Concerts- America at YAAMAVA November 22

 I have been going to concerts since 1972.  I saw James Taylor and the Section ( who opened for him)  It was wonderful and began a lifelong journey in the world of music and live performances.

Friday night , I went to Yaamava Casino  to see my favorite band in the world, America.  I saw the band in 1973 and their music always makes me feel happy.  Now it IS true that only one of the original members is still touring after 54 years. Dan passed away some years ago ( although he had left the band some years prior to that) and Gerry announced his retirement from the road last year.  That leaves Dewey as the one original member but the rest of the band is made up of wonderful musicians, including Rich Campbell who has been with them the longest. Andy Barr does a great job, handling what would be Gerry's vocals. Steve Fekete is a ball of energy, killer guitar player.  Ryland Steen is behind the kit, he also handles vocals and acquits himself quite nicely on both counts. 

Casino shows can be weird.  A lot of the audience is made up of "club members" who might have been comped the tickets or a lot of people who are casual fans, out for a fun night of drinking, gambling and entertainment. This was certainly the case on Friday night.

WHY tell me WHY do people think it's ok to have a full-blown conversation during the show?  We are NOT in your freaking living room!  The redneck old guys behind me were TALKING REALLY LOUD during the opening montage.  I LOVE the song that goes with it ans was looking forward to hearing it, not Jim-Bob's detailed description of changing his car bumper.  I gave both of them the GLARE twice and when that didn't work, I said " are you two planning on talking through the ENTIRE SHOW?"   "Jim-Bob" said  "what's your PROBLEM?  I said "your MOUTH!'  It stunned him into silence.

Since Dewey is the only remaining member, they do their hits, but delve into the deep cuts from Dewey's catalog. I knew all the songs, but a REALLY DRUNK AND LOUD casual fan in the back kept screaming "we came to hear America Songs!!!!"  They did their hits. I can't think of one they missed (well maybe Muskrat Love but NO ONE want to hear that song) they added Neil Young's  "Cinnamon Girl" ( which was a real treat to hear) and that seemed to set him off.  He started screaming that he didn't want to hear Neil Young . Well that makes you a party of one in my book.  I enjoyed it.

The only song change I would make is swap "Nothing's so far away as yesterday" for "Three Roses."  But really, as the fan at the start of Jackson Browne's Running on Empty  live album screams out PLAY WHAT YOU WANT!

I am not in charge of your set list.

We had a nice time.  Yaamava is a HUGE casino with disappointing food choices.  I paid 17 bucks for a "sandwich" that was literally three dry pieces of turkey under a SINGLE slice of bread, sliced diagonally. Inedible.  Seriously we shoulda gone to Denny's ( and I LOATHE Denny's)

The venue is nice.  We looked around and if we go there again, there are larger handicapped seats which might have made it more comfortable ( Chris has some disability issues, as do I)

All in all a nice Friday night adventure. We were celebrating our 15th anniversary.