Stealing a couple of minutes from my work station computer(shhhhh--don't let my boss know!!):

Random thought before I mention "Morning Dance" performance:

The band alwsys seems to be having alot of fun onstage, even while playing very seriously.

Sept 13th, well, they were having as much fun together as I have ver seen in my privlidged 46 Spyro Gyra concerts.

The Julio/Jay duel on Shaker Song had some jump swing stuff that recalled "Sexy and Seventeen(My Little Rock n Roll Queen).

My brother Joe reminded me that we saw a first: Schuuu playing "air bass" to one of Scott's bass solo's(perhaps it was during Down The Wire). Also, it looked like Schhu was twittering for a brief minute of two while he and Jay watched Julio Bonny and Scott from off stage!!

Morning Dance was great and remember:

The 2009 tour is the 30th anniversary of the release Of Morning Dance!

In honor, Tom, instead of playing a piano solo, in honor of Dave Samuels contirbution on the originals studio track, played a near note perfect "Marimba" solo on his synth!!

It is indeed a great band that can play it's "signature song" early in the set and have NO problem following itself....kinda like Led Zeppelin playing "Stairway" in the first half of it;s concerts and being able to follow themselves(or course they sould too!)

Paul

Let's at least finish the first half(of the review) of the September concert....if anyone is still interested.

Island Time--a bonus track for this concert...in August, it was indeed on the first half setlist, but was scapped due to time constraints(Jay said, "We just played four songs in about 45 minutes, so we're gonna take a 15 minute break and come back".

Island Time was a great party time first half closer, Tom playing the steel drum parts and everyone having a ball onstage. Julio had a fantastic break at the end of the song., but the rest of the band had their own great turns as well.

Next: I get to the second set, and another surprise bonus track that was NOT played at the Hyatt gig in August.

Paul

Only have a minute(litterally)before I have to be on my way home, as I am posting from my office computer>

I have to give a shout out to Dave, the legendary photographer of many a Spyro moment....sure, I've been to 46 Spyrto Gyra performances since 1985, but dollars to donuts that Dave has been to hundreds over the years!!!

Anyway, between sets, Dave brings my brother Joe and I some ice cold bottled water to keep us hydrated in the 85 degree sun....come to think of it, he did so BEFORE the concert as well. Everyone is family when it comes to Spyro Gyra...I mean everyone greets ya with a smile and a handshake or hug. They appreciate you as much as you apprecciate them.

Anyway, next time, I get to:

Heliopolis

Paul

It's time to put this thing to bed....

Heliopolis was the second in a row played in Temecula that the band did NOT perform at the Hyatt Newporter gig(Island Time being ta udda).

Bonny B started it off with some improvised singing. Sang something about summer, mixed with effective wordless vocal.
Then, BAM, main riff kicks in.
I caught myself expecting Julio to that short response riff that Chet Catallo did on the AAA take. Julio caught me looking, and instead gave me a ''''wasssssup'''' look when he recognized me.Great electric piano sound was there, great solo by Schu. Jay and Julio were great as well. Crowd loved it.

Caught Schuuu playing 'air bass' at the start of "Down The Wire". What a heavy bass line and a great song. Scottie tore things up. Julio did a VERY fusion-y weird chording solo, just outstanding....that is my stuff!!! Great riff...by Scott. Jay and Tom stood off to the side reveling in the Scott bass solo, and the mix of Scott, julio and Bonny a few minutes later.

De La Luz...is never less than great....................and it was great in Temecula. Julio has changed it up a bit by doing a bluesy solo vocal during his intro solo. That helps to keep things special, the way the band insists on adding to and changing things on arrangments every tour! Shaker Song on THIS tour is another prime example..a mix of the original with the piano trio jazz stuff, and voila! A 14 minute Shaker Song that may be the best take on that song ever.
'Make It Mine' had the hundreds in attendance up on their feet dancing. As usual, Bomny threw in the double en tendre stuff...scat jazz ala Satchmo....even a bit of MJ....""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""DO You remember the Time?""""""""""""""""""""""""""More later

It's official--this is the longest ammount of time EVER taken to finish a review!!!

Encore was "Breakfast at Igor's"....great, as usual...but, again with fresh and dazzling spins and changes from other tour takes.

The guitar solo, instead was a guitar solo and bass solo call and response, and Schuu kept hitting that one note tuba sound at momments that made Jay, Scott and Julio laugh. Jay solo'd, and then Schuu brought it home with what is always an 88 key investigation of great ragtime jazz--and I DO mean ALL 88 keys!!

End of review!!! Alleluia!!!

POST SCRIPT:

Met a couple in their late 70's after the gig....he looked like the guy in the first two Jason Bourne movies...the leader of the good guys that went bad and killed himself at the end of movie.

Anyway, I promised to mention him in my review, his name is Jeff and he is a huge jazz fan. He saw Spyro Gyra was back in the 1970's, perhaps before they took the name!!

He and I and my brother talked for 20 minutes until I could see that his wife was getting upset at being lef out!!

This guy also saw Dorsey and Brubeck and Louie Belson and Davis and Gil Evans and rates Spyro up there becaouse they have their own style that hundreds of bands aspire to acquire!!

Last add(perhaps):

My brother and I hang after the (even for Spyro's always quality gigs) way above average cocnert....talk with Jeff the fan, a bit with Scott, with Tom Schuman's beautiful bride, Yvonne...what a sweetheart.

We get to guard Schuuu's equipment...and I silently pledge that I will guard it with my life..hee hee heee. Tom takes a couple of fans up to the VIP area to meet Jay, and returns five or ten minutes later. I tell Schuuu that the band was on fire, ask 'what was in the water'...he says Bonny B's unquenchable enthusiam and energy and endless smiling gives he and Jay and Scott and Julio new energy....hence, even for a 45 timer like myself, perhaps new levels of being impressed.

Then, as I mentioned earlier, Tom allows me the privlige of "being his roadie" and carrying his main keyboard rig out to his rental car. Tom and Bonny are driving together.

That is about it./....for now.

Paul