Can't wait! This is going to be great.

I'll be there tonite...third concert this year for me!

WOW! What a performance again by the Rippingtons! Paul Taylor was electrifying, Bill Heller was awesome, Kim Stone...you know, unbelieveable as usual, and Dave Karasony...simply magnificent.

Well, I wonder why Russ has decided to NOT play Tourist in Paradise and Fire for the encore? There was NO encore set. I saw the original set on the floor but it got changed during intermission. This happened in Oakland and Newport Beach venues. It was such a tradition for the Ripps to play this. Oh well, I guess things happen for a reason.

Either way, it was still a great concert!


Mike

Mike -

Having attended the Friday night jazz series at Newport Beach for the past 4-5 years, I noticed that the hotel imposes a curfew for all shows to be finished by 10PM sharp. I think the 15 minute intermission cut into the band's play time, which probably led to skipping the traditional encore. I wondered the same thing at first but then saw that it was 9:55 when they finished their last song.

I thought the set list was really interesting - particularly the opening, when Russ opened by saying, "We're going to change things up a bit and open 'small'....which led to beautiful, acoustic rendition of "I Watched Her Walk Away" - the first time in 15 years and 50+ shows that I ever saw the band play that track live.

For those interested, setlist was:

1. I Watched Her Walk Away
2. Welcome to St. James Club
3. Villa By The Sea (which Russ said is his wife's favorite song)

Medley -
4a. Take Me With You
4b. One Summer Night in Brazil
4c. Angela
4d. Oceansong

5. South Beach Mambo
6. Rainbow
7. Ladies Choice (Paul Taylor)
8. Deep Powder

- Intermission -

9. City of Angels
10. Black Diamond
11. Aspen
12. Spirits in the Canyon
13. Nature of the Beast
14. Highroller

That was a really great show but felt like it ended too abruptly and too sharply> I'm really bummed they didn't do an encore. That's pretty lame the hotel cuts the band off. I think the cover of deep powder was awesome and my wife loved hearing Black Diamond but Paul's EWI setting was kind of obnoxious. I think Eric M back in 2003 in Seattle had a better on his Electric Wind Instrument that sounded more like the recording.

Thanks for reminding me I can't see them anymore there!
(Since I moved to north FL where they never seem to come).

I did get to see Return To Forever in ATL Saturday night, so I don't feel as bad.

Glad the show was good.

Carl