Leave your heart in the hands of Tony Bennett · Wednesday October 7, 2009 by colin newell
After 4 or 5 standing ovations, I would have to say that the Tony Bennett show (at the Royal Theater in Victoria) was the greatest show I have ever seen.
Tony and his band took us on a sentimental journey through the great American song-book – and we went willingly and often with rapturous results.
To say that Tony Bennett is a skilled time traveler would be entirely fair – or better, a musical history tour guide of some of the sweetest love songs of the last 60+ years.
A largely gray crowd were held spellbound with classics like “Someone to Love,” “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” from a whisper to, yet another, explosive finale, and brought the lovers in the crowd closer with “Maybe This Time,” and emoted “Speak Low” with his signature texture and rasp.
At 83, Tony has more to offer than the clear majority of pop stars half his age, his vocals offering an return ticket into life’s simple magic – and his undying quest for perfect love.
“I dedicate this song to Britney Spears,” he cracked during “Kiss the Good Life Goodbye,” the Royal audience embracing his sentiment as he snapped a sly smile.
“That’s the way to live, if you mope and groan, something’s got to give,” he sang in Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone,” the band trading blazing solos as they did throughout the night, incinerating “I Got Rhythm,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got that Swing)” with an unquenchable fire.
Other greats included: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Fly Me to the Moon.” “Sing You Sinners” and “For Once In My Life.”
At one point Tony put the microphone down and sang into the crowd with only the guitarist by his side. As he did throughout the night, Tony and his band took us higher and higher – leaving us breathless.
And like my wife and I, I am sure the other couples in the audience felt that Tony was singing directly to them, reaffirming their love and reminding us that tomorrow is another day – filled with joy and hope – and the little annoyances don’t mean a thing – not a thing.
Tony Bennett: Thank you!
Summer Food Fun and Drink Chapter 17 Bang Zoom to the Moon · Wednesday July 15, 2009 by colin newell
It is almost 40 years ago when man first walked on the Moon.
And I was there – in front of an 7 year old Canadian made Viking B&W TV set from Eatons.
I was like 9 or 10 years old.
And now – 40 years later, where has our Space program gone?
Other than militarizing space… I mean that area just above the ionosphere, not really space at all. We have done nothing really meaningful… in Space… for 40 years.
I say we for a reason and with clarification.
Yes, we have dropped probes and crawlers on Mars in the last 10 years.
But we as humankind have done very little to fix inner space or wander outside of that shell around us that is currently cluttered with detritus, Google satellites, spy satellites and weapons.
So. As much as I would like to celebrate this coming anniversary (and don’t get me wrong… I have fond memories from 1969 and all…) – but it just feels like my fellow spacemen and spacewomen (and I) have been standing in an open field this whole time.
Just looking up.
Summer Food Fun and Drink Chapter 13 The Two Old Goats on Tour North by Northwest · Saturday July 11, 2009 by colin newell
We were interviewed on CBC’s North by Northwest – and here is the mp3 about The Two Old Goats.
or click here for the mp3 if you cannot see the above widget.
Goats on the bleat! CBC North by Northwest Interview!
There is some talk that my band, The Two Old Goats, might be doing a limited series of live performances on Vancouver Island this summer and fall – and maybe beyond, with is a second project in the works. Who knows. I will advise.
Above is a snippet of a show we were featured on a ways back on CBC Radio 1, North by Northwest.
The “Goats” featuring Charlie Burton and yours truly, Colin Newell, got a good amount of air play nationwide as well as on NPR in the U.S.A.
You can get buy our CD and get concert updates over on our band site – e-mail me for details!
You can also have a listen to some of the solo Charlie Burton projects over on www.charlieburton.ca
March 3 2010 update – 100% of all CD sales will go to the Red Cross and World Vision efforts in Haiti and Chile.
Summer Food Fun and Drink Chapter 9 why I play the guitar · Tuesday July 7, 2009 by colin newell
