Willie Nile Blairstown concert review. On a gorgeous Saturday evening in this picturesque town the faithful (aka Nileholics) gathered to witness Legendary Willie Nile and his Amazing band of Johnny Pisano (bass), Matt Hogan (guitar) & Alex Alexander (drums) transform the Historic Blairstown Theatre into a Rock n Roll Party for the Ages. This was no ordinary day, it was also Mr. Niles Birthday and while he had no plans other than displaying his rock n roll merit on a live stage, his band and fans had other ideas. Fans came from far and wide carrying balloons, signs and well wishes for their musical hero. First thing I noticed was that the theatre removed the chairs and created a large standing pit area down front which the Nileholics made full use of all night long, jumping, dancing and fist pumping like a pack of wild dogs. This was a great idea and should be mandatory at all future Nile concerts. His music is made to get the body moving along with the mind. Crowd was chanting Willie, Willie, Willie getting impatient for the festivities to begin. Lights dim a roar is let loose in The Blairstown Theatre as Willie takes the stage. The band kicks into what Willie thought was his setlisted Run but was actually a covert song change orchestrated by his band of an explosive The Beatles BIRTHDAY complete w massive amounts of confetti streaming down upon the stage. Willie himself was literally shocked and awed on his own opening number. He let out the biggest smile and like a true pro he joined on vocals a few seconds later. So this magical of nights started with a Big Bang the equivalent of a Birthday Cake being shot out of a cannon! Next up we actually get RUN into the rarely played masterpiece IF I EVER SEE THE LIGHT off his latest release American Ride. He sang it with such passion and clarity of purpose that it was a very very powerful moment. A man and his music starring onto the Abyss and saying It aint over yet. Had goosebumps on this one. Look out world world this man is just getting started and standing tall. Band sounding tight and follow up with a wallop of MIDNIGHT ROSE with the Pit area going absolutely berserk. Up next a trashing CELL PHONES RINGING IN THE POCKETS OF THE DEAD played with a fiery passion by the band and probably the best version ever - intense! HEAVEN HELP THE LONELY is the next number with Johnny Pi leaping off Alexs drum kit, Willie commanding center stage and the whole crowd singing along as one. The sheer humanity and common bond of music was awesome. Matt took them even higher with one of his many otherworldly guitar solos. By this time Willie has already thrown out the setlist and turned back the clock on Father Time. If we were celebrating a birthday, this singer songwriter rock punk poet was maybe turning 19 but with the mindset of a Jedi Knight. Willie was a physical dynamo up there, a real life rock n roll hurricane working the stage with the furious pace of James Brown at the Apollo only strapped to a guitar and with the fire and brimstone of Joe Strummer. The mount of energy this man put out up there could have powered a city, it was insane! Ill have what hes having. AMERICAN RIDE was next with guest vocals by L and sounded sensational and demonstrated once again why this modern classic will be sung around campfires a thousand years from now. Willie reached into his bag of musical tricks and pulled out CANT STAY HOME which sounded sensational with band revving its engine and Willie & Johnny Pi adding some great great vocals on this ditty! Willie then took to piano for a rollicking SUNRISE IN NEW YORK CITY followed by the band centerpiece LOVE IS A TRAIN that all you could do was literally watch in awe as the song ebbed and flowed and finally crecedos with the crowd give a very loud and extended ovation, many with tears in their eyes. A birthday cake was then wheeled out to the stage by DJ Mike Watterston & Co. as the band kicked into a reprise of The Beatles BIRTHDAY and more confetti hit the stage. Willie was clearly moved and feeling the love as the crowd serended him. Willie called an audible of SWEET JANE to the crowds delight and this sucker went into overdrive. Oh So glorious is hes version of the Lou Reed penned Velvet Underground Song. Everybody sang along on this one followed by a one two punch of his latest hits THIS IS OUR TIME & LIFE ON BLEECKER STREET with standout bass by Johnny, guitar work by Matt & drumming by Alex . INNOCENT ONES was next and hit like a ton of bricks against all the injustice around the world. Then Willie lit a fuse on this powder keg with a frantic version of Jim Carrolls PEOPLE WHO DIED that had heads banging and hearts full. Willies Pièce de résistance ONE GUITAR follows joined by a couple of guests. Jersey Supergirl Laura Catalina Johnson from STRUMBERRY PIE and Jersey Wonderkid Bobby Mahoney from Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son . Bobby goes for the acoustic but Matt was not having it and get this, he takes the electric from around his neck and places around Bobbys and he himself plays piano the rest of the show. Just when you thought this sucker could not get any higher away we went with the whole crowd along for the ride into the stratospher. Birthday Balloons are released to the rafters. So get your tambourines and turn your amps up loud and raise your voices, voices up above this crowd. To quote the man himself Its All Over as final bows are giving, band has left the stage depleted and drained, everything giving in service to their musical leader Willie Nile who closes a night for the record books.. Not so fast.. Crowd is loud, yelling, screaming and applauding. Then the chants of Willie, Willie, Willie start raining down and do not let up for minutes on end. Willie, Johnny, Matt & Alex come back to the stage, the reaction from the crowd is deafening. LITTLE LIGHT is going to take us home on this night of nights. Matt Hogan is again on piano and Bobby is on lead guitar with the kid letting loose with an incredible solo. All I want to see is a little light, not the kind that shines off of diamonds and pearls Willie Nile sang with all the passion in his soul. Indeed. Long may Willies light shine into the darkness and illuminate our hearts.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:58:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015