Where: Warner Theater, Erie PA
When: May 15, 2003
Opening for The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band's headlining show at Warner Theater in Erie PA, was "Stage" a band from Long Island, New York who recently released their self-titled album. Their music launched the show, kicking up to near metal proportions. Lead singer/songwriter Ryan Stahr presented an artistic almost theatrical interpretation of the music on stage. Petr Anselmo delivered the heavy
bass vibrating through the concrete and the crowd, who looked on and listened in with mixed reviews. Drummer Justin Parker added strong beats to the essential rhythm section in this band. Greg Mayer handled the electric guitar, accompanied by Stahr adding his own riffs on a few songs. The band then moved on to a display of dark melodies and mild angst woven through haunting tempo change. This music was
made for live shows and best represented by all instruments in sync and individually expressed. I picked up a copy of the new CD and was delighted to discover I could actually hear and read the lyrics on the album version. The live vocals were all but inaudible but you could feel through the music and Stahr's performance that the lyrics were personal and powerful.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Double Trouble entered the stage embraced with applause from their seated fans in the historic theater. Kenny opened the show in the spotlight with an instrumental intro until he changed gears into his own "Somehow, Somewhere, Someway." At that point Noah Hunt strolled on stage in black boots, silver buckles and black jeans with a short sleeve blue shirt, cheers greeting him as he crossed to center stage. The band showcased their original songs from all three KWSB albums through the beginning of the show's set list.
Kenny looked vibrant on stage, tossing his shiny blonde locks back with his head, in a nice black button up long sleeve shirt and khaki pants. He moved across the stage, switching sides with Noah often to insure all his fans had a good view of him playing to them. At one point he knelt down with guitar in hand and pointed out at the fans in the left section who wildly cheered for him. Kenny was confident, not cocky as
he repeated this move to the right and to the center, kneeling each time. Kenny also thanked his fans, "for sticking with us, we have the best fans!" he declared. "Thank you for all the support. We've been writing some new stuff and it's going really well. It's gonna be our best record yet. We already got a lot of stuff done. It should be coming out at the end of the summer, if not then sometime this fall. But tonight, we are gonna take a look back at some of the stuff we've done."
Noah has obvious chemistry with his audience, singing to them and acting out the highlights of the songs with hand gestures while vocally exclamation pointing the lyrics. He also uses his tambourine to hype up the crowd, exchanging smiles with excited fans while he plays. Noah's signature purring on "Shame, Shame, Shame" seemed to hit a whole new level as he held and vibrated that "ohhhhh, shame" just a
little bit longer than usual. The talented vocalist is comfortable on stage leading the band and modestly content enough to stand back and watch Kenny Wayne Shepherd work this song. As Kenny entered into his shortened solo Noah played air guitar behind him and raised his hand waist level to feel the vibes. Closing his eyes, hands turned palms up, feeling the blues guitar and evoking their spirits as Kenny's gifted hands seemed to effortlessly play. Noah also expressed his chemistry with his band mates throughout the night. At one point he rested his head on Bass player Tommy Shannon's shoulder and later held on to Kenny with brotherly affection as Kenny played. During the Blues classic "U done lost your good thing now" Noah stepped over to Kenny and smoothly adlibed "Kenny, I tried" He then went on to share the comradery with Shannon and Drummer Chris Layton, calling out each of their names as well.
The polite crowd stayed seated much of the show, even during "Blue On Black" except for a few excited fans most noticeably the two girls near front row who danced for Kenny's attention. Before he started the "Shotgun Blues" though Noah told the crowd, "It's time to get up! Stand up!" He confidently commanded and the seated crowd began to rise to their feet. Kenny ripped on this song and the tempo of the show changed with consistent thrills throughout the end of the set and into the encore. The front of the stage was suddenly filled with dancers and swayers sharing their love and excitement for the music and it's makers.
The crowd stood cheering a few long moments until the band emerged from backstage to answer the encore. Security moved in and perched along the wooden rail in front of the raised stage. Kenny Wayne Shepherd band versions of "King Bee, "Texas Flood" and"Voodoo Chile" were performed to end the night on a high. During Band introductions Noah introduced Kenny as "my best friend and one of the greatest
guitar players in the world," an incredibly strong compliment, and not without merit. Kenny Wayne Shepherd can just play that guitar phenomenally! "Tear the roof down Kenny!" Noah said before he walked off stage at the end of the vocals to "Voodoo Chile". The band jammed on as Kenny tore up the song and went off on his guitar with his behind the head move. The guitar performance was so moving, after that show you left feeling like you just witnessed greatness in your time.
Review written by Noahhunt.org 5/16/03
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