The 2008 Flower Power Concert Series Review/Info Thread

[AllyBri]

That's interesting. I saw Jay Black once last night and once tonight. I thought his voice was ok, not great. But he was hysterical. I couldn't stop laughing.

The best part is tonight Johnny Maestro was in the audience and at the very end he got up and sang with Jay. Rumor has it he (Johnny Maestro) will be coming for Eat to the Beat. *fingers crossed*

Saw Jay tonight also, first show ended after the first song (storm) and then back for the second show.
Considering his age, close to 70, I thought he sounded great.

 

[carlyle688]

Johnny Maestro on stage with Jay Black at the 8:15 show, 4-5-08:

 

[flyinglizard]

Saw Jay Black last night- first set... in the rain.

I've seen him on the PBS oldies series so I had some idea what to expect. However, when Jay turned over the mike to the guitar player to do "Proud to be an American", my jaw dropped! The guy really couldn't sing, and I was very surprised a professional musician would embarrass himself like that.

Someone please tell me, did Jay only have one set or did he do different material each show? By what I heard, he'd be out of hits for a second set.

so, carlyle688, please tell us more about the rumour about Johnny Maestro coming in the fall.

Otter49- Nope, the worst acts to ever play at EPCOT were Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and believe it or not, the Spinners! By the way, lets have some more great Otter49 pics! Thanks...

 

[carlyle688]

I think the worst act I've seen there is the Village People. My husband and I got up and left. The only time we've ever done that.

Jay Black introduced Johnny in the audience and then said something like, "There's a good chance you'll see Johnny performing here in the fall." So, I assume they are in negotiations. The way the audience flipped out when he got on stage, if Disney had any doubts about booking him, they are gone. There was lots of woo-ing and hoo-ing and clapping.

God Bless the USA is one of those songs that makes me want to hurl. And, yeah, that guy wasn't very good. But since I hate the song, I don't think I would have liked it no matter who was up there singing it.

 

[flyinglizard]

carlyle688- You got me so excited I had to dig out my "Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge" concert DVD! Hope they can work out the details for a fall appearance, I will be there! I'll be at EPCOT later in the week and I'll stop by GR and ask for details.

I missed the Village People when they were here because I wouldn't walk all the way back to the American Pavilion to see them.

Denver Dave- Let's hear from you! Worst group you've heard at EPCOT???

 

[NancyIL]

I was at Epcot for a few hours on Easter evening. I heard the last set of Off Kilter (great as always) and Petula Clark's last show. I was surprised that I could find a seat near the center of the 2nd row on a major holiday - 10 minutes before the show started! (I guess a lot of people don't know who she is.) I was a big fan of hers 40 years ago (when I was just a school girl ), so I loved her songs. She looks great for her age, but her voice isn't what it used to be, nor did I expect that.

 

[Idontwanttogrowup]

I saw Jay Black when he performed in Brooklyn a few Summers ago. He had his son Beau Black sing a few songs & a few of Roy Orbinsons songs. Beau really blew people away. He was amazing especially when he did his Fathers really high voice songs & Roy Orbinsons Crying. Definatley gave me chill bumps.

 

[TYMAN]

I also saw Jay Black on 04/05....I thought he did well on "This Magic Moment" but the other songs were just okay. He had a difficult time with the high notes. Overall I thought it was pretty good......at 69 he still has a good sense of humor...can't wait for the Tokens!!

 

[carlyle688]

Finally got out to see Peter Noone last night. Saw two shows - they were identical. And pretty much the same show he did last year. But he's still very entertaining and sounds great. Did all the hits, Mrs. Brown, Silhouettes, Henry the VIII, I'm Into Something Good, etc.

Here's a shot of Peter with Vance Brescia, his guitar player.

 

[carlyle688]

I guess I'm the only one going to the shows??!!!??

I saw The Grass Roots last night. Rob Grill had on a knee brace and had to sit down to sing. He was not playing the guitar. Considering all the health problems he has had, I think he did a pretty good job. The rest of the band sounded great.

 

[NancyIL]

I guess I'm the only one going to the shows??!!!??

I saw The Grass Roots last night. Rob Grill had on a knee brace and had to sit down to sing. He was not playing the guitar. Considering all the health problems he has had, I think he did a pretty good job. The rest of the band sounded great.

I'll be at the shows THIS week - starting Tuesday night!

 

[flyinglizard]

from the April 11 performance...

Robs brace matches his outfit! The guy with the blue Fender bass does the high vocal parts now...

 

[Disney? Again?]

I guess I'm the only one going to the shows??!!!??

I saw The Grass Roots last night. Rob Grill had on a knee brace and had to sit down to sing. He was not playing the guitar. Considering all the health problems he has had, I think he did a pretty good job. The rest of the band sounded great.

Carlyle688, wish I could be going -- but it's a long commute from home!

Thanks for the updates, I'm enjoying them. We saw Peter Noone last year and I thought he was wonderful.

We've seen Davy Jones 4 years in a row, but not able to this year. We do highly recommend his show. He uses a lot of the same jokes, but still amusing and he seems genuinely to be enjoying himself despite singing Daydream Believer like 15,000 times in his career. He seems to love performing at EPCOT and I've always loved the shows. His band is also very talented and we really enjoy it.

The best part about these concerts, IMO, is that you watch everyone go back in time -- it's like everyone is 16 again or something. Combining that joy with Disney, it doesn't get any better!!

Enjoy the shows for me!

 

[flyinglizard]

Anyone going Wednesday night to see the Happenings?

 

[carlyle688]

Anyone going Wednesday night to see the Happenings?

*raises hand*

 

[flyinglizard]

carlyle688- see you there...

 

[flyinglizard]

Went to see The Happenings tonite. Very enjoyable show and I'd definitely go see them again if they come back next year. I wondered if they would repeat the same set since they only had three top 20 hits, but I was very pleasantly surprised. They did do all three of their big hits each set, but they also sang a variety of oldies from the golden days, and each set featured a different medley of hits from super groups like the Beach Boys and the Four Seasons. I would have liked to hear some of their tunes that didn't make it into the top 20. I only stayed for the first two sets but I left very happy.

There are 4 "Happenings" in the group... plus two of Orlando's finest on horns. No bass, no keyboard, but they deliver an amazing sound!

Bob Miranda is the only original member and still has a great voice after all the years...

Bob Miranda with Bob Kulik (right) who sings both lead and back-up parts. Yeah, it was a good night of great music. I hope these guys come back next year, be sure to see them!

 

[BC1836]

Thanks to all for the reviews, comments and photos.
We've seen a number of acts over the years at these concerts and have enjoyed them.

Among the best were:

The Buckinghams

The band maintained a consistently impressive vocal and instrumental delivery on all its songs, especially "Don't You Care," "Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)" and "Susan." And the band's sound mix was the best we have ever heard.

Mitch Ryder

This veteran Midwest rocking vocalist has surprising strength left in his voice after decades of belting out such classics as "Little Latin Lupe Lu" and "Devil With A Blue Dress On" / "Good Golly, Miss Molly."

Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits

Noone's voice is actually better now then when he churned out such hits as "I'm Into Something Good, " "Can't You Hear my Heartbeat" and "Listen People." Since those tunes did not feature extreme vocal stretches, Noone maintained his vocal skills. But he spent too much time on corny jokes (something Davy Jones does to a fault).

Paul Revere and the Raiders

Sure Mark Lindsay (and "Fang") are no longer in the lineup, but the band's songs---"Hungry" and "Just Like Me," in particular---keep audience members thoroughly in the groove! Revere's self-deprecating humor wears a bit thin, though.

Felix Cavaliere's Rascals

Although Felix is the only original Rascal in the current lineup, the band displayed chops on "Good Lovin," and "People Got to be Free." And "Groovin' evolved into the feel-good communal experience that it was intended to be.

But here's to all the acts that continue to please audiences decade after decade!

 

[carlyle688]

I saw Peter and Gordon last night. They were ok, but I wouldn't rush back to see them again.

flyinglizard, I was out there on Wednesday - planning to catch the Happenings but then it got too cold and I just left without seeing them.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

We grew up in the 60's so we love the Flower Power concerts. Our favorites so far are Peter Noone (Herman Hermits), Arlo Guthrie (him and his two children put on a terrific show) and the Buckinghams. Gary Puckett was also pretty good. Thank you Disney for bringing back these groups for our "older" generation that had the best music!!!!