A few weekends ago, Colt & I visited New York. After asking directions, we were told we would need to walk through Rome, continue through Paris, and eventually stop in Beijing. Quite a trip just to see Jonny Lang, but we were dedicated.
We made last minute plans to see Jonny Lang and Robert Cray at the WinStar World Casino, which boasts casinos from "around the world". I must say I'm surprised to find the world is filled with electronic gambling machines...and a bit smoky. Thankfully, the event center where we watched the concert was smoke-free.
First up was Robert Cray. Colt told me that I would enjoy his music, but I had actually never heard of him. Colt was correct. I was thoroughly impressed. His band had an unbelievable blues pianist. I mean...WOW! Mr. Cray's performance was incredible. He has one of those voices that seems so effortless, but packs a punch....smooth, but powerful. His onstage quips were intelligent and amusing, not bawdy like some blues guys I've seen. Overall, a very enjoyable show. See him if you get the chance.
We made last minute plans to see Jonny Lang and Robert Cray at the WinStar World Casino, which boasts casinos from "around the world". I must say I'm surprised to find the world is filled with electronic gambling machines...and a bit smoky. Thankfully, the event center where we watched the concert was smoke-free.
First up was Robert Cray. Colt told me that I would enjoy his music, but I had actually never heard of him. Colt was correct. I was thoroughly impressed. His band had an unbelievable blues pianist. I mean...WOW! Mr. Cray's performance was incredible. He has one of those voices that seems so effortless, but packs a punch....smooth, but powerful. His onstage quips were intelligent and amusing, not bawdy like some blues guys I've seen. Overall, a very enjoyable show. See him if you get the chance.
Next up was Jonny Lang. I've been a fan since his first album, Lie to Me, was released in 1997. Jonny recorded this album when he was only 15-years old! It does not sound like a young person's voice...gritty and very bluesy.
Colt was made even more aware of his appreciation of Jonny Lang through Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, which features artists from blues to bluegrass, classic rockers to contemporary showboats. Eric Clapton hand picks (that's funny) the guitarists that perform and are supposed to be the very best of the best...the ones who have earned his respect.
Being a Lang fan, I knew I would enjoy the show, but I couldn't have imagined just how entertaining this night would be. If you've never seen Jonny Lang perform, let me say that it's quite a sight. In describing it, I would have to say that Jonny looks likes he is in the midst of lycanthropic transformation. In other words, I believe there is a full moon out and dude is fixing to sprout fur and fangs and run amuck. I looked around to see if anyone else was concerned. Since they weren't, I decided to relax & enjoy the show. Even though his guitars licks seemed to evoke acute pain as evidenced in his menacing grimaces, they were incredibly soulful. He sang with such intensity and seemed to be expressing such raw emotion, it felt like he was in physical distress. BUT! blues guys are supposed to be in pain, right? Hence the need to sing the "blues", yes? Kidding, the moon must have faded behind the clouds because Jonny never fully transformed into a werewolf. It would've been my money's worth it he had, but even given that disappointment, I was totally taken with Jonny Lang. He was humble and sincere when he addressed his audience with many thank you's throughout the show. I'm even a bigger Jonny Lang fan now. He's incredibly talented, humble and puts on an AWESOME show!
Aaaahoooo!
Beware the moon...
Seriously!
My favorite song that he performed was this one:
2 comments:
I LOVE Johnny Lang! And blues music in general. As does sweet baby J. The one, surefire thing that will always put him to sleep is the 3 O'Clock Blues by BB King. So glad you two had a great time!
We were actually trying to think of other blues fans that might enjoy going with us. I'm making a mental note now for future reference. We actually got tickets to see BB King for Colt's birthday, but never made it past Buddy Guy. If you get the chance to see Buddy Guy, don't.
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