Stephen Stills, Judy Collins concert had shining moments
Sunday night’s Stephen Stills-Judy Collins concert at Powers Auditorium was one of those hushed events, with the audience showing respect for the artists that bordered on reverential.
There was a sense of gravitas in the ornate venue. A sparse black stage. A grand piano. And then Collins entering in a spangly black coat and boots, contrasting with her golden hair, and Stills by her side, all in black.
The two icons of folk rock performed a set that included most of their new album, “Everybody Knows,” as well as the landmark songs from their careers.
These included a few that have a place on any list of greatest American pop songs. Standing ovations broke out several times, as everyone in the audience could sense they were witnessing a singular moment.
For Collins, the ovations came after “Both Sides Now,” which alone was worth the price of admission, her voice as clear and sharp as ever; and also “Chelsea Morning.”
Stills’ songs for Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash defined the ’60s era to an even greater extent. “For What It’s Worth,” with Stills guitar on full reverb, and the transcendent final third of “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” garnered roars.
Stills noted that the paranoia and political mistrust of the Vietnam era that inspired “For What It’s Worth” has strangely returned. “I wish we still didn’t need this song, but we do,” he said before playing it.
Collins and Stills, who started their relationship with a love affair in 1968 and remained friends long after it ended, shared many intimate, behind-the-scenes stories about their lives and music.
Stills even explained how they managed to remain friends for so long: “We married other people.”
In mentioning their mutual friend, the late and great songwriter-singer Leonard Cohen (who wrote the title cut of their new album), Collins called him “the smartest man on the planet.” Why? “He died the day before the election” (Nov. 7, 2016).
It was the most subtle and hilarious anti-Trump dig I heard all year at a rock concert. And there have been many.
Hubbard’s samantha reid got a new look on ‘live’
Did you catch Samantha Reid’s makeover on “Live with Kelly and Ryan” on Monday morning?
The Hubbard resident was one of a handful of women who were selected in the television show’s Style Regrets Contest. She went to New York last week for her makeover by the show’s fashion expert, Lawrence Zarian.
In her application to the contest, Reid wrote, “I am a mother to three wonderful children, 6-year-old twins and a 2-month-old baby. My biggest style regret would have to be the fact that I don’t have style anymore! The problem is that I never think of my looks. It’s always making sure the kids are dressed nice and looking good, not myself. Please help!”
In case you missed it, her before and after photos are shown on this page.
The whole experience was a memorable one for Reid.
“It was amazing,” she said. “They flew me out last Thursday. On Friday we went to the hair salon and we were there all day. On Saturday we went shopping with Lawrence and his assistant. Sunday was an off day, and we got to walk around New York. And then I was on the show Monday.
“It was wonderful meeting Kelly [Ripa] and Ryan [Seacrest]. They are such nice people. Kelly was loving my baby when we were off camera.”
Samantha and her husband, Michael, and their 2-month-old baby made the trip to New York.
During her live stint on Monday’s show, Samantha mentioned how easy it is to maintain her new hairstyle, and she said she has been keeping it that way so far.
The stay-at-home mom is a graduate of Hubbard High School.
SPY CONVENTION WILL CONVENE AT CEDAR’S FOR first SHOW
Spy Convention, a band composed of two Mahoning Valley doctors with a very distinct ’80s alt-rock sound, came out of nowhere this summer with a great debut album.
Now, the two men from Canfield – Dr. Asif Khan and Dr. Zafar Sheik – have finally booked their first gig. Spy Convention will make its live debut Nov. 25 at Cedar’s West End, 706 Steel St., on Youngstown’s West Side. Also on the bill will be Radio Lark.
MAKE TRACKS TO STATE PARKS IF YOU WANT TO SEE BIGFOOT
Ohio is one of the top five states for bigfoot sightings, and many of them take place in three state parks: Salt Fork, Mohican and Punderson (which also is known for its haunted Punderson Manor, not that there is a connection).
Salt Fork, in the remote southeastern corner of the state, is basically Ground Zero for bigfoot enthusiasts, but Punderson is by far the closest to Youngstown.
About an hour away in Geauga County, Punderson has logged a number of sightings, according to a press release from the Ohio State Park Lodges group. You can rent a room there, and with any luck, see an apparition and a sasquatch in the same day.
Go to pundersonmanorstateparklodge.com for information and reservations.
Guy D’Astolfo covers entertainment for The Vindicator. Follow him on Twitter at @VindyVibe.