Cobra Kai - Original Score

It's so hard these days keeping up with all the great shows that have been churned out. To top it off, the resurgence of  80's nostalgia has influenced many shows from Stranger Things to Cobra Kai. I absolutely love each show and appreciate how they're not just cashing in on the nostalgia, but actually have well written stories and acting.

Cobra Kai really took me by surprise. I honestly though the show would be a cash grab for people hungry for more 80's pop culture references. But I was wrong. The show is damn good! And having just finished watching season 2, I believe it is getting better and is one of teh best shows to be released the last few years.

I've made it no surprise that I am a huge fan of the products that La La Land Records puts out. So naturally I had to check out the score they released for Cobra Kai. This is such a good score that captures the heart and energy of the show. As a fan of both the show and La La Land Records, this CD is a perfect addition to my collection. Highly recommended.

Peter Cetera - Live at MPAC (Morristown, NJ)

Peter Cetera of Chicago fame recently came through Morristown, NJ to perform on August 2^nd.

As someone who was just a kid in the 80’s when he was belting out ballads like "Glory Of Love" and "After All", I appreciated his music. Once I got more into classic rock, and realized he was the voice of Chicago, I started to dig his tunes even more.

Here we are in 2018 and Peter is still touring, still singing those ballads AND classic Chicago hits, and making audiences laugh. Yes, that’s right. Peter has got quite a sense of humor. Upon entering the stage at the beginning of the show for the song "Restless Heart", he approached the microphone while the crowd gave an ovation. However, the microphone wasn’t adjusted correctly and he had to stop and awkwardly fix it. This obviously delayed the song a bit. But what made it so funny was when he quickly said to the audience, “Ok forget you saw that. Let’s try that again.” At that moment we all laughed and he went back and came out again to a much larger applause. In between songs, Peter would inject funny stories and jokes here and there to keep the audience engaged.

This show was a bit milder for me, since I’m used to going to much louder shows. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. I thoroughly appreciated this performance. Peter performed his usual hits like "Glory Of Love", etc, but what kept it interesting was the introductions and background stories for each song. It really gave you a glimpse into what went on behind the scenes during Peter’s long running career.

Closing out the show was Peter and his band performing “25 or 6 to 4”. He can still hit the notes and had the crowd on their feet dancing along. My only issue was that there was no brass ensemble! To me, there has to be the brass ensemble to give it that extra kick that the original track had. But to hear the original singer perform it live again in 2018 after all these years was good enough. 

Overall, a great show and I hope he gets to come back to the NYC area again soon.

Three O'Clock High [Collector's Edition]

If there's any company that can take an 80's cult classic and give it the proper Blu-ray release it deserves, then it's Shout Factory,

Anyone familiar with this 80's teen classic will remember the name that struck fear in all who walked the halls of the school. I'm talking about Buddy Revell. This guy deserves a spot on the Mount Rushmore of high school movie bullies. He even makes Biff Tannen look like a member of the Mickey Mouse Club in comparison.

But the true star of this film was the likeable underdog known as Jerry Mitchell. At first glance, you'd wonder how he would make it out alive in a fight with Buddy. But by the end of this film, you'll be cheering for Jerry just like we all did for Rocky!

Seriously, this movie is not just one of my favorite 80's movies, but one of my favorite movies period. The performances were great, and you really felt the dread that Jerry felt as the end of the school day approached, The comedy was on point, and didn't sell itself short just for laughs. It was smart, funny, and a truly memorable film!

Shout Factory's Collector's Edition release is one to have for any fan of this classic. It's got special audio commentary by director Phil Joanou, interviews with the screenwriters and costume designers, and other features to make this one a true collectible.

Definitely check this one out!

THE JEWEL OF THE NILE: LIMITED EDITION SOUNDTRACK

An 80's classic that is a sequel to another 80's classic gets a recent soundtrack release!

My exposure to the  film Jewel Of The Nile was seeing it on constant rotation on HBO in the 80's. The film doesn't live up to the charm of Romancing The Stone, but it was still a fun ride to go along another adventure with Jack and Joan.

Back in the day, the biggest thing that came from this movie was the song "When The Going Gets Tough" by Billy Ocean. That song took over the airwaves and had a really cool video (also starring Douglas, Turner, and DeVito). So the actual score kind of took a backseat to this massive radio hit.

La La Land Records recently released the soundtrack to Jewel on CD. I honestly have forgotten the score, since it has been years since I've seen the film. But revisiting this on CD, it was nice to hear the score by Jack Nitzsche all over again. Suddenly I had flashbacks of key scenes in the film while certain tracks played on my radio. Overall, it was great to revisit the movie through the score composed by Mr. Nitzsche.

Definitely recommended for any fan of the film, or of movie scores in general.

La-La Land Records Roundup!

La-La Land Records has quickly become one of my favorite record labels. Each release they put out seems to appeal to pop-culture junkies from the 80's and beyond. Whether it's releasing the soundtrack for classics like Romancing The Stone, Die Hard, or Creepshow, they keep putting out special edition CD's that are must haves.

Here are some of their releases that I've had the privilege of getting a copy of:


FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF: LIMITED EDITION

Since 1986, Ferris Bueller's Day Off has been one of the most beloved 80's films. Not only that, but it also contains one of the best soundtracks too. But did you know there was never any official soundtrack released for the film? That is, until La-La Land released one. This soundtrack is an absolute gem that contains every track that supported the movie, helping it to be the massive hit that it became. All the obvious songs like "Oh Yeah" by Yello and "Danke Schoen" by Wayne Newton are here. But it's also the random tracks that played throughout the movie like "Beat City" by The Flowerpot Men" when Ferris peeled out of the school parking lot after picking up Simone are here. Along with the songs that were featured in the film is the original score by Ira Newborn. Listening to this score again really takes you back to each scene. Like in the track "Ferris on Line 2" for example. You can truly feel the terror on Rooney's face when listening to this track. Overall, this soundtrack is a long awaited one that really delivered the goods!



BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA: LIMITED EDITION (2CD-SET)

Who can forget Kurt's memorable performance in this 80's cult classic? I remember catching this when it was shown on HBO in the 80's. It was a wacky and fun adventure/sci-fi/comedy mashup that holds up til this day. John Carpenter & Alan Howarth’s complete score for the film is here on this remastered 2 CD set. Like most other releases by La-La Land, this one comes with a cool 20 page booklet that makes this a true collectible. If you love this film, then this is one to definitely add to the collection.



POLICE ACADEMY: LIMITED EDITION

Another La-La Land release of a hard to find soundtrack is Police Academy! Those of us that grew up in the 80's were fortunate to have been able to see such zany comedies like Police Squad. The original score by Robert Folk was a huge part of what made this movie a hit. Each track on this CD captures the same fun and hijinks that were in the movie. This release is another one that most fans of 80's films will cherish. This one is a limited edition release, so try to get a copy while you can!

Blues Traveler - Live at Irving Plaza NYC (2/23/18)

In case you didn’t know, Blues Traveler is in the middle of celebrating their 30th anniversary by embarking on a nationwide tour. On Friday, they gave a sold-out crowd in Irving Plaza their money’s worth by delivering a night of pure fun.

Even though the band goes back 30 years, they really hit their stride in the mid 90’s. But if you only know them for 90’s hits like Run-Around and Hook, then you’re missing out! On this night, they brought their diverse catalog of songs to an audience that consisted of both young and older fans alike.

When it was time for the band to play, they walked onto the stage as the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” blared through the speakers. Once they got situated, frontman John Popper greeted the NYC audience and then stated, "We are 30 f**king years old!". After that, they wasted no time in jumping in to playing some tunes for this excited crowd.

From start to finish, the band rolled through hit after hit. As great as it is to hear their songs in concert, the real highlights of the show were whenever they broke into an impromptu jam session. In between songs, the bandmates would go back and forth and just turn into a full blown jam extravaganza! You could see how they just feed off each other’s energy during the show. There wasn't a dull moment at all. At the end, they said goodbye to this satisfied NYC audience by blowing a kiss from the stage.

If you’ve only heard radio or album versions of their music, then you really have to see them live. This is one band that sounds amazing in concert. 

After 30 years, these guys haven’t skipped a beat. Hopefully, they keep trucking along and have many more tours to come!

Die Hard - Soundtrack (La-La Land Records)

If you're ever stuck in Nakatomi Plaza and waiting for a man named John McClane to come save the day, a good CD to pass the time is the memorable Die Hard soundtrack by composer Michael Kamen.

La-La Land continues their catalog of high quality, limited edition CD's for movie junkies everywhere with this release. Like most of their CD's, it comes with extras like bonus tracks and a booklet that features in-depth material that take you back to this movie masterpiece. Speaking of bonus tracks, some of the ones included are Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis" and Vaughn Monroe’s “Let It Snow” to give that true holiday feel. People that believe Die Hard is a holiday film will definitely be happy to hear these on the CD.

With so many good products that have been released by La-La Land records, this is another one not to pass up by any fans of the film. With it being a limited release, all the more it makes it worth getting.

This CD definitely gets a "Yippee Ki Yay"!

The Brian Setzer Orchestra - Christmas Rocks! Live - November 24th @ Montclair, NJ

Photo by Chip Duden

On November 24th, the holiday season kicked off with a bang as The Brian Setzer Orchestra put on a rocking extravaganza at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ. This was my first time seeing the BSO live in concert, and oh man am I glad I did! 

This night, Brian came with his musical elves and brought some holiday cheer to the NJ crowd. The stage was filled with Christmas trees, lights galore, and even a visit from jolly St Nick himself at the end of the show!

The show began with Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" playing throughout the theater as the band took the stage. Once the entire band got settled, Brian came out to a thunderous applause and then jumped right into a performance of "Pennsylvania 6-5000". I've always liked BSO's version of this classic hit, but I really enjoyed their live performance much better. It was the perfect song to set the energy of the show. From there on, the audience was treated to a performance filled with holiday classics and well known hits of the BSO through the years. Hard to imagine the BSO has been doing this for 25 years. And yet, they sounded as fresh as ever. 

I think most people can agree that Brian is a great guitarist. But hearing him live, you really can see that he is a legend on the guitar. He hasn't lost a step after all these years as he played each track so effortlessly. 

Photo by Suzie Kaplan

It's hard to pinpoint my favorite moments during the show, since there were so many. From beginning to end, there wasn't a dull moment. Some concerts you go to, there are moments that you mentally drift off during some of the parts that feel stale. But not this show. I was engaged the entire time. They went through the obvious classics like "Jump, Jive an' Wail!" and "Rock This Town", and even a nice cover of Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down  A Dream", paying homage to Petty, who we lost way too soon. Things got real festive as they jumped into holiday songs like "Gloria in excelsis Deo", "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)", "Nutcracker Suite", and "Jingle Bells"!

Overall, it was a night to remember and a real holiday treat for a NJ crowd that came for some holiday cheer! Definitely try to catch one of their shows during this tour!

ROMANCING THE STONE: LIMITED EDITION SOUNDTRACK (La-La Land Records)

I remember seeing Romancing The Stone on VHS around 1984. Although I was a fairly young kid at the time, I was absolutely amazed by this film. There was a certain charm the film had that really drew me in. It had a little of everything. Adventure! Romance! And who could forget "Pepe, the Mule"!

Fast forward 33 years, and it is still one of my favorite films.

Not only is it one of my favorite films, but it has one of the most memorable, catchy soundtracks ever. Alan Silvestri is a man that needs no introduction. He has composed so many epic movie scores that it's hard to keep up with. But did you know that this was his first major score? You wouldn't think so just listening to it. This soundtrack has got such a snappy, cool, jazzy, and heartwarming feel to it.

Thanks to the fine people at La-La Land Records, we can now revisit this classic score. They've released a limited edition (2000 copies) CD that has all the tracks from this beloved film, and includes an inside cover that makes this a true collectible. One thing I noticed about La-La Land Records is that they don't just put out quality CD releases of some great retro films. They also make sure to include a nice booklet inside the CD case with some more facts about the movie. That makes their CD's much more valuable in my opinion. 

It was so great to give this one a listen again, and be taken back to the Jack and Joan's adventure in Columbia. 

Overall, this is one gem put out by La-La Land. 

HE-MAN AND SHE-RA: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE CLASSIC ANIMATED ADVENTURES

He-Man, Voltron, and Thundercats.

In no particular order, those 3 cartoons basically defined my childhood. There were so many more that I loved as a kid. But for me, these were the holy trinity.

Whenever He-Man came on, I remember dropping whatever I was doing and running to the TV. Having the action figures and playsets made the experience that much more fun. After all these years, I'm not ashamed to admit that I am still a huge fan!

Lately, there’s been a surge of interest for anything He-Man related. There’s even a He-Man movie that was greenlighted to be released in 2019! Nostalgia is one hell of a drug.

What a wonderful time it is for fans of this classic show. There are collectibles, comics, and books coming out quite frequently to satisfy the average MOTU fanatic.

Speaking of He-Man books. Dark Horse has published a comprehensive guide to the series called He-Man and She-Ra: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures. To put it bluntly, this book is NOT to be missed. My brain just about exploded on how detailed it went to recap the episodes of the show! This is a true fan’s dream! There is so much in this book to devour. At first it’s overwhelming due to the massive amount of info packed into this collectible hardcover book. But if you grew up watching this show, then you owe it to yourself to get this. Flip it open and you are immediately drawn into the world MOTU. Overall, I can’t highlight enough how cool this book is. It’s like stumbling across a book hidden in Castle Greyskull that holds all the secrets of the kingdom, if Eternia was real.

Now excuse me while I go back and read some more facts about one of the best cartoons to ever hit TV. 

Billy Ocean - Here You Are: The Music of My Life

Any person who was able to live through the 80's must be familiar with the legend known as Billy Ocean. I'm very aware that I just used the word 'legend'. And that is one word I don't throw around lightly. If you go back and listen to his catalog of songs that spanned over decades, you'll know why I referred to Billy as a legend. His voice is golden, and as a person, he is genuinely nice. I say that, because I had the chance to meet him after one of his performances this year. To me, the guy is a pure class act. And his music is timeless.

During his performance, he mentioned the latest album that he released called Here You Are: The Music of My Life. That peaked my interest and I knew that I had to give this one a listen.

This album is a bit of a mixed bag. Part of it acts as a "greatest hits", and the rest of the album are covers of well known songs that influenced Billy throughout his life. Being the classy guy he is, Billy treated these classic tracks with respect, all the while adding his own personal touch to each one. Take "No Woman No Cry" for example. Billy's version is a smooth, soulful take on this Bob Marley classic. He really nailed this particular track. Another standout is Billy's cover of Frank Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year". Doing a cover of any Sinatra song is pretty bold, but Billy really held his own on this one. The other songs are a real joy to listen to for any fan of Billy's, or anyone that just wants to hear a modern take on classic hits.

Overall, this album was a very satisfying listen. As a big fan of Billy's, I was so glad to hear some new material. And I hope to hear more to come from him in the years ahead!

IT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Every once in a while, a movie comes by and takes the audience by storm (no pun intended 😃). For 2017, that movie was IT. 

This highly anticipated film retold the the story about the poor kids from Derry getting terrorized by the demonic clown known as Pennywise. For those of us that grew up seeing the 1990 miniseries, expectations were extremely high for this. And oh man, did IT deliver.

I absolutely loved this movie. Without getting too much into the film itself (since this review is about the soundtrack), I'll just stop at saying it was one of the most enjoyable theater going experiences I've had in YEARS. 

For every movie that we hold dear in our memories, is a brilliant soundtrack to accompany it. Think of movies like Back To The Future, for example. When you think back to every iconic scene in the film, you probably remember the score playing in the background. The same goes for the IT soundtrack.

Benjamin Wallfisch has composed a masterpiece that works hand in hand with this outstanding film. Each track perfectly fits the mood for each scene that it was in. The songs truly capture the terror, the heart, and the drama that each character faced in the film. Perfect example is the track "Georgie, Meet Pennywise". Anyone who knows the story, knows exactly what happens in this scene. Listening to this track takes you through an emotional journey, sending chills down your spine as you imagine the terror that is about to happen in the film. 

Overall, this score (like the movie) takes you through the story of Derry, and all of its heartwarming, funny, and terrorizing moments in a way that you won't forget.

Scared In Jersey at the PNC Bank Arts Center!

On Thursday, October 5th , I was invited to a press event at the opening night for Scared In Jersey.at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. "Scared In Jersey" is a new Halloween themed event created by Bobby Alt, Adam Alt and Frank Zummo of Blood Drums. The event takes the folklore of the Jersey Devil, and starts off with a reenactment of the "birth" of the Jersey Devil, followed by a walk through the haunted Pine Barren Maze, and then ends with a performance by Blood Drums. As a horror fan and someone that loves Halloween, this event was definitely a lot of fun. Everything from the skit that showed the birth of the Jersey Devil to the maze and the Blood Drums performance was worth the trip. The maze had its creepy moments, but nothing that will give you nightmares. And the final performance by Blood Drums was a very intense and energetic way to end the night. The guys from the band were nice enough to invite the fans up for photos on stage after their set. Overall, a great new Halloween attraction for the NJ area. I would like to see them add on to the maze and try to crank up some of the creepy parts in the future. But overall, it was a fun event that I wouldn't mind seeing again!

CREEPSHOW: LIMITED EDITION SOUNDTRACK (LA LA LAND RECORDS)

I've been a horror fan ever since I was a kid. Growing up in the 80's, I was fortunate to have gone through the best decade for horror films. There are so many to choose during that time that are really good, quality films. In fact, when I think back to the films that catapulted my interest in horror movies, I narrow it down to a trinity of films: A Nightmare On Elm Street, Fright Night, and Creepshow. I remember seeing these on VHS tapes rented from the local video store, and they terrified me. Yet, they also sparked an interest in the genre. The matching scores for these movies also made them more terrifying to watch. Creepshow in particular, had a very heavy, synth driven score that was the perfect sound to drive the movie. The sounds in this film highlighted each creepy moment and became embedded into my subconscious. It was a brilliant score. So when I saw that La La Land Records released a limited edition, restored version of the soundtrack on CD, I absolutely had to cover it here.

Let's get to the point. If you are a fan of this movie, then this CD is an absolute must have!

If you haven't seen the movie, but are a fan of 80's pop culture and horror movies in general, definitely check this out.

To fully realize how creepy this score is, just listen to it without even watching the film. The other day I had it playing in the car, and I got flashbacks of being creeped out exactly how I was as an 8 year old watching it for the first time. 

From the beginning on down, the tracks are in the same order as the film. It takes you from the film's intro (with the creepy kid), to Father's Day, to The Lonesome Death Of Jordy Verrill, to Something To Tide You Over, to The Crate, to They're Creeping Up On You, and then the Epilogue. The tracks sound crisp, and really make you feel like watching this classic again.

Listening to this reminded me how much I like this movie, and probably will never get tired of it. Kudos to John Harrison for a brilliant score that still holds up after all these years. And kudos to La La Land Records for providing such a diverse catalog for all us nostalgic movie fans!

With Halloween coming up, this is a great CD to have to make the season much more fun!

Replay America - Live at the NYCB Theatre - August 3rd, 2017

On August 8th, the crowd at the NYCB Theatre was brought back to the 80's when the stars of the Replay America came to town. Fans of 80's music all throughout the NYC area met at the NYCB Theatre in Westbury, Long Island to see the star studded lineup of The Motels, Naked Eyes, Taylor Dayne, and Billy Ocean! And each artist really gave the fans their money's worth with a show to remember.


Opening the show was The Motels...

When the band came out, I wasn't sure what to expect since I only knew The Motels through their hits Only The Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer". When their set was over, I honestly wanted to hear more! Martha Davis vocals still sound great, and they were a real breath of fresh air. Their performance was just the right act to set the mood of the show. Meeting them backstage after their performance really gave me much more respect for them. They were very nice and down to earth. Martha mentioned to me that they'd be releasing an album later this year, so be on the lookout!

Next up was Naked Eyes...

If you know anything about 80's music, then you'll remember the big synth driven hit "Always Something There To Remind Me". That song is one of the many from the 80's that are guaranteed to be stuck in your head upon hearing. I was always curious how this would sound live. Well I got my chance on this night and it was real cool to hear it. Basically it sounded just as you would expect it, with a slightly more acoustic guitar sound thrown in by lead singer Pete Byrne. Once this song came on, everyone got really into it and was singing along. It was a great moment that drew the crowd in. Also a side note: Pete was a really cool guy to meet with after the performance. I was glad that I got the chance to chat with him for a bit after his set. Now on to digging up some more songs in the Naked Eyes catalog to listen to.

Next up to perform was... Taylor Dayne

Now this is an artist that I am very familiar with. Who hasn't heard the opening notes to "Tell It To My Heart" and then immediately got transported back to a middle/high school dance?? I know that this song in particular was a HUGE part of my middle school years because it was played EVERYWHERE and the video was constantly on rotation on MTV! So this was one act I was looking forward to see. Before Taylor went on stage, I had the privilege of meeting with her for a bit. She was very friendly and is the kind of artist who is great with her fans. So it's no surprise she still has a loyal fanbase after all these years.

As soon as she went on stage she immediately energized the audience and had (mostly) everyone on their feet singing along and dancing. Her set was a compilation of her biggest hits. The obvious highlights were "Don't Rush Me", "With Every Beat Of My Heart" and then her finale "Tell It To My Heart"! The crowd really got into it as she belted out her biggest hit. After all these years, her voice is still powerful and can really captivate an arena. She really gave her fans what they wanted with her memorable performance that night. 

After Taylor was.... Starship!

Another staple from the 80's, Starship was best know for their hits "We Built This City" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (the theme song from Mannequin). The band is still touring these days, however the only original member is Mickey Thomas. After all these years, Mickey still sounded great. Yes, his voice is not the same it was 30 years ago, but it was still vintage Mickey. But don't let that stop you from seeing them! Singer Stephanie Calvert had some big shoes to fill, but she did an awesome job filling in as the female vocalist. Mickey and Stephanie sang their hearts out to the crowd with the obvious hits like "Sara". But it was "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and "We Built This City" that got the crowd into it. Sometimes certain bands have the tendency to mail in a performance, Not Starship. They seemed grateful for their fans and did what they could to give everyone a good experience.  And what more could you ask from an act that's been around since the 80's? Overall, I'm really glad I finally got to see them in person.

Last but not least was.... BILLY OCEAN!

This was the performance I was looking forward to the most. Billy has been once of my favorite artists since the 80's, and I still play his music on a regular basis. His supporting band got the crowd pumped when introducing him, and once he came on stage, the energy surged in the theatre. For a guy who is 67 years old, he does not slow down one bit! He was singing and dancing all around the stage and moving with more stamina than some guys half his age! The crowd fed off of his energy and was enthusiastically singing and dancing along with him. 

Billy's was, by far, one of the best live performances I've ever seen. And I've been to quite a few. With a smile that lights up a room, and a true passion for his music, there wasn't one part of his performance that disappointed. If you weren't singing along in the crowd, Billy made sure he did his best to get everyone to join in. He was a professional in every sense of the word. Some of the songs he sang were "Loverboy", "The Colour Of Love", "Suddenly, and of course "Caribbean Queen", "When The Going Gets Tough", and "Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car)". There was even a cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" which is on his latest album! Every second of his performance was pure fun. This is a guy that knows how to work a crowd. Next time Billy comes to the NYC area, I'll be sure to see him again!

On a side note, I met Billy after the show,. Not only is he one of the nicest celebrities I ever met, but he is one of the nicest people that I've met in my life. He seemed very genuine and a true class act that cares for his fans. 

Thanks Billy for giving us a performance to remember! 

Blues Traveler - Live in Morristown, NJ - 7/15/17

 It was like '95 all over again...

This past Saturday, Blues Traveler made a stop on their current tour to Morristown, NJ at the MPAC (Mayo Performing Arts Center). On this night, old and new fans were treated to an energetic performance that showcased BT's catchy sound. John Popper lead the band with his amazing harmonica skills and belted out songs from the band's wide catalog of songs. As if this show didn't already have a cool 90's vibe to it, it was really cemented when they performed a cover of Sublime's "What I Got" that hammered it in. I found that to be a nice version of one of the great songs of the 90's. Of course, the band is still putting out some good new songs, but BT will always be associated as one of the 90's greats. Not surprisingly, the audience got the "Hook" and the "Run Around", which got everyone out of their seats and dancing. It was a fun time that the fans really enjoyed. Their set ran close to 2 hours, and the audience enjoyed every minute of it. The band's got a knack of seamlessly flowing from one song to the next without long breaks in between. And the jam sessions! What can I say? Each member had their moment to shine throughout the show by having their own jam session, showcasing their skills. They were all good, but I must say the keyboard solo really stood out to me. It's just something you have to see in person to really appreciate it. Overall, the performance was a lot of fun and I wouldn't hesitate to see them live again next time they come around.

Huey Lewis & The News - Live at NYCB Theatre in Westbury, NY

When it comes to slowing down, these guys apparently didn't get the memo.

For the second time in less than 6 months, Huey Lewis & The News were back in the NYC area to treat local fans to another live show. Last time they were here, they performed at the historic St. George Theater in Staten Island. This time around (June 21st) they played in Long Island at the NYCB Theatre. So how'd they do this time? Well let's just say the 2 plus hours sitting in traffic on the Long Island Expressway was totally worth it.

From the moment you heard the "thump thump" heartbeat played in the theatre, we knew we were in for something special. Naturally, the boys came out and got right down to business by opening the show with The Heart Of Rock and Roll. The crowd broke into a frenzy during the opening song. Feeding off of the energy, the band elevated their performance and carried that on throughout the entire show. 

There's no surprise that the band went through almost the entire catalog of their greatest hits. Hits like  "I Want A New Drug", "If This Is It", and "Stuck With You" soared through the theatre while the fans joyfully sang along. One minor complaint from me would be that they didn't play "Perfect World". But hey, we can't always get what we want right? 

Huey, a true professional at getting the crowd pumped up, would occasionally shout "Are you still with me??" The audience would reply with a boisterous "YEAH!!!" I noticed once they broke into "Heart and Soul", the crowd participation felt like it was at its peak. Most of the crowd was up out of the seat singing along and dancing. 

Leading towards the end of the show, they played hits like "Back In Time" and of course "Power Of Love", For the final song, the boys broke out into a full on jam session by playing "Working For A Living". In my opinion, that was the best song to close out the show. 

For all the fans, old and new, it truly was a night to remember. This is a band that has been at it for almost 40 years and they're still going strong. Their music has been the soundtrack for my youth, as it was for so many others, And you could see that the fanbase is still loyal after all these years. It was a truly memorable show, and hopefully they'll come back soon! 

Huey Lewis and The News - Live at St. George Theatre, Staten Island, NY (Feb. 26, 2017)

Huey Lewis and The News rolled through NY last night and put on a memorable show for all ages.

To be honest, I'm ashamed to say that despite being a lifelong fan of these guys, I have never seen them live. When Huey (who's quite the showman) asked the crowd if there were any first timers, I was one of the many that shouted. Huey then sarcastically said something like "Where have you all been? We've only been doing this the past 39 years?" Laughter ensued and then the band jumped into the next song on their list.

That was a common theme of the night. The band would play a few hits. Huey would interject with some funny anecdotes to get the crowd laughing, and then go right back into another song. Needless to say, there wasn't a dull moment during the show.

So, overall how was the show?

AMAZING!

It was everything I expected it to be. The band sounded as tight as ever. For those of us (like myself) that were too young to see them during their prime in the 80's, this was as close as you could get to experiencing that. Sure, this wasn't the Sports tour, but if you were to close your eyes during the show and imagine you were there, you'd be able to go "Back In Time" and live that moment.

To open the show, the band came out to Heart of Rock and Roll which the audience responded with a raucous applause. They then jumped into My Other Woman, and then I Want a New Drug. Following that was an extended version of Jacob's Ladder, which was one of the highlights of the night that featured a wonderful harmonica solo by Huey. The run time of the song was just over 7 minutes long!

Of course, they then proceeded to play fan favorites like Hip To Be Square, Heart and Soul, and Power of Love. In the midst of all that, they even squeezed in a recent song titled While We're Young. The catchy tune is a testament to the band itself. While they may be getting older in age, they're "not quite done yet" as Huey said introducing the song.

And thankfully for us fans, they aren't done yet. They're still touring with the energy and passion of a band in their 20's. And hopefully, it stays that way for more years to come!



A huge thanks to Huey's manager (pictured with me below) Lol Halsey for setting all of this up.

Huey Lewis and The News in NY (Sunday February 26th!)

38....

THIRTY EIGHT!!!

That's how many years Huey Lewis and The News have been together!

How many bands can you think of that have been around that long and are STILL TOURING?

You'd be hard pressed to find any.

And yet, the band that took us Back In Time, showed us the Power Of Love, and reminded us the Heart of Rock & Roll is still beating is right in the middle of a tour, and is coming straight to NYC on February 26th!

If you're like me and grew up listening to this legendary band, but never had the opportunity to see them in concert, here is your chance. The band is coming to the St. George Theater in Staten Island, NY.

Fellow residents of the NYC area, you don't want to miss this!

You can find out how to get tickets by going here!