March 29, 1988--Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit:
It was the tour that wasn't supposed to happen, as Bruce's Tunnel of Love from 1987 was intended to be a solo album and the E Street Band members were added as supplemental musicians to that recording. Some reports suggested Springsteen would on his own in 1988 or not perform at all. And yet, they were all here, right from this imaginative starting stunt: the group came out by themselves or in pairs, stopping at the "ticket booth" onstage to receive passes from Bruce's associate Terry Magovern, before playing their instruments, one by one. Roy Bittan on synth started first, and soon they were all into the brilliant title track of yet another great album and the opener of the robust "Tunnel of Love Express" tour. The "Fade Away" B-side, "Be True," was now a central part of the show, as was the reggae-ish "Part Man, Part Monkey," as well as a cover of Detroiter Gino Washington's "Gino Is a Coward." That's not even mentioning all of the crowd favorites. What I loved about the keyboard tandem (Dan Federici, organ and Bittan, piano, synth) was not only how well they blended--a continuation of their Born In the U.S.A. approach. It was also the way Bittan removed the coldness from that electronic instrument (to my ears, 1980s pop music was largely poisoned by chintzy Casio keyboard sounds) and brought back that special warmth that the best rock instrumentalists display so expertly; it was a sensibility worth savoring.
April 1, 1989--Lou Reed, Fox Theater, Detroit: An inspired show, where Reed played all of his magnificent New York album--highlighting Mike Rathke's liquid guitar work--in running order and then encored with his best known work. It was a stripped down, emotionally powerful concert, free from the overkill of thick guitar harmonies. But of course, I love all that on 1974's Rock'n'Roll Animal live album as well.
May 20, 1989--Bonnie Raitt, Royal Oak Music Theater, Royal Oak: I've been overwhelmed by the quality of Bonnie's voice and slide guitar since her 1972 second album Give It Up--and then I had to go back and buy her debut. Now she was riding high with her first big commercial smash, Nick of Time, so well deserved. "Cry On My Shoulder" was moody and great, and the band rocked out, too. Opening was Richard Thompson in a very cheerful performance, often bypassing the delicacy of his typically accomplished guitar work for hard strumming. A fab moment: R.T. came back out for Bonnie's encore and joined her on John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery."
August 27, 1989--The Monkees, Meadowbrook Amphitheatre, Rochester Hills: I had taken daughter Mirelle, a huge Monkees fan, twice in 1986 to see them. In 1989, the lineup consisted of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork and no Mike Nesmith, just like 1986. Especially cool: Micky's "Randy Scouse Git" from Headquarters, where the tympani drums were placed out front and we could see him play (hey, over time, he learned well). There was a solo banjo piece from Peter and loads of screaming for Davy. I'm a big fan, too, because I remember when the Monkees were current stars on Top 40 radio and it was damn good listening--as on "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and loads more.
February 1, 1990--Paul McCartney, The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills: I was awarded the tickets at work after becoming employee of the month. McCartney had a superb band, with keyboardist Wix Wickens skillfully recreating Beatles tracks that were played on horns or strings--and there was Hamish Stuart of the Average White Band, alternating between bass and guitar, depending upon what McCartney has playing. Sir Paul struggled with his singing as he hadn't lowered the key of anything he sang 20 or 30 years ago, and yet he was a consummate showman, still a captivating artist at age 47. For some reason--some have attributed it to reduced usage of pot--he sounded stronger onstage when I caught him a second time in 2002, at age 60. But I wouldn't have missed this night for the world.
Summer 1990--Don Williams, Pine Knob Music Theater, Clarkston: Not sure who was the actual headliner (the over the top Ronnie Milsap was on the bill), but Williams was clearly the best thing here. He sat on a high bench on the main stage and turned the outdoor gig into a back porch pickin' affair. I had a newfound respect for Williams at that point and bought his current album, True Love.
October 1, 1990--George Winston, Orchestra Hall, Detroit: A lovely way to ease back into life after the birth of my second daughter, Emily. Label it new age music if you wish. I call Winston's type of solo piano and composing very affecting; with reflective spaces between the notes and not one cheap glissando, it's never mushy. To this day, Winston's holiday classic December (1982) is the first thing Gina and I put on the stereo at Thanksgiving, and it keeps getting spins through Christmas.
See also: 1972-1974, 1975-1979, 1980-1981, 1982-1983, 1984-1987