Post by Joe Karlosi on Jun 23, 2012 0:05:00 GMT -5
I just returned from seeing Ringo and the All-Starrs at Jones Beach with my 20-year-old nephew (his first Ringo show!).
The Jones Beach Amphitheater is right out in the water. All week I've been worried because the weather forecast predicted severe thunderstorms for this evening. Luckily, we got our most strong storms over with late in the afternoon, so by showtime tonight all we felt were some light raindrops during the first two or three songs. After that, the sky was cooperative for the rest of the evening.
This inspired a really fun quip from Ringo right at the beginning of the concert, as he scoffed: "You call that rain? HAH!!" ;D
My only real surprise from Ringo was his opening number. I was all prepared for yet another run-on rendition of IT DON'T COME EASY, but I was amazed that Ringo began with MATCHBOX, which I'm thinking may be a new song for him and his All-Starrs, at least as an opening number (?). I was pleasantly surprised and so was my nephew, as he likes Ringo's Beatles version of the song.
From the new album Ringo performed WINGS (he introduced co-writer Vini Poncia, who was present in the audience) and ANTHEM (the latter is a song I enjoy, but I felt it went over poorly at the concert; and I saw some people picking their "bathroom breaks" during it).
Overall Ringo was in great form again, and in a good mood. I was amazed at how this man can still pound on those drums at his age (and my nephew said the same thing).
Other than Todd Rundgren I must confess I didn't really know the other guys by name in the band. Thus I was happy to discover that one of them was the singer for Santana, and the other fella from Toto (I don't know either of their names -- I know, it's terrible) sang a song I'd always liked but didn't know was done by him -- HOLD THE LINE.
We had a nice bonus memory at the end of the show. We were sitting on the floor level about 10 rows back, but at the extreme left of the stage. In fact, our two seats were at the end of the aisle, right near the water. As the concert was getting near the close, the security guards started lining up steel barricades and then we figured Ringo would be coming down the path near us. Sure enough, after his last songs of the evening (WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE), Ringo sprinted off the left side of the stage and jogged right down the aisle by us, within inches. It happened quickly and though Ringo was all smiles, he didn't touch anyone or slap hands. We tried to take a photo but it was dark and all happened too fast. We watched Ringo trot right into his car and away from the gig. My nephew couldn't stop talking about how close he'd been to a Beatle!
For me it was a good show but nothing I hadn't seen already. For my nephew, he loved it -- he thought Ringo was great and that the band was very good and seemed to have a load of fun bouncing off each other. We have agreed to see Ringo again if he happens to tour next year!
The Jones Beach Amphitheater is right out in the water. All week I've been worried because the weather forecast predicted severe thunderstorms for this evening. Luckily, we got our most strong storms over with late in the afternoon, so by showtime tonight all we felt were some light raindrops during the first two or three songs. After that, the sky was cooperative for the rest of the evening.
This inspired a really fun quip from Ringo right at the beginning of the concert, as he scoffed: "You call that rain? HAH!!" ;D
My only real surprise from Ringo was his opening number. I was all prepared for yet another run-on rendition of IT DON'T COME EASY, but I was amazed that Ringo began with MATCHBOX, which I'm thinking may be a new song for him and his All-Starrs, at least as an opening number (?). I was pleasantly surprised and so was my nephew, as he likes Ringo's Beatles version of the song.
From the new album Ringo performed WINGS (he introduced co-writer Vini Poncia, who was present in the audience) and ANTHEM (the latter is a song I enjoy, but I felt it went over poorly at the concert; and I saw some people picking their "bathroom breaks" during it).
Overall Ringo was in great form again, and in a good mood. I was amazed at how this man can still pound on those drums at his age (and my nephew said the same thing).
Other than Todd Rundgren I must confess I didn't really know the other guys by name in the band. Thus I was happy to discover that one of them was the singer for Santana, and the other fella from Toto (I don't know either of their names -- I know, it's terrible) sang a song I'd always liked but didn't know was done by him -- HOLD THE LINE.
We had a nice bonus memory at the end of the show. We were sitting on the floor level about 10 rows back, but at the extreme left of the stage. In fact, our two seats were at the end of the aisle, right near the water. As the concert was getting near the close, the security guards started lining up steel barricades and then we figured Ringo would be coming down the path near us. Sure enough, after his last songs of the evening (WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE), Ringo sprinted off the left side of the stage and jogged right down the aisle by us, within inches. It happened quickly and though Ringo was all smiles, he didn't touch anyone or slap hands. We tried to take a photo but it was dark and all happened too fast. We watched Ringo trot right into his car and away from the gig. My nephew couldn't stop talking about how close he'd been to a Beatle!
For me it was a good show but nothing I hadn't seen already. For my nephew, he loved it -- he thought Ringo was great and that the band was very good and seemed to have a load of fun bouncing off each other. We have agreed to see Ringo again if he happens to tour next year!