Yes, I know that Johnny Rivers and Jimmy Webb were both recently reviewed here when they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the legendary opening of the Whisky A Go Go. This time around,the concert was a benefit to celebrate the 60th anniversary of New Horizons, which has helped disabled people assimilate into society-quite a worthy cause.
The gig six months ago was so impressive, a return had to be done in order to ask myself, “Was Rivers STILL really that good?” Why can he and Webb still pack a house? What do they have to offer this present generation of ipod and ipad users that grew up with Beyonce’ and Lady Gaga?
Plenty. Singer/songwriter Jimmy Webb ambled on stage, sat down at the piano, and between avuncular stories of various artists and associates, sang songs of loneliness and hope. Timeless themes about war (“Galveston”) love lost (“The Worst That Could Happen”) and solitude (“The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”) were delivered by Webb in memorable melodies that can actually be sung by the man in the street without the help of electronics. A simple piece about the joy of life such as “Up Up and Away” (‘the only song back in the 60s that WASN’T about drugs,” he quipped) is not so much a reminder of another era, but a prophetic warning of how some time, far long ago, we made a wrong turn somewhere. And if there is a better love lyric than “And I need you more than want you; And I want you for all time” from “Wichita Lineman,” would someone please tell me? Forty minutes of pure thoughtful music which made you think about your life. What more do you want?
You had to ask? How about the bluesiest 72 year old rocker around? In person, wiry, perfectly coiffed and dressed, Johnny Rivers looks like your boyhood barber. On stage with a guitar strapped around his neck, Rivers stripped out all of the dross of today’s popular “music” and brought the packed house back to the essentials of modern music by rockin’ the blues and bluesing the rocks. Surrounded by a six piece band (which included long time member Dean Parks/steel guitar) and four vocalists, Rivers made his guitar snarl while he wailed on tunes like “Midnight Special” and snarled on vocals while his guitar wailed on red clay earth pieces like “Seventh Son” and “Chicago Bound.”
But, what makes Rivers in that special class is that, like so few artists, he can appeal to both male and female fans. Like the actor Steve McQueen, who was admired by guys for his toughness and prowess on a motorcycle, and by the gals for his charm, Rivers gets the macho approval by getting down and dirty with some testosterone-inspired picking on “Rockin’ Pneumonia” and “Route 66” but also showing a romantic side that is irresistible to women with tender and sensitive tunes like “Poor Side of Town” and “Summer Rain.” And who can’t resist the irresistible “Secret Agent Man” that closed the set and had everyone dancing with a partner (another lost art in the 21st Century!) in the aisles? Rivers, as all minstrels since time began, used music to unite generations and cultures. Modern hipsters take note!
Upcoming events at the glorious Ford include: Preservation Hall Jazz Band/Dustbowl Revival July 5, Forever Flamenco August 8 and A Billy Higgins Tribute August 24
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