang are apparently playing in December and early 2012, with a new album due in February. If anyone can figure out why I am getting updates about Tygers of Pan Tang, please let me know

Justin
.

Are you a member of any animal protection group?

Peter Murphy.......Middle East Club
Another strong concert by Peter Murphy. I saw his "perfect covers" tour a few years back and this was the same tight rocking band. His new album,"ninth" rocks harder than anything he has done in years. He mixed in tunes from many of huis solo recordings and a few Bauhaus tunes too.
I've never seen him so animated and relaxed on stage. He brought a woman up onto the stage and sang a ballad to her, let other front row women unbutton his shirt and run their gloved hands up and down his chest and legs, commented on how he used to be terribly skinny but is now growing "tits". His banter between songs was really funny and just made a great show greater.

The warmup band was "she wants revenge". My daughter knew of them because of some some song that received a lot of radio play a coulpe of years ago. The have a singer with a fantastic voice and they have a bit of a Depeche Mode sound to them. I think they were a bit frustrated as they didn't get too much positive feedback from the crowd who was there to see Peter.

Good mix of youngsters and old fahrts like myself. I like that. My daughter is a fan now and so are many others her age.

same reason as I get all sorts of emails about offers for various things. Usually follows going to some website to look at a specific issue, but they get your IP address or something and send you all sorts of other shit nothing to do with what you were actually looking for.


(and there m'lud, I rest my case )

G