Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto
May 22, 2008
by Live Music Head
I usually take pause when I hear the sound of an accordion,
but whipping around the corner and up the Phoenix ramp,
in a rush was I.
As my bag was being searched by security,
I noticed that it was James Gray
who was making that sound out on the sidewalk.
Inside the club, Slave played overhead;
a song ranked in my top 5 all-time favourite Rolling Stones songs.
But this night is supposed to be all about Led Zeppelin;
Led Zeppelin IV to be exact.
"Hey, he looks familiar", I said to Vicki.
"But should he not be getting on the kit about now?
It's after nine after all."
A tap on the shoulder...
"Rick Vatour?"
"Yes!"
The drummer has a friendly face,
and after a wee chat...
it was indeed time to get on with the show!
"Been a long time since I rock and rolled..."
Not true, but Nick Hildyard is one helluva vocalist.
Focused.
So many musicians are on the stage for this show,
and all the guitars were sounding great.
All of 'em,
especially Dom Polito's double neck,
and Rob Phillips', with a nice slide.
And the singing on Battle of Evermore?
Kudos goes out to Hildyard and Leslea Keurvost.
But it was the drums I was stuck on.
Everyone wants to hear that drum part in Stairway to Heaven, don't they?
My first highlite of the night came when I heard..
"why don't you take a good look at yourself
and describe what you see?"
Misty Mountain Hop, please!
And thank you.
I loved the Four Sticks that followed.
And when all four of 'em were tossed in the air.
But Rick, mama would say...
"someone could lose an eye!"
Going to California was lost on me,
as I was called away unfortunately.
But I was right back there,
side stage for When the Levee Breaks.
What a groove!
I could really feel the bass,
and Craig Martin on harmonica.
For the outros,
The Rain Song was stunning.
"speak to me only with your eyes".
Was it the mellotron that came in too loudly?
Something did.
And Hildyard's vocals got a little lost on Dancing Days,
but that's okay because
"How many more times, treat me the way you wanna do?
When I give you all my love, please, please be true".
Highlight number two...
"Oh, Rosie, oh, girl
Steal away now, steal away",
with that drum part I love so much happening right here.
How Many More Times was perfect.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Highlight number three?
Since I've Been Loving You,
the song Bill most wanted to hear.
And it was around this part of the show,
I really felt the keys,
before it was back to focusing on the kit for
Moby Dick! Dick! Dick!
This made me, and the entire audience very happy.
Besides the great playing,
standing up on the kit
showing off his sweaty muscles
is something the showman drummer
should definitely keep doing.
Sexy!
Kashmir was played completely well,
as was Whole Lotta Love,
the "number one cock rock anthem of all time".
Big time!
I'd been revisiting the soundtrack from the 1976 concert film
The Song Remains the Same lately,
the first ever thing I purchased on VHS back in the day,
and since upgraded to DVD.
I know it like the back of my hand,
and the title track was yet another highlight of the show
by the CAL-Zep IV band on this May night in 2008.
The best show I've seen while completely straight.
I didn't do much complaining for a change either.
Well,
I could go on a rant about
the condition of the Phoenix ladies room,
but I'm too busy loving Classic Albums Live!
They rock my world!
Keep it up!
http://www.classicalbumslive.com/
