Stratton Mt. BOC show

[Joel Wendrow]

Hi,
 I replied to this post on alt.music.boc. Thought it might be of some
interest here.


Hi All,
 I guess it's my turn to crawl out of my corner where I
have been lurking for a long time. I now feel the need to
add some of my thoughts on what I have read here. Specifically
the Stratton Mt. concert review.

 First let me say what a beautiful venue for a concert. The
weather was great and the people that attended all seemed very
nice. I was privileged enough to meet a bunch of new people. It
just so happens that most of them are BOC fans. I also had the chance
to see an old friend that I knew from high school and meet his wife.
All very nice people. It was good to see you again Paul. While I can't
remember most of their names I do remember Eric (2 of them I think),
Kim (Paul's wife) and Sadie, who imbodies all that there is to being a
BOC fan. I was lucky enough to rock next to her and all my new BOC
friends during the concert. Great energy, we all had a great time.

 Now on to some particulars. I thought the band was really on that night.
I was right up front and was able to see just how much fun the boys were
having. They seemed to be enjoying themselves a great deal. I have seen
them play about 10 times in the last few yrs. (about 30 times in all) and
this was one of the best shows for enthusiasm.

    Mike says

    "Buck's Solo
       As the night progressed they surprised me and played 'Then Came the Last
Days of May.' This song made it into my yearbook quotes back in 1980.  I
love this song but I was a little disappointed when Buck went off on a
solo that did not reflect the Live Album or anything that I've heard.
Knowing the meaning of the song, the guitar solo has so much feeling and
taste that I was disappointed to hear a solo that didn't quite match the
mood of the song. (remember that this is all personal) "

 As "TCTLDOM" is my favorite BOC tune and I wait for it every concert I can
say with some knowledge that Buck was so on that night he just played the
song straight from his heart and made his guitar wail with the passion that the
song demands. While it may not be a cloned rendition off the albums it was true
to the power and message of the song. In all honesty it nearly blew me out of my
shoes. By all appearances the people around me seemed to agree.

               Mike says

                  "As the night went on it was just more effects and
....noise.  I was up close and decided to move back to hear the sound
coming from the wide split of the speakers.  Still, the same. I was a
little disappoint because I can remember when his sound was clean and
clear"

 To this all I can say is HUH...were we at the same show? The band sounded
very clean and clear, from Buck to Allen and Eric and Danny and Bobby. Were they using many
effects? I can't say for sure because I am just a fan and not a musician. So as a fan I don't
really care if it was effects or for effect.... it sounded great to me.

              Mike says

         "Solo's of the 70's

One of the moments in Rock history of the 70's is the drum and instrumental
solo's.  Let's keep the drum solo short.  We're in the 90's and
approaching 2000 I have never seen a drum solo (except RUSH) in the last
ten years.  I'd rather hear another great song than a 10 minute drum solo"

While I might lean towards Mikes thinking on this I must say that Danny on bass
and Bobby on drums doing their solos that night was very powerful. Danny just keeps getting
better and was hitting the drums very hard. It is nice and fair to see the so called rhythm (or
backing) section get some time to be in front to
shine and show what they have offer. So it really didn't detract from the show for me. To be
honest I always want to hear another song from the band, solos or no solos.


      Mike says

   Eric seemed out of it.

"I guess time does take a toll on everyone.  Eric voice was in great shape
but basically stayed to his side of the stage and played Stun Guitar.  I
was wonder if he wasn't feeling well.  He sung very few songs and didn't
have the front man attitude.  I guess we all have our days when we hate
work"

 Okay, now to the tuff stuff. Eric did seem to be out of it in the sense that
he was very subdued. Spent a long stint on the keyboards and didn't sing
very much. When he did sing he sounded okay but not much range. My impression
at first was he seemed depressed. I was and am concerned about his well being.
I hope all is well with him. At one point I raised my camera to take his
picture (he was right in front of me). When he saw me he leaned over and stuck
out his tongue like the Eric of old and gave me and all that could see a very
big smile. So he maybe just tired or trying to come to grips with what appears
to be a lesser role in the line-up until his voice improves or it really could be
just about anything. Anyway I hope he feels better soon with whatever is
bothering him.


          Mike says

I hope that some of this gets to the band because I want them to realize
that no matter what they think or how they feel about their future, that
every night when they take that stage, there are people like me who know
their songs inside and out and cherish the moments that we spend with them
live and in person.

I'd like to thank them for a great evening and a lifetime of great music.

To these last comments all I can say is amen!