Here's all about the first time we saw McGuinn: July 3 '05 was our 31st wedding anniversary and we celebrated it by attending a blast from the past. About a month before, I read an ad for the Warner Theater in Torrington: A concert with Donovan and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, Good Gawd! In high school/college I was a fan of both these guys or I should say, one guy and the group of the other guy. I had all their LPs and still do in the basement. These guys were leader of the folk-rock movement and branched out into other areas. I also own a few of McG's solo works. Martha was also a Donovanny (like a Duranny - Duran Duran fan) so when I told her they were playing together that night, we had to go.
I immediately called the box office and foamed at the mouth about how we were bigggg fans and were dying to finally see these guys. After I raved with this nice lady, I told her why it was a special night for us. She said she would try to get us front row seats; if she couldn't would second or third row be OK? I thanked her profusely and a few days later I received front row seats! Moral of the story: Always be nice and thankful to people; it pays off in the end.
Since we were unfamiliar with Torrington, we decided to eat at home instead of finding a restaurant near the theater. Parking is on the street so that was another reason for leaving early. We left at 6:00 for an easy highway ride to downtown Torrington and arrived there at 6:50. We found a parking spot about a hundred feet from the theater and grabbed it before the cars behind me could. The stores were closed so we went to this bar across the street for drinks. Some of the patrons were later at the show.
About 7:30 we went to the theater, which has a big balcony, and holds about 1200 people. This was a former movie palace restored to its Art Deco splendor. We didn't see any tour tee shirts so we went to our seats. And what seats they were; a little to the right of center. We sat next to this guy who came alone and talked with him. He was about our age and sees all kinds of concerts so we were trading stories. He said his wife passed on this show so we had a nice chat during the night.
The show started after an announcement and then Roger McGuinn came out playing a cordless guitar singing Dylan's 'My Back Pages,' a Byrds cover/hit. He stood in front of a mike directly over and about three feet from us. The audience gave him a standing ovation and he smiled at us. Well how could he not with me clapping in his face. lol
He recently turned 63 but you would never know. He wore matching black pants, shortsleeve shirt, and vest with a wide brimmed black hat and cowboy boots. He still wears his square trademark granny glasses, and sports a goatee. His voice is as good as ever and jeez how he can play. You've never seen fingers move so fast. He's a master of the 12 string guitar and played it and four others and a banjo during his set which lasted over an hour.
Most of the time he sat about ten feet from us surrounded by his guitars he would switch for certain songs. He charmed the audience with his stories about the songs and instructed us to clap and sing at certain points. Since he was playing solo, I guess we were also making up for the lack of other musicians. But it wasn't really necessary because he sounded like several guitars at once. He played all the well known Byrds songs and a few of his solo works.
He played a special guitar that Martin commissioned for him. It has a seventh string that gives it the janglely sound of a twelve string. He demonstrated what it could also do and Mrs Mu was enthralled since she plays guitar. And yes he played his 12 string which has to be constantly tuned while playing. He wowed the crowd with a finger-blistering, frenzied acoustic electric version of 'Eight Miles High' which sounded like three people playing. After the show we bought an autographed copy of his new CD and a live version is on it. The enthusiastic applause made his return for an encore of two songs. He played his 18 song set for over an hour.
Jeez what fabulous seats. As soon as I saw the large speakers on my right, I immediately installed my earplugs. I had a flashback of four years ago sitting in a similar location when The Monkees reunion show ruined my right ear. To this day I wear them if it's too loud for me. I was able to get pics from where I sat although we were told not to. if they come out OK I'll get them scanned for later.. The audience was mostly an older crowd who grew up during the 60's folkrock era. I saw a lot of grey pony-tailed guys so I guess the that era still exists. During the 20 minute intermission the stage was arranged for Donovan's performance.
Donovan's band first came out: A drummer, a conga player, a gal playing an upright electric bass, and a keyboardist who later played sax and flute needed for certain songs. Then he came out to thunderous applause. He just turned 59 and he still has his baby face smile although slightly pudgy. He's not the skinny kid I remember but he's filled out and not really overweight. He used to look like an elf; now he looks like an aging Hobbit with his bushy grey hair as he slinked around the stage, sometimes doing these weaving hand gestures.
He said he was gonna perform everything and covered all his well-known hits. He kept referring to the Beat Cafe, his latest CD sold in the lobby. It came out last years and his voice sounds the same. He never pushed it by screeching & screaming like most rockers who later lost it. and are sorta embarrassing to hear now. I already bought it in NYC in May and recommended it to people around us.
He started off with his biggest hit 'Sunshine Superman' and the crowd went wild. He played electric and acoustic electric guitar along with this mouth organ/harmonica strapped around his shoulders where he could lean into to play. He stayed in the center of the stage about 15 feet from us. He played for almost an hour and a half with two encores.
What's really amazing is that you get to see the favorite stars of your youth after 40 years and they are still as good as ever.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment