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ENTERTAINMENT
Talk about concerts, movies, theatre and things to do.
Displaying 4 records found.
Doctor Atomic at Symphony Hall
November 19, 2008 | 01:19 PM
Category: MUSIC
Met vocalists join Robert Spano, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in John Adams' Doctor Atomic Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
The final wrenching hours leading up to the first test of an atomic bomb provides the breathtaking drama of John Adams' operatic sensation — Doctor Atomic, in Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Robert Spano leads the Orchestra, the Chorus, and stellar vocal guests who appeared with him when he gave the Lyric Opera of Chicago's premiere of Doctor Atomic earlier this year, as well as in the opera's just-ended run at New York's Metropolitan Opera.
In this concert staged production by the ASO, the final transfixing series of emotionally charged, historical moments connects the audience in a direct and emphatic way to the very human tensions and dilemmas faced by J. Robert Oppenheimer and his colleagues at Los Alamos.
www.atlantasymphony.org
Bob P. |
Rod Stewart in Alpharetta
August 28, 2008 | 03:40 PM
Category: MUSIC
The man from England rocked a packed house at the Verizon Amphitheatre Wednesday night with a night of his hits. The 63 year old made plenty of soccer moms and old fans from across North Fulton as his set featured a run-through of all the songs that made his name.
In a stage that was literally all white (from the lace curtains surrounding it to the material spread across the stage to the band's instruments), Stewart stood out in his distinctively shiny silver jacket. But, a few songs into the show and screams were heard all over as he eschewed the coat and left on his white shirt which was practically see-through from sweat.
This was a night billed as "Rod Stewart Rocks His Hits," and he didn't disappoint, coming out of the gate swinging with his big hit "Some Guys Have All the Luck." This immediately followed an intro video with a mock movie trailer depicting Stewart as a robot dubbed "The Rodinator" with him there to "save the world by singing."
I'm not a huge Stewart fan, but his band definitely seemed on point, but the singer himself looks to be getting up there in years. He seemed to struggle a bit when dancing and his voice is a little worse for the wear, but that comes with the territory when you're still doing it for so many decades.
Only a few songs in the set the drummer and percussionist went on an extended solo which allowed the rest of the band to head backstage for a breather. I've been to tons of shows where these types of solos happen, but they're usually towards the very end of the set, never less than halfway through.
Stewart emerged in a new black shirt and seemed a little rejuvenated so I suppose it was good for him.
One thing I got a kick out of was Stewart's apparent affection for Glasgow's Celtic Football Club. Both drummers had the team's shield on their bass drums and through several songs the video behind the band showed highlights from over the years. They're my second favorite team, so I've got to give the man respect for that.
All in all, for me it wasn't the greatest night musically, but I'm a young cynical journalist. And plenty of the crowd seemed to love every moment so that's what really counts. Stewart is still selling out places all over the country and making people happy, so props for that.
Scott Sowers |
Tom Petty in Alpharetta
July 10, 2008 | 12:30 PM
Category: MUSIC
Despite some much needed rain moving through the area Wednesday night, it did little to dampen the spirits of the sold out crowd at the new amphitheatre there to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The consummate showman, Petty put on a marathon show full of his hits, a few deeper tracks and even a couple of surprises.
The hits-heavy first half of the set included such classics as "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance." But later in the set Petty and his crew welcomed to the stage Tom Leadon, a member of Petty's original band, Mudcrutch.
That band reformed earlier this year and recorded an album, and tonight they played a couple of selections from it for the first time on this Heartbreakers summer tour. A real treat for sure for the thousands there.
Earlier in the evening English icon Steve Winwood took the stage and treated the crowd with a run-through of his hits from both his solo works and his former band, Traffic. A master of the organ, Winwood got big cheers for tunes like "Higher Love" and "Dear Mr. Fantasy."
I was ecstatic when he busted out Traffic's "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys," one of my favorite songs of all time. Winwood's night wasn't done, however, as he came back on stage during Petty's set to play his other former band Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home," a song from the days Winwood shared a band with Eric Clapton.
All in all it was a very long evening of music, extending almost until midnight, well past the 11 p.m. curfew of many of these shows. Maybe Alpharetta has a later curfew or the Petty people worked out a deal or maybe they just don't care and were willing to pay a fine. I don't know the answer, but regardless, it paved the way for a great night.
Check back later for a photos and a more in-depth review of the show...
Scott Sowers |
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