Review

September 27th, 2007

Best Damned Concert Ever

A Review - by lyle e davis

Everyone, absolutely everyone, even the curmudgeonly ol' Lyle, was on their feet, swaying, clapping, and singing . . . "La Bamba." Richie Valens blew the house down with "La Bamba." It was the Winter Dance Party Tour featuring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and "The Big Bopper," J. D. Richardson.

Ritchie Valens, as portrayed by Ray Anthony

Ostensibly, the headliner was Buddy Holly . . .and, to be sure, there was “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Rave On,” “Oh, Boy,” all of the hits that Holly recorded in the 1950’s. And “The Big Bopper” did . . . “Chantilly Lace,” but the show-stopper was Ritchie Valens and “La Bamba.” When he hit "La Bamba," the theatre erupted. And, yes, we did have folks dancing in the aisles. Literally. Ritchie Valens stole the show. It was a throwback in time - to the 1950’s, when all of us were just a tad younger. And it was an absolute blast!

Never mind that the stars real names were John Mueller, Ray Anthony and Jay Richardson (the son of J. D. Richardson) . . for tonight they were Holly, Valens, and 'the Bopper.' This was a Tribute Concert. And it's the best concert I ever saw in my life. Ever. (And I attended several of Elvis’ concerts). Fast paced, musicians that just knocked your socks off . . .and music that made you wonder . . 'where in the hell did all those years disappear to?"

Buddy Holly, as portrayed by John Mueller

I remember thinking as I sat in my seat . . . watching all the people in the audience swaying and clapping in time to the many songs that came firing out from the stage . . . . why didn’t The California Center for the Arts promote this show more? The house was half full . . . it should have been sold out. It’s one of the best shows to ever come to Escondido. As great as the headliners were - the band was absolutely out of this world! Mike Acosta blew the hell out of a saxophone, Ed Maxwell on the Stand Up Bass had us tapping our toes, and the drummer, Mark Micklethwaite - . . well, he brought it all together. And, oh yes, George Mueller, John's brother, played a mean Rhythm and Lead Guitar. Put them all together and they spell FUN!

If you get the impression we had a blast Friday night . . . you'd be right on target. If the Center for the Arts brings him back . . . run, don’t walk to the ticket office, and buy some tickets. It's worth the effort to go see The Winter Dance Party.

You will thank me for recommending them.

Hot Date on a Cool Night

A Review by lyle e davis

When Neil Diamond leaves the stage and ventures into the audience the ladies swoon and squeal and giggle a lot. This guy is a charmer all right. He shakes hands with the gents, an occasional lady, gives a hug to a lady here, a kiss to a lady there, and all the while he is singing one of the Neil Diamond classics, “Play Me,” “September Morn,” or, “Longfellow Serenade,” most any Diamond classic will do.

Of course, it’s not Neil Diamond singing and charming the ladies . . . it’s David J. Sherry, the brilliant song stylist who has put together a Neil Diamond Tribute series of concerts that had the audience singing along and swaying, and clapping hands, and, yes, dancing in the aisle and/or the dance floor in front of the stage at Vista’s Moonlight Amphitheatre.

Opening with the bright and uptempo “Crunchy Granola Suite,” the show moved smartly along. An excellent band and backed up by the Diamond Girls, the show is packed with Diamond classics and several lesser known Diamond songs. There is one touching song he does with Ce Ce Taylor, the leader of The Diamond Girls. They did “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” together. Very well done. Set in the attractive outdoor Moonlight Amphitheatre, the cast and audience were a bit concerned about the threatening weather but only a few very misty sprinkles fell.

Neil Diamond, as portrayed by David J. Sherry

Sherry looks a lot like Diamond, dresses like him, and reveres him. His voice is magnificent and audiences seem to love him. That’s probably because he recreates the Sound, Style & Feel of the legendary Neil Diamond.

Once the show began (it was billed as 6:30pm showtime but did not begin until 6:55pm. Twenty five minutes late. That’s a no-no in showbiz - you start when the program says start and when the audience expects you to start) it worked quite well. No question but what David J. Sherry is an outstanding vocalist and tribute artist. He could well become a recording star in his own right . . . but, there are a couple of problem areas that need to be ironed out if this concert series is to become truly great. First, the the stage crew needs to dress the stage well before show time. Sound and light checks should be done way before showtime. Musicians and supporting cast should take the stage five minutes before show time, for last minute tuning of instruments, and be ready to go. Secondly, start on time. Always. Third . . . for heaven’s sake, keep the stage crew off the stage during the performance! The audience should be focused on the star of the show, not one or two stage hands who pop out from behind the curtains and stand in the wings, in full view of the audience. One member of the stage crew even waved at someone, presumably the spotlight technician, while Sherry was in the middle of his opening song in the second set. It was very distracting. I was trying to focus on David and listen to the music and this crew member interrupted the flow of attention. Absolutely unforgiveable. Fourth, I still think the show is too long. Intermission was at 8:32 pm . . . (Sherry had said it was a five minute intermission; it lasted 20 minutes. I have no problem with a 20 minute intermission . . . but don’t say one thing and then do another). The second set began at 8:52 and the show ended shortly after 10pm. That, to me, is too long.

At intermission about 1/3rd of the audience left for home. By the end of the show 1/2 of the remaining 2/3rds of the audience had left. We left at the middle of “Brother Love’s Salvation Travelin’ Show” as we knew this was the closing song. It had become cold . . . and the show lasted too long.

Still, even with my criticisms, I’d go back again . . . I just hope David tightens up the show and straightens out his staff. On balance, it’s great entertainment. Well worth the ticket price.