Joseph Hall-Elvis

   Third time is a charm as Joseph Hall's Elvis returned to The McPherson Opera House this past Saturday night. Hall was in fine form, as always. His show is high energy and he covered Elvis Presley from three different eras and even sang a couple of songs that I had never heard before. I'd provide the titles of the songs, but it caught me so by surprise to hear unfamiliar Elvis songs, that I just went with the flow and enjoyed them.

     There was Elvis of the 50's, clad in white slacks and a silk print shirt. Hall's second song, he sang "Teddy Bear" and tossed bears to the audience. At the end of this song he tossed a giant teddy bear up into the second balcony and an enthusiastic fan reached out way to far over the banister to grab for it; after a few tense minutes while Hall and his announcer waited for the inevitable that thankfully didn't happen, she didn't fall over the railing into the crowd below, the show continued on at a fever pace. McPherson takes Joseph Hall as Elvis very seriously, especially if you're willing to risk your life for a teddy bear. Of course, no one knew about what had happened. My photographer found out this little tidbit during intermission. Hall also sang a variety of other songs from this era which included "Don't Be Cruel", and of course, "Blue Moon".

     This lead to Elvis of the 60's, clad in black leather. Check out this photo of Joseph Hall, yes, Joseph Hall not the actual Elvis, hard to believe. I think he must have channeled him because I swear it's Elvis reborn. Hall sang "Satisfaction" "Heartbreak Hotel", "All Shook Up" and one of my favorites, "Stop, Look and Listen". While Hall sang there were photographs of Elvis, his fans, places he recorded at and a variety of other pictures on a screen at the back of the stage which added to the overall effect of the show. Hall does a terrific rendition of Elvis and his entire show causes you to suspend belief that this is someone other than Elvis performing. Before you know it you're drawn in and that's Elvis on stage.

      After a short intermission, where Hall met his fans and had pictures taken with them, it was time for Elvis of the 70's in the infamous white jumpsuit. "CeCe Rider" started off the set and then it was time for "Suspicious Minds", which is one of my favorite songs. I always feel like I've hit the trifecta when he sings "In The Ghetto" Suspicious Minds" and "Kentucky Rain". My only complaint, is that Hall always puts his all into "Suspicious Minds" and it's always way to fast. I know that he puts his own spin on the songs and he always comes off a fast up-tempo song when he moves into "Suspicious Minds" and that's probably why it's always so fast, but I wish he'd slow it down a little bit when he sings that particular song.

     All in all it was a terrific show, Hall always does Elvis proud. In December, Joseph Hall returns to The McPherson Opera House with his Elvis Christmas show. What a treat! He's never performed Elvis Christmas tunes in McPherson, so I'm eagerly awaiting this show. Check with The McPherson Opera House regarding when tickets will go on sale for this show. I also found out that Hall's Branson show has come to an end, so if you want to see him perform live, The Opera House is one of your best bets. Check out Joseph Hall's website to learn more: http://www.josephhallelvis.com/

CFTC-A Benefit for St. Rosa Lima

     Concerts For The Cause-Hutchinson kicked off the first concert of their 2016 season, on Saturday, April 23 with a benefit for the St. Rosa Lima Society at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The show was held at The Flag Theatre, the new venue for CFTC this season.

     Riley and Kathy Withrow started the show out with a variety of popular cover tunes that spanned all genres. These two always get the crowds warmed up and excited. People know their tunes and sing along, and of course, a show with The Withrow's always have a fair amount of seat dancers, you know those folks who just have to move to the beat but don't want to get up and draw attention to themselves. Hey folks, it's O-Kay to get out of those seats and actually move to the beat. There is no judging of dance moves at a CFTC event. Truly people are paying more attention to The Withrow's and what they're playing than they are to your dance moves.

     During the change out for the next band, The Soapbox Troubadors, the ladies of St. Rosa Lima took to the stage to talk about their organization and just where the money was going and whom it would benefit. There were two deserving families in the community who had unexpected expenses so all monies donated on Saturday night were going directly to these families. Donations were accepted and there were a wide variety of raffle items available to choose from this year. Thank you to all those business's that donated to this worthwhile cause. And thank you to those who participated by buying tickets.

     Then The Soapbox Troubadors took to the stage. The fellas were in fine form on this evening. Their rendition of "Alterbridge" was superb. Of course, I like everything they play. Frankie Shayne's voice is just so smooth. It grabs you and draws you in, combine that with background vocals provide by the band and the excellent instrumentals that always go along with a Soapbox Troubadors show, how can you go wrong. If you missed their performance tonight, it's going to be a while before The Troubies will be performing again, as after the concert, Frankie Shayne and his family were off to Ghana for some missionary work.

     The next Concert For a Cause Event will be held on May 27 and will be the annual School's Out bash at The Rusty Needle. The afternoon is an all ages show which runs from 2 to 5 pm and the evening show is 21 years and older and runs from 7 pm to midnight. The bands that will be featured are Artifas, Seven Days Lost, Small Town Titans, The Space Between and Moral Deficiency. The charities that will benefit are: First Call For Help and Concerts For The Cause. Check out CFTC's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/concertsforthecause/?fref=ts dates and additional information.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

     Whenever I think of The Glenn Miller Orchestra, I think of "Moonlight Serenade".  This is their signature song and has been since the band began.  Although Miller composed this piece long before he organized the band.  It was an exercise he did for a course in arranging.  But no matter.  It's so beautiful and just thinking about this song causes me to begin to hum it, which I was doing not so silently to myself as the band took to the stage this past Tuesday night at The Stiefel Theatre in Salina.

     After Miller's signature opening song, it was time for "The Chattanooga Choo Choo".  The whole place was dancing in their seats.  That's pretty impressive because the house was nearly sold out and all anyone had was a little bit of elbow room, so imagine an entire theatre operating as one as everyone did their best to move with the groove.  I think the orchestra probably enjoyed watching the audience as much as we enjoyed listening to them.  This song was the very first in history to sell over a million copies and the first to earn a gold record from RCA. Three band members as well as Nick Hilscher, the band leader, and Jenny Swoish, the female vocalist, sang this song on stage. And talk about 40's glam, Nick and Jenny were glammed up to the max!

     Just what is The Glenn Miller sound?  What sets this orchestra apart from others you may have heard?  That sound is created by the clarinet holding the melodic line, doubled or coupled with the tenor sax playing the same note; and the harmonies produced by three other saxophones, while growling trombones and wailing trumpets add their oo-ahs.  So simple a child could do it, or maybe not.  One thing about it, if I liked it, and I did, you know there has to be a saxophone in there somewhere.

     Janes Gates at The Stiefel Theatre had been so gracious to allow me to view Keb" Mo" last Friday, and The Glenn Miller Orchestra on Tuesday; she even let me bring along my photographer to Keb' Mo' where we got some amazing photos and then my videographer to this show to interview Nick Hilscher before the opening curtain.  Thank you, Jane!

     To learn more about The Glenn Miller Orchestra, check out their website: http://glennmillerorchestra.com/ And check out their music on YouTube.  You'll love it!

Keb' Mo'

     Friday night at The Stiefel Theatre in Salina and it was Keb' Mo" on stage singing The Blues.  His new CD, That Hot Pink Blues Album debuted on this night and he was here to sing a variety of selections from this new CD.  Keb' Mo' even showed up to the concert sporting a brand new hot pink tie for the occasion.

     The evening started out low key as Keb' Mo' accompanied himself on the guitar and sang a soft, sweet song, "Do It Right".  However, the stage was full of gear; a drum kit, an accordion, a couple of basses, an organ, a piano, and a synthesizer.  And Keb' Mo' didn't disappoint as he went from song to song an gradually with each song, members of his band joined him on stage.  On the song "City Boy" the organ came into play as Keb' Mo' accompanied himself on both guitar and harmonica, singing lyrics in an around the instruments he was playing. "Am I Wrong" brought the drummer up on stage and an audience sharing in the magic with rhythmic hand clapping.  One of my favorite songs of the evening was "Suitcase" and this brought the final member of the band on stage to play base.  If you haven't heard this tune, look it up on YouTube, you'll love it. 

     This evening wasn't all about the blues.  There was also a couple of Zydeco tunes; "Don't You Know" and "I'm Telling You Now".  At this point, the accordion joined in on the fun.  "Life's Beautiful" had a bit of a Western Swing style to it, which was unexpected but amazing in the middle of a Blues show.  It blended beautifully with the songs that came before it and after it.  At this point Keb' Mo' left the stage briefly as the band began tuning up to play some Jazz licks on organ, drums and bass; then Keb' Mo' joined the band back on stage and played "Rita" and another Jazz tune entitled, of all things, "Government Cheese".  There was also a bit of a '70's feel to this song, with extra synthesizer, organ and theramin licks thrown in through the middle of the song.  Check out this link to hear the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WBqrSPZEOc

      Keb' Mo' played straight through the entire concert and never took a break.  He has amazing endurance, playing and singing on every song through a variety of tempo's, never slowing down once. The show was high energy and covered a wide range of musical styles that went far beyond just singing The Blues. 

      As a side note, as I was waiting for a table at Martinelli's Little Italy, before the show and across the street from the theater, I was people watching.  I began to notice a few people who were shall we say, not like the others.  There was a little different look to them.  I began paying more attention to those around me.  There were the usual Kansas folks; the Blues and Jazz people, an aging Hippie here and there, the regular folks, people dressed up and dressed down, and then these "others" who were dressed the same as everyone else and yet I couldn't quite put my finger on it. 

     So, the show starts up at The Stiefel Theatre and it suddenly dawns on me as various band members take to the stage, the stage hands replace guitars and various instruments and they move items around the stage; I've seen all these people before.  They were walking up and down the sidewalks outside before the show.  Another people watching mystery solved!  Check out Keb' Mo's website to find out more about him and his music: http://www.kebmo.com/

    
    

Phil Keaggy with Ashley Cleveland

    

     It's only been a year, but Phil Keaggy is back at The McPherson Opera House to perform and this time he brought along a friend, Ashley Cleveland, to open for him.

     What can I say about a Phil Keaggy show that hasn't already been said in a previous review? Keaggy is professional, fun, entertaining, and his songs touch you in ways that aren't apparent right at first. I guarantee that one or more songs will touch you to your core at one of his live shows and you'll find yourself humming them long after the show is over.

     I don't think that those attending the show know just what goes into the sound check before the show. The performer comes in off the road or a long flight, as Ashley Cleveland did from Nashville. It wasn't a straight shot to Wichita and even after she arrived there, she had a drive in unfamiliar surroundings to get to the venue in McPherson. Once she arrived at the building and had some time to acclimate herself and speak with Keaggy, she was fresh as a daisy once again and ready to get to work.

     Out came the flashy candy colored guitars in turquoise and purple, placed on guitar stands ready for the nights entertainment. She tuned up, explained to the sound technician how she wanted her mics set and about the special quirks of both her guitars. She picked up the turquoise guitar and ran through "Walk In Jeruselem" and then "If I Had A Hammer" which she put her own twist on. I loved it and wished she had had time to sing the entire song in rehearsal. Then she picked up the purple guitar and played "Born to Preach the Gospel". Cleveland is very confident and knows her guitars quirks well, and her sound check was a quick, one and done.

     At this point Keaggy came back to the stage and the two rehearsed a duet that they sang during Keaggy's portion of the show, "Ezekiel". Changes were made with the way both voices would sound on the song. It was interesting watching Cleveland and Keaggy collaborate on the song before they presented the finished product in front of an audience.

     For Keaggy's part of the sound check, which actually occurred first as Cleveland hadn't arrived at the venue yet, a lot of time went into the peddles that Keaggy uses to provide additional accompaniment. One of the peddles kept popping when he'd step on it. Adjustments were made but nothing seemed to help, so that peddle was disconnected and not used.

     Keaggy sang several songs during his soundcheck. I'm not sure I have the title of this first one correct, but during the refrain the words were "La Love You", also "Fearless Love" and then it was "Anytime At All". Hearing portions of all this great music but not getting to hear the entire piece was almost painful. It really whetted my appetite for the concert.

     It's interesting to attend a soundcheck and then see the finished product on stage for the full concert. There is so much work that goes into a live show, between the performers, sound engineers and other collaborators to make it look so easy, so polished. If everyone has done their job, it just looks to the audience like a couple of folks showed up with guitars, hopped up on stage and started playing. On this night, that's exactly how it looked, effortless.

Destination: Gem Theatre, 18th and Vine

Photo by Sean Korsgaard on Gem Theatre Facebook

      This past Friday night, I had the great good luck of attending a jazz concert at the Gem Theatre in Kansas City , Missouri, courtesy of The Sunday Jazz Brunch on B98 FM. Heading out from Hutchinson, Kansas to the bright lights and big city feel of Kansas City, to hear Nick Colione and Everette Harp play some smooth jazz.

Photo by Jayne Leiker on Gem Theatre Facebook

      Everette Harp opened the show with about an hours worth of tunes.  He took to the stage mild mannered and quiet; then he picked up the sax, began to play and magic happened. I can't tell you the songs that he played, except to say that they were all tunes known to me, popular tunes if you're into smooth jazz, I just got lost in the music. At one point in the show, he sang "Rainy Night in Georgia" while accompanying himself on the saxophone, which is no small feat. He played a version of Janet Jackson's "Let's Wait A While" which was killer. I could have listened to him play and sing all night.

     Then it was time for Nick Colione, who has to be the best dressed man in jazz. From top to bottom, Colione exuded nothing but class. Sporting a white Fedora hat, a three piece silk suit,  and patent leather shoes, he was truly a site. The audience sat up and took notice as he entered the stage and began to play the guitar. He played the title track from his new CD, "The Journey" which is available April 1st, and then went right from that into one of his more well-known tunes. When he ended that song, he quipped, that the next song he was going to play was on one of his CD's, he couldn't remember which one, so those in attendance would just have to buy them all and it would be on one of them. Of course this had everyone laughing. He'd play a little, then talk a little, always in a humorous vein. At one point, Colione and Harp played a song together. One of the highlights of the evening for me. Colione connects with his audience well. Toward the end of the show, he walked out into the audience and picked out a few ladies to dance with while he played, even making it up into the upper seats. On the last song, Colione had everyone on their feet grooving to the beat.

     After the show, both Harp and Colione patiently signed autographs, took pictures and met their adoring public. Both stayed until the crowd had disbursed. This was a fund-raiser for the Negro League Baseball Museum.

Photo by James Lowe

      The 18th and Vine Jazz District is truly a phenomenal area. Before the show, I had a chance to walk around and take in the ambiance. There were bars on every corner with the sounds of live music spilling out through doorways to those passing by on the sidewalk. I stopped in at the KC Blues and Jazz Juke House and had supper before the show. Excellent food and the customer service was fantastic. They had a live band playing jazz (what else) and it was a great appetizer to whet the ears for the the concert later on that night.

Photo by James Lowe

      And what can I say about the Gem Theatre. Outside, it has this great vintage feel of neon and days gone by, but then you walk into the theatre and it's totally modern. There isn't a bad seat in the house. All seats are easily accessible and on this night I was having issues with a bum knee, so I noticed the elevator and the handrails along the steps to reach to top tiers. The staff was friendly and engaging. Oh and the people, those attending the concert were dressed to the nines and it was great fun to take in all the different varieties of outfits that everyone was sporting.

     This is a great destination spot to visit if you are in Kansas City. It's only about 4 blocks long, but it packs a lot into those four blocks. My only regret was that I didn't have time to take in the museums. Next trip to the Gem, the museums are high on my priority list. To find out more about this unique area of Kansas City, check out these sites: Gem Theatre on Facebook and 18th and Vine Jazz District.

Women of Ireland

      The McPherson Opera House wished Central Kansas a Happy St. Patrick's Day this past Thursday with the Women of Ireland Show. Three sisters: Fiona, Naomi and Evangeline O'Neill, took to the stage along with an extensive cast of extra's to celebrate the holiday.

     This show went far beyond anything I had imagined. There were a variety of Irish songs and even a Beatles tune, "Let It Be". These ladies can belt out a tune. Their voices were rich and full, harmonizing perfectly together. Multiple costume changes throughout the show kept the content fresh and exciting. I found out during the interview before the show that the O'Neill sisters travel with a seamstress who personally helps them change their dresses throughout the show. Those changes happen so quickly and the dresses are so complex, there would have to be someone behind the scenes helping out. As the ladies sang throughout the evening and changed their outfits, other things were also happening on the stage.

     Remember Riverdance, that Irish dance show sensation that swept across the country? Well, one of the dancers from Riverdance, Kierran Hardiman,the male lead dancer of the Women of Ireland show, danced in Riverdance.  He along with Kelly McDonnell, the female lead dancer, kicked up their heels along with two additional female dancers. Throughout the show the dancers would take to the stage at breaks in between the singing to entertain the crowd with fast, flying feet and amazing energy. Tap dance was also incorporated into the routines which added another dimension to the dance selections.

     Of course there was a band which consisted of a fiddler/piper, accordion, drums, guitar, and piano. They played along with the O'Neill sisters when they sang, they played for the dancers to dance and they played a variety of instrumental selections that were band specific. The fiddle player even had multiple costume changes of her own.

     On top of all of this, there was an aerialist. Hard to believe that there could be an aerial act at the compact stage of The McPherson Opera House, but she was there and her name was Taylor. She was amazing and terrifying at the same time. She performed on a trapeze bar, on silks, and on a large hoop. She performed a variety of tricks on these aparatus that seemed to be impossible and yet, there she was on stage, in the air, doing feats of incredible acrobatic moves. On the silks, she was particularly terrifying. Twice she wrapped up in the silks and at two points of the song that was playing she let go and dropped, wrapped in the silks, from the ceiling to the stage, to oohs and aahs. Timing is everything. Not once did she hit the stage, but it was touch and go for the audience each time she did this particular trick.   

     This show defies description. It went far beyond just a music show. It had more of a variety show feel to it. This was something so different, unlike anything I've ever seen. If you missed this show, you missed something unique. Find out more about this show at: http://womenofireland.com/. The next show at The McPherson Opera House will be Phil Keaggy with Ashley Cleveland on Saturday, March 19.