Have I Been Away....?

Wow!  It's been forever since I've touched this blog with actual commentary.  Someone suggested that I get on here and write something up.  "Push publish", they said.  So here I am and I've done just that.  A few weeks ago Jim and I were able to attend 3 Hall & Oates shows.  We enjoyed ourselves so much!  The shows we were able to get to were Boston's BlueHills Bank Pavillion on June 12th, Wallingford, CT's Oakdale Theater on June 13th, and Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel & Casino on June 20th.  We enjoyed each show very much and got to spend time with some fellow fans!  Always a good time!

Boston was first up.  We arrived in town at about 6PM and secured a parking spot directly across from the venue.  So close we could hear soundcheck.  We heard the fellas playing "Crazy Eyes" and "Every Time You Go Away".  Kind of a neat little perk.  A quick dinner was had at Jerry Remy's bar about a block from the Pavillion.  Nothing too outstanding or memorable. After that it was off to wait in line to enter the huge white tent.

First stop, as always, MERCH!  And surprise there were 2 new items!  So exciting.  The first

item was an 11x18 poster featuring the "Live at The Apollo" show from 1985.  An unsigned version was offered for $10 and the signed (by both Daryl & John) version was available for

$20.  A great price in my opinion.  This poster would look great matted and framed!  Definitely running out of room on the walls here!  There was also a poster advertising John Oates new EP
"Good Road to Follow" (which is quite enjoyable I might add!).  This poster was of the same size as the Apollo poster and was also signed by John.  From what I understand John's posters have been available at his solo shows but they were new for the Hall & Oates shows.


The show itself was great.  The Boston crowd ate it all up...singing along and dancing.  I also saw at least 2 undergarments throw on stage in Daryl's direction.  Hadn't seen that in a while!  I enjoyed the setlist.  Although one I've heard many times I was glad to hear the relatively new addition of Alone Too Long.  What a great song!  It's a perfect change up.  This was also my first time seeing (and hearing) the band's brand spankin' new Lead Guitarist and Music Director, Shane Theriot.  Well, call me very impressed!  A well done and solid outing in my estimation.  Check out Shane's music here...I think you'll like it!!!

After our 105 minutes of bliss the show ended and we were off.  As we walked to the car we noticed the tour bus coming from the rear of the Pavillion.  I had heard from a little birdie that the "bosses" were on the bus tonight!  Sure enough I could see Daryl through the windsheild.  John was in the middle

of the bus and could barely be seen through the tinted glass.  Oh, and did I mention the guys had a police escort for the bus?!  Too funny!  It was nice to see so many fans along the sidewalk cheering for the fellas as they drove off.  The night ended but, fear not!!  We need some sleep because we've got a show in less than 24 hours!

Oh wait....what's that you say?  You want to see pictures of the show?!  Please forgive me, it just completely slipped my mind.  Just kidding!  I know you want them!  Here you go!

Las Vegas Turnaround 2013 - Part 2!

OK...where'd we leave off??  Oh that's right...our lousy 80's party!  HA!  Fear not!  Our next day was truly one for the record books!  We started off with a delicious breakfast at Mr. Lucky's 24/7.  For what they are (a Rock n' Roll Denny's according to one waiter), the food was quite good!  Jimmy opted for a Bacon Waffle...wish I had thought to take a snap of it....the thing actually had chips of crunchy bacon IN IT!  IMO, you can't go wrong with bacon....EVER!  

Jim and Phil at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.

Off we went to our bus!  This lovely bus would be taking us on our History Channel Tour of Gold & Silver Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars), Toy Shack (Pawn Stars), Ultimate Sports Cards & Memorabilia (Pawn Stars), Rick's Restorations (American Restoration), and Count's Kustoms (Counting Cars).  


We had an incredible day meeting all of these History Channel stars and getting to see where all the action takes place.  It was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience!  Special thanks to Phil Nichols and Susan Perrin of Right Track Booking Agency for organizing the event.

The D-Man.  Courtesy Vicky Sullivan.

And now...on to the show!  I always get this nervous butterflies-in-my-tummy feeling before every single Daryl & John concert.  I don't know if it's the excitement of being with all my friends or knowing that my idol is going to be singing my favorite songs only feet from me...after all the gigs I've seen, I still can't explain it.  It's an experience that just takes over every cell and seeps through every pore.  True elation!  


The set list was standard and to be expected for a casino show.  Daryl was dashing in his black western style shirt with white trim.  John looked fab in his button down shirt and jeans.  The band was at top form!  They sailed through hit after hit with ease!  This Las Vegas crowd ate it up!  They loved it, and the more love the crowd showed the more the band threw that love right back out there!  Amazing!  


As always, we were treated to two encores and then the party was over...but, was it?!?!  Oh no, the night was young.  We still had to DASH over to Vinyl Las Vegas (also in the Hard Rock Hotel) to see the one and only Eliot Lewis perform at 11:30 PM.  Seats secured, Jimmy ran up to our room to get our cameras which were not allowed into the Hall & Oates show.  

Eliot Lewis and John Oates performing "Save Me".

The place was packed at showtime!  Eliot took the stage and treated the crowd to his own tunes as well as covers of songs from some of the greatest musicians that have influenced his musical journey throughout the years.  Special guest appearances were made by John Oates, Klyde Jones and Porter Carroll Jr.  

Eliot Lewis performing at Vinyl - Las Vegas.

Lewis and Oates treated us to a new track,from John's latest solo venture (Good Road To Follow), called Save Me.  This was truly one of the best songs John has ever written!  Klyde Jones joined Eliot and they shared with us a song that both artists have sung lead vocals on in past incarnations of the Average White Band...Walk on By.  And later in the show Porter Carroll Jr. took us all to church with a super-soulful rendition of Sara Smile.  Dare I say I may have enjoyed this experience more than the Hall & Oates concert?!?!  Hmmm....almost!

Next up!  Night 2!!!

Las Vegas Turnaround 2013 - GOODIES EDITION

On every H&O trip we venture out on we inevitably come back with various Daryl & John (and band) related goodies!  Some we find by accident and some we go in search of!  Here's out haul from Las Vegas Turnaround 2013!  

H&O spread in HRH Magazine!

History Channel Tour laminates signed by the cast of American Restoration.

Signed CD's from Klyde Jones and Paul Pesco.

Paul Pesco Special Edition Guitar PickLace.

Night 1 Set List.

Night 2 Set List.

HRH Schedule w/ H&O Promo.

Eliot Lewis @ Vinyl Las Vegas Tickets.

Paul Pesco Special Series Chrome PickLace.

AMS Catalog signed by Paul Pesco & a Paul Pesco LFDH pick!