Tantramar Community Radio Society Concert Review
August 13th, 2008
The Eagles Concert
In one of the most natural concert bowls in all of North America, Moncton set the stage for one of the greatest concerts ever held in Atlantic Canada. Hats off to the organizers of the event as everything went very smoothly. Perhaps an invisible roof covered Magnetic Hill to stop the rain that hit most of Atlantic Canada. As in Woodstock more than 30 years ago, John Fogerty again asked "Who Stopped the Rain". First of all, it is almost mind boggling to see the great creator of Creedance Clearwater Revival CCR fronting the Eagles when he can headline concerts anywhere on his own accord. The crowd showed their approval with great enthusiasm . His voice is as unbelievable as it was in his 20's and he belted out many of the top CCR hits. His band members were well selected to follow him through his awesome guitar and vocal presence on stage ***** Stars for John Fogarty. Fogarty did his job as 60,000 people were so pumped when the Eagles hit the stage, pandemonium erupted as the band, in semi formal attire (suits), stepped right into the past with many of their oldest hits like "Hotel California" and continued on until the encores finished with "Desperado". I must admit that no band has ever succeeded in surpassing the harmonies that have been the bread and butter of the Eagles. The crowd continued to be ecstatic over each and every song and loved the antics of Joe Walsh, the rebel rouser of the band. That being said, I have never seen a band more professional than the Eagles and perhaps they are even better than they were some 30 odd years ago. Actually my highest rating is 5 stars but only on this occasion will I rate the Eagles *****1/2 Stars and to the organizers of the venue **** Stars for their hard work and to whoever stopped the rain, a high Five!! By the way ...a big thanks to Tony and Shelly of C104 "You brought the Eagles to Moncton"
Randy Smith For TCRS 107.9 FM
May 23rd 2008
Leonard Cohen
Being a bit of a concert buff I have been fortunate enough to see a number of great bands over the years including Genesis with Phil Collins, Wings with Paul McCartney and others but the most interesting of all was at the Capital Theatre in Moncton when 74 year old Canadian Icon Leonard Cohen took the stage and hypnotized the entire audience. Sold out in about two hours those of us who were lucky enough to get tickets were dazzled not only by his stamina but by the golden vocal chords that chimed out the prose of a master performer who will not be forgotten for many years to come. In fact the experiences of Mr. Cohen through his life rode the many waves of change since the 1960’s not only in music but as a story teller sometimes dark, sometimes bright, and sometimes controversial but always prudent for the times. A terrific back up band and singers complement his production which led to not one, not two, not three but four encores that spurned some of his most recognizable songs for the enchanted crowd who wanted more and more. If you ever get a chance to see Leonard Cohen live it is worth much more than the price of a ticket and you will be singing hallelujah, hallelujah for days to come.
Randy Smith for Tantramar Community Radio Society
