Show Reviews

     December 17, 2005 Pompano Beach, Florida
I saw him last night in Pompano Beach, Florida and the show was fantastic. His voice was strong and familiar. No different than most folks as they get older. I didn't know what to expect after the throat cancer but I can honestly tell you that if I didn't know about it, I would never have detected it.

The trio was tight and the set list was perfect. Old favorites, new favorites and a rockin' Johnny Cash song for his only comment on the outside world. I'd like to see a John Prine movie one day.

The venue was expensive unless you enjoy spending $7 on a beer. Tickets were $35- $45 dollars. Not bad for national talent.

At nearly the end of the pre-holiday tour, the energy was excellent. The musicianship was top notch, especially during the "just John and his guitar" segment midway through the set. That is what I paid for.

     March 30, 1995 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee
This was my first live Prine experience. I wasn't a huge Prine fan at the time like I am now, so I don't remember all the songs he played. Heather Eatman opened up for JP at this show. The Lost Dogs Band backed her up on a few songs. I liked Heather's music. I don't have any of her cd's, but I plan on buying one soon. The concert was to promote the newly released Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings album. Behind the stage there was a huge backdrop of the album cover. John and the Lost Dogs Band played all the songs off the cd. John was on stage by himself and he dedicated This Love Is Real to his fiance, Fiona, and announced that they would be getting married in two weeks. Sam Stone was a chilling, goose bump raising performance. It started with just John on stage in a colored spotlight. As the song progressed, another band member would come and stand next to him with a different colored spot light. The theater was completely dark except for the eerie colored figures on stage. Sam Stone got a well deserved standing ovation. I remember that the last song was a huge rendition of Paradise, and Heather Eatman came out and joined Prine in the song. I bought my first (and only) John Prine T-shirt at the Ryman show. I do remember hearing Space Monkey and looking at my friends with a blank stare because we'd never heard the song before. Space Monkey was one of five songs recorded at the Ryman show. Quit Hollerin' At Me, Unwed Fathers, Illegal Smile, and Daddy's Little Pumpkin were also recorded at that show and are available on the new Live On Tour album. If you don't have it yet, you can order it online from Oh Boy Records.
     March 8, 1997 The Tennessee Theater, Knoxville, Tennessee
By the time I made it to the Knoxville show, I was a hardcore Prine addict. The theater was the typical Prine show location. It had an almost gothic atmosphere with heavy curtains and beautiful ornamentation. RB Morris opened up for Prine, but we got there too late to see him. When Prine came on, he was accompanied only by a bass player and guitar player. They broke into an explosive version of Spanish Pipedream that made me want to go straight home and blow up my tv or computer monitor or something. They proceeded to play many more favorites old and new. I can't remember all the songs, guess I should have written them down. I was disappointed in the crowd. There were a lot of unruly bikers at the show. In between songs they kept yelling at John. He stayed as cool and calm as ever and seemed to ignore them, but I'm sure he noticed. I guess the highlight of the evening was when John messed up the words to Donald and Lydia. He started into the line "Nothing is wrong, nothing is right..." and instead he said "Nothing is right, nothing is wrong" He just stepped back, grinned, and started right back up. The crowd stood up and clapped for him. They ran out of T-shirts, so I didn't get one. The flyers were all posted under plexiglass, so I couldn't get one of those either *sob sob*. After the show, me, my wife, and some friends we met at the concert went to the Hyatt Regency Hotel Lounge to see if John and the band might be hanging out there. No luck. We got a limo and went from club to club looking for John, but we never found him. I guess I needed the guidance of a Prine expert like *PMS red or WOG to lead me to Prine. We did see a very nice jazz band at The Bullfrog, and we saw the V-Roys at Flamingos. It was a great show, I only wish I'd had the opportunity to meet Prine. Oh well, maybe next time.
     Starlight Summerstage Indianapolis, Indiana, August 19, 1997
Aw go on, read my words on Wogstock!
     RB Morris Plays Zanies, Nashville, TN, September 9, 1997
The show was outstanding! RB is getting better every time I hear him. He sang a new song too that hasn't really been named...he called it something like "the Missouri River blown off hat song". He also sang "Bottom of the Big Black Hull", "Take That Ride", and "Hell on a Poor Boy". The set ended with an outstanding rendition of "Ballad of Thunder Road", and of course Kenny Vaughn Rocked! I think that's all...best that I can remember anyhow.

Some members of the Mavericks and of Cheap Trick performed a few songs together and rocked the house. Also, Manuel...of designer fame...was there.

By the way, the cover of the Sept. WesternBeat Monthly has a big pic of RB and on the back is a full page add by Ohboy promoting the CD "take that ride..."

Here is the run-down for the rest of the month over there at Billy Blocks Western Beat Roots Revival...

Sept. 16:
Todd Sharp - former Rod Stewart guitarist
Highwater - funky roots rock
Alex Harvey - hit songwriter/performer/actor
Gary Nicholson - soulful hit songwriter & bluesman

Sept. 22 (Monday):
Judd Erickson - country rock
Kevin Bowe - roots rock
Rees Shad - Sweetfish recording artists
Vern Gosdin - need I say more?

Sept. 30:
The Carter Bros. - bluegrass and acoustic country
The Wayward Saints - funky country soul
Amy Rigby - acoustic pop
Jolynn Daniel - CD Release Party

Just FYI...Sept. 2:
Luxury Liners - Gram Parsons meets the Beatles
Ex-Husbands - Tar Hut CD release party
Mark Cutler - roots rocker from New York
Pat McLaughlin - soulful rock and blues (as if I had to comment)
Jody Chambley
JOHN FOGERTY

23 September 97 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, Tennessee

A Wet Tuesday evening in Music City. Traffic, well if you've ever been to Nashville in the rain, you know it was slow going. Upon arriving at the "Mother Church" of Country Music, we made our way to our seats; Row 6 - Center Balcony.

Opening the show was a group that worked Roberts Western World on lower Broadway for two years before making it "big time". After all, what would you call it for a group opening for the likes of Bob Dylan, and now John Fogerty. This hillbilly boogie band, whose name is taken from Junior Samples' used car lot phone number on tv's Hee Haw, is none other than BR5-49.

BR5-49 played around a dozen songs in their 35-minute set. They played several cover's, as well as some originals. Bassist "Smilin" Jay McDowell had the crowd animated as he rode his upright bass like a wild stallion. BR5-49 is made up of McDowell, Gary Bennett, Don Herron, Chuck Mead, and "Hawk" Shaw Wilson.

After BR5-49 completed their set, it was time! The lights went dim. The only sound that could be heard was that of crickets and swamp frogs. The curtain was lifted. In what appeared to be the swamp lands of Louisana, stood the heart, soul, and creative genus of Creedence Clearwater Revival. At 52, this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer played with the energy and enthusiasm of someone half his age.

It has been more than a decade since John Fogerty has recorded an album. Blue Moon Swamp, the name of the tour as well, is definately worth the wait. And what about the performance?

Fogerty began his marathon concert with a rambunctious Born On The Bayou. Nearly half way through the show, Fogerty got somewhat more intimate. Changing from guitar to dobro; having his drummer, Kenny Aronoff, change to a smaller drum set nearer to himself, Fogerty began telling of his love.

He talked of his wife of ten years, and how she is responsible for his being on tour. Fogerty then sang a very rare love song, Joy Of My Life, written for his wife. There were a few songs performed in this "intimate" setting. Then the scene changed again - back to the original configuration.

With lights flashing wildly with the music, everyone knew what was coming up. Only a few notes needed to be heard. Fogerty then turned towards the crowd with a guitar that looks like a baseball bat! As you may have guessed, he was begging to be put in Centerfield.

The classic I Heard It Through The Grapevine was an abbreviated version -- only 7 minutes. The set ended with an outstanding version of Fortunate Son. The encore was Proud Mary and Travelin' Band with the audience "helping" out.

John gave away more guitar picks than songs played. Many excited fans received these small tokens of his appreciation. He even signed a few autographs between songs. It was truly a memorable experience.

For those that have never witnessed a concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, it is an experience you must hear. Especially with the talent of someone like John Fogerty. Having been to several concerts this year, I must say that this is the best one by far !!

Fogerty Set List:

Most dutifully submitted by Jody Chambley

If you were at either of these shows and have something to add,
email me and I'll add it to my reviews page.


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