AUGUST ROCK
REPORT
by
Ross Cat.
JOHN
FOGERTY w/ Willie Nelson and Family: DARIEN LAKE PAC---Sunday August 13th
THE LONG ROAD HOME is the aptly titled new Live Concert DVD from the former
front man of CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, and in so many ways it most
certainly has been that for JOHN FOGERTY. The 1993 Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame Inductee and his career have endured many a “Bad Moon Rising” on his
journey to the hallowed halls of CLEVELAND.
It seems almost inconceivable that the first CCR record was released in
1968. Although it is bewildering that almost four decades have passed since
their debut album, what makes it even more significant is the week of its
release, Independence Day. The celebrated singer/songwriter has used his
rockabilly soulful styling’s to strike the chord of social consciousness
for many years, the essential hits like “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate
Son”, seem to blend right into his latest studio effort that it almost
does seem like “Déjà vu All Over Again”.
The 2004 aforementioned release is an inspired collection of songs from
a man who has found happiness, or as he might call “Sugar Sugar (In My
Life)”, through his wife, and fatherhood. Musically FOGERTY, it seems,
has found peace accepting his legacy as he continues to write songs of
relevancy. Sadly enough, one of those relevant issues still looming in
our world some forty-years later is War. Another stand out track on the
disc is “Nobody’s here Anymore”, which features an impassioned performance
by DIRE STRAITS guitarist Mark Knopfler who lends his trademark licks to
this state of society song.
JOHN FOGERTY has been “Rockin’ All Over the World” in 2006, spending the
early part of the summer in Europe tuning up for a late summer run in the
U.S., which will include a stop at the Darin Lake PAC this Sunday, August
13th.
The man who is keeping the beat for the “Travelin’ Band” will be our friend,
award winning drummer, KENNY ARONOFF who once again was voted this year’s
#2 studio drummer by Modern Drummer Magazine. NIGHTLIFE readers may remember
we spoke with KENNY last October while he was touring with the BO DEANS,
that interview is still available at our Rock Report webpage @ www.bestofwny.com/nightlife.
Since his departure from JOHN MELLENCAMP, he has established himself as
the most in demand percussionist in the industry today, both in the studio
and on stage. Although he joined the FOGERTY tour after the release of
the DVD “Long Road Home”, you can admire his precision and power on the
MELISSA ETHERIDGE/ Lucky concert DVD, which is being shown this month on
High-Def on our new Time Warner Cable.
NIGHTLIFE was once again fortunate enough to snare a few minutes from the
king of the kit KENNY ARONOFF from the road to give us a preview of the
show and what the rest of 2006 has in store for him.
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R.CAT- Thanks so much for taking some time for us again. I know
you’ve got to be the busiest guy in the music biz, going from tour to tour
and pounding out studio sessions in between. Tell us how the JOHN FOGERTY/
Willie Nelson tour is going?
KENNY- It’s really amazing being around these two legendary artists.
All though their musical styles may slightly vary their songs are part
of the fabric of our country. This is my third time out with JOHN and each
time this band he has put together awes me. As far as WILLE I’ve had the
pleasure of playing with him over the years, but this show is really fantastic.
He is truly an historic figure in music.
R. CAT- FOGERTY really seems to be at the top of his game these
days. It almost seems that the decade off following all the legal matters
with CCR and his record labels may have been beneficial in prolonging his
career. Do you get that sense in working with him?
KENNY- You’re exactly right. It’s made him hungry and aggressive
those are the types of musicians that I enjoy working with. The new music
is full of passion and the classics are done with a new purpose.
R. CAT- You’ll be on the road into September with FOGERTY then I
see you’ll be banging out some more of your world famous drum clinics throughout
ASIA and AUSTRAILIA in the fall. Is it the variety that you’ve implemented
into you career that helps you stay driven?
KENNY- I think so. I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many great
musicians both in the studio and on the road; it’s easy to stay focused.
As for the clinics and the instructional DVD’s that is something that I
take both pride and joy doing. Sharing what I’ve learned is just as fulfilling
as putting out a hit record.
R. CAT- Speaking of records you’ll be appearing on a couple of new
releases this fall.
KENNY can be heard on the new ROD STEWART disc due in stores on October
10th called “Still the same…Great Rock Classic of our Time”. You’re also
supplying the beat to a few artists who are making some noise in the industry
with JAKE OWEN’s “Startin’ with Me”, as well as LENNON (lennon.musicitynetworks.com)
whose “Damaged Goods” disc will hit stores on September 19th. And if that
isn’t enough you are also involved in the highly anticipated “Bat Out of
Hell III….The Monster is Loose” from MEATLOAF. What can you tell us about
that?
KENNY- Yeah I’ve got a lot going these days. I did about half of the MEATLOAF
album but I really haven’t got to hear anything except for the drum tracks
that I did. I don’t think BAT III will disappoint it has an exceptional
group of musicians playing on it including STEVE VAI and BRIAN MAY. His
entire organization is uniquely talented.The music is very complex when
working with MEATLOAF so it takes months to mix properly. That will be
out around Halloween.
NIGHTLIFE would once again like to thank dynamic drummer KENNY ARONOFF
for his valuable time. Please be sure to check out his first-rate
website at www.kennyaronoff.com.
YEAH BABY….For those of you not heading out Darien Lake on Sunday night
another show that is well worth checking out is THE RANDIES. The
lady laced quartet will bring their bewitching rock and roll show to the
ICON.
LAURA CATALDO (guitar,vocals), SIENNA DeGOVIA(bass,vocals), LAURITA GUAICO(guitar,
vocals), and drummer AARON “REX” POLK have spent the first part of July
participating on the Vans Warped Tour. Now they are ready to “Move
On” as they will headline a series of dates to promote the release of their
second record “Saw the Light”, which will roar into record stores on August
29th. Check out the bands website @ www.therandies.com
for more info.
**************************PEACE***************************
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