Last night I traveled to the Brooklyn Bowl for the Jamie McLean band’s CD release party for their latest EP, Sunday Morning. (A Sunday Morning review is forthcoming). I’ve seen Jamie and his band before and just love their music and their energy. For this night, Jamie invited Taylor Hicks, John Popper, DJ Logic and Jason Crosby to join him. The highlight of the night, for me, was this meeting of the harps during the song, “Fortunate Son.” I almost didn’t survive videoing this suck and blow off, but damn, what a way to go!
May 31 2011
The “Never Fear, We’ll Find the Energy Somewhere” Tour
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Purely by the numbers it was four shows in two weeks, 841 miles on the ground, 966 miles in the air, one emergency landing preparation, 3 hours sleep in one 48 hour period, McDonald’s on Route 84 at 1:48am, an amazing 6 piece band, and 1 singer who made us do it all. Welcome to the “never fear, we’ll find the energy somewhere” tour!
During a two week period this month, my dear friend and ultimate traveling companion, Linda and I traveled to four cities in the northeast to see Taylor Hicks. We’ve both been following Taylor since his American Idol win in 2006, and last year we began traveling together, a musical Thelma and Louise if you will. In our now five years of following Taylor, we’ve both had weeks where we’ve attended multiple shows. But for some reason, none could touch this group of four as far as the absolute joy and exhilaration they provided. Each show had a completely different vibe and each time we came away saying hell yeah, let’s do it again!
While it’s impossible to communicate a show’s feel in writing or by a single video or audio clip, I thought I’d share some “tales from the road” and show moments that will stick with me. I’d like to thank Taylor and the amazing band he’s put together – Leif Bondarenko, Sam Gunderson, David Keith, Brian Less, Jeff Lopez and Brandon Peeples – for the music and the laughter. Keep rocking boys! We can’t wait to see you all again!
Ogunquit, ME – May 8, 2011
Though it was still off-season in this coastal Maine tourist town, the venue was packed. Jonathan’s is a very small, intimate room where you get to experience the music up close and personal. The show was a little low key, which we sort of expected, but still a lot of fun. My weakness is harp, so here are a couple of clips.
Palace Theater, Greensburg, PA – May 14, 2011
Greensburg was the first leg of the “it’s do-able” weekend. We took a very early morning flight from Boston to Pittsburgh and then drove an hour to the western PA town of Greensburg and the Palace Theater where Taylor and the boys rocked the house. A new cover, “My City Was Gone,” debuted in Akron the night before, and had us all dancing in our seats. The song featured great sax by Jeff Lopez and the driving beats of Leif Bondarenko on drums and David Keith on congas/bongos.
The show’s encore was a moment of indescribable joy for those in attendance. Taylor sat down with his guitar, and with accompaniment by Brian Less on piano, Brandon Peeples on upright bass, and Jeff Lopez on sax, sang a love letter to his home state of Alabama, so recently torn apart by killer tornadoes. This version of “Where I’m From” will forever be burned into my memory and my heart.
City Winery, NYC – May 15, 2011
This was the “no, we can’t do it we’re in PA on Saturday and we have to be back in MA for Monday morning” show. We were sticking with this “no we can’t do it” decision until after the Jonathan’s show when it suddenly became “do-able.” We flew from Pittsburgh and were scheduled to land in Boston at 2:19pm. As we were making our approach to Boston, we were informed that we needed to prepare for an emergency landing. Due to a mechanical issue, we would be landing at a much higher rate of speed than was desirable. So, we practiced the brace position and both Linda and I comforted our nervous seat mates. I am not a comfortable flyer, and yet I was perfectly at ease and perfectly at peace with what was going on. Afterward, Linda expressed the same feeling and we decided that the statement, “they died doing what they loved,” would have been uttered among the Taylor Hicks fandom if things had gone horribly wrong. In the end, brace positions were not needed and we had one of the smoothest landings I’ve ever experienced. That drama behind us, we were on the road to SoHo, arriving at the City Winery a little more than a half hour before show time.
The show that Taylor and the boys put on, benefitting the Red Cross tornado disaster relief, was one we were glad we didn’t miss. We knew all along that this would be THE show of the tour as Taylor always seems to kick it up a notch in NYC. To quote him that night, “in New York City you really know you’re alive.”
Every song seemed to be THE moment of the night. They all seemed new and fresh even though long time fans have heard them before. This is the mark of a true musician/showman and a great band! But I need to call out the show’s encore. “Naked in the Jungle,” with guest guitarist Jamie McLean joining the band, was alone worth every mile we traveled. This jam blew the roof off and if it doesn’t make you want to get up and dance, well you better check your pulse!
We arrived back in MA just before 4am on Monday and I found my way into my bed at 4:40 with the birds chirping, the sun coming up, and a stupid grin on my face.
Bull Run, Shirley, MA – May 20, 2011
An interesting little venue in the small town of Shirley, MA was the location for the last of our shows. We had no idea what to expect here, but we should have known that the last night of the tour would rock. It did, and then some. Taylor and the boys pulled out all the stops, taking some old standbys to new levels of jam.
There were two songs we had never seen live and were hoping for before the end of this tour. We got them both. First was our favorite new cover, Van Morrison’s “Rough God Goes Riding.” About halfway through the show, we got our wish and the entire place knew how happy we were! And no, we’re not the least bit embarrassed by our enthusiasm!
The second was, “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” which got the crowd rocking. Pay attention to hard working percussionist David Keith in the back. Linda and I can’t say enough about what this new addition has added to the band.
The last video from Bull Run was something that happened after the show, but its origins were during the show. There was a soldier who was supposed to be there with his friends/family. When Taylor introduced the song “19″, a song about a fallen soldier he dedicates to the troops, he asked if he was there yet. They said no. He said, “well, if he shows up we’ll just do it again.” The show ended and he got behind the table to meet people, take pictures and sign autographs. The family/friends came up to him and had their picture taken with him. Then I heard him say, “well here’s what we’re gonna do.” He looked around and started yelling for his music director Brian Less. Brian reappeared and Taylor said, “okay, if he shows and my bus is still here you’re gonna bring him on the bus and we’re gonna do the song.” A while later we were downstairs at the pub and some of my friends saw the soldier arrive and head to the bus. A little later when the band came down to the pub, sax player Jeff Lopez said, “that was a real nice thing Taylor did.” Yes Jeff, it was.
This video, posted yesterday, Memorial Day, makes me very proud to be a fan.
Music can be a singular or shared experience. For me, it’s best shared with good friends who not only enjoy the ride with you while you’re there, but can bring you back there at a moment’s notice. There was definitely some sadness as the two weeks ended. But in addition to the audio and video that’s been amassed from these shows, we have our own snippets of joy that we gathered along the way and will continue to share with each other until the next show, and probably well beyond.
Last night, Javier Colon appeared on the premier of NBC’s new show, “The Voice”. All four judges were interested in taking him on their team after his rendition of “Time After Time,” but Javier chose Adam Levine.
Looking forward to following Javier’s journey on this show, and seeing how the show itself progresses after this initial round.
Being the opening act can be a thankless job. So often, people just don’t pay attention to them, or just tolerate them, anxious to get to the main event. It’s rare when an opening act really captures your attention. But if you’re really lucky, you’ll be exposed to something new and wonderful.
Last summer at the Highline Ballroom in NYC, the young man opening for Taylor Hicks captured my attention and that of the entire audience. He wasn’t just tolerated by the fans anxious for Taylor to take the stage, but embraced. Javier Colon, an acoustic soul singer from Connecticut, captured the audience with his strong, soulful voice and engaging presence. His version of Bill Wither’s “Use Me” from that night, is one of the best I’ve ever heard.
Javier is not new to the music scene, having been the lead singer with the Derek Trucks Band not long after graduating from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music in 2000. In 2003, he was signed by Capitol Records and released his first album, Javier. His first single, “Crazy”, debuted at #95 on Billboard Hot 100 in 2003, and reached #42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list. He released another major label album in 2006 which didn’t produce any charting singles. He’s been an independent artist for the past few years.
Now Javier is taking on a new challenge – he’ll be a contestant on NBC’s new show “The Voice,” set to premier April 26 at 9pm. The contestants are competing for a $100,000 grand prize and a recording contract with a major label.
So the North America tour came to an end. As much as I didn’t want to go home, here I am, lying in bed at 10:30am on a Thursday. Have I mentioned I’m STILL dreaming about work?
It all went by so fast, but at the same time, it felt like I had been on the road for way longer than I actually was. The final day wasn’t bittersweet for me, it was just sad. I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to have to sit around, with too much time on my hands, and call 50 different people to find work. And most of all, I didn’t want to say goodbye to the coolest bunch of guys I’ve ever come to know.
I think the easiest way to sum up this whole thing would be this…
On the bus ride home, we had crossed the border and were already near The Backline Company in Toronto. Robin, our FOH Sound guy, turned to me and said, “So, you excited to be back home” and I looked at him, and without skipping a beat said “Nope. I could keep going”
I am backstage at RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL in the beautiful New York City. It has been the earliest wake up call I’ve had so far. (Well, except for when I had to get Kevin on the train to San Diego, but that doesn’t count.) I’ve been working since 8am and safe to say, I’m starting to feel it.
We had a day off in the city yesterday. I absolutely love this place. You can do nothing, and still have a great time. As always I took a walk through Central Park, and had some delicious street meat. I ate at Grays Papaya for the first time, which if you’ve never eaten there, DO IT. IT’S SO DELICIOUS. I caught a movie last night called “Get Low.” It’s not a huge blockbuster hit, so you probably haven’t heard about it, but I’ve got to say, it was great. Go see it. I dare you.
And then, like always, I ate at Roxy’s in Time Square. Most delicious cheesecake you will ever eat. And don’t try and argue with me on this one.
So Radio City. Here we are. One of the most well known venues in the world. This show is going to be incredible. I can’t wait. I’ve overheard the local crew talking about how they’ve been here for 24+, and they’re still working all day. That’s so incredible to me. It takes complete dedication to stick it out like that. That’s exactly what I want to be like. Working my ass off, just to work. Yea you’re going to be exhausted afterward, but so what. After all, you are doing what you love right?
The tour is coming to an end, and I can’t even believe I’m going to have to say goodbye to this band. They have been the most amazing group of guys to work with. They’re all so good to me, that I don’t even know what I’m going to say to them. I mean, they’ve given me…everything. How do you say goodbye to someone like that?
To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure what to write. Each day is basically the same, just in a different city. On my days off instead of getting up in the morning and going out to see all that city has to offer, I sleep in, and then do as little as possible (while trying to still see the city). But I am still looking for that perfect cheeseburger
Have you ever spent 22 hours on a bus? I don’t recommend it. You either get way too much sleep, or you just go plain crazy. We just did the drive from Grand Prairie, TX, to Charlotte, NC. CRAZYYYYY I tell you. We did, however, leave Kris Allen in Phoenix and picked up Ben Kweller in Texas. Nice guy, he brought his family. But don’t fret K.A. Fans, they’ll be back in a week.
Like I said before, I honestly don’t know what else to tell you folks. Is there anything you wanna know? I ask you, my 5 readers, to comment below with any questions you might have.
Oh, and 2 DAYS TILL TAPPANGA DAY!!!
Mac’s Editorial Comments: She has way more than five readers, trust me. And Tappanga is a very good friend of ours who she will be seeing when she hits Atlanta this weekend. I will have an encounter of the Nat kind on August 7!
Taylor Hicks kicked off his summer tour at the Highline Ballroom in NYC on Sunday night and I was privileged to be able to attend.
Taylor had been promoting this as his “bad ass tour.” Of course this got me to wondering, how bad ass can Taylor Hicks seriously be? I am a big fan of the man and have heard many, many words and terms used to describe him. Bad ass has never been one of them.
I don’t think he achieved bad ass status, but he was certainly bold, dynamic, confident and completely in control of his band and that room. His stage banter, virtually non-existent during his 2007 tour, was priceless. About 90% of the show was a high energy, with two more mellow moments – The Deal and Nineteen. In many of the other songs, he’d build on the intensity until he left you a sweaty panting mess. He and the band blew the roof off with I Live on a Battlefield the encore, a cover of LaRoux’s Bulletproof (yes, you read that right), and Seven Mile Breakdown. Sam Gunderson’s Seven Mile Breakdown guitar solo was a thing of beauty. And Taylor took us to church with his harp solo in that same song. When he hit his knees at the front of the stage, everyone in the room was completely under his spell.
Next stop, Jonathan’s in Ogunquit, ME, probably the polar opposite of the Highline. It’ll be interesting to see if he dials it back a notch or if they’ll be looking for the roof in the nearby Atlantic! I’ll let you know tomorrow.
A few videos from the Highline. Enjoy!
The “tagging” at the end of Hold on to Your Love was phenomenal.
