Post by jptheprofessor on Sept 30, 2007 11:39:10 GMT -5
On Wednesday night, September 12, Altoona's Railroader's Memorial Museum closed out the inaugural season of their "Alive @ Five Summer Concert Series" with a big Pittsburgh music doubleheader, featuring Bill Deasy and The Clarks.
The former singer of Pittsburgh-based national recording group The Gathering Field, Bill Deasy and his full band - featuring Rob James of The Clarks on guitar - opened with a set of Americana-flavored rock. The group performed songs from Bill's latest solo album, The Miles, and also included two of The Gathering Field's best-known songs, "Lost in America" and "I'd Believe in God for You." The balanced mixture of acoustic numbers and full-band rockers kept the set interesting throughout, and Bill delivered his songs with an upbeat presentation, celebrating the beautiful late summer weather and throwing a playful dig at Penndot for the lousy condition of the always-torn-up stretch of Route 22 between Pittsburgh and Altoona.
After some familiar-looking Q94 types named Craig and Adam gave away MGD goodies and an acoustic guitar autographed by The Clarks (to the person who did the best job singing a Clarks song; Clarks karaoke if you will), The Clarks delivered an excellent performance, showcasing many of their most popular songs. The Clarks always deliver a happy, upbeat vibe at their shows, and this one was no exception. Singer Scott Blasey, guitarist Rob James, bassist Greg Joseph and drummer Dave Minarek kept the large Railroaders Museum crowd festive with favorites such as "God Save the Snowman," "Cigarette," "Mercury," "Boys Lie," "Hell on Wheels," "Caroline," "Born Too Late," "Better Off Without You," Help Me Out;" and during the encore, the group's 'western Pennsylvania folk classic,' "Penny on the Floor," "Shimmy Low" and "On Saturday." The group also did a song from Scott's new solo album, Travelin' On, called "Church of the Open Highway." This was again a constant party, with beach balls bouncing around the crowd and stage, jubilant fans acknowledging The Clarks' Pittsburgh homebase with rousing "Here we go Steelers, Here We Go!" chants, and even the occasional crowd surfer or two.
With excellent weather and attendance, this concert was the perfect closer to the first Alive @ Five Summer Concert Series. The concert slate for 2008 is already being put together, and is expected to be announced sometime in October.
Some pictures from the concert:
Bill Deasy.
Bill Deasy and his band, including Clarks guitarist Rob James on the left.
A view of the concert grounds during Bill Deasy's performance, shot from the Railroaders Museum's upper balcony.
Another view from above, Bill Deasy and his band.
Rob James and Bill Deasy.
Again, Rob James and Bill Deasy.
Craig and Adam, giving away MGD goodies and inviting Clarks karaoke contestants to the stage.
Craig and Adam, and a bunch of Clarks future vocalist hopefuls, contending to win an acoustic guitar autographed by The Clarks.
Bassist Greg Joseph of The Clarks.
The Clarks' lead singer, Scott Blasey.
The Clarks.
Drummer Dave Minarek of The Clarks.
Again, Scott Blasey of The Clarks. Can you guess what song he's singing?
Again, Greg Joseph of The Clarks.
Rob James and Scott Blasey of The Clarks.
Scott Blasey of The Clarks, stepping before some adoring fans.
Guitarist Rob James of The Clarks.
Once again, Scott Blasey of The Clarks.
Again, Dave Minarek of The Clarks.
The audience continues to show their appreciation for The Clarks.
Playing the mandolin during "Penny on the Floor," Rob James of The Clarks.
The former singer of Pittsburgh-based national recording group The Gathering Field, Bill Deasy and his full band - featuring Rob James of The Clarks on guitar - opened with a set of Americana-flavored rock. The group performed songs from Bill's latest solo album, The Miles, and also included two of The Gathering Field's best-known songs, "Lost in America" and "I'd Believe in God for You." The balanced mixture of acoustic numbers and full-band rockers kept the set interesting throughout, and Bill delivered his songs with an upbeat presentation, celebrating the beautiful late summer weather and throwing a playful dig at Penndot for the lousy condition of the always-torn-up stretch of Route 22 between Pittsburgh and Altoona.
After some familiar-looking Q94 types named Craig and Adam gave away MGD goodies and an acoustic guitar autographed by The Clarks (to the person who did the best job singing a Clarks song; Clarks karaoke if you will), The Clarks delivered an excellent performance, showcasing many of their most popular songs. The Clarks always deliver a happy, upbeat vibe at their shows, and this one was no exception. Singer Scott Blasey, guitarist Rob James, bassist Greg Joseph and drummer Dave Minarek kept the large Railroaders Museum crowd festive with favorites such as "God Save the Snowman," "Cigarette," "Mercury," "Boys Lie," "Hell on Wheels," "Caroline," "Born Too Late," "Better Off Without You," Help Me Out;" and during the encore, the group's 'western Pennsylvania folk classic,' "Penny on the Floor," "Shimmy Low" and "On Saturday." The group also did a song from Scott's new solo album, Travelin' On, called "Church of the Open Highway." This was again a constant party, with beach balls bouncing around the crowd and stage, jubilant fans acknowledging The Clarks' Pittsburgh homebase with rousing "Here we go Steelers, Here We Go!" chants, and even the occasional crowd surfer or two.
With excellent weather and attendance, this concert was the perfect closer to the first Alive @ Five Summer Concert Series. The concert slate for 2008 is already being put together, and is expected to be announced sometime in October.
Some pictures from the concert:
Bill Deasy.
Bill Deasy and his band, including Clarks guitarist Rob James on the left.
A view of the concert grounds during Bill Deasy's performance, shot from the Railroaders Museum's upper balcony.
Another view from above, Bill Deasy and his band.
Rob James and Bill Deasy.
Again, Rob James and Bill Deasy.
Craig and Adam, giving away MGD goodies and inviting Clarks karaoke contestants to the stage.
Craig and Adam, and a bunch of Clarks future vocalist hopefuls, contending to win an acoustic guitar autographed by The Clarks.
Bassist Greg Joseph of The Clarks.
The Clarks' lead singer, Scott Blasey.
The Clarks.
Drummer Dave Minarek of The Clarks.
Again, Scott Blasey of The Clarks. Can you guess what song he's singing?
Again, Greg Joseph of The Clarks.
Rob James and Scott Blasey of The Clarks.
Scott Blasey of The Clarks, stepping before some adoring fans.
Guitarist Rob James of The Clarks.
Once again, Scott Blasey of The Clarks.
Again, Dave Minarek of The Clarks.
The audience continues to show their appreciation for The Clarks.
Playing the mandolin during "Penny on the Floor," Rob James of The Clarks.