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Photos and Concert Review by Chuck Dingman
Well folks, I finally got to see Ten Years After Now
and to say it was one of the BEST shows I have seen in
recent memory would be a major understatement.
Let me set
the scene, The Keltic House, and really warm, intimate
setting for a show. Myself as well as my sister and a
friend arrived late in the day and had a wonderful meal
while waiting for the show to begin. I finally got to meet
Herb Staehr, a really nice guy, who I immediately started
talking to about..uhh nuclear physics?? The stock market??
Uh no, take a wild guess what we discussed??
I also met
some really nice people from an outfit called
bluestormmusic.com who sat and shared some great stories.
Anyway I digress, about ten (no pun intended) Ten Years
After came on after a wonderful one man show from what I
am told is Larry Coryell's son, he jammed on guitar and I
highly recommend checking his music out. However, before
the band came on I turned to my sister and said " I
have to visit the mens room, I can't see the show on a
full bladder!!" As I walked down the hallway, there
all four of them were as big as life.
Okay, they came on
and started with "Working on the Road," the
crowd, which was indeed a sell out, was wild from the
first note!! From the perfect vantage point, I saw the
band and the crowd almost become one, each feeding off the
energy of the other. Herb was next to me clicking photos
and every so often we would say to each other "these
guys are amazing." The set included material from
"Now" such as "Time to Kill," "
King of the Blues," and " Reasons Why," as
an encore number, as well as a great job on "Big
Black 45." The old TYA material was as mentioned
"Working on the Road," "Love Like a
Man," and a superior job of doing "I'd Love To
Change the World." TYAN also did " Hear Me
Calling" as well. They also did "Goin Home,"
which as a fan favorite was necessary, and did a nice job
with it. And they finished with a wild "Choo Choo
Mama." "Good Mornin Little Schoolgirl," and
I Can't Keep From Cryin," were excellent as well, and
although they are associated with the old TYA, I wouldn't
call them Alvin Lee, (there I said it) material. Ric also
did Hobbit, which drove the crowd even wilder, best drum
work I've heard in years.
Okay, you know the songs, but
there is so much more to say here. The pace of the band
was in perfect pitch, well polished and hit all the right
tones at the correct times. Joe's guitar, and lets be
clear here Joe is a guitar god, was impeccable, clean and
full of energy and soul. He is a master showman, and
really made everyone forget you know who. It was clear he
was in charge of the audience and they responded with an
energy I though was as high wattage as could be possible.
As a guitar player, it just wasn't speed finger blah blah
blah, but soulful riffs that blew everyone away. During a
short conversation after Hobbit, Ric told the audience
that Joe has some big shoes to fill, perhaps clogs may be
more accurate, but Joe not only filled them, he took the
music to the next level, and in my opinion made new
memories to old songs that just enhanced the Alvin legend.
Leo was what I expected, just simply great, and his bass
was sweet. He and Ric and Chick proved that TYA was not
Alvin, but all of them, the backbone of the sound, a
springboard for Joe to soar to new heights. Chick got the
audience moving with each solo, espcially on King of the
Blues, where he marched up and down the keyboard with a
precision that dueled Joe's guitar work.
Okay, so what now?
They play tonight again in Fishkill, and if you read
before tonight, 3/12, get your ass over to the Keltic
House and see them!! I spoke with all after the show and
expressed my belief that the word of mouth of seeing such
a high energy, professional show, along with the TYA Now
cd which is just way toooo good to be forgotten, will
bring more and more acclaim, judging by the reaction of
the crowd after the show, and the band had a meet and
greet, all of the patrons were just blown away.
If I had
to put the show in perspective, I would say this: I know
these two things, 1. Ten Years After played in Fishkill on
Sat night without Alvin Lee. And 2. NO ONE MISSED HIM!!
Thanks again to all the great people who made this night a
great one and I have now crossed one more thing off my
to-do list in life, I have seen TYA Now live!! You all go
see them too!!
Chick and Chuck
Dingman
Chick and Lorrie, Chuck's sister
Chuck, Herb Staehr and his book "Alvin Lee and Ten Years After - Visual History"
Review by Kevin Wilkinson Sr -
Fishkill, NY and Sellersville, PA
Had the privilage to see TYA twice in a couple days.
The first Fishkill,Ny show and the Sellersville,Pa show.
The band was fantastic both nites. All band members were
very approachable and signed everything.. Gentlemen(TYA)
Thanks so much for coming to the USA, hope to see ya soon.
I also really like the new cd's..great job. Leo, your the
man..what energy..Ric thanks for the sticks. Thanks to all
who made the Fishkill show so important to my brother
Bill, who is in very serious health, needing a liver
transplant, he got sick in the 1st gulf war fighting for
our freedom. He cried tears of joy so many times that
night, because of you my brothers and sisters. He said it
was his best nite.Special thanks to Colen(manager at
Keltic house), Arnie Goodman, Karen, Herb, Murali
Coryell,Leo(special thank you),Ric,Chick, and Joe. What a
wonderful time for Bro. Bill. I owe you all. Sorry to say
it again, THANK YOU!!! And I've been to about 500 shows in
my life, one of the best, especially the energy, blew me
away!! SAVOYKEV!!!!!
Bill summed it up saying it was the best night he's had,
even though he was in pain.. But he was impressed when
after the show the band came out for autographs, after
that he has in his mind..Ric Lee leaving waving the peace
sign..How cool! Just what us hippies love..Peace Love and
incense!!!! Great job everybody..Stay true to your family
with music, it's the universal language..had a great time
myself...remember Murali Coryell, he kicked ass also..Very
good singer..peace bro. thanks again savoykev
Leo,
Joe, Karen Usher (Blue Storm Music), Chick, Ric
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