PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews: Riverside

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Gregg Allman live at Riverside Casino 3/28/15

Riverside, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Mar 29, 2015

Walking on stage to a standing ovation from a sold out crowd is something only a few people get to experience. Gregg Allman is one of them. Allman, along with the rest of his nine man ensemble took the stage at Riverside Casino in Riverside, Iowa. With Allman on the B3 and Scott Sharrard on guitar, front and center, the band tore into a ripping rendition of “Stateboro Blues”. The audience was happy, and so was I. Without missing a beat, they then slid right into a sweet sounding “I’m No Angel” followed up with the mellow grooves of “Come and Go Blues”. Dipping into his Playin’ Up a Storm album for a two-fer, Allman performs a refreshingly “Brightest Smile in Town”. The intro was beautifully played, and Allman’s vocals were soulful. The sax solo was a standout as well. I absolutely loved hearing the crowd pleasing Muddy Waters classic, “Trouble No More”. Initiated with a fantastic drum intro, this one was played tight as hell. This is where it sets in, just how cohesive this band is. It’s so enjoyable to hear Sharrard tear it up on guitar. For “Melissa”, Allman switched over from the B3, to acoustic guitar. This song hit the spot, and drew people to their feet.

The second set was quite strong too. Allman picks up his electric guitar for an exquisite “Ain’t Wasting Time No More”. It sounded so good. Returning to acoustic guitar, Allman and the band got a little help from the crowd singing “Midnight Rider”. This song culminates with a really interesting trumpet performance from Marc Franklin and a standing ovation. The fast and furious “Love Like Kerosene” was phenomenally played. Ron Johnson was dishing out some awe-inspiring groove on the bass while we got yet another smoking performance from Sharrard. After the first few notes of “Whippin’ Post” were played, it was apparent the audience would not be able to sit still. Greg remained on electric, while Peter Leven took over the B3. Groovy beats from Steve Potts and Marc Quinones and blasts from the brass make this an interestingly funky treat. This was one everyone had undoubtedly been waiting for, as it drew a huge standing ovation. With that closing out the last set, the band returned once more with Allman back at the B3 for a riveting extended version of “Southbound”. Needless to say, the show was outstanding.

SetList

Statesboro Blues

I’m No Angel

Come and Go Blues

Brightest Smile In Town

Trouble No More

The Same Thing

Melissa

-Instrumental Break-

Cradle of Civilization

Hot Lanta

Ain’t Wasting Time No More

Midnight Rider

Love Like Kerosene

Whipping Post

Encore

Southbound

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Tesla at Riverside Casino - Riverside, Iowa January 25, 2014 : Review and Photos

By Phillip Smith

Saturday evening, I took a break from the harsh Iowa winter we’ve had this year and headed down to Riverside, IA to recharge my soul with the music of Tesla. It was an exemplary performance. Vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarists Frank Hannon and Dave Rude, along with bassist Brian Wheat, and drummer Troy Luccketta once again, proved they can sell out a show all while keeping an audience of dedicated fans on their feet for two hours.

Tesla took the stage, kicking things off with the hard driving, “I Wanna Live”, followed by “Hang Tough” and one of their newer songs, “Taste My Pain”. Hannon switched out guitars, for “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)”, grabbing his Flying V and unleashed what seemed like everything he had on the song while Jeff Keith nailed it all down in place with his ‘made for rock’ raspy vocals. Before switching over to Five Man Acoustical Jam mode, they finished the first chapter of the show with “Mama’s Fool“, which featured some really nice swampy bluesy guitar from Hannon, and cool vocal harmony with him and Keith. I loved the bass line on this too. Wheat really tied it together. Unexpectedly before the song ended, Hannon’s guitar whipped behind his back and he finished with an impressive guitar solo.

For the Five Man Acoustical Jam, stools were brought to the front of the stage for the guys to perch upon, and the electric guitars were replaced with acoustic. Although “Comin’ Atcha Live” was on their Five Man Acoustical Jam album, it’s still kind of odd to hear played in this format; however it is still cool as hell. Hannon broke out his resonator guitar for this, giving the song some bonus twang. And as on the Five Man Acoustical Jam album, they segued into the Grateful Dead song, “Truckin’”. This put a huge smile on my face. Before switching back to their electric instruments, Wheat switches his bass out for keyboard, and the band performs “Paradise”. This one is really beautifully played.

With a driving beat provided by Luccketta, and the opening notes played by Hannon and Rude, “Signs” begins. A brief chill hits me as the crowd begins to sing along. Bringing this one to an end, huge cheers are released to Hannon presenting a rather large banner over his head that read, ‘And the Sign Says Tesla Rules’’. They ruled indeed.

The final third of the show was chock full of fan favorites. “The Way It Is” closed with a strong finish, and with the opening notes of “What You Give”, I could feel the excitement in the air balloon up. Rude and Hannon, back on acoustic, sublimely play the intro to the power ballad, “Love song”. Once it gets going, Hannon is handed his double-neck guitar. His playing is so impressive.

It wouldn’t be a Tesla concert without a five start performance of Modern Day Cowboy, which is exactly what it was. For a moment it is thought the show is over, but Tesla, with a little coaxing from the fans, returned for one last song, “Little Suzi”. This drew not only a ton of applause, but drew a few folks into the aisles for a little dancing as well. I don’t know how he does it, but Keith can still hit those high notes. All in all, it was a stellar show and a damn good time.