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Sorry if this is already a thread, but I couldn't find it anywhere... what's the absolute greatest concert you've ever been to?
Pharoah Saunders reunion concert with Leon Thomas; Norman Conners and Cecil McBee at the Beacon Theater uptown. Magical. He did the full-out version of " The Creator Has A Master Plan." that had people in a trance. Sound was perfect in the arena. It's a good story but lengthy.
For sheer tone -- Eric Johnson at the Roxy Club in Wichita, Ks at the beginning of his Ah Via Musicom tour. He played for 4 hours solid as penance for being 1 hour late. 200 people in a small club and I was 5 feet from the guy all night! Incredible playing! For stage presence -- Buddy Guy at Rita's Little Uptown club. Buddy is just, well--Buddy! For overall power over a crowd -- Godsmack on their Awake tour. I've only seen a crowd react like this 2-3 times in the 50+ concerts I've seen. And any Rush concert I've ever seen. It just amazes me that three guys can do what they do.
While in the Navy in 1962 I went to see Johnny Cash. He came on stage and said "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" and Luther and he played for 1 1/2 hours straight. Then he said "I need a short break, be right back" He came back in 10 minutes and played for another 30 minutes. I wasn't even a country music fan but he sold me then and there. The man had stage presense and then some. Next best would be Fleetwood Mac in 1977. No pretense, just good playing & singing. Oh yeah, they still had Lindsay with them then.
As a youth I followed the Bluesmen. I saw Muddy at least twenty times until he actually said hello to us. I saw Howlin Wolf/ Willie Dixon/ Johnny Lee Hooker/ Buddy Guy and Junior Wells/ James Cotton/ The list goes on. They are all dead or dying; those were always great shows. The young Johnny Winter was stunning. There really is something about that stuff in small venues; it has a visceral impact that nothing else has. Who would I have paid any amount to see; Little Walter no doubt! There isn't any other blues guys around to emulate those players; Anson Funderburgh or The Thunderbirds when they were together. Who do you like that play now?
i'm going to have to say gogol bordello, even though it was at house of blues, which i'm not too fond of. these gypsies go absolutely over the top with everything they do, and it was sheer bliss, truly. it will be a sad day when they stop touring. who will crowd surf perched atop her own bass drum?
Small list off the top of my head: Defunkt at Jazzhouse Montmartre, Roger Waters at the Roskilde Festival (this year, played the whole "Dark Side... album) Elvis Costello at at least three occassions, Walter Trout Band '89, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Finnish pianist playing Mussorsgij's "Pictures..." at Egeskov, Mutter on her violin in our local concert hall... Also many good concerts by local Danish bands you guys wouldn't know
#2 A fantastic performance by Sha Na Na. #3 James Brown, 1 1/2 to 2 hrs of sweatin' and screamin' with no break. #4 The Supremes. Sweet and smooth. Last 10cc and Elton John No, I didn't get out much. Zene
Wow, these were some great answers and recommendations, thanks!
I think that any Prince concert is great. He is very sponateous and he puts a lot of energy to it.
Stevie Ray Vaughn, the year before he died, on New Years Eve!
I think it's Westlife. I've watched their concert live. These guys are handsome and good looking.