They sounded wonderful as usual and John was certainly pumped - jumping around on stage more than I noticed him doing before. Still no Nudie suits, though! I'm still holding out hope... Steve had a mic, but it was apparently off later in the show when it looked like we were going to get a little solo. Would that have been a first at a DRB sbow?
I'll agree about the sound sytem. I had heard that it was a great system right before the show and I was not disappointed. My ears were ringing after the Belly Up show in 2008, but it was just right in Uncasville.
I don't want to spoil it for the upcoming shows by giving the setlist at this time, but I was very pleased to hear four songs that I do not think were played in the 2008 shows nor in Chris and Herb shows in recent years. I was hollering for 'Life Goes On' as JJ contributed to that one although it was released well after he had left the band. I assume he never played it at a DRB show. What a treat it would be to hear them do it live!
- Gary Smith-
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I happen to have been lucky enough to see the Desert Rose Band play last night here in CT at the Wolf Den at the Mohegan Sun casino.
All six orginal guys were there. Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Jon Jorgenson, Jay Dee Maness, Bill Bryson, and Steve Duncan.
To call this an hour and forty five minutes of non stop musical perfection would be a serious understatment. If these guys are all still at the top of their game, which they clearly all are, last night they went well beyond that.
No matter which of the eight or so guitars Jon Jorgenson picked up to play his leads were so far beyond what any mere mortal could manage that at times I wondered just how many more of him must be back off stage helping him out. It was a special treat watching and listening to him and Jay Dee on the pedal steel trading licks.
The vocals and harmonies were all musically flawless. Even when a few times Chris seemed to miss a line or two the obvious total professionalism on stage either side of him just covered so perfectly that only the still boyish smile on his face at the moment let on.
They did all their hits and bonded with the spellbound crowd ( some of which just could not stay in their seats as they danced all over the place) there as if we were all old friends.
For those who don't know, the shows at the Wolf Den at the Mohegan Sun are all free of charge, but with somewhat limited seating. It's in the middle of the casino where the people there can take a break from feeding all the slots etc. That being the case as usual I am sure many watching the DRB last night (I have seen Roger McGuinn and Suzy Boggus play there as well) had no idea what a treat they were about to see and hear. As one would expect the sound system there is second to non.
Obviously I could go on and on here. Chris did mention that while this is just short reunion they hope to do more in the coming years. Let's all hope there are many more coming years...... If they do, DO NOT MISS THEM!!!!
Still stunned, but really not surprised
- Al D'Addario - |