The Monday Morning “Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Anyway Concert Review” – Paul Anka.
(or, Why I Never Be A Professional Concert Reviewer…)
Master showman alert!! Whoop Whoop Whoop!!!!!
Last night we enjoyed a top-drawer Las Vegas-style production from Mr. Paul Anka, and what a show it was, boys and girls!! Out on his 50th Anniversary tour, Anka made it clear early on why he’s been around long enough to celebrate that milestone.
He opened the show by entering from the back of the concert hall, just one of many visits he made throughout the night, out into the audience. At one point, he passed by me, and I was able to shake his hand. I touched one of the hands that wrote “My Way”!!! Aye Caramba…
At any rate, the first part of his 2-hour show was filled with a mix of early hits like “Diana”, “You are My Destiny”, and on and on, plus some of his newer cover songs from “Rock Swings”, where he gives contemporary rock songs a big band remake. For my money, the best part of the night was his audience participation run-through of Van Halen’s “Jump”, where the entire audience of (primarily) seniors hopped up and down every time he shouted “Jump”. The irony is, we’ll see many of the same folks when the original band comes through town later this year, hopping their little hearts out one more time. Just like the band will be..
Another highlight had to have been a couple of acoustic sets, one where Mr. Anka sat at the grand piano, and speculated about how some of his songs might sound, if he had to write them today. One fine sense of humour that guy has!!
Hands down, chills up the spine time was the acoustic guitar jam, where four of them played songs from the fifties, including “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”, the song he wrote for Buddy Holly, recorded just before he died, while on a tour that Anka was on as well.
That’s the cool thing about Anka. You might not get too excited about his own catalogue of songs, but you may not be aware of how many other artists have had monster hits with his songs. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Barbra Streisand, Chicago, Tom Jones…more than I can mention here. Plus he was buddies with Bobby Darin.
Just sayin’…
Twice throughout the show he ran archival film footage – appearances on Ed Sullivan, American Bandstand, family memories – the guy has been around, and done it all.
He was backed up by a crazy-talented 15-piece big band, including a 9-person horn section. His bandleader was a great sexist. Several times throughout he night he stepped out to play his sex. I always enjoy a good sex player.
Growing up as a young lad in Winnipeg, I used to go see so-called “greaser” bands, groups that dressed up as ‘50’s artists, and played so much of these great songs. Last night, we got the real dude, in fine form, plus way more. Still relevant, still sensational on a stage. So good, you can pretty much forgive some of those songs from the 70’s…
Chow for now!!
(or, Why I Never Be A Professional Concert Reviewer…)
Master showman alert!! Whoop Whoop Whoop!!!!!
Last night we enjoyed a top-drawer Las Vegas-style production from Mr. Paul Anka, and what a show it was, boys and girls!! Out on his 50th Anniversary tour, Anka made it clear early on why he’s been around long enough to celebrate that milestone.
He opened the show by entering from the back of the concert hall, just one of many visits he made throughout the night, out into the audience. At one point, he passed by me, and I was able to shake his hand. I touched one of the hands that wrote “My Way”!!! Aye Caramba…
At any rate, the first part of his 2-hour show was filled with a mix of early hits like “Diana”, “You are My Destiny”, and on and on, plus some of his newer cover songs from “Rock Swings”, where he gives contemporary rock songs a big band remake. For my money, the best part of the night was his audience participation run-through of Van Halen’s “Jump”, where the entire audience of (primarily) seniors hopped up and down every time he shouted “Jump”. The irony is, we’ll see many of the same folks when the original band comes through town later this year, hopping their little hearts out one more time. Just like the band will be..
Another highlight had to have been a couple of acoustic sets, one where Mr. Anka sat at the grand piano, and speculated about how some of his songs might sound, if he had to write them today. One fine sense of humour that guy has!!
Hands down, chills up the spine time was the acoustic guitar jam, where four of them played songs from the fifties, including “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”, the song he wrote for Buddy Holly, recorded just before he died, while on a tour that Anka was on as well.
That’s the cool thing about Anka. You might not get too excited about his own catalogue of songs, but you may not be aware of how many other artists have had monster hits with his songs. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Barbra Streisand, Chicago, Tom Jones…more than I can mention here. Plus he was buddies with Bobby Darin.
Just sayin’…
Twice throughout the show he ran archival film footage – appearances on Ed Sullivan, American Bandstand, family memories – the guy has been around, and done it all.
He was backed up by a crazy-talented 15-piece big band, including a 9-person horn section. His bandleader was a great sexist. Several times throughout he night he stepped out to play his sex. I always enjoy a good sex player.
Growing up as a young lad in Winnipeg, I used to go see so-called “greaser” bands, groups that dressed up as ‘50’s artists, and played so much of these great songs. Last night, we got the real dude, in fine form, plus way more. Still relevant, still sensational on a stage. So good, you can pretty much forgive some of those songs from the 70’s…
Chow for now!!
1 comment:
What? I never posted a comment when you wrote this back in 2007? I must have still been in shock, reeling from the incredible night. Paul Anka! Unbelievable show, can't believe we were so fortunate to see him.
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