By Danny Coleman
originally published: 06/17/2016
New Jersey is often the butt of many jokes, fodder for comics and script writers alike as the "Garden State" resides in the shadows of New York City and Philadelphia; both of which often dominate the news, sporting and music events of the day. However, on the night of June 11 in Holmdel, NJ; the PNC Bank Center was the focus as Joe Walsh and his 10 piece unit took the stage to thunderous applause.
Starting at 9:13 p.m. with "Walk Away," after a killer opening set from Bad Co.; one could tell that Walsh was in good form from the outset. Utilizing two drummers, two keyboard players, a guitarist, bassist and four background singers; Joe looked like he was legitimately having fun from that first recognizable stroke of the fret board.
"Analog Man" was up next off of the 2012 album of the same name, followed by "Mother Says." off of the '72 album "Barnstorm." Prior to that offering, Walsh remarked with tongue in cheek, how it was a, "Lovely night for a concert;" no doubt do to the sweltering, humid conditions of a June evening in Jersey. The approximate 20,000 in attendance didn't seem to mind sweating it out as Joe played some mean slide guitar on a string of James Gang selections; "The Bomber: Closet Queen/Bolero/Cast Your Fate to the Wind."
After a brief silence due to Walsh adorning an acoustic six string; he uttered this simple statement, "This is for GlenFrey, my brother, my band mate" and the band broke into the Eagles classic, "Take It To the Limit." Easily, the highlight was backing vocalist Rickey Washington as his soulful, yet accurate recreation/interpretation of the verses was not only moving but downright riveting as well.
Returning to "Barnstorm" for "Turn To Stone," Walsh demonstrated why guitarists the world over have emulated his style as he ripped off lick after lick; drawing applause multiple times throughout.
Upon its completion, Joe took a moment to introduce his band mates as well as partake in some good nature ribbing of several of those who support him on stage. None of them seemed to mind as Walsh's stage demeanor was that of a man who enjoys his work and by the reactions of his fellow players; they love performing with him as well.
Returning to his Eagle's catalog, he reached back to the immensely popular "Long Run" album for "In The City," which brought a huge roar from the throngs of fans who seemed to be enthralled by the second of several trips he took back to his former band's repertoire.
Once again, Walsh showed his humorous side. A side that surfaced multiple times throughout the evening, by prefacing the next offering with, "If ya' have to pee, ya' better go now" and as the familiar treble laden, string bending notes of "Funk 49" split the night air; the all to familiar eruption of applause seemed to rise to an even higher decibel level. Normally the percussion driven mid-section which highlights this composition is a given but on this tour or perhaps maybe just this night; Joe changed things up a bit. Rather than drums and cowbells and hoots and hollers; the drummers played a funky, almost Latin rhythm as his band formed a semi-conga line on stage and he shuffled to the pulse of the beat. After the party ended, the signature lick returned and the balance of the tune raced hard to its conclusion.
Taking a short moment to catch their collective breaths, Walsh offered up a brief yet entertaining explanation for what was next on the list, "This started as an intimate love song," he stated in a mellow tone but in typical Joe fashion he followed up with, "But then I fell asleep and this is what ya' get." "Life's Been Good" sent the masses into the equivalent of a feeding frenzy as those who weren't standing by now had no choice but to vacate their seats and join the sing along which ensued. Managing to get perhaps the first line out of his mouth without accompaniment, the rock 'n' roll patrons took over and didn't stop until they ran out of song to sing.
Sensing that he had them right where he wanted them, Walsh put the petal to the metal and broke into "Life In the Fast Lane," sending the already revved up crowd's engine towards overheating and as the final chords rang out, it was as if Walsh was merely toying with them; saying good night yet knowing full well that he still had unfinished business to attend to.
Once the lights dimmed and the applause grew louder, Walsh didn't keep anyone waiting as he returned within a minute; this time with E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt in tow. The Jersey audiences who feel they have the right of ownership to their native sons, showed their appreciation by explosive applause and the groaning "Bruuuce" chant that accompanies "The Boss" wherever he goes; or in this case doesn't go. With some musical instruction and a smile, "Rocky Mountain Way" and its deliberate start had all who demanded, "One more" swaying to the beat. Little Steven in the background plucking away and slamming power chords at the appropriate moments only adding to the fervor.
A second encore of (ironically enough) "All Night Long" ended the evening on a high note at 10:41 p.m. EST and left many in the PNC Bank Center drained and hoarse. Cathy Turner and Eileen Woll drove down together from Staten Island, NY and were thrilled with their decision to do so. "I came here for Joe," said an enthusiastic Turner. "I'm sorry that I missed seeing the Eagles but they don't make'em like Joe anymore!" Woll had a different take, "I came to see both. I really like Bad Company and this was really great!"
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listingsPhoto Credit: Rose Martin Barbaree
Amalfi's Restaurant146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Ottmar
Fri. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill
Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Silo, Inviolate, Black Plains, Don't Tell Lucy, Surrender The Night. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Blue Son, Automatic, Broken Angels, Deadkick, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 6 p.m. The Toasters, Hub City Stompers, Molly Rhythm, Backyard Superheroes, Autocracy East, The World's Afterparty. All ages, $13/$15
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road, New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. CJ Steinway
Sat. 8 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Michael Long
Wed. 6 p.m. Sherry St. John
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Ron Jackson Quartet. $10 (cover charge)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dick Gratton
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) Wizard Duo
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Soul Custody Trio
Sun. 11 a.m."Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam
Wed. 8 p.m. Paul Donavan
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Kim Yarson Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Bill Mann Band / Villa * Nova. $5 (cover charge)
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way, Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. The Barncats
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thus. 10 p.m. "College Beat The Clock Night" DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. Romeo Delight "Van Halen Tribute" Doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sat. 8 p.m. Carl Verheyen (Of Supertramp) & Band. Doors at 6 p.m., $20
Sun. 3 p.m. Ten Foot Tall
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Live, Local, Unplugged" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Fri. 6 p.m. Toby Mochel & A Few Good Men
Sat. 6 p.m. The Lifters
Sun. (12 p.m.) Father's Day Luncheon (2 p.m.)"Jazzy Sundays" feat. Sergio & Lars
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. "Flamenco Night" w/ Victor Tarassov
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Tangled
Sat. 9 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd.
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z "Memorial Jam"
All shows 21+
Jake's Pub869
Bustleton Pike, Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Tues. 5 p.m. Bill Shannon
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 1 p.m. The Dwarves & The Queers
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Wineskin
Sat. (3 p.m.) Old's Cool (9 p.m.) Pure Pleasure
Sun. (3 p.m.) Jason Trzaska (9 p.m.) Fred Moore
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Tues. 9 p.m. Matt Setzer
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Sat. (11 a.m.) Laurita "School's Out Food Truck Festival" (1 p.m.) Ragtime Relics (2 p.m.) Shore Syde Band (6:30 p.m.) The Successful Failures
Sun. (11 a.m.) Laurita "School's Out Food Truck Festival" (11 a.m.) Nikki Briar & The Sweet Briar Band (1:30 p.m.) Pennington Station (5 p.m.) Mr. Lucky
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Fri. 8 p.m. "Silent Philly Silent Disco Party" DJ's, $10
Sat. 9 p.m. "Saturday Night Dance Party" w/ DJ RV and DJ OXX (Beyonce Ticket Giveaway)
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 9 p.m. Rick Winow
Sat. 9 p.m. Off The Record
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street, Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. DT & The Burnerz
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web page for upcoming events
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) WFIL Band
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Slo Motion
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street, Fiedlsboro
(609) 291-9110
Sat. 9 p.m. DiRty ReD
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Mike Nabinger & Rachel Rocco
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Sat. (2 p.m.) busy (10 p.m.)Copacetic
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Na Bodach. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Never Enough
Sat. 9 p.m. DEB n the Sons of RoCk
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. David Falcone
Sat. 9 p.m. The Separations
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Great Big House. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Jerry Fiess. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m.Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
