The show last night was outstanding — the best I've seen all year. Joe started at the piano by himself for the first two songs. Then his band came out for the bulk of the show. He's touring with a six-piece combo, including Alison Cornell (on keyboards, viola, vocals and even banjo) and Sue Hadjopoulos (who's played percussion for Joe as far back as Night and Day). Jesse Murphy, the bassist, switched between electric and acoustic, and even played tuba on "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" And Nate Smith was a powerhouse on the drum kit. His attack made "The Invisible Man" a particular standout. They played the Ellington tunes pretty closely to the arrangements on Joe's new CD, The Duke; the arrangements on Joe's own material got changed around a lot, especially on his Seventies songs. The show ended with "A Slow Song"; the musicians dropped out and left the stage one at a time, leaving Joe to finish the song by himself on piano. I guess Joe's age may be catching up to him a bit; he remained seated all night at the piano. But he's in good voice, and he remains an exceptional bandleader. The musicians looked delighted throughout — seriously, how many musicians get a chance to play Ellington these days? Apart from the dumbass who kept hollering, "'Real Men'!" after every song — and even during a quiet part of one of the songs! — last night's show couldn't have been improved upon, IMO. SETLIST: It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (Joe solo) Be My Number Two (Joe solo) In a Sentimental Mood Caravan You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want) It's Different for Girls I'm Beginning to See the Light/Take the "A" Train/Cotton Tail Mood Indigo The Invisible Man Rockin' in Rhythm Hometown Perdido/Satin Doll The Mooche/Black and Tan Fantasy Another World Target Steppin' Out It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (full band) ENCORE: Is She Really Going Out with Him? Sunday Papers A Slow Song https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42044#msg-42044 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 03:35:02 -0500 Phorum 5.2.23 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42050#msg-42050 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42050#msg-42050
Nope. None of his material from his days in The Eagles, either.]]> Delvin Trouser Press Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:44:45 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42049#msg-42049 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42049#msg-42049
I see on its web site that the Orpheum seats 2,000. My recommendation, Fab? Get a cheap(er) ticket and go. You won't be disappointed.

]]> Delvin Trouser Press Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:41:21 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42048#msg-42048 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42048#msg-42048 HollowbodyKay Trouser Press Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:38:48 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42047#msg-42047 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42047#msg-42047
Tickets range from $40 to $79. OUCH. Guess it really is true what they're saying about how musicians make their money nowadays from playing live, not from recordings.]]> MrFab Trouser Press Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:45:40 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42046#msg-42046 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42046#msg-42046
]]> Delvin Trouser Press Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:34:08 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42045#msg-42045 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42045#msg-42045 Michael Toland Trouser Press Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:06:32 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42044#msg-42044 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,42044,42044#msg-42044 Night and Day). Jesse Murphy, the bassist, switched between electric and acoustic, and even played tuba on "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" And Nate Smith was a powerhouse on the drum kit. His attack made "The Invisible Man" a particular standout. They played the Ellington tunes pretty closely to the arrangements on Joe's new CD, The Duke; the arrangements on Joe's own material got changed around a lot, especially on his Seventies songs. The show ended with "A Slow Song"; the musicians dropped out and left the stage one at a time, leaving Joe to finish the song by himself on piano.

I guess Joe's age may be catching up to him a bit; he remained seated all night at the piano. But he's in good voice, and he remains an exceptional bandleader. The musicians looked delighted throughout — seriously, how many musicians get a chance to play Ellington these days?

Apart from the dumbass who kept hollering, "'Real Men'!" after every song — and even during a quiet part of one of the songs! — last night's show couldn't have been improved upon, IMO.

SETLIST:
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (Joe solo)
Be My Number Two (Joe solo)
In a Sentimental Mood
Caravan
You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)
It's Different for Girls
I'm Beginning to See the Light/Take the "A" Train/Cotton Tail
Mood Indigo
The Invisible Man
Rockin' in Rhythm
Hometown
Perdido/Satin Doll
The Mooche/Black and Tan Fantasy
Another World
Target
Steppin' Out
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (full band)

ENCORE:
Is She Really Going Out with Him?
Sunday Papers
A Slow Song]]> Delvin Trouser Press Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:34:59 -0500