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The Good news
is, some things never change.
Over the last
three decades I have seen Leon Russell in four different cities
Detroit, Biloxi, Reno and Las Vegas. In Las Vegas alone, I have
seen Leon in three different venues, a large country bar in the
1980s, Boulder Station in the 90s and the other evening at the
Cannery.
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Leon
has mellowed in his old age. His hair and beard are the
same length and is beautifully white. Surprisingly, he
is more personable then ever (although he’ll never be
mistaken for Bette Midler). The other night he talked to
the audience more than all the other times I’ve seem him
put together. |
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Leon still has that distinctive raspy voice that
has always sent chills up my spine. You could
see many of his (well deserved) loyal fans,
proudly displaying his early albums (before his
hair had turned completely white) |
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I’m talking 33 1/3 RPM Albums, that’s pre
8 Track, pre Cassette and certainly pre CDs.
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Right in
front us were three adorable little old ladies (like myself) who
were extremely enthusiastic, clapping and keeping time to the
music, as if they were still in their 30s. Seated next to me was
an equally enthusiastic younger woman named Dawn (my daughter’s
age, in her early 40s). She shared her excitement with me, and
told me she had been introduced to Leon by her parents, just as
my daughter had.
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Leon
sang some of his classic tunes in his characteristic
style. Among them were, Delta Lady, Dixie Lullaby,
Hummingbird and a great rendition of Georgia on my Mind
turning into a Song For You. His back up band, although
loud to the point of occasionally drowning out Leon’s
voice was (to use a favorite expression of our music
reviewer Jerry Marcellino) “Tight!“ |
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Just before
his final song Leon stated, “I know that usually we get up, go
back stage, you all applaud and then we come back out. Well… I’m
too old for that, so let's just pretend we left and came back,
OK?”
I
LOVE IT!!!!!
The Bad News…
Our Leon
Russell experience at the Cannery would have been better if in
this “cattle auction-like venue” the acoustics were enhanced and
the seating was at least more comfortable than my husband’s
experience "riding the bench" during his high school basketball
days, but wait there’s more….
A few
weeks back Jerry Marcellino went to review George Benson and Al
Jareau at the Cannery. Jerry related to me “I’d really like to
cover this concert, I co-produced Al Jareau's first album and
I'd like to see him again and am sure he’d like to see me too”.
Now keep in mind, arrangements were made three weeks in advance,
however when Jerry went to pick up his tickets, they were
nowhere to be found, they then regulated him to the last row in
the bleacher's corner (what a way to treat the press) which in
part necessitated this somewhat negative review. Because he
could not really see or hear well enough he was unable to give a
unbiased review. On top of that, arrangements have been made to
visit Al Jareau after the show. But, at the conclusion of the
concert, he was told to wait by the exit to see “IF” Mr. Jareau
came out! Again… what a way to treat the press!
But wait,
there’s even more… At our arrival for the Leon Russell concert,
our previously confirmed tickets could not be found by a gum
chewing, untactful young lady at the ticket desk. I explained I
was the press and had confirmed seats, she said she’d contact
her supervisor. While dismissing me, she yelled “NEXT” in my
face. I must admit I saw red! While I was steaming, someone came
out of the office and informed me she would replace the lost
tickets. With the replacement tickets in hand we started to walk
back to the showroom, then the entertainment manager came out
and asked us who we were. When we told her we were from VCO, she
said, “The tickets are back there”, apparently they were right
under the nose of our gum chewer! I guess chewing gum had
affected both her vision and her tact.
If you
want to see a concert at the Cannery (there have been and will
be I'm sure, MANY great performers to see there), get your
tickets ahead of time and bring a cushion, their seats are THE
most uncomfortable I have ever sat in.
So
unfortunately... some things never change.
Coincidentally, on an another note…
My
husband, a limit bettor, frequents many sport books including
the Rampart (sister casino to the Cannery). He has mentioned to
me on several occasions how cold and unfriendly the employees
including management at the sport book were to him.
We would
like to recommend to the owners of these two properties, to
school their staffs in both courtesy and friendliness, for
neither venue have these qualities! |
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