CCI Concert Reviews

(TEXT from Above Review)

Review - February 9th, 2002 Concert:

Cosmic Indeed !

"David Carradine & The Cosmic Rescue Team"
The Celebrity Centre International - February 9, 2002

By Vickie Wright

Little did this music fan know what she was in for when asked to check out David Carradine's band. Upon arrival to The Celebrity Centre International the poster read, "Songs to make you laugh, songs to make you cry - from the ridiculous to the inspired." It was all that and more.

The evening began with Sasha, a very talented performer who held previous engagements with Cirque Du Soleil. Sasha maneuvered himself up and down a flowing red sash to the thunderous music of a Russian song titled "Last Dance." The crowd went wild in awe as he seemed to dance in mid-air and the red sash accompanied his every move beautifully, like a perfectly trained dance partner. The applause was just as thunderous as his choice in music.

Geoffrey Lewis then introduced the man that he described as, "Going back, doing his music again - only with what he knows now."

It was apparent that one was in for an evening of variety when the TV icon from "Kung Fu" walked to the stage in a cowboy jacket. David was well-received by the crowd and opened the show with a song titled "Walk A Country Mile." David and his guitar were content on the stage as if they were born there. With Sharon Benson on violin, a touch of lady class was added as she played soulfully to his words. David and Sharon looked great together on the stage. Other band mates were Cary Park on lead guitar, Ron Catt on bass, and a charismatic drummer named Christian Lyon.

As the set progressed, it was obvious that David was someone who had paid attention to life and its experiences. He expressed his spirit through lyrics that were as classic as Bob Dylan and as modern as Dave Matthews. He had the story telling style of Harry Chapin with the sensitiveness of Jim Croce, all wrapped up into his Springsteen- like voice. At times, the music styles represented those of country legends Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

The band as a whole is reminiscent of 70's bands like The Eagles and Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band. How ironic the event took place in The Garden Pavilion; David Carradine was in fact throwing his own garden party.

David took to the piano and showed even more versatility with "Everytime" - a tender ballad mixed with Sharon's sweet violin; they blended magically.
The greatest treat of the evening was to listen to David's stories, humor, and banter between the songs. He was one with his music, the audience and himself. In some cosmic way all the greats were up on that stage with him, even a touch of Randy Newman during one of his piano numbers called "Got No Right." As one, the audience journeyed together through his music.

During the second set David told the story of his handmade bamboo flute that he crafted and grew himself. The flute number was angelic to say the least, the soul and spirit lifting number called "Meditation Flute" was the opening to a song titled "Now's The Time To Tell."

Now with Sharon switching to guitar, the mood changed to an upbeat, reggae-style song titled "Paint" with David playing his Tiffany Harmonica
and showing yet another wonderful talent; he was simply brilliant. Toward the end of the show the band was all smiles and just feeling good. The audience swayed back and forth as he sang "Let Me Take You Around" - a soft love song that seemed to have sentimental meaning to him as he looked out into the crowd and sang to his special someone. Imagined or real, her presence was felt.

It was a night of magic, spirit, angels, and great music. David's current CD is called "As Is." He takes his show on the road and will be playing The Violet
Festival in New York June 7, 8, & 9, 2002. New Yorkers are in for a treat. It's Cosmic Indeed! What a team! David Carradine to the rescue!

(Vickie Wright is a freelance writer, music critic, and celebrity biographer.)