Concert Review: O.A.R. - December 27, 2016

Three words best describe my most recent concert experience with O.A.R.---Robert Fucking Randolph! Yes, he was the surprise guest that came out for the entire encore. It was an extremely delightful treat for me, a belated Christmas gift that filled my heart with joy. Since the very first time I saw him perform with Dave Matthews Band back in 2005, I have been fascinated with Robert Randolph. The man is a genius on the pedal steel and increases the value of any song that he plays live.

General Admission tickets were purchased for this show at the Wellmont Theatre and our arrival was early enough to secure a location close to the stage. We weren’t on the rail, but almost. It was close enough that we could see all the little nuances happening on stage which sometimes is magical. Fortunately I had the week off from my day job, so I knew if the concert ran late it wasn’t that big of a deal to me. I didn’t need to be up at any specific time the next morning.

Taylor Carson opened the show and like most acts that I’ve seen open for O.A.R. over the years, he gave a decent performance. Carson is someone that I will pay more attention to in the future. His set was short and sweet, but strong and powerful. I enjoyed watching him perform and set the stage for what was to come.

The curse of attracting drunks in the General Admission area haunted me once again that evening. During the brief intermission between performers, I noticed a group of people from the Boston area that had come down to see the show. It was obvious which one wasn’t driving as he immediately engaged me in conversation with two fistfuls of beer. He commented that he liked my Deadpool beanie and asked if I had seen the movie. After a few polite nods and smiles from me, his friends pulled him away and steered him back toward their conversation. Ten minutes later he was standing next to me again proclaiming that he liked my hat. Then he asked if I had seen the movie. I chuckled in response and said that “yes, I had seen the movie.” I didn’t add that I had just told him that a few minutes ago. He seemed harmless enough and he wasn’t going to remember most of the night anyway, so I figured why bother?

O.A.R. came out shortly after the second intervention of the Deadpool lover by his friends and the crowd roared. By this time the General Admission was packed and the balcony seats were filled close to capacity. I could tell that it was going to be an exceptional night of music and fun. The band opened the night with “This Town” and the evening began. “About An Hour Ago” followed and being my favorite song in the O.A.R. catalog, I was overjoyed. I sang it back to them at the top of my lungs along with 90 percent of the crowd.

The setlist was a well-crafted blend of classic and newer hits mixed with deep cuts from the early days. As an avid fan of the entire O.A.R. catalog, this was all right by me. I will admit that I was disappointed that no songs from The Rockville LP were performed, but I understand that in a setlist like this, hard cuts need to be made. Highlights of the evening include the aforementioned “About An Hour Ago,” “Black Rock,” “About Mr. Brown” and “I Go Through” one of two new songs from the greatest hits record.

In addition to the core band members and Michael Paris on keyboards and percussion, O.A.R. continued to have Jon Lampley on trumpet for this tour. Lampley stole the spotlight and was the real treat of the evening. Energized in a way that not many performers are, Lampley had the crowd jumping and screaming from the moment he took his place on stage. He was having fun from the opening note of the night until the end of the concert. Dancing, singing, taking trumpet solos, and just being an animated, happy person, his joy was infectious. Every time I looked at him a big grin appeared on my face. That is what performing on stage should be like. Fun for all, but especially for the entertainer.

The main set ended with a blistering cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run.” Marc Roberge asked the crowd to sing it with him if they knew it. Once the opening notes were played, everyone roared. Of course we knew it --- it was Bruce Springsteen in New Jersey! O.A.R.’s rendition of “Born To Run” was fabulous and flawless and I found myself singing it louder than I do at a Springsteen concert. I thought that was going to be the highlight of the entire evening, but I was highly incorrect about that.

As they took the stage for the encore, Roberge talked about how hard it is to have real friends in the music business. He mentioned how O.A.R. was blessed to be friends with the man they were bringing out onstage. They then introduced Mr. Robert Randolph and I went berserk (for all the reasons I stated earlier). The band kicked into “Anyway” with Randolph’s signature pedal steel slide guitar added into the mix and it was just a treat for the ears. An extended jam was performed and Randolph even got to take a solo. It was magnificent.

A cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Fool In The Rain” followed and that too was phenomenal. I was mesmerized and knew that I could sit and watch this band perform with Robert Randolph all night long. I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to watch the master continue to play. Fortunately, the band obliged with one more song---their signature and fan favorite---“That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker.”

Complete with cards being tossed into the air by audience members, “Poker” was given a grand performance. And while I have grown tired of this song over the years, it is never dull when performed live. Add Robert Randolph to the mix and the song was taken to new heights.

Once again O.A.R. put on an exceptional show proving they still have what it takes for a live performance. And while I am hopeful that they will head back to the studio to record a new album I would also welcome the opportunity to see them over the summer. Perhaps the music Gods will be generous and give me both.

Setlist

This Town

About An Hour Ago

On Top The Cage

Black Rock

Dangerous Connection

Shattered

Lay Down

Right On Time

Dareh Meyod

Hold On True

Hey Girl

Heavy Heart

About Mr. Brown

I Go Through

City On Down (First Half)

Delicate Few (Second Half)

Peace

Heaven

Born To Run

Encore

Anyway

Fool In The Rain

That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker

Concert Review: Guster - November 21, 2015

It was a beautiful Saturday night in late November, and once again, Mrs. Vie and I were going to witness the always fantastic Guster in concert. After seeing them live earlier that summer, I knew they were going to give an incredible performance. This time around we would be enjoying their show from the Wellmont Theatre, an exceptional venue located in Montclair, New Jersey.

We arrived early, and once again, my lovely wife put us as close to the stage as possible. We were up against the barricade and could easily reach over and touch the stage. It was nice to be that close to the action and my wife was ecstatic. I was pretty excited myself.

The opening band had won the opportunity to open for Guster at this show. For their fall tour, Guster held a contest that a local college/high school band near each venue would open the evening. For The Wellmont Theatre that meant The Emily Youth Project would be the opening act. Clearly I knew nothing about the band, the same as most audience members. This was a local, unknown band who were handed a great opportunity. I was interested in seeing how they would make the most of it.

The Emily Youth Project was nothing short of spectacular. Considering that I didn’t know any of their songs or anything about the band, they came out and gave a stupendous performance. They absolutely blew the crowd away! Although they are a young and new band, they commanded the stage like seasoned professionals. Their ability was magnificent and they showed a maturity and stage presence well beyond their years. By the end of their set, the entire crowd was clapping and dancing along with their songs. I was extremely impressed with the band.

After The Emily Youth Project wrapped up, I took a moment to look around the theater before Guster would come out. I noticed that the General Admission area was pretty much sold out and packed, but the balcony seating was sparse. That was disappointing, as I’ve always felt that Guster is a band that should be selling out the venues they perform at. However, knowing Guster after having seen them a few times, I knew that the size of the crowd did not make a difference to them. They were going to come out and give us a magnificent performance no matter what.

We stood through the setting up of the stage, took in all the little nuances that we could, and then the house lights went down and Guster came out to the roar of the crowd. They opened with a terrific rendition of “Ramona” and the night was off and running.

“Satellite,” the new track “Simple Machine,” and “Happier” were next and it was an exquisite pack of songs to begin the concert. Classic staples and newer hits blended together to start the night off right. I was grinning by the end of “Happier” and just knew that we were in for an amazing night.

My favorite track from the new album, “Kid Dreams” was performed as well as “Never Coming Down” and “Lazy Love.” I felt that Guster paid the right amount of attention to their latest album while mixing in plenty of hits and deeper cuts. At one point in the night, the band decided to take an audience vote on which song they wanted to hear. The choices were “Two Points For Honesty” and “Happy Frappy.” The loudest applause and cheers would get the song performed. “Two Points For Honesty” won out by a landslide and the band went on to play an exceptional version of it. Singer/guitarist Ryan Miller admitted after the song that he didn’t like to perform most of the older songs, he preferred to stick with the newer material. He then admitted that he had so much fun playing “Two Points For Honesty” that the band was going to play “Happy Frappy” anyway. This received a huge roar of approval from the crowd. What he didn’t tell the crowd was that they hadn’t played the song live in so long, they were going to sing the verses out of order. They butchered the verses which forced quizzical glances from Ryan and Adam at each other. When Ryan started to sing the same verse again, Adam noted that he sang that verse already and they made a small bit out of it. Guster always finds a way to entertain, even through their mess ups. And the crowd did not care. They got to hear “Happy Frappy.”

It was also Ryan’s birthday. Toward the end of the set, Ryan was presented with a birthday cake and a little birthday party hat that he wore for a while. It was comical seeing him sing songs with a birthday party hat strapped to his head. It was just another reason to love this band.

The encore was set up in a way that only Guster could do. They made up a song on the spot called “Zombie Jews.” They told the audience that the band was going to lie down on the stage ike they were dead and then they would slowly rise like Zombies to play the encore. Then another verse of the fictious song “Zombie Jews” was played and the band lay down on the stage just like they said they would. It was comical and entertaining. Shortly after lying down, the band slowly rose like Zombies and went into the encore.

The encore was a solid pack of hits (including their newest one). The last song of the night was a special Guster joke that they entertain from time to time. Drummer/Bongo specialist, Brian Rosenworcel stepped out from behind the bongos and took the microphone. It was time to sing a cover song. The band launched into Wham’s “Careless Whisper” with Brian screaming his way through the vocals. I laughed through the entire song, enjoying the joke of it. It’s also my kind of esoteric comedy.

Once again, Guster was amazing in concert and I can’t wait to see them again. It was a terrific performance and being so close to the stage for the second Guster concert in a row was a real treat. Compliments to my wife who always seems to bring me out of comfort zone for all the right reasons.

Setlist

Ramona

Satellite

Simple Machine

Happier

Hercules

Careful

Doin’ It By Myself

Captain

Kid Dreams

Homecoming King

Come Downstairs And Say Hello

Do You Love Me

Never Coming Down

Demons

Two Points For Honesty

Happy Frappy

Ruby Falls

Lazy Love

Barrel Of A Gun

This Could All Be Yours

Encore

Long Night

One Man Wrecking Machine

Manifest Destiny

Airport Song

Careless Whisper (Wham cover – Brian on vocals)

From Good Homes - December 18, 2010

If you’ve never been to the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, New Jersey, you should really consider paying a visit. This 2500 occupancy venue is a marvel of acoustic amazement. Built in 1922 as an acting theater, the building was converted to a movie theater in 1929. In 2006, the theater closed and was reopened in 2008 for concerts. The cathedral ceilings and large open floor make it an excellent venue for concerts. The acoustics in the building are impeccable. A seated balcony graces the upper level for those that prefer to sit during a performance, although on the night that From Good Homes performed, not much sitting occurred.

It had been a long time since I saw a From Good Homes concert. While they reunited last December (2009) for the first time in a decade, I missed their Wellmont reunion shows. I also missed the sporadic few events they played in 2010. This December was going to be my first opportunity to see the band live since I watched them at Waterloo Village in 1998 and I had a feeling that it was going to be quite a show.

Bassist/Vocalist Brady Rhymer and guitarist/vocalist Todd Sheaffer looked amazing as they made their way to the front of the stage to begin the night. They both appeared vibrant, youthful, and in great shape. Opening with the fan favorite There She Goes, From Good Homes instantly had the crowd in their grasp. The opening jam found the audience more than willing to sing along. The first set focused more on the From Good Homes classics. Songs such as Relationships Are Strange, Suzanna Walker, and If The Wind Blows dominated set one. The band reached deep into their catalog to please the masses. Closing the first set with another fan favorite in Way To Go Pam, the band book ended their set with two magnificent jam sing-alongs.

When their first set ended, just under an hour after it had started, it felt like From Good Homes had played the entire night. Nothing was held back in their set one performance and it had me wondering what would be available for set two. The energy and power the band brought to their performance was astonishing. The band clearly enjoyed performing to their audience, and the audience was grateful for the opportunity to see the band live.

During the set one break, I had an opportunity to talk with some of the fans. From Good Homes fans have a passion and joy for music that isn’t found in most fans. Everyone was friendly, pleasant, and willing to talk, which is a reflection on the band. There wonderful music draws wonderful fans that appreciate one another and are willing to share their experiences and joy.

Most of the fans had come the year before and they all remember the blizzard that the 2009 shows brought. Every fan that attended the blizzard show said it was worth it. After seeing set one, I could understand what they meant.

Back inside the theatre, set two proved to be just as grand as the first, only much more majestic in length and content. Opening set two with Broken Road, From Good Homes let themselves loose upon the New Jersey crowd, blasting us with harmonies, melodies, and amazing riffs that washed over every fiber of our being.

The drum/bongo solo that occurred at the end of Head was a jaw dropping moment during the concert. At first, I was questioning the idea of a drum solo in the middle of a great jam, but further review proved it was the proper course of action to proceed with. Patrick Fitzsimmons on the drums and Danny Sadownick on the bongos were the perfect tandem for a percussion solo. It was amazing to see Fitzsimmons bang out the beat only to have Sadownick match it. Together they created the most special moment during the night. The fans loved it and showed their appreciation with deafening applause.




At some point deep in the second set, a feeling of euphoria overtook me. The power of live From Good Homes songs will do that to a person. The positive message in their music and lyrics is that of hope and celebration. It is music that makes the listener think and imagine what life could really be like if they apply the learning found in the escapism of the entertainment.




It was nearly midnight when the show ended. From Good Homes had played for over 3 hours. Two sets filled with amazing moments. The final song of the night, Maybe We Will was performed with as much rigor and enthusiasm as the opening song of the night had been. Both the performers and the crowd were still going strong, wanting more. With a long, drawn out Maybe We Will that Todd Sheaffer refused to let end (by screaming “Let’s do it again!” after each moment that we thought the band was done), From Good Homes ended on a high note. It’s that magic these guys have together that make them such a fantastic group.

From Good Homes could have been one of the biggest bands in their world, but circumstance and fate didn’t allow that to happen. And to me, that’s all right. It makes the band even better in concert. Where else can you see a band perform a stadium show in the intimacy of a venue like the Wellmont Theatre at an affordable ticket price?

If you haven’t seen From Good Homes on one of their few reunion performances, you should it make it a priority for the next time they come anywhere near your town. As a holdover, the band has released a live DVD of highlights from the 2009 performances at The Wellmont Theatre. You can purchase that in the meantime, but it in no way replaces their actual live show. Travel if you must, it’s worth every mile.

Setlist
SET ONE
There She Goes
If The Wind Blows
Suzanna Walker
Let Go
Dance A Hole
Giving Tree
Wake
Celebrate
Relationships Are Strange
Way To Go Pam

SET TWO
Broken Road
Where Songs Begin
Like A River
Second Red Barn On The Right
Trampled Underfoot (Led Zeppelin Cover)
I Only Want
Ferris Wheel Waltz
Comin’ On Home
Head
Drum/Bongo Solos
I’m Your Man
The Ballad Of Todd And Tracy
Butterfly And The Tree

ENCORE
Atlantic City (Bruce Springsteen Cover)
Maybe We Will

Your Chance To Win From Good Homes Tickets Is Still Happening

Hey Everyone! Just a reminder that your chance to win tickets to see From Good Homes at The Wellmont Theatre is still happening. A pair of tickets to each of the shows is being given away by your cousin Ryo, courtesy of my friends at From Good Homes and the Wellmont Theatre.

HOW TO ENTER/HOW TO WIN
To enter, email ryovie@gmail.com with the words From Good Homes in the subject line. In the body of the email, you must tell me the name of all of From Good Homes studio albums. That’s all there is to it. Any emails received that do not have From Good Homes in the subject line, or the name of the studio albums in the body of the email, will not be eligible.

This contest is open until November 15th. A winner will be announced for each night at that time. Winners are chosen at random from all eligible entries received. So, what are you waiting for? Send that email now!

ABOUT FROM GOOD HOMES
The genesis of From Good Homes dates back to a high school band, when childhood friends Todd Sheaffer, Brady Rymer, and Patrick Fitzsimmons came together in rural, Northwestern New Jersey. Originally called “Old Crow”, and later evolving into “The Dogs”, the core line-up remained. With the addition of Dan Myers in 1988, and Jamie Coan in 1990, the band From Good Homes was fully formed.

Named after a judge’s explanation for leniency after the young band broke in to a club to finish their set, the band “from good homes” released 5 albums during their career- 3 of which were released by RCA Records. Their upbeat approach, solid songwriting, and unique sound allowed them to quickly develop a dedicated following on the touring circuit.

The band performed over 1,500 shows across North America, including tours with Dave Matthews Band, Ratdog featuring Bob Weir and shows with Bob Dylan, Guster, Widespread Panic, Hootie & The Blowfish, Blues Traveler and many more.

Bringing together rock, jazz, folk, celtic and jam-band influences under one umbrella, rooted in Todd Sheaffer’s inspired songwriting, From Good Homes forged their own, instantly lovable music. Their unique style prompted one critic to affectionately label the band’s blend of influences as “Hick-Pop”. After disbanding in 1999, band members went on to embark on individual projects.