Post by B on Aug 14, 2011 15:34:42 GMT -5
I went to see the 2011 version of Hippiefest last night.
It wasn't bad, though they kind of had to 'reach' a bit for 'hippie band' members
that weren't dead or retired.
I preferred the line up in 2006 when Denny Lane played.
I'd give it a 8 on a scale of 10,
not for the musicianship, which was great, but for the line-up.
Here's a local review of last night's really big shoe:
Hippiefest’s acts far out
Cavaliere, Derringer, Wright, Farner and Mason in finest ’60s and ’70s form at Kirby.
BRAD PATTON Times Leader Correspondent
"WILKES-BARRE – It was a night full of peace, love and the
glorious sounds of the classic rock of the 1960s and 1970s as “Hippiefest 2011”
grooved its way to town Saturday.
The five artists who took the stage of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts –
Felix Cavaliere, Rick Derringer, Gary Wright, Mark Farner and Dave Mason –
have been responsible for writing, recording or producing records that have sold
in excess of 100 million copies.
Cavaliere, a 1997 inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an original member
of the Rascals (first known as the Young Rascals), kicked things off with his patented
blue-eyed soul. His first number, 1967’s “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long” set the tone
for the evening, as did his follow-ups “Groovin’ ” and “People Got To Be Free.”
Cavaliere deftly worked bits and pieces of other classic songs, including three by the
Temptations, into his selections and did a fine cover of Wilson Pickett’s “In The Midnight Hour.”
He capped his 30-minute performance by leading the audience in a great sing-along version
of “Good Lovin’,” his former group’s first No. 1 from 1966.
Next up was Derringer, who showed off his guitar prowess from the moment
he took the stage, especially on opening number “Still Alive and Well” and a scorching
solo version of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which led into his professional wrestling anthem, “Real American”.
He then did searing versions of “Hang On Sloopy,” his 1965 No. 1 song with his first
group, The McCoys, and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” which ended with more of
Derringer’s guitar pyrotechnics.
Wright, who had success both as a solo artist and as co-leader of Spooky Tooth,
followed with an impressive four-song set, showing off his skills on the keytar
(the combination keyboard and guitar he helped pioneer).
After treating the crowd to two songs by Spooky Tooth, including “Better By You, Better By Me,”
Wright then did a dazzling version of his 1976 solo tune “Dream Weaver” and its equally
successful followup single “Love Is Alive.” Derringer came out to add his distinctive guitar
to the latter tune, returning the favor as Wright had joined him for “Rock and Roll,
Hoochie Koo” earlier in the evening.
After intermission, Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, took over for a highly energetic
30-minute set, beginning on keyboards for much of “Footstompin’ Music” then guitar
on his former band’s big hit cover of “The Loco-Motion” and a fine rendition
of “Bad Time.”
Even though he surprised more than a few in the crowd of approximately 800 by
not playing “We’re An American Band,” (good!) he more than
made up for it with a simply epic version of “Closer To Home (I’m Your Captain).”
Mason, who found fame as a member of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Traffic
before launching a highly successful solo career, then capped the evening with great
versions of his former group’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Feelin’ Alright” and his solo hits
“Only You Know and I Know” and “We Just Disagree.” He also played a tasty cover
of Bob Dylan's “All Along The Watchtower” as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
The Hippiefest tour runs through October and will be at the Keswick Theater
in Glenside (outside Philadelphia) on Tuesday..."
Here's the rest of the tour:
August 14, 2011
Guilford, NH
Meadowbrook Pavillion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 16, 2011
Philadelphia, PA
Keswick Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 18, 2011
Detroit, MI
DTE Music Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 20, 2011
Kettering, OH
Fraze Pavillion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 21, 2011
Minneapolis, MN
MN Zoo Amphitheatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 2011
Gainsville, FL
The Phillips Center PAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 25, 2011
Melbourne, FL
King Center for the Performing Arts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 26, 2011
Daytona Beach, FL
Peabody Auditorium
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 27, 2011
Clearwater, FL
Ruth Eckerd Hall
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 28, 2011
Hollywood, FL
Hard Rock Casino
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 1, 2011
Mobile, AL
The Saenger Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 2, 2011
Houston, TX
Arena Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 3, 2011
Ft. Worth, TX
La Grave Baseball Field
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 4, 2011
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Convention Center Festival Grounds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 5, 2011
San Antonio, TX
Freeman Coliseum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 12, 2011
Boston, MA
Wilbur Theater
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 13, 2011
Albany, NY
Palace Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 14, 2011
Peekskill, NY
Paramount Theater
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 15, 2011
Merrillville, IN
Star Plaza Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 16, 2011
Hamilton, ONT
Hamilton Place (Great Hall)
It wasn't bad, though they kind of had to 'reach' a bit for 'hippie band' members
that weren't dead or retired.
I preferred the line up in 2006 when Denny Lane played.
I'd give it a 8 on a scale of 10,not for the musicianship, which was great, but for the line-up.
Here's a local review of last night's really big shoe:
Hippiefest’s acts far out
Cavaliere, Derringer, Wright, Farner and Mason in finest ’60s and ’70s form at Kirby.
BRAD PATTON Times Leader Correspondent
"WILKES-BARRE – It was a night full of peace, love and the
glorious sounds of the classic rock of the 1960s and 1970s as “Hippiefest 2011”
grooved its way to town Saturday.
The five artists who took the stage of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts –
Felix Cavaliere, Rick Derringer, Gary Wright, Mark Farner and Dave Mason –
have been responsible for writing, recording or producing records that have sold
in excess of 100 million copies.
Cavaliere, a 1997 inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an original member
of the Rascals (first known as the Young Rascals), kicked things off with his patented
blue-eyed soul. His first number, 1967’s “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long” set the tone
for the evening, as did his follow-ups “Groovin’ ” and “People Got To Be Free.”
Cavaliere deftly worked bits and pieces of other classic songs, including three by the
Temptations, into his selections and did a fine cover of Wilson Pickett’s “In The Midnight Hour.”
He capped his 30-minute performance by leading the audience in a great sing-along version
of “Good Lovin’,” his former group’s first No. 1 from 1966.
Next up was Derringer, who showed off his guitar prowess from the moment
he took the stage, especially on opening number “Still Alive and Well” and a scorching
solo version of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which led into his professional wrestling anthem, “Real American”.
He then did searing versions of “Hang On Sloopy,” his 1965 No. 1 song with his first
group, The McCoys, and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” which ended with more of
Derringer’s guitar pyrotechnics.
Wright, who had success both as a solo artist and as co-leader of Spooky Tooth,
followed with an impressive four-song set, showing off his skills on the keytar
(the combination keyboard and guitar he helped pioneer).
After treating the crowd to two songs by Spooky Tooth, including “Better By You, Better By Me,”
Wright then did a dazzling version of his 1976 solo tune “Dream Weaver” and its equally
successful followup single “Love Is Alive.” Derringer came out to add his distinctive guitar
to the latter tune, returning the favor as Wright had joined him for “Rock and Roll,
Hoochie Koo” earlier in the evening.
After intermission, Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, took over for a highly energetic
30-minute set, beginning on keyboards for much of “Footstompin’ Music” then guitar
on his former band’s big hit cover of “The Loco-Motion” and a fine rendition
of “Bad Time.”
Even though he surprised more than a few in the crowd of approximately 800 by
not playing “We’re An American Band,” (good!) he more than
made up for it with a simply epic version of “Closer To Home (I’m Your Captain).”
Mason, who found fame as a member of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Traffic
before launching a highly successful solo career, then capped the evening with great
versions of his former group’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Feelin’ Alright” and his solo hits
“Only You Know and I Know” and “We Just Disagree.” He also played a tasty cover
of Bob Dylan's “All Along The Watchtower” as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
The Hippiefest tour runs through October and will be at the Keswick Theater
in Glenside (outside Philadelphia) on Tuesday..."
Here's the rest of the tour:
August 14, 2011
Guilford, NH
Meadowbrook Pavillion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 16, 2011
Philadelphia, PA
Keswick Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 18, 2011
Detroit, MI
DTE Music Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 20, 2011
Kettering, OH
Fraze Pavillion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 21, 2011
Minneapolis, MN
MN Zoo Amphitheatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 2011
Gainsville, FL
The Phillips Center PAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 25, 2011
Melbourne, FL
King Center for the Performing Arts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 26, 2011
Daytona Beach, FL
Peabody Auditorium
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 27, 2011
Clearwater, FL
Ruth Eckerd Hall
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 28, 2011
Hollywood, FL
Hard Rock Casino
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 1, 2011
Mobile, AL
The Saenger Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 2, 2011
Houston, TX
Arena Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 3, 2011
Ft. Worth, TX
La Grave Baseball Field
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 4, 2011
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Convention Center Festival Grounds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 5, 2011
San Antonio, TX
Freeman Coliseum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 12, 2011
Boston, MA
Wilbur Theater
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 13, 2011
Albany, NY
Palace Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 14, 2011
Peekskill, NY
Paramount Theater
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 15, 2011
Merrillville, IN
Star Plaza Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 16, 2011
Hamilton, ONT
Hamilton Place (Great Hall)