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• KennyLoggins.com • Buy CD • bergenPAC.org
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at the BergenPAC in Englewood, New Jersey! A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch Kenny Loggins has filled many roles in his music career that has spanned over four decades. Kenny started out as a psychedelic guitar player in The Electric Prunes and a staff songwriter, penning four tracks for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Soon after he established a successful collaboration with Jim Messina (Poco) and later gained respect as a solo artist with forays into smooth jazz, pop and rock. In the 80's, Loggins had a number of hits for songs written for movies including 'I'm Alright (Caddyshack), 'Footloose', 'Danger Zone' (Top Gun) and 'Nobody's Fool (Caddyshack II).
 Throughout the 90's and into the present, Kenny continues to craft music and tour drawing from his classic catalogue. From late November through December of 2006, Kenny and his talented five man band played fourteen cities performing Christmas-themed concerts. The first half of the shows focused on holiday songs including tracks from Loggins' 1998 release "December" - the second half of the concert featured the hits. The November 28th performance at the BergenPAC was the first stop on the tour. Christmas music filtered through the hall as fans, some festively dressed, found their seats. The stage went dark as the band took their positions with Kenny Loggins walking out last. They started off with a swing-jazz version of 'Most Wonderful Time of The Year' much enhanced with sassy sax parts aptly handled by multi-instrumentalist Steve Nieves (brass, keys, percussion, vocals & woodwinds). Kenny was in good voice and pretty much hit all the high notes throughout the evening. The rhythms were up-tempo allowing a few quick instrumental solos. The opening carol was well received by the enthusiastic crowd who were quiet and attentive during the first half of the show. Kenny greeted the audience stating that its "good to be here". Slowing the pace down, Kenny performed 'On Christmas Morning' - a song co-written with David Foster. It was a subtle, reflective piece filled with imagery. Steve played flute on this track as keyboardist/vocalist Demarco Johnson added atmospheric accents to the song. The tone of the first set was very relaxed with Kenny sometimes sitting on a sofa next to a fake fireplace, singing and telling his stories. Between songs Loggins would reflect on the music, his family and the holidays in general. Many of the songs were pensive but Loggins made it a point to incorporate up-beat tunes into the first set, including an animated, jazzy version of 'Let It Snow'. During this song the keys sounded almost like strings complementing the brass instrument that Nieves was playing. Chris Rodriguez (guitar and vocals), Shem Von Schroeck (bass and vocals) and Steve Distanislao (drums, percussion and vocals) were also sharp and skilled throughout the evening's variations and festivities. Kenny performed a number of songs from the "December" CD talking about family, traditions and watching his children grow up. Loggins shared a story about his eldest son, now 25. Kenny remembered picking up a star at a grocery store (bad idea) putting it on the tree, plugging it in and having a beat box sound emanate from the top of the tree. Kenny's son loved it. After his child went to bed, Loggins switched the noisy star for a beautiful angel. Upon waking his son was upset to see the star gone. Kenny had to think fast and said the star had turned into an angel (magical). The switch became an annual tradition and resulted in a pretty song entitled 'Angels In The Snow'. Loggins lounged on the couch harmonizing with the other band members with a big angel backdrop.
 A sad horn and dramatic guitar segued into 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' beautifully sung by Kenny. Towards the end of the set, Loggins mentioned that he had a surprise as he introduced a local choir from the Community Baptist Church. The additional voices added depth and richness to the carols including the set closer 'Celebrate Me Home'. The song started with a soulful sax as the rest of the band built on the momentum. Kenny and the choir added to the energy with a vocal exchange with the men singing one part and the women the other. After a short break, Kenny came out with a blue guitar, quickly engaging the audience to clap along to 'Conviction of the Heart'. The couch and fireplace had been removed setting the tone for the second set, which was rocking. 'Whenever I Call You Friend' was energized with all the musicians taking a turn at lead vocals. Loggins mentioned that he wrote this next song as a kid, "its still a kids song". 'House At Pooh Corner' was a crowd-pleaser with young and old singing along as Nieves crafted subtle sound effects. 'That's When I Found You' had a similar reaction with the song coming to close with a twangy guitar part. The choir returned to help Kenny on a current song that will be on a CD scheduled for release in 2007. The new track was an upbeat rocker that the audience clapped along to. Some folks were yelling out song titles but Loggins chose to play another new track that he described as a song about believing in the future enough to do something about it. The song had an edgy, serious tone with a focus on vocals complimented by changing tempos. Heavy drumming introduced 'I'm Alright', which was energetic and had people on their feet. Some of the guitar parts had been extended and the vocal exchanges added to the live interpretation with the second set closing on a high note. Kenny, armed with an electric guitar, returned for the encore playing a rocking version of 'Footloose'. Kenny thanked the audience stating "you've been great". Kenny and the band left the stage with Loggins returning to lead the crowd in an a capella sing-along version of 'Silent Night'.
 The concert at Englewood's BergenPAC was a celebration of Christmas and the expansive career of Kenny Loggins. Kenny's music is still poetic and personal to many of his fans. Loggins' new songs demonstrated that he is still a relevant songwriter with plenty of musical gifts left to give.
THE BAND: SETLIST - FIRST HALF: It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Christmas Morning, Christmas Song, Let It Snow, Angels in the Snow, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, It's Christmas, Christmas Time is Here, Celebrate Me Home. SECOND HALF: Conviction of the Heart, Heart To Heart, This Is It, Whenever I Call You Friend, Wait a Little While, Return to Pooh Corner, Danny's Song, That's When I Found You, If You Believe, I'm Alright. ENCORE: Footloose, Silent Night.
 Originally Published: 12/05/2006 on Kweevak.com |
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