Friday, August 30, 2013

Trace Adkins, Sunrise at Night, Citrus Heights, and the country journey continues. With a little Lee Child to help.

And so continues my journey to Country...

Backtrack to a few weeks ago: if you haven't read the story of my Country Baptism, read it first. It's a part of this story. And then, you have to read the story about Reacher, Tom Cruise, and bedtime reading. Bear with me, it's all connected.

Thursday evening, 29th August, Trace Adkins came to town, one of the concerts in this year's Sunrise at Night concert series. The series of concerts in the most brilliant local place--our Sunrise Mall's parking lot. Seriously. It's brilliant. The sound is good, the seats all have a great view of the stage, the
staff are nice and friendly and helpful, it's easy to park and it's easy to get home afterwards. There is food and there is a bar and there are merch stalls and radio people and nice shiny-new cars presented by sponsors of the event. It's a fun way to spend an evening and to hear good music.

Trace Adkins and his band, Citrus Heights, 2013

I think I have a new crush.

Trace Adkins is all man; he's tall, strong, powerful, cheeky. And he has a voice that roots down to your toes.
The women shouted out when he hit the bass notes.

Trace Adkins and his band, Citrus Heights, 2013


I've been listening to Trace's new album, "Love Will..." for a few weeks. I prefer the ballads to the what-I-expect-of-Country songs. But... the more I listen, the more I find it's all ballads... some naughty, some fun, some very deep and tender. And oh, that deep deep voice.

Trace Adkins and his band, Citrus Heights, 2013

Trace Adkins and his band, Citrus Heights, 2013
I'm covering all the Sunrise at Night shows, and Trace's has been my favourite so far. He'll take some bettering. He has big boots to fill. Cowboy boots.


Am I a country girl now?


I don't think so. Not quite yet. The supporting act, another country band, didn't do anything for me at all. I think it's the same as I always say: it doesn't matter what the music is labelled: what matters is, is it good? Can they play, can they sing? Can the artist move you with his/her music? Does it resonate somewhere inside? Does it have meaning, does it make you dance, does it make you cry?

Trace Adkins: without a doubt, yes.

Oh. And yes, without a doubt, he could play Reacher. Without even trying.

Trace Adkins and his band, Citrus Heights, 2013


More photos from the show:  htp://alisontoon.com/traceadkins 

Trace Adkins' Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traceadkins

Trace Adkins' website: http://www.traceadkins.com

Sunrise at Night concert series: http://www.sunrisemarketplace.com/info/concerts

Photographer and hi-res editorial photos: http://alisontoon.com

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Sail Rock, part of the Sunrise at Night concert series, 2013

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The Sail Rock show at the Sunrise at Night Concert Series, 24th August, 2013 starred John Ford Coley, Robbie Dupree, Player, Firefall, Gary Wright, Orleans, and Christopher Cross, each of whom played their biggest hits. Orleans and Dave Muse provided backing music throughout the show. I was wondering how there were going to be so many bands playing during the evening, and this became apparent: all the musicians contributed to more than their own songs, interacting and layering the music. If I have mislabeled any of the photos, forgive me... it was a little confusing at times.

I'd waited... what... thirty years??? to hear Orleans play "Dance With Me", live... possibly the most haunting song of my teen years, it still makes me cry.

While Christopher Cross was the headliner, all these performers, with their classics, brought the audience to their feet. It was an evening of classic seventies' and eighties' soft-rock classics, an evening of tunes rather than an evening of new music.

For me, the highlights were Dave Muse's flute solo (I think it was "Dream Weaver"), Robbie Dupree's harmonica solo, and of course, Orlean's "Dance With Me".

Christopher Cross appeared shy; never the most forceful of singers, he has written some beautiful and lingering songs, "Arthur's Theme" and "Sailing" probably the most memorable.

It was like listening to a radio station that keeps playing old favourites, songs much loved back-in-the-day, but live and in person with musicians who are all still very much making the music.

Sunrise at Night concert series: www.sunrisemarketplace.com/info/concerts

Photographer and hi-res editorial photos: alisontoon.com

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Boyz II Men, at Sunrise at Night, 2013

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CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA, 15 AUGUST 2013: Boyz II Men, performing in Citrus Heights, CA, as part of the Sunrise at Night concert series, on 15th August 2013. High-energy and beloved by their fans, the show rocked! Hard to believe how many years it is since these guys first appeared. They performed a nice Mowtown medley, along with their own songs. Fun show!

Boyz II Men website: www.boyziimen.com

Boyz II Men Facebook: www.facebook.com/BoyzIIMen

For more info on Sunrise at Night concert series, and to buy tickets for upcoming shows, go to: www.sunrisemarketplace.com/info/concerts. Easy-to-find venue, easy parking, great shows!

Photos from other concerts in the 2013 series: www.flickr.com/photos/alisontoon/collections/721576351148...

Photographer (and hi-res editorial photos): alisontoon.com