Mama Rocks the Fox!!
Saturday November 8, the spouse and I
attended the Aretha Franklin show at the grandly beautiful FoxTheater in Atlanta. This was the day after my birthday so as a part
of the festivities we splurged on orchestra seats and dang, scored
second row, center. The crowd was mainly silverbacks, like us, but
there was a sprinkling of 30’s and 40’s as well, which always
makes me happy for some reason. I also noticed those pathetic few
who wanted to introduce the grandkids to classic soul. Sad for all
of them. They had the poor little urchins dressed in their starched
khakis, mini Brooks Brothers, Sunday dresses and hair bows. I guess
just to make sure the evening was an unforgettable trip into the
fires of hell for the little ones. The groups were the usual mix of
single ladies, gay couples, multi-cultural, mixed race, and plain
vanilla like us. Hats were a frequent fashion statement as were bald
heads. But unlike most Atlanta events, people dressed up. They were
here to see a Queen.
The deservedly named Queen of Soul was
looking good. She has experienced undisclosed health issues and
whatever it is has not damaged her voice one bit. She has, however,
lost a shit ton of weight. Her breasts, previously the size of large
watermelons are now down to the size of large cantaloupes.
She
danced, played the piano, and sang like it was 1971, never missing a
high or low note. She opened with a Jackie Wilson tune (Your Love
Keeps Lifting Me) and the crowd stood and moved their (mostly)
arthritic bones in excitement. Arriving center stage she shed the
first of 3 fur coats that eventually landed on the grand piano. I was
kind of hoping she would get carried away and toss one to the crowd
but no such luck.
She was backed by a 19 piece band and
three great backup singers. The classics mixed throughout the show
never failed to bring the crowd to standing while singing along and
finger shaking, fist pumping and dancing in place. Chain of Fools, I
Never Loved a Man (The Way I Loved You) Freeway of Love, and she
closed with the requisite RESPECT. But there were some great
surprises. Her rendition of Sam Cooke’s You Send Me was flawless
and left me wanting a much longer version. And she really delivered
on Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, a song that is perfect for her
strong, powerful voice.
Aretha was the first female artist
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She grew up singing
gospel like so many of her peers. Her career includes 112 charted
singles and she has won a total 18 Grammies. The show we saw
reflected both her otherworldly talent and the beauty and assuredness
of a woman who knows she is loved and revered.
Contrast that with Wednesday night,
November 12, 2014. Again we are out of the house and off to the
Fabulous Fox Theater. This time to see an all-star tribute to Lynyrd
Skynyrd. Because we spent so wildly on Aretha tickets we had decided
to pass on this show but then slow ticket sales forced them to reduce
prices. I think they needed a crowd since this concert was filmed.
Anyway we bought tickets the week before the show and ended up 10th
row orchestra. Our seats were on the far right aisle which turned out
to be a great thing. Due to so many artists participating in this
show the side door of the Fox (facing Ponce) was turned into stage
door for the night. So here comes all the stars, standing beside us,
posing for photos with fans and looking rough as hell.
The crowd was so interesting that I
randomly noted sights seen on the Facebook for all to enjoy. Let me
share.
As for the demographics? A few folks
our age, no people of color, mostly 40 and 50 something from (I hope)
far, far OTP. They stood for most of the show and raised one arm in
the air, either pointing to the sky or fist pumping. This was the
pretty universal audience stance throughout. And really, people did
yell Free Bird. Of course it was kind of legit and not a joke.
The
entertainment started early, 7:30 and went until almost midnight.
The show opened with Randy Houser
rocking Whiskey Rock a Roller. Every act following delivered
flawless versions of Skynyrd classics. Blackberry Smoke (from
Atlanta) tore up Working for the MCA and Jason Isbell killed I Know a
Little. Trace Adkins rocked What’s Your Name. A duo of Charlie
Daniels and Donnie Van Zandt energized the tiring audience with
guitar solos on Down South Jukin. The spouse and I loved Peter
Frampton’s wild bluesy Call Me the Breeze.
Rickey
Medlocke and Johnny Van Zant crank up the “Free Bird.” Photo:
Getty Images/Blackbird Productions
We saw also saw Cheap Trick, Gov’t
Mule, moe, Alabama, John Hiatt, Robert Randolph, O.A.R., Warren
Haynes, but I’m saving the best for last. Greg was there. If you
have to ask Greg who, stop reading now. He played organ and sang in a
vaguely gospel style, Tuesday’s Gone.
Gregg
Allman offered a lovely version of “Tuesday’s Gone.” Photo:
Getty Images/Blackbird Productions
Then of course as you would expect it
was time for Lynyrd Skynyrd. First every single performer in the show
for full stage, rousing, Sweet Home. This nearly drove the crowd to
frenzy. And as you would expect, they closed with the redneck anthem,
the southern siren song, the heckler’s chorus, Free Bird.
The evening was one of hair whipping
and amazing guitars. It was late and we had to work the next day but
we stayed until the lights were up and Roy Rogers was singing Happy
Trails to You.
Reflecting back on this stunning week
of concerts I am amazed that I have been lucky enough to see some of
the most influential musicians of all time. Their talent and
inspiration has been a constant with me as I grew up, raised a
family, and worked hard. It has put me to sleep and helped me wake
in the morning. And now I am sharing with you gentle Rawkers. Rawk
on.
