Your Forum Posts

• Last night in Winnipeg -- not what it should have been 10-05-10 2:02AM
  Huge RCB fan here. I'm always telling people why RC is an amazing artist, and I urge them to invest some serious listening (especially to the 1990+ recordings, since a lot of people are only familiar with the 80's "hits"). I was very hyped for this show. And you know, I think the guys were playing quite wonderfully, and I did feel some of the magic part of the time. But... the audio was craptastic. It was a small room, and everything -- stage instruments and PA -- was cranked to the pain threshold. (I have played in electric bands, and I take in lots of live electric music; I can handle loud.) There was no need for these levels in this room. The loudness created a completely unnecessary barrier between band and audience. One thing I love about the RCB is the sense that they're playing *for* both themselves and the audience, and not *at* the audience like theatrical performers or hard rock warriors. And it wasn't just about loudness; there was a harsh, shrill, trebly "hard rock" quality that really worked against this wonderfully subtle and dynamic band. I was *really* wishing the drums weren't mic'd. Keyboards were often buried by g/v/b/d, which is a real shame. Well, I was darned excited about this concert. Just the night before, I'd listened to a few RC recordings, enjoying them immensely. When RC comes to town, I want RC to win fans! I want myself and everyone else (even the people who were "dragged" to the show by friends and relatives or by vague 20-year-old memories) to leave the venue just *floating*. (And btw that *did* happen 13 months before, at their Aug/2009 show in Thief River Falls, MN!!). It didn't seem to happen last night, and that's a shame, possibly even a sin.
• What else do you listen to? 08-31-09 9:09PM
  A lot of my non-RC listening is not blues or rock at all. Could be Chet Atkins & Jerry Reed, could be Chopin, could be Steely Dan, could be Alison Kraus; some latin or django stuff, etc. I'm always surprised to hear that RCB fans listen to the popular high-profile blues-rock guitarists (whether "oldies" like Clapton, Hendrix & SRV, or the more recent ones like Bonnamosa, Lang, Mayor). I find RC's approach, not just to guitar, but to the "whole band" sound, and to the types of songs, is just so different that it belongs in a different genre. (For instance, songs are almost never mainly a vehicle for demonstrating guitar prowess.) I do enjoy the guys I mentioned, but I have little urge to listen to them over and over as I do with RC.
• Last Ride Blues Fest, Thief River Falls (7 Clans casino), MN, Aug 22, 2009 08-17-09 5:05PM
  Well, they didn't play any of my song requests, but it was a fantastic show. I'd say there were about 1000 people in attendance, and the guys played with tons of groove and energy and fire. Set list was as usual: stuff from Across the Pond along with about 4 from the new recording. It's hard to ignore the "being there" factor (I was about 5 rows from the stage and had a clear view of all the players), but many times throughout the night, often with my eyes closed, I thought the singing and playing was a notch or two above that of AtP. RC just gives so much! JP seemed to be having a lot of fun all night; his extended organ solo on the TOneITMiddle was wonderful. RichardC was bouncy as usual and very precise; TonyB lays down a great groove and was also very precise: some of the lighter moments of the show were when Tony was fooling with song endings. I'm glad he was on a raised platform as he uses a fairly complex kit, and it was fun to watch him put it to use. (I remain a huge fan of Karl and Kevin.) I'm 50, and if not for Robert Cray, I wouldn't be the kind of music fan I am: I would have different expectations, and be more vulnerable to nostalgia. Sad that there were so few young people in the audience!
• Last Ride Blues Fest, Thief River Falls (7 Clans casino), MN, Aug 22, 2009 08-17-09 5:05PM
  I'm really looking forward to this show! Anyone else coming down from Winnipeg? Also on the schedule are Ana Popovic and Walter Trout (both of whom are a bit too heavy for moi, but I've never seen either live and I expect I'll be in a mood to appreciate them). I can't believe how badly this show is being promoted! 7 Clans doesn't mention the show on their very own site. I called the casino and was told it's a free outdoor show. I can't find a performance schedule anywhere. (Msg to RCB mgmt: If you know, please post.) Now, here's a message for Robert: Young man, you normally hit a few of the classics (Phone Both, Because of Me, etc) each show, but, heck, these people ain't payin'! Moreover, TRF, MN isn't a high population center, and the promotion is lame, so there aren't going to be a ton of people there with specific song expectations. [b]So[/b], why not use this show to polish off some gems from the last 15 years that you rarely or never do live? For instance: Tell The Landlord Trick or Treat All On Your Own Not Bad for Love Already Gone Love Sickness Out of Eden Two Steps From the End I know this is somewhat wishful, but you gotta believe that sooner or later people are going to clue in to the artistry of your repertoire. So throw the "new' guys a challenge, and replace some of the tunes that you've been doing nearly every show on the last few tours with a few of these! All the best, and may the weather be fine on the 22nd, Neil