by Junkman
Again As a musician, I love a good jam session. I’ve spent many nights in a fellow musician’s living room banging on a box or phone book (I’m a drummer…) to a guitarist or two playing and singing. It’s something I cannot get enough of. I also love to go to concerts, live music being my source for living. Yes, I love it that much.
So, when Styx singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw and Night Ranger bassist Jack Blades recently came back to my neighborhood to perform acoustically, I couldn’t get there soon enough. I’m a big fan of both artists; their body of work speaks for itself, with just their former bands alone. But the two have also collaborated, first with the 1980s “supergroup” Damn Yankees, as well as two CDs recorded as Shaw/Blades — 1995’s Hallucination and the excellent recent release Influence, which, as the title suggests, features covers of songs that have influenced the both of them, and, come to think of it, myself as well.
As I made my way to my seat, four feet from stage center (thanks Coach House, you rule!!!), my friend and I noticed that the stage was set up like a living room, complete with chairs and couches with tie-dyed slipcovers. This added to the vibe of the whole event and it’s a wonderful idea that helps get in the mood for a great acoustic show. I only wish the four drunken guys seated directly behind me would have felt that way, because they didn’t shut up for the entire performance. Instead, they loudly discussed their problems — jobs, girlfriends and kids — while the rest of the crowd came to listen to the music. Some people just don’t get it.
Anyway, at 9:20, Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades hit the stage. Accompanied by guitarist/ mandolin player Will Evankovich from the Bay Area band American Drag, they opened with the old Seals and Crofts hit from the early 70s, “Summer Breeze.” Blending their voices together as one, they gave the song the “face lift” it needed. Shaw’s high harmony brought to mind so many of those aforementioned jam sessions of my youth — before my voice changed to baritone.
Shaw and Blades truly enjoy playing together. The onstage banter between them and the self-mocking can only come from true buddies. Their sense of humor, as well as timing, is a true joy to watch and listen to. And they had the crowd laughing as well, especially during their stories of being on tour and dealing with fans. They also showed their sense of humor by performing a song they had performed on Howard Stern’s radio program entitled “When I See Beth Smile” (Beth is Stern’s fiancée).
They touched on previous Damn Yankees recordings like “High Enough” and “Coming Of Age,” which lead, of course, to stories about fellow Damn Yankees band mate Ted Nugent. These tales, as you can imagine, bordered on lunacy. Styx and Night Ranger songs were equally well represented and sounded wonderful acoustically. “Too Much Time On My Hands,” with audience hand claps during the accents, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” and “Sister Christian” were standouts. The latter featured Shaw on lead vocals, in place of Night Ranger drummer/vocalist Kelly Keagy.
For me though, the real treat was listening to the duo perform songs from Influence. This CD has gotten me through many hours of L.A. freeway congestion. Its soothing harmonies really are a joy to listen to. Songs like Yes’ “Your Move,” Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work,” and Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s classic “Lucky Man,” featuring Shaw on electric tremolo guitar, sounded as if they were lifted right off the new CD.
Throughout the show, an ever-changing lineup of women were allowed to occupy the chairs and couches onstage. Once again, the jam session/ living room vibe was brought to life. During an awesome version of the Mamas and Papas’ 1965 hit, “California Dreaming,” audience members were invited to sing background vocals, although there were at least two who looked pretty clueless as to how the song went. Oh well, it was all in the name of fun. The four drunks behind me actually added another dimension to that song, originally recorded by a quartet; with them and Shaw and Blades, it was a sextet. Thanks guys, you’ve become innovators of sound.
In spite of all that, it was a wonderful evening. The majority of the crowd and I truly enjoyed ourselves. Finishing the set with a fine version of the Styx song, “Blue Collar Man,” we roared for more, but to no avail. Do yourselves a favor and get yourself a copy of Influence. You’ll find yourself singing along in the car, hopefully not while you are drunk, and hopefully in key! Shaw/ Blades are currently on tour and coming to a town near you. Go see them.
Setlist:
Summer Breeze
Too Much Time On My Hands
The Night Goes On
When I See Beth Smile
Your Move
I Am A Rock
High Enough
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me
For What It’s Worth
Dirty Work
Sister Christian
Questions (CSNY)
Foolin Yourself/ Love The One Your With
Coming Of Age
California Dreaming
(Encore)
Lucky Man
Blue Collar Man
