Okay, let's be upfront about this. Lyle Lovett's music isn't exactly my bag. Too much twang, not enough torch, to misquote k.d. lang. But his band - what a blast. Start with the guitarist who bears an uncanny resemblance to Willard Scott. Or the fact that the cello player sings. Yup, that's right, cello player.
His backing vocalists included Was (Not Was) stalwarts Sweet Pea Atkinson and Sir Harry Bowen. Mesmerizing, classic cool. And the rhythm section was dynamite. Make that The (rhythm) Section, as it was half that classic studio band - bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russ Kunkel. Kunkel was a revelation. He sounded like a cross between a dynamite swing drummer and Prairie Prince from the Tubes and Todd Rundgren (more on Todd in a minute). He drove the band, had impeccable time, swung fiercely, and man, did he thwack those skins!
The comparisons to the Tubes are apt. In addition to the thunderous drummer, each band had a versatile percussionist, two stinging lead guitarists, and the ability to shift gears and styles in a moment's notice. And both boasted a charismatic front man who is tall, angular, and has a brillo pad of hair. Plus Fee Waybill is one of the funniest human beings I've ever spoken with, and Lovett is one of the most genuine people I've seen on stage.
So, Todd. I interviewed him last week for a piece in the Muskegon Chronicle for his show there next month. Not a lover of sweets, as he turned down my offer to bring cookies with me to the show in Muskegon, but he did say he likes pickled okra. He was affable and engaging in conversation, and promised some surprises for concert-goers who see the Todd/Healing show. Last year's A Wizard A True Star tour featured nUtopia as the opening act, with Roger Powell, Kasim Sulton and Prairie Prince joining Todd in a set of favorites from that band before launching into the revue-style show for the bulk of the performance. He's promised some surprises this time around as well, though with Powell not on board (he's got a fulltime gig with game-makers Electronic Arts), it won't be Utopia redux.
What is it about Foreigner, the band I love to hate and hate to love? The irresistable hooks, riffs, and almost-bombast of "Hot Blooded" or "Cold As Ice," and emotional power ballads "Waiting" and "I Wanna Know What Love Is." I spoke with singer Lou Gramm many years ago when the band performed in Traverse City, and he moved to the top of my "People Who Could Be My Neighbors" list alongside the likes of pianist Liz Story, pop star Howard Jones, Deep Purple organist Jon Lord, and jazz singer Michael Franks (besides, Franks loves doxies). Yesterday I had the chance to interview Kelly Hansen, Gramm's replacement as of 2005. Like Gramm, he's got the pipes (check out the videos on YouTube), and like Gramm he's thoughtful and engaging. He also reminds me of our friend Christopher Knight (a.k.a. Jonathan Rand), both visually and vocally. What a great guy. Yes, he too could be our neighbor.
Last musical update before moving on: I earlier opined that the Brandenburg Gate show by Chamber Arts North was the concert of the summer. They're going to try to top that this weekend, with a show at the TC Congregational Church Friday and one in Glen Arbor Sunday. It promises to be exquisite, despite the absence of any Telemann. Anyone who likes classical music or chamber music at all is guaranteed an enjoyable evening.
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