The CPR benefit for Walden school Saturday night at Pasadena City College was just lovely! I had bought random tickets without a seating chart online at Ticketmaster and was stunned when the usher brought us down to third row center! (I was kicking myself for not bringing my camera). I was also happily surprised to see Kate B.'s pals Anastasia and John Gonzales performing as one of the opening acts! They were excellent and my friend loved them. Next up was Joe Henry, who reminded me of Hugh Grant meets Lou Reed meets Tom Waits. Great voice, interesting lyrics but a bit too quirky-edgy when you are looking forward to the beautiful music of CPR. A woman in back of me gushed "he's SO cute" to which her boyfriend drolly replied "he has a weird name." LOL About this time I noticed that the woman in front of me had on a black leather jacket with Joni's Both Sides Now self-portrait intricately reproduced in embroidery on the back! I tapped her on the shoulder and asked where she got it and she said a friend made it for her and that a photo of it is posted on http://www.jonimitchell.com/Frames1.html (go to the Gallery and then to artist Mardeen Gordon to see it) Of course, I asked if she was on the list but she isn't.
Finally Crosby, Pevar and Raymond (with Steve DiStanislao on drums and Andrew Ford on bass) arrived. Crosby was the most relaxed and funny I've ever seen him. Made jokes about his failing memory and reminded all he was in the 60s and then made a pointed joke about how they could make more money if they had Britney Spears as their lead singer. (This was an inside joke because he made some disparaging remarks about Britney in print a couple months ago that started a whirlwind of backlash and a flame war on the CSN list ;-) Croz was in stunning voice, Pevar tore up the room with his playing and Raymond, although faltering a little in voice at times, knocked everyone out with his musicality on several different keyboards and harmonica. Raymond is also the chordal heart of the group and a brilliant composer. They played Map to Buried Treasure, Morrison, One For Every Moment, Rusty and Blue, Little Blind Fish, Eye Too Blue, an amazing Song With No Words, Deja Vu, Long Time Gone, Eight Miles High and for the encore they all channeled Neil Young on Ohio. Towards the end of the show I suddenly saw sweet photographer Henry Diltz scurrying down besides me to take photos! For a big donation through the Guacamole Fund one could attend the artists' after party - out of my price range but it sure would have been nice. Darice was going to try to come down from San Fran for the show but couldn't make it. I know if she had, we'd have been at the after-party with her Guac Fund connections ;-) It was a beautiful night and I hope it becomes an annual gig for the school (attended by Raymond's children). I think they made a lot of new fans tonight. Most of the crowd was there for the benefit but many were not familiar with the band. They went crazy for them with many standing ovations and bravos. It was a beautiful night and I hope it becomes an annual gig for the school, which is attended by Raymond's kids. Kakki NP: CPR - Coyote King
