August 18, 2007

Howard Tucker Reviews Daniel Reichard’s “Summer Mix Tape” Concert!

August 18th, 2007

I had the honor of attending the first of two performances of the “Summer Mix Tape Concert” by the incredibly talented Daniel Reichard on Sunday, August 12. As always, Joe’s Pub was filled to capacity with Danielites, including Jersey Boys stars Jennifer Naimo (with husband Tim), Christian Hoff (with son Eli and daughter Erika), Kris Coleman, Peter Gregus, and Rick Elice. Also present were Broadway luminaries Kristine Zbornik (“Forbidden Broadway” and the soon-to-be-on-Broadway A Catered Affair) and Joey Dudding (Gypsy, A Chorus Line). So many fantastic fans were there too, including Courtney Liddle, Audrey Rockman, Pat Palumbo, Maria Mele and mom Patty, and Beverley and Charlie Micciche.

Opening Act: Kelly Kinsella
Jersey Boys Dresser and Broadway actress Kelly Kinsella opened the evening with a hilarious parody of her mom making “outrageous” demands of her struggling actress daughter. The skit was humorous, but the many performers in the audience nodded their heads at the truisms of parents having reservations at their offspring insistent on careers on the stage and screen.

Please read Kelly’s wonderful interview with Jersey Boys Blog and judge mom June for yourself in the slide show. In fact, mom looks so totally normal, I think she should be the one doing the parody of Kelly!!

Summerfling
Daniel couldn’t have picked a better opener than KD Lang’s summery and breezy “Summerfling.” I believe Daniel’s version is even a bit more upbeat than Lang’s original. The song has been covered by several artists, but has never been a huge hit in the U.S. Daniel, the Brill Building awaits!!

Tape Mix Dialogue I
Daniel’s first dialogue focused on our dependence on technology. He asked all of us to turn off our cell phones, not just put them on ‘vibrate.’ “I can’t think of a better time to shut the rest of the world out than when I’m on stage giving a concert,” he opined “objectively.” I don’t recall his saying it would be “the perfect time for us to unwrap our soothing lozenges and hard candies,” however.

Daniel then told us about making mixed tapes to help him connect with his brothers and sisters while all were off pursuing individual interests: Ann, John, Bill, Maggie, Kathryn, Patrick, Elizabeth (Libby) and Michael (Coonie).

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay
I was in high school when the original version was released just after Otis Redding’s 1968 passing, and it remained at #1 for four weeks. But I remember so many of the parodies much more than the original, with the most famous, below:

“Bidding on the Stock at Ebay”:
Surfin’ on the Internet,
From the sun up till that old sun sets
Buyin’ some real strange things,
Ain’t surprisin’ what the mailman brings

(Yeah) I Been Biddin’ On The Stock At Ebay,
Postin’ my price every day
oo, Just Biddin’ On The Stock At Ebay,
Blowin’ cash

But after making fun of this song for so many years, I loved Daniel’s soulful touching version, although I still don’t quite get the story. The fellow’s from Frisco and he’s sitting resting his bones, watching the ships roll in, and wasting time. Where is this guy now, Daniel? He’s not a New York CPA, is he? I need a sequel song. LOL—your voice is always a beautiful gift!!

Summer Suite
Daniel then did a great rendition of “Summer Suite,” by one of his and my favorite artists, John Denver. It’s almost unbelievable that John left us almost exactly ten years ago, on October 12, 1997.

One of my accounting clients is Jeff Deutschendorf, John’s first cousin (fathers were brothers). He was thrilled when I told him about Daniel’s love of John’s Christmas album with the Muppets and I’m sure he’ll be equally as happy with this tribute.

Tape Mix Dialogue II
Daniel talked about how he recorded the mixed tapes like a radio show (105.7 WACKY). His DJ name was Johnny John and his siblings Libby and Coonie were regular callers into his show.

People’s Parties
Written by the talented Joni Mitchell (“Both Sides Now,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Help Me”), “People’s Parties” has many thought-provoking lyrics, e.g., ‘saying laughing and crying; you know it’s the same release’ and ‘I’m just living on nerves and feelings.’ Fan feedback from Daniel’s 2006 “Glory Daze” show tells me the richness of feelings is something Daniel brings quite authentically to his performances.

And She Was
Daniel, your public demanded a repeat of this Talking Heads classic from your “Rockers on Broadway” show last January you complied. Your soul here was second to none.

Tape Mix Dialogue III
This one made me cringe a bit as Daniel told the story of him and his brother (Daniel is #8 of 9 siblings) deciding to get their heads shaved at the end of a bout with chicken pox.) Glad I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing little Danny at that stage!

Rebel, Rebel
Celebrating diversity, Daniel put his own special spin on David Bowie’s “Rebel, Rebel” from 1974, which is best known for its lyric, “You got your mother in a whirl / She’s not sure if you’re a boy or a girl.”

Bowie’s version was a bit more camp for a less tolerant society; Daniel adapted the song perfectly for 2007.

Just a Friend (rap version)
All our Blog readers can hear Daniel’s marvelous rendition on YouTube:

His adoring crowd reaction (which can be heard on the link) to this 1989 comedic and romantic Biz Markie goody speaks for itself, and really shows a great comedic flair in our artist.

A Natural Woman (Lauren Pritchard)
Daniel introduced the beautiful and talented Lauren Pritchard from the Tony-winning Broadway musical Spring Awakening. He noted that even the most talented performers on Broadway sometimes don’t snare a Tony nomination. (hmmm….to whomelse could that apply?) Lauren’s voice indeed was in a class by itself, and composers Carole King and Aretha Franklin would have been proud. Lauren’s voice is absolutely beautiful, and very different from either Carole’s or Aretha’s.

A Summer Song (duet with Daniel and Lauren)
From 1964, “A Summer Song” was Chad & Jeremy’s biggest hit, but most of the younger generation remembers it from Bill Murray’s “Rushmore.” It was beautifully sung by Daniel and Lauren, and stirred up some very personal memories for me. “They say that all good things must end someday, that autumn leaves must fall” clearly pertains to a dissolved love affair, or even on a more literal level, to summer turning to autumn to winter.

For me, however, 1964, the year of “Rag Doll,” was my last perfect year. My bar mitzvah party was that year, my two wonderful parents were robust and healthy, and life was as perfect as any 13-year-old could want. In the fall, however, my 45-year-old strong-as-an-ox mother, who regularly outran me around the baseball diamond and beat my father at arm wrestling, developed cancer and underwent the first of many surgeries. Her valiant fight ended several years later, and I was raised by a marvelous father. But for me, “all good things must end someday” takes me back to 1964. I was happy the room was dark so I could shed a private tear over this beautifully touching rendition.

I Drove All Night
Initially written and recorded by Roy Orbison, “I Drove All Night” was also beautifully covered by Cyndi Lauper and Celine Dion. But Daniel’s performance of this classic will finally replace the Chrysler commercial in my mind. Cyndi recorded it, supposedly to show the power of a woman being able to drive all night, but you made it wonderfully “ubiquitous,” Daniel.

Tape Mix Dialogue IV
Daniel’s final dialogue focused on the violence in a family with nine children. He described having the same tooth knocked out three different times, as follows:

First tooth knockout was thanks to sister Maggie who pushed him in a fight onto his bed where a rock was sitting. The “rock” was not a diamond and I don’t believe Daniel is a gemologist.

Second tooth knockout came from brother Patrick pinning him down with a chair like a lion tamer and the leg of the chair went right into his mouth.

Third time he was eating a Prosciutto sandwich in New York. Reminds me of the time I lost my upper right bridge in a Tad’s Steak on 42nd Street!

Lay Lady Lay
This is the wonderful Bob Dylan love song written for “Midnight Cowboy” that never made the film. With Dylan himself “having a voice that came from you and me” per Don McLean’s 1972 “American Pie,” Daniel no doubt gave this song a beauty about which Dylan could only dream.

Band Introductions
Daniel then introduced his fine band members to the cheering crowd:

Musical Director and Lead Guitarist: Steve Gibb
Keyboard: Steven “Hoops” Snyder
Skins: Kevin Dow (Jersey Boys)
Bass: Ken Dow (Jersey Boys)

Late in the Evening
In my opinion, this is one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most underrated songs. Daniel did it beautifully, and it’s a shame we didn’t have a dance floor. And it was indeed, getting “late in the evening” as Daniel came to his last song:

On the Bright Side of the Road
From one of Paul Simon’s most underrated songs to one of the most underrated artists in my opinion, Van Morrison. With a great band arrangement, Daniel did it justice.

Encore: Handle Me with Care
Daniel really enjoyed this song and put so much energy into it. Days later, your rendition is still replaying itself in my mind. We now have two great covers: the Traveling Wilburys (Petty, Dylan, Harrison, Orbison, and Lynne) and Daniel Reichard. This would be my choice for your first single release, Daniel.

Pick a song, any song, and Daniel Reichard sings it well. His voice is second to none. But his love for the music, which clearly comes across, puts him a cut above the rest. He promised a wonderful evening and he delivered in spades, amply assisted by his great band and the talents of Kelly Kinsella and Lauren Pritchard. Thank you, Daniel, Kelly, and Lauren.

Thank you so much to Special Correspondent Howard Tucker’s coverage of Daniel Reichard’s marvelous “Summer Mix Tape” concert and to Special Correspondent Audrey Rockman’s fantastic photo coverage of the evening on Jersey Boys Blog!

18 Comments »

  1. I really loved this concert–Daniel, you are indeed a great talent. And Howard, your personal takes on each song were touching and humorous. Thank you for taking me back to a wonderful evening and for documenting it so well.

    Comment by Paul — August 18, 2007 @ 7:19 pm

  2. I’ve been looking forward to your review, Howard, and again you didn’t disappoint. You always make me feel not quite so bad about missing an event. I even shed a little tear with you. Thank you so much for bringing it all to life for those of us who couldn’t be there in person. You’re awesome.

    Comment by Catherine — August 19, 2007 @ 10:19 am

  3. I wish I could have been at Daniel’s concert. Howard Tucker does make you feel like you were sitting there.

    Comment by THEA — August 19, 2007 @ 10:20 am

  4. Howard,
    My husband was able to relate to Daniel’s stories throughout the concert because he also is from a large family, being the oldest of nine children. Daniel truly has a gift. From Jersey Boys to his concerts, his voice is powerful and he always performs with such passion and with an upbeat style.

    Comment by Beverley Micciche — August 19, 2007 @ 10:47 am

  5. Howard,
    Even though I’m more than a thousand miles away, your review made me feel I was almost there. Sounds like a GREAT show. Thanks for letting us all in on it.
    Steve

    Comment by Steve Hammel — August 19, 2007 @ 12:02 pm

  6. HOWARD, YOU HAVE A GIFT AND STICK WITH IT. YOUR ARTICLES SHOULD BE IN THE N.Y.TIMES REVIEWS. JP

    Comment by JIM PETRECCA — August 19, 2007 @ 12:45 pm

  7. Thanks Howard for placing us all at Daniel’s concert. You write too good for a CPA. Or should that be too well?

    Comment by David Cace — August 19, 2007 @ 2:04 pm

  8. Howard you did a great job on writting this.Daniel your concert was the best one i have been to!!You rock.
    Maria

    Comment by Maria — August 19, 2007 @ 2:54 pm

  9. Hi Howard,

    I agree with Jim Petrecca – you have a gift. I always marvel at how you articulate each of your subjects. The pieces are well-written and always with a touch of humor! Maybe you should start a section called “The Tucker Review” – I love the name!

    Thank you so much for your efforts Howard – much appreciated.

    Comment by Angel — August 19, 2007 @ 3:00 pm

  10. Howard,

    I love reading your reviews;as much for their vivid descriptions , as well as the personal anecdotes.You definetely have a second career calling. Daniel’s concert sounded wonderful. I have had the pleasure of seeing him perform at many benefits, and he is an amazing talent. Thanks for bringing this one home, for those of us who couldn’t be there.

    Pamela

    Comment by Pamela — August 19, 2007 @ 5:28 pm

  11. It was a great night with Daniel on stage and you, Howard, in the reviewer’s booth. Daniel came through once again- delivering a great show with a lot of musical talent on stage with him. John Leone on the harmonica was just remarkable!

    Howard, you tread delicately when need be- Daniel’s story about the head shaving after the chicken pox; yet inquisitive at times… where is that Frisco kid that was sitting on the dock of the bay today? (Maybe he decided to start his own group.)

    HOWARD TUCKER… not too long for a marquee. How about they hire you on a trial basis for, let’s say.. three weeks at a salary of $25 a week, then we’ll see what happens.

    Thanks for a great review, as always!

    Comment by Audrey — August 19, 2007 @ 9:21 pm

  12. Howard:

    Again, this proves that you can really present a good write-up on any events. Keep up the good work my friend!

    Sounds like a real great show.

    Liz

    Comment by Elizabeth — August 19, 2007 @ 9:35 pm

  13. FYI – According to Daniel’s myspace site, he is thinking of doing another summer mix tape concert at the end of the month and is wondering if there is enough interest. Anyone interested may want to log on and let him know.

    Comment by Catherine — August 20, 2007 @ 1:48 pm

  14. Once again Howard you’ve proven to be a literary genius in your description of the concert, It’s good to know that you can bring to life a concert on paper. Hip hop hooray for you Howard

    Comment by Tim from Harlem — August 20, 2007 @ 5:24 pm

  15. Just a wonderful review of Daniel’s show, complete with some background bits of information about many of the songs performed, as well as some personal insights shared by JBB special corresponent, Howard Tucker! Your descriptions were so detailed, it truly made me feel that I attended the concert. Thanks for taking the time to put together such a comprehensive and well-written report on the evening’s proceedings.

    Comment by Len Gersten — August 20, 2007 @ 11:20 pm

  16. Howard, you are a professiomal ! No question !

    Comment by Reiner Bussmann — August 21, 2007 @ 12:31 am

  17. Howard, I missed the original, but your synoposis motivates me to see Daniel’s encore. Thanks.

    Comment by Anna — August 23, 2007 @ 9:09 pm

  18. Another Great JOB!!!!

    Keep up the outstanding reviews, Howard.

    Thanks

    Marie

    Comment by Marie — September 9, 2007 @ 12:02 pm

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