Dwarf lord
Spirit in the Night
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- Sep 28, 2003
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I just got back from the Jerry Lee Lewis show at the annual jazz fest (he was the kick off concert) and he was fantastic. Now, going into it, I wasn't really sure what to expect since the man is 72. I mean, he probably couldn't play nearly as well as he was back in the 50s. Those fears were quelled when he started playing his first song, which was "Roll Over Beethoven." Yeah, his voice isn't the same as it used to be, but he makes up for it in energy. Then he went into "You Win Again." When introducing it he remarked, "This is a song that Hank Williams turned into a hit, but the Killer made it a gold." It was so great so see that he still had that spark about him. And after that one he went into the first few bars of "Great Balls of Fire" and stopped "Not yet. We'll save that one for later. How the hell would you follow with Great Balls of Fire? Well perhaps, maybe with Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On."
He then played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee," "Before The Night is Over" and a few other blues and country standards. Then he closed the show with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" and "Great Balls of Fire." I can't explain the energy that was in the place when he was playing those songs. People were singing along and dancing in the ailses. And then before the song was over, he got up walked off stage and let his band finish. That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
But yeah, for a guy who can barely walk, talk or stand anymore, he can play piano just as well as he ever could. All the runs, fills, and glissandos were flawless as if he were still 20 again. And the voice, wasn't as powerful as it used to be, but it was certainly a lot more controlled and he still could hit the high notes. Overall, it was a great experience and I recommend anyone go see him if he hits your town. If anything, his back-up band is fantastic. I almost feel bad that they had to back up The Killer.
He then played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee," "Before The Night is Over" and a few other blues and country standards. Then he closed the show with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" and "Great Balls of Fire." I can't explain the energy that was in the place when he was playing those songs. People were singing along and dancing in the ailses. And then before the song was over, he got up walked off stage and let his band finish. That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
But yeah, for a guy who can barely walk, talk or stand anymore, he can play piano just as well as he ever could. All the runs, fills, and glissandos were flawless as if he were still 20 again. And the voice, wasn't as powerful as it used to be, but it was certainly a lot more controlled and he still could hit the high notes. Overall, it was a great experience and I recommend anyone go see him if he hits your town. If anything, his back-up band is fantastic. I almost feel bad that they had to back up The Killer.
Glad you got to see him before he falls off the planet. He does put on a hell of a show. I saw him play about 10 years ago and he tore the roof off the building.
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