Encore:

One other thing you might want to stay a while after the show ends. When the main crowd left, and only the diehards were left John and the band came out front to meet with everybody. Since there were only about 50 people left, there was no rush so you could get autographs, your picture made with the Ox, and even chat for a little bit.

I think the band should be applauded for this, because they DON'T HAVE to do it. They are were all very polite, and generally seemed to be happy to meet you. Instead of the here is your autograph (or not) get out of my face attitude that many other musicians have.

Don't forget your earplugs,

Bruce

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(back to KirkA@aol.com)

They had a bunch of T-shirts for the tour. I thought they were a little expensive, but that's just where my financial situation is right now. I would have considered a $15 T-shirt too much for my budget last night. They had a nice logo on the T-shirts and nice graphics. Prices ranged from $25-$50.

An excellent crowd. I was thinking that a Sunday night gig may only bring out a few fans. But I was wrong. There must have been 300 people in there. Place holds 400 packed and 600 at that Fire Marshalls's worst nightmare size. The crowd was very enthusiastic. Looked like 3 guys to every girl. No one got out of hand and security was pretty lax.

All in all, I'd give the show a 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. The club is familiar. I think they called some of the seating reserved seating so they could charge $15.00 instead of the originally listed $12. The reserved seating plan was lame though. The reserved seats were in the back of the place. There was the usual dance floor in front of the reserved seats and most everyone was plastered against the stage barricade to get a closer view.

The mix was quiet and a little mushy through Trick of the Light. At Trick though, the volume was audibly cranked up. For this fan, I loved it. Anything The Who did, ought to be heard good and loud. But then I've been a Who fan since the 70's! Was it not the Ramones in Rock n Roll High School that when putting the volume of their music against the industry standards, picked THE WHO as the loudest band in Rock n Roll?

Although loud, the mix was fairly clean as I moved around to the soundboard. Off to the side,, it was understandable murkier. I think it had to do with the positioning of the club's midrange and tweeters.

I liked the new songs. I went with NO expectations as I knew I wasn't seeing The Who. I personally thought the newer songs were a little "poppish." In one listening, it's hard to get a grip on how I felt about them. But I do now want to go out and get the new CD and see how they grow on me. I think many will.

On the new songs they did, I found myself getting caught up at staring at John and his playing. I almost found myself transported back to the late 60's(although thos memories are a bit..er...uh....fuzzy). Feeling the power of John's playing was well worth the dough for the tickets.

John's playing was just phenomenal. I was pleased when John turned up his amp right before Boris. I had thought he needed to be brought up in the mix, but when he turned up his amp, I knew he felt that was too. After that, I could clearly hear his bass just barely over the rest. That's what I went to the show for was John. John seemed a bit more comfortable after he turned up his amp too. More settled, less over playing. I guess that he couldn't hear himself in the monitor mix.

I don't know if it was The House soundman or his own soundman, but they need to get it straight that when John asks for more of him in the mix, that he gets that. They seemed to have some problem with the lighting guy too. But ever band I have seen at the Cotton Club has had the same problem. I hear that small venues don't have the cash to do a good light show. I have seen those clubs that TRULY want a decent light show(meaning lights on each member when they are playing within band and then some singular solo lighting-is that too much to ask?) and they keep it simple but those who are soling move to the spot on the stage where the solo light shines!

But the lack of good lighting didn't really affect the show at all. A little better lighting on the bass player(although truly the star here would seem odd wouldn't it?) would have been nice but no big deal.

The best part for me was the extended rhythm section solo between John and drummer Steve Longo. Godfrey and Alan left the stage to the two during Shakin' All Over. To me that's what music is all about...the interaction. The Ox was cooking. Steve's style was very much like Keith Moon's. A very rolling style of drum playing.

Godfrey had his own style which I think was very important. If he tried to be Daltrey or Pete, he would have been cheating everyone all around. But he maintained his own style and pulled it off. I belive most of the singing was shared between Godfrey and Steve with John, of course, on all of his vocals for The Who Classics. The stage left stack of stage monitors blocked our view of Alan, but he completed the rhythm section very well too. A little low in the mix, but then again, I was there to see John! SO that was cool!

Well that's all the notes I took for the evening. Thanks John for making yet another birthday of mine a special musical one! Break a leg on the rest of the tour. I missed your telephone interview with Kaedy Kiely on 96Rock last week! :-( Waaaa SO everyone look out for John to do similar interviews before shows in your town. Hell print this and other reviews and fax them to your local radio stations! They'd appreciate the info and I'd bet, so would John!

Keeping the faith

Kirk Anderson KirkA@aol.com

Darn, I just typed a review of the Atlanta show but I got beaten to the punch. Can't agree more with the reviews of the ATL show! GREAT show and great band.I really enjoyed my Sunday night even though I only got 4 hours of sleep that night. What else is there to add? I hope you guys come back here someday. You'll find a full house - guaranteed!

Only one comment and don't take this the wrong way please: I felt that John and the tour manager (the guy with the flashlight) should lighten up a bit. This is supposed to be fun!! I'm possibly older that the tour manager and felt he was just a trifle condesending (sp?) to the "fans". We're not some bunch of little teeny fans any more...! John seemed to have a good time during the show but was clearly uncomfortable at the autograph session. I haven't collected an autograph in a dozen years but just had to get them Sunday night. Thanks for doing that!

Thanks Godfrey for clarifying that you're not related to Pete and Rob.I guess "fans" got to ask stupid questions. I enjoyed your playing and singing! I'm sure we'll hear much more from all you guys in years to come!

Werner Wingen (Atlanta)

John at the Cotton Club was fantastic! He is truly Mr. Bassman. You couldn't hear the vocals but that's ok when the music is so great.

I am kicking myself now that I know I should have stayed later to meet the man and the band. I was lucky enough to shake his hand though. As one of the few females in attendance, I can say he looks great. If you're ever single again, John, email me at kris.bean@medaphis.com.

Email me, regardless!!

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