greek – Spinning Platters

Show Review: John Fogerty at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre, 10/12/2013

Is it me, or is the music your parents listened to when you were growing up really polarizing? I either love it or I hate it! Thankfully, when it comes to the tunes of Creedence Clearwater Revival, my dad and I never disagree. In fact, the first time he showed me the photo of lead singer John Fogerty and the crowd from inside his vinyl copy of CCR’s Pendulum album, it took me less than thirty seconds to find his face near the front of the crowd. Naturally, when I heard that Fogerty was playing all his best at UC Berkeley’s Greek Theatre, I could think of no one I’d enjoy the evening with more than my dad. And tonight, that’s exactly what we did. Continue reading “Show Review: John Fogerty at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre, 10/12/2013”

Show Review: She & Him, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Tilly & The Wall at The Greek Theater, 6/22/13

There were more reasons to visit The Greek Theater last Saturday night than a mere love of ampersands. It was a rare night at The Greek where the weather was absolutely perfect- not too warm, not too cold. The early signs of the upcoming “Super Moon” were in the the sky. The crowd, a bit older than expected, and happily ironic mustache-free, arrived early enough to make sure they enjoyed every act on the bill.

Continue reading “Show Review: She & Him, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Tilly & The Wall at The Greek Theater, 6/22/13”

Show Review: Alison Krauss + Union Station, M Ward at The Greek Theater – UC Berkeley, 6/25/11

In 2007, Alison Krauss recorded a record with classic rock crooner Robert Plant. That record led to several years of touring, appearing on every critics’ best of list, and eventually helped solidify Krauss’ reputation as the queen of the Grammy’s. It also led to a 4 year hiatus from her regular band, Union Station. Everyone dabbled in solo stuff here & there, but rumors of a follow up to Raising Sand (the hit record that Krauss & Plantr recorded together) led some fans to worry that Alison Krauss + Union Station was a distant memory. This year, they quietly released a follow up to 2004’s excellent Lonely Runs Both Ways, the subdued Paper Airplanes. This led to their first stretch of shows since 2005, and SpinningPlatters caught them in the middle of their summer tour.

Continue reading “Show Review: Alison Krauss + Union Station, M Ward at The Greek Theater — UC Berkeley, 6/25/11”

Show Review: John Legend, India.Arie, Vaughn Anthony at The Greek Theater in Berkeley, 9/6/09

He wants you... He wants you so bad... — He wants you… He wants you so bad…

I’m not really sure why I volunteered to cover John Legend at the Greek. My feelings of him have always been pretty negative. I used to call him things such as “the music John Tesh uses to fall asleep” and “Soul Music’s answer to Yanni.” So, I wasn’t expecting much. I thought I was going to enjoy India.Arie, and then I would sneak out after a few songs, just enough to be able to fake a review… Continue reading “Show Review: John Legend, India.Arie, Vaughn Anthony at The Greek Theater in Berkeley, 9/6/09”

Show Review: Wilco and Okkervil River at The Greek Theater in Berkeley, 6/27/09

Wilco played the Greek Theater in Berkeley on June 27th, 2009. Somebody fainted. People wore tie-dye.

I’ve seen a lot of bands in my day. I’ve seen a lot of very famous people, and I have been very close to them. I often think that I am immune to the surprise of seeing someone in the flesh that I primarily know from pictures, but Jeff Tweedy is one of those frontpersons that has such a unique charisma, that I my heart skips a beat whenever I see him. Continue reading “Show Review: Wilco and Okkervil River at The Greek Theater in Berkeley, 6/27/09”