Reviews

TOTO&PAT BENATAR Show Review

Published

7 years ago

September 18, 2017

Ron

Pier Six Pavillon
Baltimore MD
September 12th 2017

ALL THE HITS CAME OUT TONIGHT. WE WENT DOWN TO AFRICA AND EVEN BRAVED THROUGH A BATTLEFIELD OF LOVE

In a day of age when musicians come and go, it’s always a pleasure to see bands that have been going strong for decades and still haven’t lost that touch.

Tonight I got to see ToTo which started in 1977 and is still just as amazing. This was my first time seeing the band that I have listen to throughout all my life, Toto’s music has always been a band that not only makes great music but makes you feel good too.

Right out of the gate ToTo opened up with “Only the Children” and you knew you were in for a night of amazing tunes that you have loved forever. Singer Joseph Williams was on his game tonight, his vocals were amazing and he has a stage presence that just makes you want to smile. On a side note when they announced the band, they gave a little bit of trivia out that I didn’t know, that his father is the one and only John Williams who has composed every great movie for decades.

My favorite on the stage tonight was keyboardist David Paich who was supporting a Orioles jersey. He was the life of the party. With his crazy antics and even crazier hats, he was a pure enjoyment to watch perform. All of the band was on point tonight. Toto sounded amazing and just like how I imagined from listening to their albums for years.

Toto pulled out all the greatest hits tonight. From “Rosanna” to “ Stop Loving You”. But before the night ended for ToTo they came back on stage to do one more song. The song that everyone in the crowd was ready to hear and even if you have no idea who the band is( which means you been living under a rock for decades) you know “Africa”.

Was such an amazing set from Toto. I was blown away by how good they are live. I hope that I get to see them again in the near future.

As the fans waited for a stage to change, we all anxiously waited for Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo to embrace the stage. This would be the first time that I have seen Pat and I was super excited to see and hear all the great songs that I have been listening to since I was a young child.

When Pat and Neil came out they both still look and sound amazing. Pat still has those amazing chops that she’s known for, the vocal range on that woman is simply beautiful.

They came out “ All fired Up” which is how everyone in the crowd felt that night. Pat and Neil were on point and you can see why they have been together not only in the music but in life, they have such amazing chemistry together.

Pat told a story about the how we were getting into the “Holy 14” which is the 14 songs that they must play or the will get a shit storm of backlash from fans on social media. These included “ Hell is for children”, “ Love is a Battlefield”, “Hit me with your best shot” and “ Heartbreaker”.

Was such an amazing show and really showcased that no more of age, sex, or genre of music that if you are a kick ass band, write bitching tunes and are a prime example of not only pure talent but just grace and poise, you can decade after decade still rock and still be just as loved as the moment that you broke into the scene. I can’t wait to see Toto and Pat Benatar again, was an amazing show.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Related Topics:Baltimore MD Empire Extreme Neil Giraldo Pat Benatar Pier Six Pavilion TOTO

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Reviews

Collective Soul “7EVEN YEAR ITCH” Greatest Hits 1994-2001 Vinyl

Published

4 months ago

January 4, 2024

Ron

I’ve always been a big fan of Collective Soul and have been lucky to have seen them a few times. This band has always been in my music mixes since the 1990s.

The vinyl release is exactly what you would want for a greatest-hits album. All the best songs that collective soul had from 1994–2001 If you were a teenager or an adult in the 90s, you can’t tell me that you didn’t jam out to songs like “Shine,” “Gel,” and “December.”

With other great songs like “Heavy,” “Run,” “The World I Know,” and “Forgiveness,” This greatest hit album sounds amazing on vinyl as well. Craft Recordings has done a really great job of keeping the magic and sound of these amazing songs.

The sleeve cover has some cool photos of the band throughout the years. This vinyl just came out in Collective Soul fashion in December, and is ready to be part of your vinyl collection, and just brings you back to a great time in life.

About Author

Ron

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Reviews

Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Published

4 months ago

December 15, 2023

Ron

I received a copy of the album, and when I first opened it, the artwork struck me first. Otep has always been a great visual artist, with her amazing drawings and characters. I even have one of them tattooed on myself. When you see the artwork on this vinyl release, you will really be drawn in and appreciate the artistry.

The sound of this vinyl is amazing. It’s been years since I’ve listened to anything on vinyl and forgot how much I loved the sound of the medium compared to CDs and digital releases. I love the songs on this album because, as with all Otep albums, it has such raw power and emotions, mixed with the anger and beauty of Otep’s poetry. Otep is one of the greats.

The album starts off with the track “Rising,” and this initial song sets the tone for what you’re about to hear from the balance of the album. The standout tracks on this album have to be “Necromantic,” “Apex Predator,” “Voyeur,” and “Feral Game.” Over all, the album as a complete piece of art is amazing. I would encourage you, if you’re a fan of Otep or a collector of vinyl, to add this vinyl to your collection.

About Author

Ron

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Reviews

WEDNESDAY 13: Performs Muderdolls Lititz PA Show Review

Published

5 months ago

November 24, 2023

Ron

Wednesday 13 came into Lititz, PA, on November 18th, bringing the music, or The MurderDolls, with him. Continuing the legacy of Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.

Wednesday 13 is on a tour now; that’s all MurderDolls. 21 years have passed since Beyond the Valley of the MurderDolls came out, and 13 years have passed since Women and Children Last was released. Wednesday and his bandmates are sharing the stage with Infected Rain and Gemini Syndrome on this tour.

The show was amazing; this was our first time covering a show at Mickey’s Black Box. The venue, the staff, and our media contact were so hospitable. The venue was amazing, with a cool balcony on the second floor to watch the show as well.

We got to hear a full set of 20 MurderDolls songs, which was pretty much every song on both albums. There were some songs I haven’t gotten to hear in a long time, like “Grave Robbing USA”, “Drug Me To Hell”, and “Summertime Suicide”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a MurderDolls show if they didn’t play “I Love to Say Fuck” and finish the night with “Dead in Hollywood.”

It’s always a blast to see Wednesday 13 in concert, and I was so excited for the band that a lot of these shows were sold out. It was also a special night because it was my GF’s “50th” birthday and my buddy’s GF’s birthday the next day. We got the MC of the show, Don Jamieson, to give them a little birthday shout-out.

Although it’s sad that Joey and Ben are no longer with us, I’m sure Joey is loving that Murderdolls is still kicking ass after all those years, and I know that Wednesday 13 is so appreciative of what MurderDolls has done for his career.